Obituaries

Kalene Sue Smoker, 22, of Colon, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Christian Fellowship Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Stephen Middleton officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at …

Ellamaree Meyer, aged 95, of Three Rivers and formerly of Centreville, went to be with her Lord Jesus on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. She started her life in Grand Rapids on March 7, 1921, the first of seven children born to Clarence E. and Hazel A. (Terrell) Maxim. In 1944, she married Gerald R. Meyer of Grand Rapids; and together …

Burr Decker, 88, a resident of Colon for 86 of his 88 years of life, entered into eternal rest at Gulfside Hospice in Zephyrhills, Fla. Burr’s happiest moments were in the presence of his wife of 66 years, Virginia (French). Burr was a simple, principled man who loved the outdoors and greatly enjoyed golfing with friends both in Colon and …

Leah L. Decker, age 92, of Bremen, Ind., and formerly of Colon, Mich., passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016, in Bremen. Leah was born Jan. 24, 1924, in Marion, Ind., a daughter of the late Franklin & Grace P. (Kessler) Cotton. Her early years were spent in Marion. She later moved to Michigan and graduated in 1942 from Lansing High …

Ramona Lou Thaxton, age 86, of Colon, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2016, at her home. Ramona was born Aug. 20, 1929, in Elbow Lake, MN, a daughter to the late Glenn and Nanna (Johnson) Davis. She graduated from high school in 1946 in Minneapolis, MN and attended Asbury College in Kentucky. While there she met her late husband Charles …

Jerry J. Lintz, age 52, of Mottville, died on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center Kalamazoo. He was born August 27, 1963 in Three Rivers a son of John D. and Nancy (Stuckum) Lintz. He graduated from Constantine High School in 1981. Jerry worked at Interstate Manufacturing in Mottville for the past 7 years and previously at Coachman Industries Middlebury …

Eugene J. Stratton, age 77, of Marcellus, MI passed away on National Fireman’s Day, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI. He was born December 24, 1938 in Kalamazoo, MI the son of Ernest Avery and Mildred Ione (Snow) Stratton. On November 24, 1961 in Dowagiac, MI he married Yvonne R. Powers who preceded him in death …

Lawrence N. Bogie, age 71, passed away at home, Wednesday, May 4, 2016. He was born November 17, 1944 in Ottuma, Iowa, the son of Orville Niel and Evelyn M. (Roemke) Bogie. Larry had been a professional walleye fisherman and had been pictured in fishing magazines. He always looked forward to opening day of walleye fishing and also enjoyed fishing …

David Lee Trine, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at his home. David was born March 30, 1938, in Quincy, Ill., a son to the late David M. and Ruth I. (Hartwig) Trine. He had served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960. On June 26, 1960, he married Iva Jean Thurston, and …

Dorothy Nalls Hardges entered this world November 5, 1922 in Lexington, MS as the second daughter to Tommie, Sr. and Charlena (Newman) Nalls. As one of twelve siblings, Dorothy was raised on her family’s farm in Silver City, MS. Young Dorothy enjoyed the richness of academic life and graduated from Piney Woods High School. She furthered her education and attended …