Obituaries

Keith Balyeat, 79, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at his home in Sturgis, surrounded in love by his wife, children and stepchildren, following a long-fought battle with congestive heart failure. He was born July 1, 1937, to R. Clyde and Irene Balyeat. He graduated in 1956 from White Pigeon High School. In 1962, he received a diploma in …

Howard M. Kent, 93, passed away in peace at his home on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. He was born on Feb. 28, 1923 in Union the son of Bracebridge and Lydia (King) Kent and lived in the Three Rivers area all his life. He was a welder all his life employed by Clifton Engineering, Fairbanks-Morse, and retired from the Cook …

June L. Brown, 66, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 at her home, following a short illness. She was born Feb. 6, 1950, in Sturgis, a daughter of Franklin and Harriet (Wygant) Will. In 1970, she moved from Sturgis to White Pigeon. She then lived in Gladstone and then moved back to White Pigeon. She was a homemaker, …

Dale Lee Meade, age 65, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. In accordance with family wishes cremation was conducted and private family services were held.

Joyce Longenecker, age 93, of Three Rivers passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Grace Healthcare of Three Rivers. She was born in Three Rivers on November 17, 1922 the daughter of the late Clarence “Dutch” and Rena Belle (Moyer) Bitner. Joyce graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1941. On June 21, 1942 she was united in marriage …

Terril “Terry” R. McKenzie, age 76, of Three Rivers, passed away early morning of Monday October 24, 2016 at Grace Healthcare of Three Rivers. He was born on November 5, 1939 in Dowagiac, the son of Maynard and Jeanette (Freese) McKenzie. Terry met his wife, Betty Kent in third grade and together raised three daughters. Terry and his family worked …

Mr. Jerry V. Rogers, age 72, of Burr Oak, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 6th, 2016 at his home. He was born on March 1, 1944 in Elkhart, IN.; the son of the late Paul W. and Bertha (Lehman) Rogers. Jerry has been a long time resident of this area. He farmed for many years with Oak Prairie Farms …

Mr. Glenn “Shorty” Francis Orr, age 56, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, Nov. 5th, 2016 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Three Rivers on October 6, 1960, the son of Gary W. and Mary (Desro) Orr. Glenn attended Three Rivers Schools where he graduated with the class of 1979 and maintained many friendships …

Timothy C. Kennard, age 62, of Chesterfield, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 2016, at McLaren Macomb Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born May 25, 1954, in Elmhurst, Ill., a son of Donald L. and Phyllis J. Kennard. Tim resided in Chesterfield since 2003, going there from Sturgis, and his early …

Bruce D. McKercher, age 93, of Colon, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016. Cremation will take place with a memorial service to be announced at a later date. The family is being assisted by the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon.