Obituaries

Leola D. Geark, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, 2013, at her home. She was born May 17, 1924, in Nebo, N.C., daughter of the late Sam and Lizzie (Cuthbertson) Dellinger. Leola resided in Sturgis since 1952 coming Marion, N.C., and she was a graduate of Glen Alpine High School with the class of 1942. …

Gaylord Dean “Gator” Hill, age 65, of Mesa, Ariz., since December of 2012, and a longtime former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Phoenix. He was born May 26, 1947, in Sturgis, a son of Wayne T. and Opal (Patrick) Hill. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge #1314 and Captain John J. Kelley Post …

Betty Jean Widdel, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Jean Widdel will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at …

Evelyn Ilene Phillips, age 71, of Mendon died Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mendon on Dec. 2, 1941 the daughter of James Edward and Zelma (Halsey) McClish and was a lifetime resident of the Mendon area. After attending Mendon Schools, Evelyn was married to James Leroy Phillips on May 23, 1959. …

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 …