Obituaries

Alberta M. Dowty, age 96, of Brighton, and formerly of Sturgis passed away peacefully late Friday afternoon, Jan. 17, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 12, 1917, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Bert and Isabell (Porter) Parker, longtime First Presbyterian Church members. Mrs. Dowty resided nearly her entire life in Sturgis, moving …

Jean Williams Ware, age 62, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, Michigan passed away Friday morning January 17, 2014 at her home. She was born June 30, 1951 in Wauseon, Ohio daughter of Donald and Grace (Willson) Williams. Her early life and growing up years was lived in Delta, Ohio. Jean was living and working in Chicago when she built a home …

William M. Carver, Jr., resident of Lombard, Ill., beloved husband of the late Janice F., nee Van Slyke; loving father of William (Julie), John (Julie) and Michael; proud grandfather of Will, Jennifer, Matthew and Jeremy; dear brother of the later Eleanor (the late Keith) Littleton. Visitation Wednesday, Jan. 22, 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a funeral service at 7 …

Peggy A. Schaeffer, 76, of Sturgis, and formerly of Wolcottville, Ind., died Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Fla. Mrs. Schaeffer was born Aug. 4, 1937 in New Haven, Ind., to Raymond E. and Vera C. (Papenbrock) Burchardt. They preceded her in death. On June 19, 1962, she married Gary L. Schaeffer in New …

Ardith Smoll, age 95, of Sturgis passed away Friday, January 17th, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born in Sturgis, on November 9, 1918, a daughter of William and Grace (Rost) Young. Ardith graduated from Sturgis High School in 1936. On September 5, 1937 she married Estel R. Smoll in Sturgis. He preceded her in death July 27, 1976. …

Kenneth Leroy Staffen, age 79, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Three Rivers Health following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 7, 1934 in Schoolcraft, MI., the son of Clive and Mildred (Barber) Staffen. Mr. Staffen has been a life time resident of Three Rivers. He served his country in …

Lloyd L. “Louie” Hart, age 83, of Mendon died Saturday Jan. 18, 2014 at his home following a brief illness. He was born near Colon, MI on July 30, 1930 the son of Cecil and Minnie (Broker) Hart. Lloyd served stateside with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home he was married to Maxine Williams on July …

Martha A. Krautwurst, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 at the Heartland Health Care Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Aug. 28, 1923 in Weisenfelde, Germany, the daughter of the late Daniel and Bronislawa (Stettinow) Komm. Mrs. Krautwurst was united in marriage to the late Alexander Krautwurst on March 2, 1950 …

Jerome C. Urbaszewski, age 74, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, and a former Chicago, resident passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, Jan. 12, 2014, at his home. He was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Chicago, son of the late Joseph and Irene (Zimny) Urbaszewski and fond brother of five. His lifelong dream was achieved after retirement, of living on the lake, …

James Edward Perry, 77, of Bonita Springs, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at Juniper Village at Naples. Jim had been a winter resident of Bonita Springs since 2002, also calling Sturgis home. James was born Aug. 14, 1936, in Burlington, Iowa, a son of the late Eugene and Bernarda (Niemann) Perry. Jim earned his bachelor of science degree from …