Obituaries

Ralph H. Ford, age 74, of White Pigeon, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in St. Joseph. He was born May 22, 1943, in Joliet, Ill., a son of Gaylord and Margaret (Brown) Ford. In 1961, he graduated from Paw Paw High School, and he was an Air Force veteran. Over the years, Ralph owned and operated several restaurants, …

Karen Ann Stukey, age 75, of Sturgis, was called home Saturday morning, April 14, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, to be with her Lord and her husband Mel who was waiting to welcome her home to glory. She was born June 10, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, daughter of the late Ralph and Eunice (White) Fraylick, the oldest of …

Richard Abram Schwartz died peacefully at home in Three Rivers on Thursday, April 12, 2018 of complications from ALS. He was 83. Richard is survived by his wife, Ilze Knezinskis Schwartz; children, Anna Schwartz (Eric Rubin), Katrina Schwartz and Mara (Schwartz) Kore (Erik Kore); brother, Robert Schwartz (Nancy Hoffman); and grandchildren, Amanda, David and Rebeka Kore and Lena and Maia …

Marvin J. Smith, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born April 25, 1937, in Bronson, Mich., son of the late Emmett and Viola Smith. Marvin was a lifelong Bronson and Burr Oak area resident and was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1955. Most …

Norma Adamson entered heavens gates April 5, 2018 with her daughter Rita holding her hand.  Norma was born Dec 31, 1930 to Clarence and Adalene Thomason in Marion, Ind.  She married Lewis Adamson Dec 24, 1948.  They moved their family to Three Rivers, in 1963.  She worked at Reish’s Shoe Store until they closed in 1989.   The Reish family became …

Wilfred Laverne “Will” McEnroe, Jr., age 81, passed away on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Naples, FL surrounded by family. Born in Lyndonville, NY on February 21, 1937, he was the son of the late Wilfred L. and Marguerite (Toussaint) McEnroe. Will graduated from Lockport (NY) High School and attended the University of Buffalo where he received his engineering degree. …

Michael “Mike” Deskovitz passed on to the Eternal Big House while doing what Mike loved most … watching U of M win during March Madness. Mike was born in Dearborn, Michigan to Michael and Adelaide Deskovitz, and is preceded in death by his Mother and is survived by many treasured family and friends. Mike loved anything sports. He was an …

Wanda Beatrice Gilson, age 96, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Grace Healthcare Center.  She was born in Fowlerville, MI on October 3, 1921 the daughter of Floyd and Nellie Mae (Phillips) Sidell. She worked as a bookkeeper for close to 50 years at various lumber and wholesale window companies in Flint.  Wanda was a long standing …

Stanley Eugene Holtz, age 81, of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018. He was born March 23, 1937, in Sturgis, a son of the late Emerson “Mike” and Wilma (Gest) Holtz. Stan resided in the Burr Oak and Sturgis area most of his life, and truly loved wintering in Florida for more than 14 years. On March 20, …

Mary Lou (Yoder) Schlabach, age 78, of Centreville, went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, April 11, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Colon, a daughter of the late Levi B. and Lulu C. (Wickey) Yoder. On Oct. 21, 1960, Mary Lou married LaVern Edward Schlabach. The most important …