Obituaries

Betty Louise Bickle, age 91, of Centreville, passed away Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born in Battle Creek, on May 23, 1921, a daughter of the Harl J. and Fern (Burgett) Moore. Betty graduated from Athens High School in 1940. On June 2, 1940 Betty married Dan Bickle in Athens. He preceded her in death on …

Paul N. Woods, 58, of Sturgis, died unexpectedly of a 24-hour rapidly progressing lung infection at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 and 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Sturgis Missionary Church, 67080 N. M-66, Sturgis. A service celebrating the life of …

Charles Martin, 87, of Lawton, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 8, 2013 at the Battle Creek VA Hospital. He was born July 19, 1925 in Three Rivers the son of the late Harold and Lola (Abshire) Martin. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Charlie was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton, the American …

Michael Alan “Mike” Schmitt, age 54, of Mendon died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at his home. He was born in Mendon on Jan. 13, 1959 the son of Clement C. and Joan L. (Dick) Schmitt and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Mike graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1978. He was married to Vickie …

Louis E. Peterson, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, February 9th, 2013 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Three Rivers. He was born in Stanwood, Michigan on September 30, 1923, a son of Erick and Ellen (Torgeson) Peterson. Louis Served in the US Army during WW II serving in Europe. On May 9, 1953 Louis married Wilma H. Groeneveld …

Robert John Hutton, 61, of Jones, died Jan. 23, 2013 in his residence. He was born Dec. 16, 1951 in Three Rivers to Robert and Nellie (Ketter) Hutton. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded by one sister, Sara Hutton. Robert spent most of his life living on the family farm. He attended Kalamazoo College and Western …

Dale Stevens Jr., age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, Feb. 7, 2013, at his home. He was born July 13, 1930, in Sturgis, a son of the late Dale and Mary (Kinsey) Stevens. Dale was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On March 24, 1994, he married Phyllis Persails in Missouri. He retired from Burr Oak Tool and Gauge Company …

Merritt Perkins, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born on August 29, 1915, the son of Jay R. and Bertha M. (Reames) Perkins. Merritt attended a one-room school in the village of Corey through the eighth grade, winning a trip from Cass County to the Michigan State Fair. He …

LuCinda Sue (Cindy) Young, age 54, of Centreville, MI, passed away on February 6,2013 at her home . She was born in Three Rivers, MI on April 23, 1958. Cindy enjoyed going to Flea markets and most of all spending time with her Grandchildren. On November 12, 1983 She married Terry D. Young in White Pigeon, MI. Surviving are her …

Leo C. Hambright Jr., age 71, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, Feb. 3, 2013, at his home. He was born Sept. 25, 1941, in Union County, S.D., a son of the late Leo and Joy (Anderson) Hambright. Leo was a longtime Sturgis resident and retired from the International Paper Company in Sturgis and had also worked at Sturgis …