Obituaries

Richard L. McClish, age 75, of Mendon, died Friday Dec. 13, 2013 at his home. He was born in Mendon on Sep. 25, 1938 the son of the late Hosea L. and Gladys (Helwig) McClish. He was a 1956 graduate of Mendon High School. He was a heavy equipment operator involved in commercial construction during his working years. In his …

Philip G. Clipfell, age 80, of Colon, passed away, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. Philip was born May l, 1933, in Three Rivers, a son to the late Wyman and Ruth (Pridgeon) Clipfell. Philip had made his home in Colon all his life, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1950. On …

Thomas Joe Hart, 83, of Ada, and formerly of Caledonia, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, following an extended illness. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was born Dec. 6, 1930, in Lauderdale County, Ala., a son of Joseph Henry and Minnie Myrtle (Austin) Hart. He had been a …

Max H. Miller, age 93, of Sturgis, and formerly of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at Bowman House Assisted Living, in Three Rivers. Max was born June 17, 1920, in Fulton, a son of the late Henry M. and Juanita E. (Fisk) Miller. He was a lifelong resident of the Sturgis and Burr Oak area. On March …

Robert J. Pierce, 75, of Three Rivers, died on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at his home following an extended illness. He was born on June 21, 1938 in Three Rivers the son of Arthur and Neva (Craw) Pierce. He lived all of his life in Three Rivers except four years he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member …

Rosemary Weirich, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 10, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Aug. 26, 1927, in Richmond, Ind., a daughter of the late Paul and Sarah (Berry) Brenneman. Rosemary resided in Sturgis for several years before her husband’s employment moved them to Dallas, Baltimore, Atlanta, Georgia and Pittsburgh. Upon their retirement, they lived …

Robert F. Magness, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 9, 2013, at Borgess Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. He was born April 14, 1932, in Baltimore, a son of the late Charles and Helen (Wolf) Magness. Bob resided in Sturgis since 1975, coming from Michigan City, Ind. His early life was lived in Baltimore. He was a graduate …

Joyce L .Brandt, age 83, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at her home, surrounded by family. Joyce was born Dec. 8, 1930, in Colon, a daughter of the late Harry and Letha (Vreeland) Murphy. Joyce lived all her life in Colon, attending Colon schools. She married Jack W. Brandt in 1947. She enjoyed reading, baking and working …

Frederick C. “Freddy” Baldwin Jr., age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 9, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born July 22, 1930 in Branch County, a son of the late Frederick C. Baldwin Sr. and Maybelle (Gintling) Parnin. Frederick was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and served in Korea. …

James Albert “Jimmy” Johnson, age 90, of Three Rivers, passed away early Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at his home surrounded by loving family. He was born in Constantine, MI., on November 23, 1923 the son of the late Ralph L. and Nellie Mae (Carnes) Johnson. Jimmy has been a lifetime member of this area. Together, Jim and his wife, Margaret …