Obituaries

Janet Louise (Acker) Thrams, age 71, of Burr Oak, passed away early Wednesday morning, Feb. 7, 2018, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born June 19, 1946, in Kendallville, Ind., a daughter of the late Orville and Margaret (Rice) Acker. Janet resided most of her life in the Burr Oak area. Her early life was lived in the Mongo, Ind., area, …

Joseph J. Sullivan, age 59, of Bronson, passed away Wednesday morning, Feb. 7, 2018, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Jan. 10, 1959, in Jackson, a son of the late James A. “Sully” and Josephine A. (LaFountain) Sullivan. Joe resided in Bronson for the past 13 years, coming from Sturgis. Most of Joe’s working life was involved …

Harriett F. Rowlson, age 80, of rural Colon, passed away at the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. Harriett was born Nov. 28, 1937, in Hillsdale, a daughter of the late Basil and Lucille (Clark) Van Wormer. She had made her home in the Colon area for most of her life and had worked for Colmer Company from 1966 …

Shirley Ann Hale, age 82, of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018 at Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart. She was born on August 2, 1935 in Albion, IN. She attended schools in Elkhart. On December 24, 1952, Shirley married Edward Hale in Elkhart. He preceded her in death December 27, 1992. Shirley enjoyed reading, crochet, bingo, sewing, …

Marinda Kay Tullos, age 67, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, at her home. She was born Dec. 5, 1950, a daughter of the late Ray O. and Grace Marguerite (Haney) Bauder. Marinda resided in the Burr Oak and Sturgis area most of her life. She was a homemaker and enjoyed playing cards and watching television and …

Michelle Ann Hoffman, age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Feb. 5, 2018, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born June 15, 1962, in Buffalo, N.Y., a daughter of the late Michael and Marlene (Hall) Hoffman. Michelle resided in the Sturgis area most of her life. She is survived by a daughter, Samantha (Michel) Moser of …

Jack G. Barton, age 77, of Colon, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, with his sweetheart of 30 years by his side, at Three Rivers Health. Jack was born Jan. 15, 1941, in Sturgis, a son of the late Gordon D. and Iva M. (Snow) Barton. He had made his home in Colon most of his life, graduating from Colon …

Bobbie Brown Whittington, age 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2018 surrounded by her family. Bobbie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a gracious southern lady and loved her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, and many other activities. She was an excellent role model and teacher who will be deeply missed. …

Walter A. Burkhardt, age 91, of Columbia, MD,apassed away on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Columbia, MD. He was born November 25, 1926 in Illinois, a son of Albert and Ida (Houseman) Burkhardt. Walter grew up in Highwood, IL where he graduated from high school.  He went onto school further to become an electrical draftsman …

George F. Classen, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 4, 2018, at the Birch’s of Leonidas, in Leonidas. He was born Sept. 23, 1928, in Meade, Kan., son of the late Jacob R. and Anna (Friesen) Classen. Mr. Classen resided in Sturgis since 1971 coming from Walnut Hill, Fla. On July 23, 1948, he married Bertha F. …