Obituaries

James Donald Korkinsky, age 85, of Kalamazoo, died Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Borgess Medical Center Emergency Room. He was born in Battle Creek on June 6, 1932 the son of Evan John and Arlene (Monroe) Korkinsky. Jim graduated from Lakeview High School and was a 30-year employee of Clark Equipment. Following his retirement, he worked briefly at Meijer, …

George L. Tyler, age 59, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 15, 2018, at his home. He was born Nov. 10, 1958, in Kalamazoo. On Dec. 27, 1987, he married Grace Irene Salton in Parchment. She preceded him in death Oct. 24, 2012. George moved to Burr Oak in 1987 and to Sturgis in 1997. He was employed as …

Betty Lou Thompson (Clark) Garn, age 97, was born December 27, 1920 in Buchanan, Michigan, and died on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in San Diego, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Thompson and Pleasant Smith Burge, Stepfather, Kenneth R. Burge, husbands, Richard H. Strong, James L. Clark, Jr., and Edward A. Garn, sisters, Barbara Ann Thompson …

Mary C. (Katie) Miller of Three Rivers passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Hubert, her daughter, Shirley, her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her sons Robert D. (Pam), Roger W. (Barb) David L. (Denise); numerous grand-children, great and great-great grandchildren. Mary was committed to serving …

Robert Goettsche, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, April 15, 2018, at Drew’s Place in Coldwater. He was born Dec. 29, 1921, in Detroit, a son of the late August and Beulah (Leatherberry) Goettsche. Robert resided in Detroit until his enlistment in the U.S. Army. He served during World War II as a member of the 9th Reconnaissance Calvary Troop …

Thomas C. Giles III, age 62, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center. He was born in Middletown, OH on September 24, 1955, son of Thomas and Nina (Lindsay) Giles, Jr. Tom graduated from Marcellus Schools in 1973. On July 1, 2000, he married Kathy (Kaper) Lusk in Constantine. Tom was employed at Keystone …

Ralph H. Ford, age 74, of White Pigeon, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in St. Joseph. He was born May 22, 1943, in Joliet, Ill., a son of Gaylord and Margaret (Brown) Ford. In 1961, he graduated from Paw Paw High School, and he was an Air Force veteran. Over the years, Ralph owned and operated several restaurants, …

Karen Ann Stukey, age 75, of Sturgis, was called home Saturday morning, April 14, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, to be with her Lord and her husband Mel who was waiting to welcome her home to glory. She was born June 10, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, daughter of the late Ralph and Eunice (White) Fraylick, the oldest of …

Richard Abram Schwartz died peacefully at home in Three Rivers on Thursday, April 12, 2018 of complications from ALS. He was 83. Richard is survived by his wife, Ilze Knezinskis Schwartz; children, Anna Schwartz (Eric Rubin), Katrina Schwartz and Mara (Schwartz) Kore (Erik Kore); brother, Robert Schwartz (Nancy Hoffman); and grandchildren, Amanda, David and Rebeka Kore and Lena and Maia …

Marvin J. Smith, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born April 25, 1937, in Bronson, Mich., son of the late Emmett and Viola Smith. Marvin was a lifelong Bronson and Burr Oak area resident and was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1955. Most …