Obituaries

Josephine Joy “Jo” Shannon, 81, of Leonidas, and formerly of Battle Creek, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at her home. Jo was born Sept. 8, 1932, in Muddy, Ill., a daughter of Hobart A. and Julia A. (Long) Foster. Jo worked at Clark Equipment Company for a few years and at Bailey Park taking tickets, but mostly worked for …

James Maurice Pauli, 80, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo. James was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 20, 1933 the son of James M. and Maxine (Barbieri) Pauli. James served in the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. He was a resident of Three Rivers …

William Claude Thomas, age 79, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 12, 2014, at his home. He was born in Sharpsburg, Ky., son of the late Claude and Etta Haney Thomas. Bill resided in Sturgis since 1991 coming from Bronson. On Oct. 31, 1958, he married Janet Marie Rumsey in Angola, Ind. For over 20 years, he was …

Mabel Geiger passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 in Harlingen, Texas. Mabel was the youngest child of Elmer Hoffman and the former Grace Whitman. She was born Nov. 17, 1917 and spent her early years in Watsontown, Pa. She married Franklin Geiger in 1948 and moved to Three Rivers. There they settled and raised a family. Mrs. Geiger …

Vera K. McCormick, age 75, of Sturgis, died Jan. 8, 2014, after an extended illness. She was born Aug. 28, 1938, a daughter of Thomas A. and Mary E. (Hanchier) Gardner. Vera was a home health aide for Visiting Nurse Association and retired in 1998. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family get-togethers and pot-luck suppers. Survivors include …

Esther Ann Hover, of Spring Arbor, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at the age of 92. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater. A gathering of family and friends will be held prior to the service beginning at noon at the funeral home. Interment of ashes will be …

Laura Lee Krontz, age 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 10, 2013, at Three Rivers Health. She was born May 6, 1938, in Battle Creek, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Irene (Schrader) Leatherbery. Laura resided in Burr Oak nearly her entire life. On May 22, 1954, she married Harold “Pat” Krontz in Centreville. Laura was …

Martha Ellen Fitch, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away early Friday morning, January 10, 2014 at the Bowman House in Three Rivers. Martha was born on January 7, 1925, the daughter of the late John Daniel and Nellie Ann (Mader) Luther. Mrs. Fitch has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She married the love of her life, …

Mary Lee (Heskett) Brown, age 48, of White Pigeon, daughter, sister, mother, wife and grandmother sadly passed away Wednesday, January 8th, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Elmhurst, IL, on December 10, 1965, a loving daughter of Don E. and Dorothy M (Corbin) Heskett. Mary attended Constantine Schools. On February 11, 2010 she married the …

Douglas Allen Cunningham, age 54, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, 2014 at his residence. He was born December 14, 1959 a son of Howard and Melva (Veon) Cunningham at Three Rivers Hospital. Following graduation from Centreville High School in 1979 he farmed with his father & brother, raising livestock, crops and training harness racing horses. He was …