Obituaries

A candlelight vigil in memory of Sturgis accountant David Locey drew more than 300 people to Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis Saturday night. Organized by family friends Jade Klingler and Leeann Lindsey, the vigil featured reflections from Sturgis City Commissioner Rob Sisson, retired bank executive Frank Iannarelli and retired Sturgis economic development director John Hayes. The trio made frequent …

Nancy Ruth Dailey, age 75 of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at her home. She was born in Three Rivers on February 7, 1938, a daughter of Lloyd and Ella (Bean) Swinehart. On July 14, 1956 she married Keith L. Dailey in Angola, IN. He preceded her in death July 12, 2004. Nancy was a cook and …

Bertha E. Ulrich, age 104, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born January 9, 1909 in Alpena, Michigan a daughter of the late Otto and Bertha (Lintz) Beyer. Bertha had been a resident of Burr Oak since 1937 and was first married to John Frohriep and second marriage to Myron …

David Frank Locey, age 70, longtime Sturgis resident, community leader and friend of many passed away Wednesday morning October 2, 2013 in Sturgis. He was born January 13, 1943 in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania son of the late James and Mildred (Anderson) Locey. Dave resided in Sturgis from the age of 14 coming from Sugar Grove. He was first married to …

Pearlene Mae (Lawson) Ginther, 75, of Farmington Hills, and formerly of Saginaw Township, died Sept. 12, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Paul Leo Ginther; her parents, Rubert Lawson Sr. and Emogene Lawson; and her brothers, Rubert Lawson Jr., Millard Lawson and Larry Lawson. Surviving is Deborah (Lawson) Moore, her sister. She lives on through her son …

Lawrence B. “Larry” Watson Jr., age 65, of Colon, passed away Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 1, 1947, in Sturgis, a son of Lawrence and Janet (Eshelman) Watson Sr. Larry graduated from Colon High School in 1966 and received a degree in business management from Western Michigan University in 1971. On …

Tony Lee Cook, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at his home. He was born in Ft. Wayne, IN on October 3, 1958, a son of Darlo and Carol (Poff) Cook. Tony was a truck driver for P&P Transportation and several other companies. In January 1987 he married Rene Kidd. Tony was known as …

Vera Ruth Wade, 99, of Sturgis, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville, following a short illness. She was born March 30, 1914, in LaGrange, Ind. She had been a resident of the Sturgis area since 1970, coming from White Pigeon. On May 29, 1937, …

Robert Lee Alburtus, 78, of Centreville, passed away at 7:28 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013, at his home. He was born Dec. 28, 1934, in Flint to Charles and Bertha (Weber) Alburtus. On July 23, 1955, he married Janet Johns. On Jan. 15, 1983, he married Shirley A. Carlin in Three Rivers. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of …

Lisa Ann Mains, age 60, of Sturgis passed away Monday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2013, at The Laurels of Coldwater, following a long, courageous battle with dementia. She was born September 16, 1953 in Sturgis, a daughter of David and Phyllis (Easterday) Jordan. Lisa was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of …