Obituaries

Barbara Joy Carman, 78, of Centreville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at Grace Healthcare in Three Rivers. She was born March 31, 1939, in Wayne County, to the late Robert & Helen Marie (Davidson) McLean. On Nov. 15, 1969, she married Michael Owen Reardon. He preceded her in death Jan. 2, 1988. Surviving are three daughters, Donna Christina Gallnitz-Frisoska …

Thomas G. Black, 64, passed away Jan. 3, 2018, due to a lengthy illness from his 1995 liver transplant. He was born March 28, 1953, to Janet Ireland Black and W. Dean Black of White Pigeon. Tom was a graduate of White Pigeon High School and Wright State University in Ohio. He retired as assistant county administrator and director of …

James Lee “Jim” Stevens, age 79, of Mendon, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Jim was born in Sturgis on December 14, 1938. He graduated from Burr Oak High School and was always ready to tell anyone who would listen about how small his classroom was. Jim joined the Navy in 1956 and later in his life Jim continued …

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Susan Roberts simply radiated of the love she had for the Lord. She lived a life of faith, compassionately serving others and loving everyone without condition. Susan was completely devoted to her family, and it has been said that she was the rock throughout any storm their family faced. She didn’t hesitate to speak …

Laurence E. “Larry” Houghtaling, age 81 of Portage, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Three Rivers on April 30, 1936, the son of the late Earl G. and Louise (Marantette) Houghtaling. Larry graduated from Centreville High School in 1954, and then joined the US Navy. Upon his return, Larry was married …

Ronnie “Gus” Kahler, age 70, of Indianapolis, passed away Wednesday, January 17, 2018. He was born May 16, 1947 in Dowagiac, the son of Bernard Dale and Eulah (Stanard) Kahler. Ronnie received his associate degree in Applied Science from Southwest Michigan College in 1968 and was part of the first graduating class.  He was employed with CTS for 40+ years.  …

Blanche McKee, age 89, of Mendon, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2018. She was born March 23, 1928 in Newberg Township, MI, the daughter of Charles John and Hazel Mildred (Wahl) Hartman.  On October 12, 1945 in Marcellus, she married Rolland E. McKee who preceded her in death. She loved her little dogs, her chickens and gardening, especially her flower …

Jon David Stage, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018, at his home. He was born Aug. 10, 1938, in Ironwood, a son of the late Henry and Marie (Skeel) Stage. Jon resided in Sturgis since 1947 coming from Ironwood. On July 20, 1963, he married Gwen Patterson. Most of Jon’s working life was involved in …

Nellie F. Middlestadt, age 71, of Marcellus, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018. She was born September 10, 1946 in Osceola, AR, the daughter of Louis and Sula Mae (Burfield) Allred.  On March 19, 1966 she married David Middlestadt who preceded her in death. Nellie worked as a nurses aid for 27 years at the former Bronson Lakeview Nursing Home …

Theodore C. Eckert, age 74, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at his home. He was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Sturgis, a son of the late Carl and Lenora (Holtz) Eckert. Ted was a lifelong resident of Burr Oak and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1961. On Nov. 8, 1968, he …