Obituaries

Clifford Michael Smith, age 56, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 28, 1968 in Ionia, the son of Floyd M. and Dulcye M. (Piotrowski) Smith, and graduated from Whitehall High School with the Class of 1986. Clifford served his country in the United States Marine …

Sandra K. Miller, age 85, of Colon, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Sandra was born on September 23, 1939 in Decatur, Indiana; a daughter to the late Jesse and Lucille (McKean) Burke. Sandra graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1957. She then received her cosmetology certification from Tracy’s …

Millard J. “Otis” Bruystens, age 72, of Mendon, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.  He was born in Three Rivers on December 13, 1952 the son of Herbert and Barbara (Granger) Bruystens and was a lifetime resident of the area. Millard graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1972. He was …

Jean A. Hensell, age 77, of Centreville, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Edgewood Health & Rehabilitation in Three Rivers surrounded by family. She was born January 16, 1948 in Vicksburg, a daughter of Nolan and Betty (Hovarter) Bailey. Jean attended Centreville Schools and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1966. On January 16, 1971 she married William A. Hensell …

Sharon Joan Cummings, age 91, of Marcellus, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 7, 1934 in Elkhart, the daughter of George and Doris (Hastings) Rose, and graduated from Elkhart High School with the Class of 1952. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and pursued further education …

Sandra Marie Davis, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, January 20, 2025, at her home. She was born July 20, 1952, in Sturgis, daughter of the late Jarvis Otis and Charlene (Shaffer) Gundrum. Sandy was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1970. On May 8, 1971, she married Bruce Lee …

David Lee Dentler age 77, of Bronson, Michigan, and former resident of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning January 19, 2025, at Northwest Health in LaPorte, Indiana. He was born August 11, 1947, in Sturgis, son of the late Merle and Thelma (Johnson) Dentler. David resided most of his life in Michigan except for the time he lived in Missouri …

James William Mallow, age 57, of Bronson, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at his home after a hard-fought battle with cancer. A service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson with Pastor Terry Siler officiating. Interment will take place following the service at Fry Cemetery. A visitation will be held …

Holley Jo (Embler/Peeke) Kershaw of Helena, Montana and a former resident of Sturgis and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1978 passed away on December 17, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana at the age of 65. Holley was born in Sturgis to Joseph A. and JoAnne Embler on October 31, 1959. Holley spent the years of her …

Archie L. Hayes, age 79, of Three Rivers, died on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Elkhart General Hospital. Archie was born August 3, 1945 in Flint, a son of Archibald and Marjorie (Preston) Hayes. He received his education from Sturgis Community Schools. Archie was a lifelong truck driver working for several companies. He loved to travel the country and the …