Obituaries

Mitchell John “Mitch” Breece, age 53, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at his home following a courageous and hard fought battle with cancer. He was born on January 19, 1960 in Three Rivers, the son of the late Phillip Edwin and Charolette (Smith) Breece. Following his schooling in Three Rivers, Mitch entered the U.S. Army …

Mr. Ilmars Dumpis, age 88, of Three Rivers passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at Riverview Manor. He was born July 15, 1925 in Riga, Latvia to Roberts and Elizabete Dumpis. The family had two children, Ilmars and his sister Gaida. He started school in Riga, but soon his father was transferred to Melluzi, a small town by the Baltic …

Marilyn Kay Malcolm, 65, of Coldwater, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at home surrounded by family. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater with Pastor Aaron Chittick officiating. Visitation will take place on Monday, Dec. 30 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater from 4-8 p.m. …

Carol Marie Huff (Murray) passed away suddenly Christmas night. Born in 1946, she was the oldest child of Lloyd and Florence Murray who survive her. Also surviving are sisters Nancy and Linda, brothers Paul and Bruce, her son Greg, his wife Sara and their three daughters. Carol has multiple nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death was her husband of …

Verna M. Muckel, age 89, of Colon, passed away, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at Birch Adult Foster Care home in Leonidas. Verna was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Hicksville, Ohio, a daughter of the late Roy and Leah (Mackey) Thomas. She graduated from St. Joe High School in St. Joe, Ind., with the class of 1940. Verna had made her …

Patricia L. Jackson, 85, of Zeeland, and formerly of White Pigeon, died Dec. 25, 2013, at Baypointe Oakcrest Senior Living Community in Holland, following an extended illness. She was born March 13, 1928, in Boyd County Ky., a daughter Roy and Belva (Sloane) Edmond. She had been a resident of Zeeland since 2010, coming from White Pigeon. On Dec. 31, 1948, she married …

LeRoy Noble Larson, age 82, of Clayton, and formerly of Mio and Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at St. Joseph Hospital in Ypsilanti. LeRoy was born Feb. 5, 1931, in Washington, Mich., to Robert and Nona (Granseth) Larson. He was raised in Romeo. LeRoy served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He worked for …

Nedra L. Miller, of Topeka, Ind., passed away Dec. 23, 2013, at the age of 88. She was born April 3, 1925 in Ligonier, Ind. On Aug. 30, 1952 she married Walter “Ray” Miller. He preceded her in death Oct. 6, 2003. She is survived by two daughters, Connie (Dave) Palmer of Centreville and Patty (Bryce) Elkins of Columbia City, …

Vera T. Armstrong, 91, of Plainwell, died Dec. 20, 2013 at the Stanford Lodge, Plainwell. She was born Jan. 16, 1922, the daughter of George and Neva (Romig) Fisher. A time to gather with the family while sharing food and refreshments will begin at noon on Monday, Dec. 23 followed by a service at 2 p.m. at the Life Story …

Ethel Mae Ruggles, age 92, of Constantine, passed away December 21st, 2013 at her home. She was born in Constantine, on September 26, 1921, a daughter of Sam and Hazel (Rangler) Whitmore. Ethel graduated from Constantine High School in 1939. On January 26, 1946 Ethel married Harold A. Ruggles in Constantine. She worked as a secretary at Constantine Creamery and …