Obituaries

James A Browne, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, September 23, 2024, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born April 27, 1935, in Detroit, son of the late Allen and Julia (Bodie) Browne. Jim resided in Sturgis for the past 36 years coming from Taylor where he served as a councilman for eight years. On …

Virginia L. Slentz, age 66, of Constantine, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was born January 14, 1958 in Chicago, a daughter of William R. and June (Banks) Ridge. Virginia graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1976. She was a Quality Control Manager at Alcoa Corporation in Bristol for many years. In 2016 …

Pauline Ann Smith, age 83, of Marcellus, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 24, 1941 in Sagola Township, Michigan, the daughter of Charles H. and Delpha (Beals) Plumley. Through a connection with her father, Pauline met Delbert Smith of Marcellus; the two were married on November 22, 1956. They …

Michael A Thomas, age 62, of Constantine, died on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 following an extended illness. He was born on July 12, 1962 in Elkhart, the Son of Richard W and Julia Maxine (Kramer) Thomas. Michael was a resident of Elkhart for 10 years, and Constantine and White Pigeon all of his adult life. Graduate of White Pigeon High …

Richard W. Sanford, age 64, of White Pigeon, died on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at his home. He was born on April 17,1960 in Sturgis, the son of Richard E. and Joy D. (Hershey) Sanford. He lived most of his life in White Pigeon, and Sidnaw, MI 20 years. He was a graduate of White Pigeon High School in 1978 …

Helen Sophia Baker, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away on September 11, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born January 24, 1943, in Chicago, daughter of the late Edward and Helen (Barber) Rank. Helen resided in Sturgis most of her life. She married Dennis Leon Baker who preceded her in death January 4, 2023. Helen retired from …

Leo Ezra “Corky” Meyer, age 83, local businessman and entrepreneur, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 10, 1941 in Three Rivers, the son of Leo Albert and Jennie (Roberts) Meyer, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1958. Cork grew up in a small …

Amy Beth Buckhold, age 54, passed away in Kalamazoo Friday, on September 13, 2024. She was born August 25, 1970 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Gerald and Nancy (Engle) Buckhold. Amy graduated from Marcellus High School with the Class of 1989 and Davenport College in Kalamazoo in 1992. During high school she was a member of the Marcellus High …

Jerry W. Dell, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, September 19, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born May 20, 1947 in Sturgis, son of the late John W. and Maxine (Buys) Dell. Jerry resided nearly his entire life in Sturgis. He retired from Formed Tubes in Sturgis following several years of dedicated employment. Prior …

Burdena J. “Burt” Riley, age 83, of Sturgis,passed away early Monday morning, September 16, 2024, at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. She was born May 19, 1941, in Sturgis, daughter of the late Ray C. and F. Dorothy (Rumbaugh) Hart. Burt resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of …