Obituaries

Ada Louise Haithcock was born on January 19, 1923 in Grandview, Indiana to Claude and Hazel Ellis. Growing up, Louise enjoyed a serene childhood. Her early education took place in a one room schoolhouse. At the tender age of 9 Louise faced a heartbreaking tragedy when her younger brother Benjamin passed away from third degree burns. Despite this profound loss, …

Lynn C. Gest, age 87, of White Pigeon, went to be with his Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, September 14, 2024, at his home. He was born December 13, 1936, in Burr Oak, son of the late John and Blendena (Cummings) Gest. On April 16, 1955, he married Gloria Weiderman. They were married 69 years. Lynn was a member …

Darlene Ann Wolfgang, age 79, of Portage, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 28, 1945 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Ernie and Pauline (Buscher) Blade, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1963. Darlene married David S. Wolfgang on November 7, 1965 in …

Elijah Michael Lee Hernandez, age 18 months, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana. He was born on March 8, 2023 in Elkhart, a son to Joseph Davis and Cheyenne La Lone. He was named after his Grandfather Michael, and late Grandfather Carlos Hernandez. Elijah was a calm shy baby, as he grew …

Mary Katherine (Lent) Flucke was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on November 9, 1933, the daughter of Albert John Lent and Elsie (Wilber) Lent. Mary graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA, in 1955 with cum laude distinction and an honors thesis in government. As a junior at Smith, she studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, after spending a month in Paris, …

Andrew David Wirick, age 38, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 13, 2024, at his home. He was born August 28, 1986, in Three Rivers, son of Theodore and Janice (Carter) Wirick. Andrew resided nearly his entire life in Sturgis. On April 18, 2015, he married Mariah Carls in Sturgis. He was currently employed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car in …

Clifford W (Sparky) Johnson, age 78, of White Pigeon,  died on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at his home. He was born on May 29, 1946 in Kalamazoo, the Son of Clifford W and Marjorie A (Horn) Johnson.  He was a resident of the Mottville and White Pigeon area resident all of his adult life. US Army Veteran of the Vietnam …

John Joseph Hunter, age 78, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.  John was born in Bad Axe, Michigan on July 3, 1946, to William Carol and Nora Irene (“Bunny”) Hunter. John had a small-town American childhood in Gagetown, a village of 350 residents where his parents owned and ran the Hunter Funeral Home. He attended St. …

Elias James Silva, one week, of Allegan, received his angel wings on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born to Madelyn Piskun and Jonathan Silva on September 1, 2024 at the University of Michigan West in Wyoming. Though his time was brief, Elias left an indelible mark on all who awaited his arrival with love and …

Vera May Ecker, age 95, of Sturgis departed this world on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, after 34,948 days of life. Most of those days were healthy, active and joyful. She was born on December 19, 1928 to John and Bertha Strang. She lived her entire life in Sturgis. She graduated from Sturgis High School in 1946. On September 5, 1947, …