Obituaries

Margaret Dale Long, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, March 31, 2018, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born July 27, 1938, in LaGrange, daughter of the late Dale and Shirley (Johnson) Machan. Margaret resided her whole life in the Sturgis and LaGrange County area and was a graduate of LaGrange High School with the class of 1956. On …

Randy S. Zickafoose, age 53, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018, at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born May 13, 1964, in Sturgis, and resided his whole life in Sturgis. Randy owned and operated G&B Tree Service in Sturgis for many years, a career he truly loved. He was an avid NASCAR and fan of …

Cindy Sue Sussdorf, age 57, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born in Battle Creek, MI on July 21, 1960 the daughter of Robert and Carol (Buyce) Weaver Sr. Cindy was a graduate of Mendon High School with the class of 1979.  In 1980 …

Jacob B. “Chaplain Jake” Schwartz, age 76, Sturgis, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. He was born February 1, 1942 in Berne, Indiana, a son of Simon and Mary (Yoder) Schwartz. Jake attended school in Wasepi. On December 22, 1963 he married Martha Borkholder at Locust Grove Mennonite Church.  She was the love …

Ronald L. Knauss, age 57, of Bristol, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018 after a boating accident. Ron was born on April 1, 1960 in Flint, a son of Gerald and Caroline (Gibbs) Knauss. He attended Lambertville Public Schools and graduated from Constantine High School in 1978. In October of 1995, he married Kathy Wyman. She preceded him in death …

Elizabeth “Betty” Powell, age 85, Three Rivers, passed away Monay, March 26, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after sustaining injuries from an automobile accident. She was born June 20, 1932 in Napoleon, a daughter of Earl and Lydia (Fisher) Kirkbride. Betty attended Napoleon Public Schools, graduating in 1951. She went on to obtain her RN degree from Jackson Foote Hospital. …

Patricia Lou Salisbury, age 70, of Three Rivers, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family and caring hospice staff Tuesday morning, March 27, 2018. She was born March 8, 1948, in Lansing, a daughter of the late Donald Walter and Vesta Lou (McCamis) Goodnoe. Patricia’s early life was lived in California. She …

Chester R. (Doc) Pyne, age 78, of White Pigeon, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Flint, a son of Manley and Francis (Verdier) Pyne. He was a graduate of LeRoy High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1964 and moved to White Pigeon in 1988. He …

Eldon Dean Swartzentruber, age 52, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his home. He was born Sept. 11, 1965, in Yellville, Ark., a son of David William and Janet (Hesher) Swartzentruber. Eldon resided in Sturgis since 1972, coming from Arkansas. He was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1983 and furthered his education …

Judith Dianne “Judy” Smith, age 82, of Three Rivers passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018 surrounded by her family.  She was born in Zurich, Montana on August 21, 1935 to John D. (Hazel) (Claridge) Pike and was later raised by Mr. Arthur Burns. Judy was a high school graduate in Chinook, MT in 1953. Judy was employed as a …