Obituaries

Geralyn A. (Gerri) Finch-Smith, 66, of Kalamazoo, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at The Laurels of Galesburg, following a brief illness. She was born May 31, 1950, in Detroit, a daughter of Paul B. and Mary E. (Walsh) Mecklenborg. She was a resident of Kalamazoo the past seven years, coming from South Haven, and lived many years in White Pigeon. …

Susan Jean “Susie” Bingaman, age 73, of Vicksburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers following a brief illness. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on Sep. 25, 1943 the daughter of Sterling M. and Alice L. (Kobb) King. After graduating from Mendon High School with the class of 1961 she worked at the Haas …

Frank L. Kime, age 84, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at his home, after several months of failing health. Frank was born May 24, 1932, in Sturgis, a son of the late Lester and Hattie (Fisher) Kime. Frank grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis High School in 1950, and later that year he moved to Colon. …

Lloyd W. Murray, 95, of Portage, formerly of Marcellus, passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. He was born April 6, 1921 in Bloomingdale, the son of Alton Cole and Eunice (Laughlin) Murray. On May 5, 1945 in Detroit, he married Florence L. Bailey who preceded him in death on Nov. 11, 2015. After graduating from high school, Lloyd served in …

William Lee “Bill” Steinberger, age 93, of Mendon, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016 at Medi-Lodge of Portage following a long illness. He was born in Kalamazoo on Feb. 16, 1923 the son of Otto Charles and Laura Elizabeth (Vande Venter) Steinberger. While Bill’s father travelled with the US Army, Bill attended schools in Europe before returning to Gull Lake where …

John R. Busch, age 75, of Kalamazoo, passed away in Kalamazoo. He was born April 17, 1940 in Marcellus, MI the son of Arthur William and Myrtle Isabelle (Olsen) Busch. On September 18, 1965 in Marcellus, he married Leone J. Middlestadt who preceded him in death on June 23, 2007. John served in the U.S. Air Force and Army National …

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Russell Matson Jr., age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 28, 2016 at his home. He was born in Coldwater, on March 10, 1944 the son of Lawrence Sr. and Ilene (Carpenter) Matson. Larry and his wife Nancy moved to Three Rivers around 1982. Larry and was a skilled and avid musician, who …

Lyman M. Groth, age 81, of Mendon, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community where he had resided the past five years. He was born in Leonidas, on Dec. 5, 1934 the son of the late Ernest and Laura Irene (Stuck) Groth, and was a lifetime resident of the area. He graduated from Colon High School …

Clinton Charles Carpenter, age 35, of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 at his home following a lifetime of physical challenges. He was born in Sturgis, on Sep. 29, 1982 the son of Dale S. and Sheri (True) Carpenter. Amidst his many surgeries he was tutored by the Pathfinder Center in the family home. Clinton loved trips to binder Park …

Ilah Bird Essex, age 99, died peacefully in her sleep Thanksgiving evening, November 24, 2016. A near lifetime resident of Marcellus, she was a hair dresser, a bus driver and a farmer. She was preceded in death by Ewart Essex, her husband of fifty years. She is survived by her children, Mary (Bill) Jaglowski, Nancy (Cheryl) Essex, and Carmi (Sarah) …