Obituaries

Michael Christopher Whittington, age 45, of Leonidas, died Saturday, June 24, 2017 at his home. He was born in Portland, IN on May 8, 1972 the son of Richard D. and Lisa N. (Spillman) Whittington. Michael graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1990. He later attended Glen Oaks Community College and Bowling Green Technical Institute. Michael was …

Mary E. Granger, age 86, of Goshen, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her family. She was born in Hope, MI on September 22, 1930, a daughter of Fredrick and Francis (Clark) Braley. She attended Hope public school, later receiving her GED in 1982. On April 8, 1948, she married Vern …

Tony R. Kucinich, age 64, of Jones, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born in Three Rivers on October 29, 1952, a son of Anthony Kucinich and Elma Johnson. He graduated from Rice High School in Elkhart in 1970 and went on to serve in the U.S. …

Jerry Yoder, age 91, of Burr Oak, died peacefully at home Thursday, June 22, 2017. Jerry was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Arthur, Ill., a son of the late Daniel and Laura (Christner) Yoder. Jerry had made his home in St. Joseph County most of his life, coming from Geneva, Ind. He also had wintered in Sarasota, Fla., for more …

Holden David High, age 6, of Decatur, MI went to be with the Lord at 3:30 PM on June 21, 2017. He was doing what he loved, playing outdoors. Holden was born on April 6, 2011 in Mishawaka, IN to Dave & Stacey (Stevenson) High, who survive. Holden just finished kindergarten at Howardsville Christian School. At kindergarten graduation, Holden said …

Glen H. Small, age 84, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 in Three Rivers. He was born October 28, 1932 the son of Sherwood and Opal (Johnson) Small. On December 31, 1955 in South Bend, IN he married Darlene Weaver who survives. Glen served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Paratrooper. He worked …

Molly Catherine Higgins, age 70, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at her home following a long illness. She was born in Sturgis, on Aug. 6, 1946 the daughter of William Claude and Gertrude O. (Moll) Hoffman and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Molly graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1964. She …

Nicholas Panasuk, age 90, of Marcellus, passed away Friday, June 16, 2017. He was born June 27, 1926 in Roby, IN, the son of Kuzma and Lucille (Konuch) Panasuk. Nicholas was preceded in death by his brother Walter Panasuk and one other brother and a sister. He is survived by his niece Anne Smaluk and nephew Alex Smaluk both of …

Kenneth G. Sawyer, age 79, of Constantine, died on Saturday, June 17, 2017. He was born May 28, 1938 in Constantine, a son of Eugene and Berniece (Lehman) Sawyer. On July 15, 1976 he married Lois (Martin) Lucas in Three Rivers. She preceded him in death September 10, 1998. Ken worked for Drake Casket in Constantine, Wheel Camper in Centreville, …

Judy M. Brubaker, age 62, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, June 20, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born May 27, 1955 in Sturgis, a daughter of John and Doris (Hostetler) Brubaker. Judy had resided in Sturgis for the past five years. For most of her working life, she was employed in sales and management. …