Obituaries

Betty Ann Keefer, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born March 24, 1946, in Marshall, a daughter of the late Walter and Virginia (Goodman) Shepherd. Betty had resided in Sturgis for the past eight years, coming from Battle Creek, where she lived most of her life. She was …

Sgt. Desmond Eli Davis, Michigan Army National Guard, age 41, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday evening, June 13, 2013, at his home after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born Nov. 17, 1971, in Kendallville, Ind., son of David and Sandra (Brown) Davis. Desmond resided in Sturgis and was a graduate of Westview High School in Topeka, Indiana …

Honore Laura (Roberts) Jones, age 66, of Elkhart (Formerly of Constantine), passed away Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Hospice House in Elkhart, IN. She was born in Three Rivers, MI on May 4, 1947, a daughter of Tom and Fern (Reardon) Roberts. Honore fought a courageous, lengthy, forty-two year battle with cancer. Honore graduated from Constantine High School, Carter …

Louise A. Needham, 64, of Sturgis, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Ind., after an extended illness. She was born Oct. 28, 1948, in Jackson, a daughter of Floyd and Mellisa (Kelly) Jones. She had been a resident of Sturgis and LaGrange, Ind. On Oct. 14, 1967, she married Willie G. Needham in …

Gloriette Jean Southwell, 76, of Three Rivers, passed away at Heartland Health Care, Three Rivers, on Monday, June 10, 2013. She was born in Plymouth, Ind. on May 21, 1937 to Elmer and Helen (Hartman) Wallace who preceded her in death along with her son, Curtis M. Stallter and a granddaughter, Stacy Sue Stallter along with a sister, Beverly LeVesque. …

Kira D. VanLeeuwen, age 3, of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at Elkhart General Hospital. Kira was born in Kalamazoo, on February 10, 2010, a daughter of Christopher and Stacey (David) VanLeeuwen. She will always be remembered for her infectious smile, big brown eyes and long eye lashes. The love she had and shared, not only brightened everyone’s …

James W. Roberts, age 77, of Three Rivers passed away after a short stay at Heartland Healthcare Center on Monday June 10, 2013. Jim was born on July 28, 1935 in Three Rivers, MI the son of Bill and Thelma(Meyer)Roberts. Jim served two years in the U.S. Army and attended Western Michigan University and Eastern Tennessee State. He was united …

Michael Salisbury, 77, of Constantine, died Monday, June 10, 2013 at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Mishawaka, Ind. on July 5, 1935 to Lewis and Alice (Colley) Salisbury, and lived in the White Pigeon and Constantine area since 1943. A graduate of White Pigeon High School, he attended Glen Oaks Community College for one year. …

Norman E. Bentley, age 82, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away Monday March 11, 2013 in Punta Gorda. He was born October 31, 1930 in Washington, DC son of the late George and Gwendolyn (Egert) Bentley. Norman resided in Sturgis, MI as a child. Norman retired from the U.S. Air Force after a distinguished career which included tours in Korean …

Barbara Grace Scott, age 80, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Saturday morning June 8, 2013 at her home. She was born August 27, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan daughter of the late Stephen J. and Frances (Karas) Wegienek. Mrs. Scott resided in Sturgis for the past 44 years coming from Bronson. In February of 1974 she married Richard Scott in …