Obituaries

Bert C. Shirk Sr., age 55, of Three Rivers, died on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home. He was born January 26, 1962 in Three Rivers, a son of Orville and Irene (Palmer) Shirk Sr.  Bert served in the Michigan Army National Guard, SPT Co 1 BN 246 Armor, Three Rivers, as 19D10 Scout from Nov. 1979 to 1985. …

James “Jim” Lemuel Bippus of Three Rivers, age 85, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Jim had recently been admitted to Borgess Hospital due to complications related to kidney dialysis. When treatments became unsuccessful he determined he would leave this world on his own terms and in his own way. He was an …

Tyler Tazmeine Wirtz, age 17, of Bronson, passed away tragically Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, due to an automobile accident in Lawton. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Bronson, with Pastor Archie Lhamon of Unity Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Adams Cemetery. Visitation will take …

Judy Anne Reinoehl, age 70, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, with her family by her side, following a brief illness. Judy was born June 14, 1947, in Goshen, to Donald and Helen Higgins. She was a 1965 graduate of White Pigeon High School and a 1967 graduate of Western Michigan University. Judy worked as a secretary, wife, mother, grandmother and …

Micheal Kelly, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 20, 2017, at his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1960, in Three Rivers. Micheal graduated from Constantine High School with the class of 1979. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1980 and served until 1987. He was a lifelong St. Joseph County resident, with a few stops in Washington, California …

Blane Larry Tacia, M.D., age 61, of Battle Creek and formerly of Three Rivers and Jackson, died at his residence on Saturday, December 16, 2017, after a courageous four year battle with cancer. Blane was born September 26, 1956 in Gross Pointe, Michigan to Harold Eugene and Virginia Marion (Shefke) Tacia. He was raised in Roseville and was a graduate of Roseville High School. Blane attended …

George Frederick Burke, age 83, honored husband, father and grandfather went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The cause was a sudden heart attack that occurred while he was sleeping. He was born in South Bend on March 5, 1934. He graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1952, and began college at DePauw University …

Leslie Huyck Chase Jr., aged 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 16, 2017. Les was born on October 4, 1934 in Oak Park, Illinois to Leslie H. Sr., and Mary Chase. He graduated from Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park, CA and from Pierce College with an Associate Degree in Agriculture. Les had a …

James “Jim” Michael Boggio, age 83, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center following a brief illness.  Jim was born on March 17, 1934 in Three Rivers, the son of the late Michael and Mary (Zellak) Boggio. James served his country in the U.S. Air Force and following his honorable service began work as a Supervisor …

Seth Robert “Bob” Keasey, age 83, of Centreville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2017 into the arms of Jesus after battling dementia. He was born in Lansing on April 5, 1934 to Seth C. and Robena (Wood) Keasey. At an early age, the family moved to Centreville where he attended Centreville High School and later graduated in 1946 …