Obituaries

Doris M. Nelson, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Sept. 17, 2012 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Sept. 10, 1922, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Clarence and Florence (Merchant) Bunnell. Doris had resided in Burr Oak and Sturgis all her life. On June 11, 1938, she married Irvin F. Nelson in Sturgis. He preceded …

Donald E. Dilts, 79, of LaGrange, Ind., died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Ind. He was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Steuben County, Ind., to Clarence L. and Thelma M. (Coney) Dilts. Don was retired from Ross Laboratory in Sturgis. He worked there for 26 years. He also was a farmer in Howe, Ind., …

Anna Wright, of Three Rivers and formerly of Allegan, passed away Sept. 12, 2012 in Three Rivers. Mrs. Wright was born Feb. 18, 1935 in Riceville, Ky., the daughter of W.E. “Deak” Conley and Shirley (Burke) Conley. Surviving: husband, Steve; two daughters and two sons and their families; special friends and caregivers Diane Buell and Jan Bresson. At Anna’s request, …

Jean Benson Daugherty entered into the “Kingdom of God” Saturday morning, Sept. 1, 2012, surrounded by her three loving daughters. She was the daughter of Lester and Frieda (Smith) Heape and was born on June 29, 1929 in Tamaroa, Ill. On Dec. 21, 1946 Jean married Clyde Benson and they raised three daughters. She was employed at Continental Can, Glen …

Willodean (Swindle) McKenzie, 92, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 16, 1919, in Marmaduke Ark., a daughter of Cornelius A. and Tulah Mae (Thomas) Swindle. She resided for a short time in Fort Wayne, Ind., LaGrange, and Sturgis, and …

Dustin “Raze” Pike, age 28, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 5, 1983, in Sturgis, a son of Lloyd Pike Jr. and Bonnie Jarratt. Dustin spent most of his life in the Sturgis area and had moved to Grand Rapids in 2008 to work with the 61syx Teknique …

Maxine Schowalter, 93, of Sturgis, died at 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis. She was born March 9, 1919, in Hugo, Colo., to Claud and LaVina (Bradfield) Wilson. On May 28, 1942, she married Fred Schowalter in Pueblo, Colo. He died Jan. 14, 2007. Surviving are a daughter, Sheryl (Larry) Gingerich of White Pigeon; a son, …

Edward William Thompson II passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, in Three Rivers. He was born March 4, 1970, in Petoskey, to Edward and Claudette Thompson of Cheboygan. Edward was raised in Cheboygan and graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1988. Ed enjoyed deer hunting, Steelers and spending time with Eddie and C.J. He worked most of his life …

Delmar E. Keeslar, 59, of Sturgis, passed away Sept. 7, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a long battle with Crohn’s disease. He was born Aug. 13, 1953, in Angola, Ind., the son of Jacque and Lilya Keeslar. On Sept. 8 2000, he married Joanne Keeslar in Sturgis. He was raised in Fawn River Township and lived in …

Maxine Ellen Wertz, 87, of Colon, Mich., arrived safely home with Jesus Christ her Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital following an extended illness. She was born March 8, 1925 in White Pigeon, Mich., the daughter of Arthur and Myrtle (Sullivan) Dowty. She was a Colon resident since 2003, coming from Mottville. On April 20, 1947, she married …