Obituaries

Marlene Adair Wait, 66, of White Pigeon, died on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at home, following a two-year battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 23, 1950, in Sturgis, a daughter of Fred and Mildred (Carr) Meier. Marlene was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a 1969 graduate of Constantine High School. She was a lifelong member of …

Nola LeGene Bowlby, age 92, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 28th, 2017 in Granger, Indiana.  Nola was born in Flowerfield Twp., St. Joseph County, Michigan on September 28, 1925, the daughter of the late Wayne and Viola (Maul) Heckelman. Nola graduated Three Rivers High School with the class of 1944.  The class yearbook described her as …

Tonya Elaine Smith, age 60, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 26th, 2017 at the Henry Ford Hospital surrounded by her loving family after battling a long illness. She was born on March 11, 1957 in Muncie, IN., the daughter of the late Williard D. Willis and Carolyn (Turner) Willis. Tonya was united in marriage to the love …

James Paul Noecker, 76, of Sturgis, died early Monday morning, Nov. 27, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Jim was born May 1, 1941, in Constantine, a son of Paul and Marion (Sartain) Noecker. He earned his degrees from University of Michigan, BBA in 1963 and JD in 1967. He worked as assistant prosecutor for St. Joseph County for …

Dr. Robert Lou Mowry of Sturgis passed away on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Borgess Gardens in Kalamazoo, following a brief illness. Bob was born Jan. 20, 1927, in Sturgis, and was the first born son to Russel L. and Mildred L. Mowry (Kelly). He grew up on his parents’ farm, graduated from Sturgis High School, and was a veteran …

Randall Roland Wadsworth, 74, of Sturgis, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a brief illness. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Shirley J. Modert, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 25, 2017, at Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek. She was born Feb. 17, 1950, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Mathias J. and Mary Rebecca (Mathews) Modert. Shirley resided in the Sturgis, White Pigeon and Bronson areas her entire life. She had been employed in the …

Joan was loving, caring and always put other’s needs before her own. Joan (Walsh) Mroczek was born February 6, 1933 and took her last breath peacefully at home on November 22, 2017, just 2 days after Walter, her husband of 61 years passed away. Joan was born in Chicago where she later graduated college and became a school teacher.  While …

Carroll R. Fisher, age 72, of rural Centreville, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Bono, Arkansas on Oct. 18, 1945 the son of Joe Bob and Ellen (Webb) Fisher. He was married to Sharon Carter on July 31, 1966 in Martinsville, Indiana and they have resided in Michigan since 1969. …

Gene Shepherd, age 68, of Mendon, passed away on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Cremation will follow. A graveside Service and burial of ashes will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Mendon Cemetery.