Obituaries

Eldon Mangold, age 59, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday Nov. 11, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Vicksburg, MI on Aug. 28, 1955 the son of Alva and Eugenia (Coleman) Mangold and was a lifetime resident of the area. He attended Howardsville and Three Rivers schools. Eldon worked at several area factories, including W.F. Wells. …

Frances M. Norton, age 93, of Marcellus, MI passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in the Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, MI She was born February 11, 1921 in Marcellus, MI. On June 3, 1942 she married Harry M. Norton who preceded her in death in 1997. She was a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post No. 4054 Ladies …

Lily Elaina Drumm, 7, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital. Lily left this world too soon followed by unexpected complications involving her condition. She was a joy to all who knew her, and was a constant example of love and happiness regardless of her trials. To hold her, was to hold …

Vivian Marie Gearhart, 87, went to the loving arms of Jesus on Friday evening, Nov. 7, 2014. She was born to Edna and Elwin Kuder in Leonidas. She graduated from Colon High School Class of 1945. On Oct. 5, 1946, she married Earl J. Gearhart. They resided in Three Rivers until 2001. In 2001 they moved to South Lyon, Mich., …

Cornelia D. (Dykstra) Hamilton, age 90, of Constantine, passed away at her home on November 8th, 2014. She was born in Goshen, IN on September 22, 1924, a daughter of the late Nick and Martha (Hoogenboom) Dykstra. She attended Goshen High School. On January 1, 1953 she married Dean Hamilton at Messiah Lutheran Church in Constantine. Cornelia was a homemaker, …

Phyllis May Peters, age 87, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Three Rivers Health. Phyllis was born on December 28, 1926 the daughter of Roland M. and Ester Louella (Mickem) Reed. She attended special schools in Ann Arbor, Sturgis, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids due to her illness with polio at a young age. On April …

Hager Dale Stidham, age 50, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at his home. Hager was born Aug. 27, 1964, in Martin, Ky., a son to the late Russell M. and Birdie (Shepherd) Stidham. On Feb. 25, 1985, he married Ann E. Milliman in Clintwood, Va. She preceded him in death on May 24, 1997. Hager had lived in …

Alice May Fairchild, age 69, of Colon, passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at the Life Span Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. Alice was born Nov. 28, 1944, in Battle Creek, a daughter to the late Rose V. Thomas. On June 13, 1964, she married Gary C. Fairchild in Colon and he preceded her in death March 9, …

Sue M. Messer, 99, of Sturgis, and formerly of Columbus, Ind., died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village, following an extended illness. She was born April 11, 1915, in Lincoln County, Ky., to Tyler and Sallie (Adams) Messer. She was a Sturgis resident since 2011, coming from Columbus, Ind., to be near her niece Judy McCarrel. She was …

Joseph Leo Happel, 90, of Centreville, passed away at 3:08 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 9, 1924 in Mendon to the late Leon E. and Gladys (Klein) Happel. On Sept. 20, 1945 in Mendon he married Glenna Carlin, she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas (Martha) Happel …