Obituaries

Richard E. Almasi, 78, of Shipshewana, Ind., died Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at Kindred Valley View Nursing Home in Elkhart, after a five-week illness. He was born May 10, 1938, in White Pigeon, a son of Frank G. and Mary E. (Welker) Almasi Sr. Richard was a Shipshewana and White Pigeon area resident all his life. He was a veteran …

Amy Mae Jackson, age 86, of Morley, MI., formerly of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, following a lengthy illness.  She was born in Fabius Township, MI. on Oct. 30, 1929 the daughter of the late Earl V. and Amy Irene (Pizell) Abrams. Mrs. Jackson was raised in the Three Rivers …

William E. Hartzell, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 30, 1927 the son of the late Samuel and Lucille (Landis) Hartzell. In 1947 Bill met the love of his life Lillian Hansen whom he married Oct. 29th, 1949. Bill was a …

Charles D. Walton, age 94, of Nottawa, died on Monday, July 25, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. He was born December 26, 1921 in Hitchcock, South Dakota a son of George and Loa (Hagerty) Walton. He graduated from Bronson High School in 1940 and married Barbara Walter November 14, 1952 in Coldwater. She preceded him in death May 3, 2013. Charles …

Jeffery William Crabtree, 66, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, July 24, 2016 at Heartland Health Care in Three Rivers. He was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 28, 1950 the son of James S. and Frances (Hughes) Crabtree. Jeffery graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1968. Jeffery was an engineer for many years, traveling to many places for his …

David Gay “Butch” Hutchison, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday evening, July 24, 2016, at his home. He was born Aug. 3, 1949, in Ravenna, Ohio, a son of the late Guy Jackson and Zella Mae (Ringley) Hutchison. Butch resided most of his life in Sturgis. He was employed by Kirsch Company in Sturgis for 30 years until …

Mark Allen Hendricks, age 46, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, July 24, 2016, at his home, with his loving wife at his side. He was born Sept. 7, 1969, in Sturgis, a son of the late David Dean and Donna June (Wesse) Hendricks. Mark was a lifelong Sturgis and White Pigeon resident and a graduate of White Pigeon High …

Marcia J. Griffin, age 72, of Colon, died Sunday, July 24, 2016, at Sturgis Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ann Griffin, and father, John Griffin. She was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Gary, Ind. She graduated from Indiana University and Western Michigan University. She spent her entire career (48 years) as a teacher and administrator in …

Carol L. Berger, age 61, formerly of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2016 in Centreville. Carol was born Sept. 20, 1954, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Robert J. and Burdena (Decker) Berger. She is survived by her sister, Corinne (Frank) Weaver of Granger, Ind. A graveside funeral service and burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, …

Dorotha Louise (Dotty Lou) Bent passed away on July 23, 2016 At Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo Michigan. Dotty was born on December 6, 1927 in Point Marion, Pennsylvania to Howard L. Cree and Lillian M (Downey) Cree. She spent most of her childhood in Melvindale, Michigan and graduated from Howell High School in 1945 . She attended Western Michigan …