Obituaries

Bill Laverne Newman, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Grace Healthcare. He was born in Three Rivers on July 22, 1929 the son of Frank and Gladys (Holmes) Newman. Bill was a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. Bill graduated from Three Rivers High School and enlisted into the U.S. …

Betty Jean Weagley, age 86, Constantine, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo. She was born January 6, 1931 in Constantine, daughter of Russell and Edna (Kindig) Mallo. Betty graduated from Constantine High School in 1948 and Kalamazoo Beauty School in 1949. She owned and operated Betty’s Beauty Shoppe since 1962. On …

Milton “George” Miner, age 81, of Ashland, Ohio, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Brethren Care Village in Ashland. He was born March 31, 1936, in Grand Rapids, a son of Milton Clare and Leta Shields Miner. He was an engineer in both Michigan and Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Ohio, he was a co-owner of M&M Sales with his Uncle …

Bert C. Shirk Sr., age 55, of Three Rivers, died on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home. He was born January 26, 1962 in Three Rivers, a son of Orville and Irene (Palmer) Shirk Sr.  Bert served in the Michigan Army National Guard, SPT Co 1 BN 246 Armor, Three Rivers, as 19D10 Scout from Nov. 1979 to 1985. …

James “Jim” Lemuel Bippus of Three Rivers, age 85, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Jim had recently been admitted to Borgess Hospital due to complications related to kidney dialysis. When treatments became unsuccessful he determined he would leave this world on his own terms and in his own way. He was an …

Tyler Tazmeine Wirtz, age 17, of Bronson, passed away tragically Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, due to an automobile accident in Lawton. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Bronson, with Pastor Archie Lhamon of Unity Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Adams Cemetery. Visitation will take …

Judy Anne Reinoehl, age 70, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, with her family by her side, following a brief illness. Judy was born June 14, 1947, in Goshen, to Donald and Helen Higgins. She was a 1965 graduate of White Pigeon High School and a 1967 graduate of Western Michigan University. Judy worked as a secretary, wife, mother, grandmother and …

Micheal Kelly, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 20, 2017, at his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1960, in Three Rivers. Micheal graduated from Constantine High School with the class of 1979. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1980 and served until 1987. He was a lifelong St. Joseph County resident, with a few stops in Washington, California …

Blane Larry Tacia, M.D., age 61, of Battle Creek and formerly of Three Rivers and Jackson, died at his residence on Saturday, December 16, 2017, after a courageous four year battle with cancer. Blane was born September 26, 1956 in Gross Pointe, Michigan to Harold Eugene and Virginia Marion (Shefke) Tacia. He was raised in Roseville and was a graduate of Roseville High School. Blane attended …

George Frederick Burke, age 83, honored husband, father and grandfather went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The cause was a sudden heart attack that occurred while he was sleeping. He was born in South Bend on March 5, 1934. He graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1952, and began college at DePauw University …