Obituaries

Chris Orlo Fox, age 73, of Marcellus, died peacefully Friday, December 1, 2023 in the comfort of his family’s presence. His life began August 11, 1950 in Dowagiac, the fourth of five children born to Orlo and Dorothy Fox. Chris was a craftsman and skilled woodworker who loved building and creating.  Aside from that, he was a successful real estate …

Connie L. Ritter, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away late Friday evening, December 1, 2023 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation in Three Rivers. She was born January 4, 1944 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Charles W. and Pauline M. (Haack) Jeffery. Connie was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1962. On …

Celia DeBoer, age 94, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023. Celia was born in Chicago on September 26, 1929, the daughter of the late Theodore and Annette (Doezema) Boomker. She was raised in Chicago, but spent her summer months at the Doezema Family Cottage on Fisher Lake and eventually moved her family to the Three Rivers …

David Ronald Williams, age 69, passed away on October 3, 2023 at his home in Three Rivers. David was born May 28, 1954, in Kalamazoo, a son, to the late Ronald and Patricia (Samson) Williams. He lived his younger years in Portage, MI. He worked as a Tool and Die maker in the Portage area for many years. David married …

David Ellsworth Dick of Centreville, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at age 60, after a 14 month battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving wife, Edna. He was born on Monday, January 14, 1963, in Three Rivers, the son of Michael Warner and Linda Adams. David married his beloved wife Edna (Martinez) on November 9, …

Becky Jo Hartman, age 57, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2023 at Optalis Health and Rehab. She was born November 12, 1966 in Three Rivers, the daughter of William C. and Carol E. (Fox) Hartman. She started her education at Ruth Hoppin Elementary School and graduated from Three Rivers High School with Class of 1985. Becky was …

Jerry J Pettit, age 72, of Marion, Indiana and formerly of Sturgis, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Marion General Hospital. Jerry was born on September 7, 1951, in Marshall, Michigan, a son to the late Frank E. and Mae L. (Damon) Pettit. Jerry was a graduate of Marshall High School with …

Connie Lea Butcher, age 77, of Jones, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 5, 1946 in Steuben County, Indiana, the daughter of Harold and Edna (Chiddister) Bates. She was a graduate of Marcellus High School with the Class of 1965. Connie married Duane Butcher at Poe’s Church on …

Ernest Claude “Ernie” Gerkin, age 62, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, November 30, 2023 at his home. He was born December 28, 1960 in Sturgis, son of the late Ernest T. “Red” and Frances Arlene (Hepner) Gerkin. Ernie was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a member of the Sturgis High School Class of 1980. Nearly all of Ernie’s working …

Larry James (Butch) Engel, age 78, of Traverse City, (formerly of East Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Sturgis, and Petoskey) passed away Monday evening, November 27, 2023 at a wonderful care facility not far from their Traverse City home. He passed peacefully with his wife of almost 38 years, Lisa, by his side. Larry married Lisa on March 22, 1986 in Kalamazoo. …