Obituaries

With a smile on his face and the taste of his favorite whiskey on his lips, Dennis A. Newcomer, age 74, of Jones, died peacefully Monday, June 26, 2017 at home in the comfort of his family’s presence. He was born October 14, 1942 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Arthur and Kathleen Newcomer. He married Pat Rolfe June 9, 1973 in …

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Swartwout, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away at Three Rivers Health on  Monday, June 26, 2017. Jane was born on August 1, 1931 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Zellak) Boggio. After earning her Associate’s Degree, Jane worked as a registered nurse for many years at Three Rivers Hospital and in short term …

Robert D. Phillips, 86, of Fish Lake, White Pigeon, died Monday, June 26, 2017, in Pioneer, Ohio. He was born Sept. 26, 1930, in Sturgis Township, a son of Myrl and Helen (Leeth) Phillips. He had been a White Pigeon area resident all his life. He was employed for 39 1/2 years at Kirsch Company, as a machine operator, retiring …

Lathorlyn A. Balk, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Grace Health Care of Three Rivers. She was born in Centreville on June 10, 1930, a daughter of Richard and Virginia (Sloan) Hagelgans. She graduated from Centreville High School in 1948. On August 7, 1948, she married Neubert Balk in Centreville. He preceded her in death on …

Diana Lyn Vedmore, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away at Borgess Medical Center on Monday, June 26, 2017. She was born on January 6, 1952 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Archie and Connie (Pickard) Capman. Mrs. Vedmore has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and an avid …

Edith Arlene Harter, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, June 24, 2017 at her home. She was born Dec. 28, 1920 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Raymond Dewey and Clara Adele (Reading) Robison. Edith was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On June 9, 1940 she married Lester F. Harter at the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene in Sturgis. …

Larry W. Merritt, 64, of Middlebury, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne. He was born in Dowagiac on February 19, 1953, a son of Ernie and Zelma (Jackson) Merritt. Larry graduated from Constantine High School in 1971, where he attended school with his wife Patti (Filbrandt). After reuniting in 2010 on …

Kristopher Andrew Pitel, age 27, of Rome City, Ind., and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, June 25, 2017, in Sturgis. He was born Dec. 21, 1989, in Lincoln Park, a son of Eric and Denise (Williamson) Pitel. Kristopher had resided in Rome City for the past few months, coming from Sturgis, where he lived most of …

Mary L. Ward, 81, of White Pigeon, died Sunday, June 25, 2017, at her home, following an extended illness. She was born June 23, 1936, in Blodgett, Mo., a daughter of William Brian Jennins and Audrey (Lawson) Cantrell. She was a White Pigeon resident the past three years, coming from Three Rivers. She had been employed in manufacturing and nursing …

Daniel R. Donovan, age 83, died on Sunday, June 25, 2017. Per Daniel’s request, cremation will take place and a private burial of cremains will take place at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Ohio. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.