Obituaries

Ezra J. Bontrager, age 87, 4 months, of Centreville, Mich., passed away March 20, 2015, at 7 p.m. at home surrounded by family. Ezra was born Nov. 30, 1927, in Sikeston, Mo., a son to the late John M. and Elizabeth (Mullet) Bontrager. Ezra lived in Centreville most of his life, where he had farmed and was a member of …

Harry Scott Brown, age 86, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, March 22, 2015 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on March 31, 1928 the son of the late Elmer E. and Emma C. (White) Brown and attended Three Rivers Schools. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. While stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland he …

Alberta”Bert” Ruth Watson, age 90, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Kalamazoo, MI on December 27, 1924 the daughter of the late Arthur and Sylvia (Sharp) Hammond. Alberta graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1943. She worked at several places throughout her life eventually …

Ellen Jean Kammer, age 79, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Riverview Manor. She was born in Manistee MI on November 16, 1935 the daughter of Chester and Ruby Ellen (Shrock) Leland. Ellen was a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was very active and involved with the Free Church of Three Rivers. …

Leo George Wright, 89, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Three Rivers Health.   He was born February 10, 1926 in Elkhart, IN, to Bryan and Lois (Blanchard) Wright. Leo served in the US Navy as a Baker 3rd Class, during WWII. On April 14, 1947 he married Helen Joan Oswalt in South Bend. Leo was a member …

Patricia Vee (Raines) Arnett, age 78, of Three Rivers and formerly of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born May 3, 1936 in Springfield, OH, a daughter of Walter Harold and Loveda (McNerlen) Raines. Pat had worked at Motorola in Phoenix, AZ. She loved her family, and would do anything to …

Henry “Chipper” E. Jones II, 59, formerly of Niles, went to be with our Lord at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at his home, with family at his bedside. Henry was born on Nov. 11, 1955 in Pawating Hospital in Niles. He was the third child, the only son, of Henry L. and Florency J. Jones. Henry grew …

John Joseph Donnelly died on Friday, March 13, 2015 at Borgess Medical Center after a short illness caused by complications of heart disease. John was born March 21, 1925 in Ontonagon, Michigan, son of Joseph Michael Donnelly and Virginia Testman Donnelly. He attended public and parochial schools in Ontonagon, East Grand Rapids, Lansing, and graduated from Houghton High School in 1942. …

Diane Marie (Panure) Fosdick, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at her home. She was born on January 29, 1944 in Madison, WI to the late Harold and Martha (Volant) Panure. Diane graduated from West High School in Green Bay, WI and later went on to obtain her Associate’s Degree from Glen Oaks Community College. Diane worked …

Gerald “Jerry” Arden Butler passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the age of 75. Jerry was the second of four children born to the late Glen and Isabelle (Bingaman) Butler. He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Peggy (Hackenburg) Butler; his siblings, Carol Hines, Darlene (Ron) Fox, and Ron (Sharron) Butler. He is also survived by …