Obituaries

Derrell Merrill, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away on Saturday, Sepember 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 8, 1958 in Lexington, KY a son to the late Arthur B. and Reva (Ritchie) Merrill. Derrell has been a resident of Sturgis since 1983 moving here from Toledo. On June 16, 1979 in Toledo, …

James Edward Gushwa, age 79, of Jones, and a former longtime Sturgis and White Pigeon area resident, passed away Friday afternoon, September 1, 2023 at the Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart. He was born July 28, 1944 in Sturgis, son of the late Fredric Leroy and Olive Dorthea (Baker) Gushwa. Jim resided in Jones for the past 13 years. Most …

Jackson Scott Crager, age 2, of Jones, died on Friday, September 1, 2023 at his home from injuries sustained in an accident. He was born May 18, 2021 in Auburn, IN a son of Lyndy Crager and Joshua Robertson. Jackson aka “Baby Shark” was the definition of all boy, loving to be outside, working with his Dad and family around …

Ruth Herndon Jones, age 93, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, September 3, 2023 at Optalis (formerly Heartland) Healthcare in Three Rivers.  She was born in Greenwood, Mississippi on June 11, 1930 the daughter of the late Marshall and Sara Jane (Calvin) Herndon. She was a licensed practical nurse and provided in-home care to many in the Three Rivers area. Ruth’s …

Maynard V. Miller, age 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 1, 2023 at his Mendon home surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for being a loving husband, father, and grandfather who could always be relied upon to help out and could bring smiles with his sense of humor. Born to the late …

William Glenn Barr, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, August 31, 2023 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born August 20, 1958 in Coldwater, son of the late Robert and Phyllis (Fitch) Barr. Bill resided in Sturgis since 2003 coming from Coldwater. His early life was spent in Bronson where he was a graduate …

Toni Lorene Gard, age 73, of Jones, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at home in the comfort of her family’s presence. Her life began September 24, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, one of five children born to Anthony Majka and Doris Elizabeth (Hopkins) Majka. She married Kenneth Edgar Gard, Jr. May 18, 1968 in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Toni was a …

George Paul Yung, age 80, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Optalis Health & Rehabilitation. He was born June 11, 1943 in Columbus, Georgia, the son of George Peter and Phyllis Louise (Hutchinson) Yung. George was a graduate of RVRHS in 1962. George served his country in the United States Navy, then worked for 26 years …

Joan Marie (Broker) Bracy, age 80, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Birch Meadows Senior Care. She was born March 6, 1943 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Jack and Margaret (Cassell) Broker. Joan attended Three Rivers High School, graduating with high honors. She received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, later her master’s degree …

Jean Elaine Weinberg, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, August 29, 2023 at LakeHouse Three Rivers (formerly Bowman Place). She was born January 28, 1936 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Burr and Margaret (Harold) Johnson, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1954. On June 25, 1954 Jean married Nolan Weinberg. She worked …