Obituaries

John R. Busch, age 75, of Kalamazoo, passed away in Kalamazoo. He was born April 17, 1940 in Marcellus, MI the son of Arthur William and Myrtle Isabelle (Olsen) Busch. On September 18, 1965 in Marcellus, he married Leone J. Middlestadt who preceded him in death on June 23, 2007. John served in the U.S. Air Force and Army National …

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Russell Matson Jr., age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 28, 2016 at his home. He was born in Coldwater, on March 10, 1944 the son of Lawrence Sr. and Ilene (Carpenter) Matson. Larry and his wife Nancy moved to Three Rivers around 1982. Larry and was a skilled and avid musician, who …

Lyman M. Groth, age 81, of Mendon, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community where he had resided the past five years. He was born in Leonidas, on Dec. 5, 1934 the son of the late Ernest and Laura Irene (Stuck) Groth, and was a lifetime resident of the area. He graduated from Colon High School …

Clinton Charles Carpenter, age 35, of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 at his home following a lifetime of physical challenges. He was born in Sturgis, on Sep. 29, 1982 the son of Dale S. and Sheri (True) Carpenter. Amidst his many surgeries he was tutored by the Pathfinder Center in the family home. Clinton loved trips to binder Park …

Ilah Bird Essex, age 99, died peacefully in her sleep Thanksgiving evening, November 24, 2016. A near lifetime resident of Marcellus, she was a hair dresser, a bus driver and a farmer. She was preceded in death by Ewart Essex, her husband of fifty years. She is survived by her children, Mary (Bill) Jaglowski, Nancy (Cheryl) Essex, and Carmi (Sarah) …

Lois Marie “Ma” Bell, age 90, formerly of Constantine, died on Thursday, November 24, 2016, at Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka, IL. She was born on August 6, 1926 in Bristol, IN, a daughter of Samuel and Sylvia (Rought) Detwiler. On April 22, 1944 she married Richard Bell in Brownwood, TX. He preceded her in death January 6, 2003. Lois …

Bernice Clark, age 91, of Centreville, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Three Rivers on May 27, 1925, a daughter of William and Bertha (Howard) Parker. Bernice attended Centreville Schools. On July 16, 1942, she married William Clark in Kalamazoo. He preceded her in death on October 7, 1987. Bernice worked …

Rita Jo Zerbe, age 64, of Schoolcraft, began her heavenly walk peacefully after a “beautiful fight” with ALS on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. Although the fight was difficult, her last breath was pain-free, surrounded by her immediate family, her greatest joy. She was born to her earthly journey on March 13, 1952, in Muncie, Ind., a daughter of the late …

Wava Jane Chapman, 66, of Jones, died on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at her home. She was born June 25, 1950 in Mishawaka, a daughter of James and Gloria (Bang) Simpson. Wava attended country schools and Mendon Schools. She was employed at Crocker Limited in Three Rivers for 30 years retiring in 2009. Wava, along with her boyfriend Jerry Potter, …

Karen Marie Blonde, 64, of Constantine, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at her home following a two-month battle with cancer. Karen was born March 5, 1952, in Detroit, Mich. At the age of two, she moved with her family to the shores of Klinger Lake in the White Pigeon area. Karen’s childhood at the lake included time with …