Obituaries

Leonard Raymond Stevens, 80, of Sturgis passed away early Monday morning, July 23, 2012, at his home. He was born Jan. 23, 1932, in Athens, a son of the late Clarence and Marie (Johnson) Stevens. Leonard resided nearly his whole life in the Fawn River and Sturgis area. On Oct. 5, 1979, he married Sally Hepner in Niles. He was a …

Henry Otis Taylor, age 81, of Centreville, MI, died Monday, July 23rd, 2012 at the Fairview Living Centre in Centreville. Henry was born in Sturgis on September 13, 1930,  a son of Harold and Dexter (Hunter) Taylor. Henry attended Centreville Schools. On July 29, 1950 he married Gloria Gammon in Vicksburg. Henry always loved his family, but especially his faithful dog Jeanie, …

Harold James “Smokey” Geark, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Three Rivers Health. Harold was born on July 29, 1921 in Three Rivers the son of Harvey H. and Ruth (Timm) Geark. Harold was a lifetime resident of the Three Rivers area. He served his country in the U.S. Army Tech 4 Infantry during World …

Johnny Michael Jansen, 24, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on July 17, 2012 at the Borgess Medical Center. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 10, 1988 the son of John M. Jansen and Sandra Hemenway. Johnny has been a lifelong resident of both Mendon and Three Rivers and truly loved his family. He enjoyed music, especially playing guitar …

Arlie Lee Smith, age 82, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Doe Hill, Virginia on Sep. 9, 1929 the son of William and Maggie (Smith) Smith, and attended schools in Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 at several stations around the world. Arlie was married to …

James William “Bill” Allen, age 86, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Herrin, IL on Jan. 29, 1926 the son of Lem and Lela (Frailey ) Allen, and attended schools there. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Bill was married to Lois Conrad on Dec. 11, 1948 …

Douglas Lee Conley, age 54, of Bronson, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012, at his home. He was born Sept. 12, 1957, in Sturgis, a son of the late Melvin and Shirley (Bauder) Conley. Doug resided in the Bronson area for many years. His early life was lived in Sturgis. He had been employed by Grow Alliance Company in Howe, …

Loretta Joan Stiles, age 64, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, July 20, 2012, at her home. She was born April 17, 1948, in Clinton, Iowa, a daughter of the late Fred C. and Joan L. (Ball) Bray. Mrs. Stiles resided in the Sturgis and Bronson area most of her life. On Sept. 16, 1969, she married Roy Stiles …

Shirley Ruth Mathews, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Three Rivers Health of cardiac arrest after years of battling with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on Dec. 4, 1926 in Three Rivers, MI. the daughter of Harold and Mae (Kaiser) Langton. Shirley has been a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. She graduated …

Roberta A. Carroll, 73, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012, at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 21, 1939, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Robert L. and Ruth E. (Frederick) Cosner. Roberta resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Wood River, Ill. Her early life was lived in Three Rivers and she …