Obituaries

Jeffery Lynn Councell, age 40, of Coldwater, passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Hillsdale. He was born Aug. 28, 1972, in Sturgis, a son of the late Sindy Sue Bauder and Daryl Ashbrook. Jeff lived in the Sturgis and Coldwater areas his entire life. On Dec. 17, 2010, he married Sarah Garner in Hillsdale. He is survived by his …

Sarah Abbs, age 80, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at her home. She was born March 7, 1932, in Eden, Ohio, a daughter to the late Homer and Opal (Bayes) Smith. Sarah graduated from Blanchard Michigan High School where she was active in sports and band. She had been employed by the Blanchard Paper Company and …

Susan D. Kauffman, age 64, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Saturday morning, Dec. 8, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Aug. 1, 1948, in Sturgis, Mich., a daughter of the late Leo Joseph and Golda Viola (Ross) Hudson. Susan resided most of her life in the Sturgis area. On Dec. 9, 1967 she married Larry Joseph Kauffman in …

Richard L. “Rick” Earl Jr. age 52 of Huntsville, Ala., and a former resident of Constantine and Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, Dec. 8, 2012, at his home following a lengthy illness. The family will receive friends from 3–7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. …

Suzanne Marie Beurmann, age 50, of Marcellus, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio. She was born on August 19, 1962 in Ypsilanti, MI. the daughter of John and Judy (Bates) Gavin Sr. Suzanne was a bright and vibrant soul. Her journey found her very active in caring for special needs adults and …

Vicki Jean Bethuram, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. She was born April 30, 1945, in Richmond, Ind., a daughter of the late Mack and Midge (Whalen) Bethuram. Vicki had resided in Sturgis most of her life and was once married to Patrick G. Barrone in Three Rivers. She had been employed for …

Michael Jay Haney, 55, of Casa Grande, Ariz., and formerly of Burr Oak, Mich., died Oct. 23, 1012, at Alamo Lake, Ariz. He wa born Feb. 26, 1957, to Norman and Eleanor (Hill) Haney in Sturgis, Mich. Mike was an avid Michigan fan, loved riding his Harley-Davidson, camping, hunting and four wheeling. He was proud of his service in the Air …

Gene Ray Evans, age 70, of White Pigeon, formerly of Three Rivers, MI. passed away suddenly on Monday, December 3, 2012 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on March 24, 1942 in Three Rivers, MI. the son of Lloyd and Anna (Troyer) Evans. Gene has been a lifelong resident of this area. He served his country and was honorably …

Jerry E. Lash, age 66, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Jerry was born May 8, 1946, in Sturgis, a son of the late Philip E. and Ellen C. (Shafer) Lash. Jerry had lived all of his life in the Colon area. He had worked for the Newport Company in Sturgis until …

Tony Warren Cole, age 34, passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Three Rivers Hospital. Tony was born October 24, 1978 in Three Rivers, Michigan the son of Lonnie and Ethel (Moore) Cole Sr. Tony has been a resident of Three Rivers his entire life, except for an eight year period spent in Chicago. He graduated from Three …