Obituaries

Terry “Dutch” Batten, age 79, of Mendon, passed away at his home following a very short illness.  Dutch was born on December 17, 1944 in Mendon, the son of Shirley “Bill” and Veryl (VanNess) Batten.  He attended Mendon High School and was part of the 1963 graduating class.  On June 17, 1972 Dutch would marry Jeanne Samson at the Mendon …

Husband and wife, Frank “Skeeter” and Deborah Cerny, both passed away the last week of August within twelve hours of one another on August 27, 2024.  Frank was born on December 11, 1952 in Battle Creek, the son of Frank Sr. and Mary (Wojciechowski) Cerny.  Deb was born on October 5, 1952 in Vicksburg, the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth …

Steve D. Chriscoe, age 68, of Constantine, died August 23, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born July 24, 1956 in Asheboro, NC a son of Edwin and Callie (McDowell) Chriscoe. Steve graduated from Kings Mountain High School and attended Georgia Institute of Technology and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Steve worked for many years at Owens-Illinois in …

Jeffery Todd Fitch, age 61, of Colon, died from a medical emergency on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at his home.  He was born in Three Rivers on January 25, 1963 the son of Lawrence W. and Joan D. (Spence) Fitch and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Jeff graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of …

Felicia Lee White Cochran, affectionately called “Niecy” by her siblings, passed away on August 25, 2024 after battling an illness for over 3 years. She was born June 12, 1957 in Three Rivers, to the union of Franklin White Sr. and Vera Pope White. Felicia spent her early childhood & adolescent years in Billings, Montana and later Madrid, Spain where …

Michael Allen Orban, age 57, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, September 1, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born March 25, 1967 in Sturgis to Deborah Orban. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1986. In 1993 he married Kelly Melchi in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. …

James “Jamie” Louis Kasey, Jr., age 71, of White Pigeon, left his earthly home to sing and dance among the stars, Friday, August 30, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years Lynne A. Kasey; daughters: Lindsay Kasey and Melissa Kasey; grandson Orion Kasey; granddaughter: Quinn; sister: Tamara (Jim) Jarrow; brother: Ben (Karen) …

Betty Louise Leverence, age 94, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday evening, August 30, 2024, at Sparrow House Senior Living in Sturgis. She was born October 11, 1929, in Athens, Michigan daughter of the late Christian and Clara (Draheim) Miller. Betty resided in Burr Oak since 1953, coming from Nottawa. On August 8, 1953, she married Keith Charles Leverence at …

John C. “Jack” Hill, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Friday afternoon, August 30, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek. He was born May 29, 1945, in Chicago, son of the late Charles and Veronica (Gilstrap) Hill. Jack resided in Sturgis since 2013 coming from Chicago, where he graduated from Chicago Vocational School in 1963. He furthered …

Marvin L. “Merv” Jarratt, Jr., age 70, of Sturgis, was called home to join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 28, 1954, in Shelbyville, Michigan, the son of the late Marvin L. and Laila Agnes (DeCair) Jarratt, Sr. Merv resided in Sturgis since …