Obituaries

Gilbert L. Jones, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away late Thursday evening, October 31, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, surrounded by his family. He was born November 26, 1948, in Sturgis, the only child of the late Lee R. and Winnifred E. (Bell) Jones. Gilbert was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On October 2, 1970, he married Patricia Stevens …

Elizabeth A. Bower, age 86, of Colon, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Portage. Elizabeth was born on October 20, 1938, in Marshall, Michigan, a daughter to the late Manley and Frances (Noneman) VanVoorhees. Elizabeth moved to Colon in middle school, coming from Mattawan. On February 14, 1959, Elizabeth married her husband of 64 …

Lora L. Huff, age 64, of Mendon, passed away at her new home in Three Rivers on Thursday, October 31, 2024 after battling an illness for 15 years. She was born in Vicksburg on October 8, 1960 the daughter of Richard “Dick” and Janice (McVay) Clark. Lora attended Mendon High School and was part of the 1978 graduating class. On …

Charles  A Carpenter, age 86, of White Pigeon,  died on Thursday, October 31, 2024 following a short illness. He was born on June 13, 1938 in Clear Springs Township, Indiana the Son of Kenneth and Maureen (Holman) Carpenter. Charles moved to White Pigeon in 1979 from Shipshewana. He was the owner of Carpenter’s Construction. He was a member of the …

Roxane J Weaver, age 64, of Shipshewana, died on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a short Illness. She was born on February 27, 1960 in Sturgis, the daughter of John F and Ruby Jean (Whisler) Logan. She was a White Pigeon resident most of her life. She was employed by Sturgis Hospital for 24 …

Mark Andrew Thornton, age 64, passed away on Tuesday, Oct 29th, 2024, at his home in Colon surrounded by loved ones. Mark was born in Salem, Ohio on March 12, 1960, the youngest of four children, to J.W. Thornton & Norma Jean Stuart. Mark was a proud Magi and longtime Colon resident – graduating from Colon High School in 1978 …

Paul James Chapman, age 62, a lifelong Nottawa resident, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Feb. 28, 1962 in Sturgis, a son to Jim and Rose (Schwartz) Chapman. Paul has been employed as a cook at Yosemite National Park and also on Catalina Island, a welder at Continental Accessories, and custodian …

Chasity Kay Bender, age 47, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, October 28, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born October 29, 1976 in Niles, daughter of the late Paul S. and Brenda Kay (Gregory) Pelfrey. Chasity resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School. She furthered her education at …

Betty Jean Kesler, age 93, of Grand Ledge, Michigan, and a former long time Sturgis resident, affectionately known as Betsy, passed away early Saturday morning, October 26, 2024, at her home at Independence Village in Grand Ledge following a brief illness. She was born September 2, 1931 in Fort Wayne, daughter of the late Creston and Ruth (Leek) Henderson. Betsy …

E. Kay Lapham, age 70, of Marcellus, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, October 25, 2024, in the comfort of her family’s presence. Her life began August 11, 1954, in Niles, the youngest child of eight, born to Lincoln and Flora Freshour.  She married Roy D. Lapham October 25, 1980, in Dowagiac. Kay will be greatly …