Obituaries

John J. Bontrager, age 91 years, 8 months and 16 days, of Centreville, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, at the Allen Yoder residence. John was born Dec. 25, 1925, in Dodge City, Kan., a son of the late John M. and Elizabeth (Mullet) Bontrager. John lived in Centreville most of his life and was a member of the …

Arthur L. Ellinger, 67, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Angola, Ind. No services will be held at this time. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home. Arthur was born March 12, 1950, in Toledo, Ohio, to Gloria (Symington) Tammarine. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps from …

Joanna Sibbery, age 90, of Sturgis, and formerly of White Pigeon, died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at Sturgis Hospital. She had been in failing health since June. She was born Jan. 6, 1927, in Yorktown, Ind., a daughter of Arthur and Inez (Davis) Franklin. She was a Sturgis resident for the past two years, coming from White Pigeon, where she …

Sandra L. Todd, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, Sept. 9, 2017, at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends to honor and celebrate Sandy’s life will be held at a later date, to be announced. The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral …

Paul “Rick” Warner, age 66, of Centreville, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2017. He was born in Three Rivers on October 12, 1950, a son of Paul and Ilah (Kline) Warner, Jr. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1969. On August 28, 1971, he married Betty Bender in White Pigeon. They were later divorced. Rick worked at Kirsch …

Dennis W. Brew, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Dennis was born Dec. 20, 1938, in Sturgis, a son to the late Donald W. and Nora (Hagadorn) Brew. He had lived most all of his life in Colon and Sturgis. On Sept. 27, 1958, he married Shirley Stewart in Colon. …

Nayla Michelle Ryans, age 2, of Elkhart, died on Sunday, September 3, 2017 from injuries sustained in a tragic accident. She was born in Elkhart on August 10, 2015 to Andrew and Odilia (Cantarero) Ryans. Nayla loved to swim, watch Mickey Mouse, and play with her cousins. Surviving are her parents Andrew and Odilia Ryans of Elkhart, sister Amelia Ryans …

Devon Edward Johnson, 63, of Mottville, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a six-month illness. A memorial visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Interment will be at a later date in Mottville Township Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the White Pigeon Community School’s …

Zona Masaye “Masa” Therese Tyler, 63, of Leonidas Township, passed away at home on Saturday, September 2, 2017 under the care of Hospice Care of SW Michigan and her family. Per her wishes, she has been cremated and a memorial service will take place at a later date. Masa was born on June 30, 1954 in Albuquerque, NM to George …

Myava M. Rodgers, age 50, of LaGrange, and a former longtime resident of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Sept. 3, 2017, at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange. She was born Oct. 20, 1966, in LaGrange, Ind., daughter of Ernest and Sandra (Hartman) Miller. Myava resided in LaGrange for the past five years coming from Sturgis where she lived …