Obituaries

Teresa A. (Zaika) Hamilton, age 50, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7, 2016, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. She was born Nov. 17, 1965, in Pontiac, a daughter of Birt and Germain (Pykor) Zaika. Teresa resided in the Sturgis area for the past 18 years and her early life was spent in Manistee. She had been employed …

Ricky David Mathews, age 64, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Ricky was born March 8, 1952, in Sturgis, a son to the late D. Fay and Mary Jane (Sanders) Mathews. He had lived most all of life in St. Joseph County and graduated from high school in Parchment. Ricky served …

Dr. James Reiff, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born March 17, 1935, in Chicago, a son of the late Nathan and Frieda (Shertz) Reiff. James spend the majority of his life in the Michiana area, settling in Sturgis 22 years ago. He worked as a …

Kathleen A. Curtis, age 71, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, unexpectedly at her home. Kathy was born Nov. 22, 1944, a daughter to Roy L. and Leona L. (Dahl) Curtis. She graduated from Normal College of the American Gymnastics Union of Indiana University and taught physical education for 31 years, finishing her career in education at Colon …

Becky Alice Ultz, age 58, of Burr Oak, was surrounded by her family Thursday evening, Aug. 4, 2016, following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, she was called home to a place where there is no more sadness or pain where she can glorify God with her infectious smile forever. She was born April 4, 1958, in Sturgis, a daughter …

John Walter Aronson, age 94, of Three Rivers formerly of South Bend, IN passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016. John was born in Chicago, IL on April 24, 1922 to the son of Arthur C. and Emily Aronson. John served his country honorably as a Sergeant during World War II. Following his service he attended and graduated from Augustana …

Robert “Bob” Scott Norton, age 57, of Cassopolis passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Chicago, IL on September 29, 1958 and was raised by parents Harry and Francis (Mikel) Norton. Bob graduated from Marcellus High School in 1977 where he excelled on the football …

On Monday, August 1, 2016, David M. Coblentz, age 78, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and entered into Glory after a long fight of failing health. He was surrounded by his family at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI. He had a zeal for life and never complained about his many health complications. David was born …

Meri Ann Laughman, age 50, of Constantine, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born October 1, 1965 in Dallas, TX, a daughter of Benjamin and Joan (Taylor) Starkweather. She attended Edwardsburg schools. On April 6, 1990 she married Terry Laughman in Constantine. Meri attended Trinity Missionary Church and Three Rivers Bible Church. …

Karl Galen Callender Sr., age 68, of Constantine, died August 01, 2016, at Three Rivers Health Hospital. He was born December 28, 1947, a son of George and Alice (Bennett) Callender. On July 7, 1993 Karl married Janelle Ripke in Louisville, KY. He worked as a door builder at Hallmark Industries in Bristol for 21 years, retiring in December 2007. …