Obituaries

Rick Lee Cook, 57, of Kalamazoo, died Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Harry William West, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday afternoon June 28, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born April 25, 1948, in Sturgis, a son of the late George L. and Martha (Katz) West. Harry resided most of his life in Sturgis, with the exception of when he lived in Alaska and Minnesota. Harry was …

Clella Joanne Payton, age 79, died on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Heartland Nursing Home in Three Rivers. Her death was the result of a stroke and a fall a week earlier. Joanne, the name she went by, was born April 3, 1938, in Marcellus, to Barbara (Russell) and Raymond Robinson. Both parents grew up and lived in Marcellus and …

Boris Oliynyk, age 64, raised in Willimantic, Connecticut and of the Michiana area – Three Rivers and Elkhart. At the hospice house of the Center for Hospice Care, surrounded by loved ones, he passed on Monday morning, June 26, 2017 after over a yearlong battle against cancer. Boris was born in Lyon, France, the son of William and Irene (Yarmola) …

Sandra K. Dimmick, age 77, of Constantine, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 29, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Sandy was born Nov. 16, 1939, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late harold (Oats) and Lucille (Stinson) Oldfield. She graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1957, being the second of a four-generation alumni in the …

With a smile on his face and the taste of his favorite whiskey on his lips, Dennis A. Newcomer, age 74, of Jones, died peacefully Monday, June 26, 2017 at home in the comfort of his family’s presence. He was born October 14, 1942 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Arthur and Kathleen Newcomer. He married Pat Rolfe June 9, 1973 in …

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Swartwout, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away at Three Rivers Health on  Monday, June 26, 2017. Jane was born on August 1, 1931 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Zellak) Boggio. After earning her Associate’s Degree, Jane worked as a registered nurse for many years at Three Rivers Hospital and in short term …

Robert D. Phillips, 86, of Fish Lake, White Pigeon, died Monday, June 26, 2017, in Pioneer, Ohio. He was born Sept. 26, 1930, in Sturgis Township, a son of Myrl and Helen (Leeth) Phillips. He had been a White Pigeon area resident all his life. He was employed for 39 1/2 years at Kirsch Company, as a machine operator, retiring …

Lathorlyn A. Balk, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Grace Health Care of Three Rivers. She was born in Centreville on June 10, 1930, a daughter of Richard and Virginia (Sloan) Hagelgans. She graduated from Centreville High School in 1948. On August 7, 1948, she married Neubert Balk in Centreville. He preceded her in death on …

Diana Lyn Vedmore, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away at Borgess Medical Center on Monday, June 26, 2017. She was born on January 6, 1952 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Archie and Connie (Pickard) Capman. Mrs. Vedmore has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and an avid …