Obituaries

Jacob B. Yoder, age 73, of Sturgis, went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born May 29, 1939, in LaGrange, Ind., a son of the late Benjamin A. and Violet M. (Johnloz) Yoder. Jacob was a veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the rank of Private 1st class. Surviving are …

Bernadette Merie Germain, age 93, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday, May 24, 2013, at the home of her daughter in Ypsilanti. She was born Dec. 24, 1919, in Schaeffer, Mich., one of 16 children to the late Theophile and Zelma (Simard) Bouchard. Mrs. Germain resided in Sturgis since 1972 coming from Taylor, Mich. On Nov. …

Mary E. Freeman, age 79, of 25721 M-86, Sturgis, Mich., Nottawa Township, Mich., passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2013, at her home. She was born May 24, 1933, in New Haven, Conn., daughter of the late James J. and Bessie (Filo) Foley. Mary resided in Sturgis since 1994 when she came to Sturgis from Connecticut to live with her …

Todd LeRoy Overholt, age 42, of Centreville, passed away , Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 in Centreville. He was born at Sturgis Hospital on November 11, 1970, the son of Melvin and Shirley Ann (Cossairt) Overholt. He moved to Florida at an early age. On Feb. 14, 2000 he married Debra L. Bradwell in Ruskin, FL. Todd returned to Michigan with …

Johnnetta (Netta) Hart,  age 88, of Centreville, passed away peacefully Wednesday May 22, 2013 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in Centreville. Netta was born on July 30,1924, the daughter of Bert and Lillian (Wagner) Phelps in AuSable Township, MI. In September of 1972 Netta married Roger Hart at the Centreville Baptist Church. He preceded her in death on November …

Catherine L. (Hile) Edgington, age 83, of Kendallville, IN and formerly of Sturgis, MI passed away January 11, 2013 at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville, IN. She was born September 18, 1929 in Kendallville, IN a daughter to the late Ben and Hazel (Witmer) Hile and has been a resident of Sturgis since 1970. Catherine was first married to James …

Gordon Lamar Bickel, Sr.,  age 83, of Constantine, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers, MI on February 19, 1930, the son of Ray and Ailene (Hitchcox) Bickel. Gordon graduated from Constantine High School in 1948 and earned an Agriculture Degree from Michigan State University. He served in the US …

Marilyn Ann Miller, age 82, of Colon, passed away, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. In accordance with Marilyn’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled. She was born May 27, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Ralph and Louise (Schafer) Black. Marilyn graduated from Fairmont High School in 1949. She married Meryl E. Miller in 1951, and …

Gary Paul Lockwood, age 59, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at his home after a courageous battle with lung disease. He was born on July 18, 1953 the son of Paul and Bernice (Button) Lockwood. Gary has been a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. He graduated with the class of 1971 where Gary excelled at …

Jay Wolgast, age 80, was born June 9, 1932 in Leelanau County to William and Martha Wolgast. Jay grew up in Traverse City and graduated from Traverse City High School in 1951 After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and spent four years in the South Pacific near the end of the Korean War on the destroyer USS Rodgers. In …