Obituaries

Frank Josef Meudt, 74, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Riverview Manor surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 25, 1938 in Cologne, Germany the son of Josef and Franciska (Stuhler) Meudt. Mr. Meudt grew up in his home country of Germany, moving to the United States at age 21 where he …

Carol M. Wiard, 58, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at her home following an extended illness. There will be no visitation. Cremation has been done; memorial services will be held at a later date. Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon is in charge of arrangements.

Michael Jay Harker, age 55, lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, Oct. 26, 2012, at his home. He was born June 27, 1957, in Sturgis, a son of Edwin and Wanda (Teall) Harker. He had been employed by Morgan Olson in Sturgis for 28 years. He had also worked at Harker Electric, Indiana Custom Truck, Continental Accessories …

Thomas James McNamara III Thomas James McNamara III, born August 16, 1939, Lansing, Michigan, died October 23, 2012 at home in Mason, MI. He is survived by his wife,Theresa, 3 children – Lori (Steve) Barczak, Thomas McNamara IV, and Matthew (Michelle) McNamara, 9 grandchildren, his mother, Marion, siblings Jack (Colleen), Dan (Gail), Tim and Kelly, 14 loving nieces and nephews …

Maurine E. Baker, age 94, of Kalamazoo, and a longtime former resident of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, October 25, 2012 at Fountain View Assisted Living of Portage in Portage, Michigan She was born October 7, 1918 in Sturgis, Michigan a daughter of the late Ralph and Leona (Cahrier) Barnell in 1926 when she was eight, her folks bought the …

Florence M. Pfenning, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 23, 2012, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Three Rivers. She was born Jan. 13, 1927, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Arthur G. and Blanche (Pridgeon) Ledyard. Mrs. Pfenning resided in Sturgis her entire life. On April 1, 1945, she married Richard C. “Dick” Pfenning in …

Grace Irene Tyler, age 60, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born April 25, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter of the late Walter and Irene (Chaney) Salton Sr. Grace resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area since 1987. On Dec. 27, 1987, she married George Tyler …

Eugene I. Barnes, 85, of Wolcottville, Ind., died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, at 12:50 p.m. in his residence. He moved to this area over 20 years ago from Sturgis. Mr. Barnes was a self-employed brick mason. He retired after 25 years with Inland Steel in East Chicago, Ind. He was a missionary through the Wesleyan Church in Sturgis, serving in …

Cheryl “Sherry” Birkhold passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. Born on Jan. 17, 1949, in Sturgis, Sherry was the eldest child of Orson and Willodean Poley, who survive her and reside in Sturgis. Sherry also leaves behind her devoted husband, Michael; her two beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly (and Erik) Ellner of Sacramento, Calif., and Amy (and Dean) VanDyke of …

Dolores Kryder, age 87, of Colon, passed away, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Dolores was born July 24, 1925, in Chicago, a daughter to the late Emanuel Arthur and Alberta Evelyn (McKibben) De Oliver. On June 15, 1946, she married Robert Kryder. He preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 2011, after 65 years of …