Obituaries

Douglas W. Miller, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, March 24, 2018, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. He was born Oct. 20, 1956, in Sturgis, a son of the late Roy and Violet (Hughes) Miller. Doug resided most of his life in the Sturgis area. He had been employed by the city of Sturgis in the …

Joellene Ann Bates, age 78, of White Pigeon, passed into the final season of her life on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. She experienced the true love of life and a natural final journey while God called her home. Joellene was born Feb. 23, 1940, to Lawrence and Helen (Armstrong) Pettit in Elkhart. She was preceeded in death by a daughter, …

Larry Gail Pletcher, age 76, of Jones, died peacefully Thursday, April 5, 2018, in his residence in the comfort of his family’s presence. He was born Jan. 20, 1942 in South Bend, the younger of two children born to Gail and Ruth Pletcher. Larry was devoted to his family and would do anything for his kids. He always loved his …

Betty L. Wheat, age 94, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born in Grand Rapids on August 18th, 1923 to Charlie and Glenice Harrington. Betty was united in holy matrimony to her late husband, Verle H. Wheat, in Byron, Ohio on the 26th of April in 1941. Betty and Verle made …

Carl L. Timm, age 89, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. He was born on Sept. 7, 1928 to Carl and Jennie (Lempke) Timm at 721 South Hooker Avenue in Three Rivers. In high school, “Timmber Timm” set the school basketball scoring record in 1947. In track and field, he was a regional champion in …

Dayton P. Baker, age 83 of Kline’s Resort died Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Lawton on Aug. 30, 1934 the son of Donald J. and Vera E. (Pierson) Baker. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. Dayton started his employment at Eckrich Meats. Later he joined the Upjohn company …

Jan Lowell Grossman, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening April 3, 2018, at his home. He was born July 5, 1935, in Sturgis, a son of the late Dale D. and Dorothy (Wilcox) Grossman. Jan was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Centreville High School with the class of 1954. On Dec. 27, 1958, …

Forrest Phillip (Phil) Meek, age 87, passed lovingly into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at his home in Peoria, Ariz. He was surrounded by family members at the time of his passing. Forrest was born June 28, 1930, in Battle Creek, to Jack Wayne and Alma LaMoyne (Piatt) Meek. He graduated from Coldwater …

Conrad James Johnson, age 87, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully on April 3rd, 2018 in Battle Creek. He was born in Chicago on February 6th, 1931 the son of Eddie and Catherine (Schlenger) Johnson. He proudly served our country as a Sargent in The United States Air Force. Conrad loved to lead by example and this was shown through …

Oran R. Kinder, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Friday evening, Dec. 29, 2017, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born July 2, 1931, in Petersburg, Ind., a son of the late Alsie and Ethel (Sutton) Kinder. Oran’s early life was spent in Pike County, Ind., with his four sisters and five brothers. Oran was very proud to …