Obituaries

Ewalt “Walt” Shoesmith, age 97, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at ProMedica Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation. He was born May 20, 1925 in Perry, the son of Wayne and Velma (Walker) Shoesmith. Walt served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and Korea, ultimately earning the rank of Boatswain’s Mate G Second …

Toni Marie Wolfe, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 4, 1949 in Flint, the daughter of Tony and Ruby (Henry) Mayer, and graduated from Sturgis High School and beauty school. Toni worked as a hairstylist in Sturgis for more than 30 years and managed …

Ross Kenneth Clay, age 52, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, May 5, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital after a long illness. Ross was born October 28, 1970, in Kalamazoo, the son of Kenneth and Joyce (Grover) Clay. Ross graduated from Three Rivers High School as a member of the class of 1989. His high school years were happy ones …

Margo Klein, age 75, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was born on April 30, 1948 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the daughter of Elmer and Reba (Martin) Ake.  Margo graduated from Centreville High School and later attended and graduate from Glen Oaks Community College from their nursing program.  On December 22, …

Linda Joy Owen, age 73, of Marcellus, died Monday, May 8, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on April 18, 1950 the daughter of Jack R. and Ilah Mae (Westphal) Pierson. She attended Marcellus Schools and proudly earned her GED years later from Three Rivers High School. Linda was a homemaker who was …

Jeanette May Trattles, age 91, of Centreville, died Sunday, May 7, 2023 at her home. She was born April 4, 1932 in Jones, a daughter of Ned and Myra (Ferguson) Trattles. Jeanette graduated from Centreville High School in 1950 and attended Western Michigan University. On February 23, 1956 she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving until February 22, …

Jeffery Dale Brundige of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the age of 58. He was born in Three Rivers on August 12, 1964, the son of Dale and Sonya (Bendal) Brundige. He had a love for motorcycles, fishing, hunting, snowmobiles, and horseshoes. More than anything, he enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors with his …

Roger Allen VanAvery, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023 in Brady Township, Michigan. He was born June 27, 1950 in Kalamazoo, son of the late Richard and Mary (Euler) VanAvery. Roger’s early life was spent in Sturgis where he was a member of the Sturgis High School class of 1968. Following his graduation he moved to …

James Dale Wagner, age 75, of Mendon, died on April 22, 2023 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Battle Creek. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 4, 1947, the son of Owen O. and Kathryn R. (Van Over) Wagner and has been a lifetime resident of Mendon. He was a member of the Mendon High School class of …

Max Duane Barnes, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 12, 1939 in Coldwater, a son to the late Melvin and Ruth (Bussing) Barnes. Max has resided in Sturgis since building his current home in 1978. He previously lived in Coldwater, Bronson, Burr Oak, and …