Obituaries

Edna Lillian Currier, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, July 2, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born June 18, 1928, in Elkhart, Ind., a daughter of the late John and Lillian (Hall) Miller. From a very young age, she was raised by Emanuel and Fannie Miller. Edna’s early life was spent in Brighton, Ind., …

Gretchen Webb, age 66 of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at her home. Gretchen was born Nov. 13, 1947, a, daughter of the late Edward and Jane (Decrocker) Ullom. She spent most for her life in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School Colon in 1966. Gretchen continued her education at Kalamazoo Practical Nursing School, graduating …

Emma Yoder, age 97, of Mendon, died Monday, July 1, 2013 at her home. She was born Dec. 23, 1915, in Morocco, Ind., a daughter of Menno J. and Amanda (Hochstetler) Anderson. On Nov. 7, 1937, she married Jess Hochstetler. He died May 10, 1980. On May 2, 1982, Emma married Levi B. Yoder. He died May 12, 1989. Emma …

Helen Hattie Riska, 91, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 27, 2013, in Kalispell, Mont. She was born Aug. 14, 1921, in Johnston, N.Y., to Henry and Pauline (Masarik) Billa. She completed eighth grade, then started working to help support her family. She worked as a glove-maker in Johnston. On Oct. 14, 1939, Helen married Joseph F. Riska. They were blessed …

Dixie Lou Musolff age, 79, of White Pigeon, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013 at her home. She was born February 14, 1934 in Saranac, Michigan daughter of the late Ernest and Lucille (Hampshire) Miller. On August 30, 1952 she married George Musolff of Sherwood, Michigan. She is survived by her husband; two daughters: Julia (Barry) Edds …

Carolyn Elizabeth Hartman, age 72, of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Friday, May 24, 2013 at the HealthPark Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Hartman was born in Oakland, California on June 27, 1940, a daughter of the late Lawrence V. and Leah (Edwards) Wegner. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother …

Jonathan Robert Hakala, 36, of White Pigeon, Mich., died Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., from complications resulting from a motorcycle accident. Jon was born Dec. 19, 1976, in Elkhart, Ind. He graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1996. Jon is survived by his parents, John and LuAnn (Waterman) Hakala of White Pigeon; grandmothers Barbara …

Ralph Dean Jr., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 21, 2013. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side. He was born in Three Rivers on July 18, 1930 the son of Ralph and Carmelita Dean. Visitation will be held Friday, July 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jowett Family Funeral …

Sara A. Fletcher, age 87, of Wallace, South Carolina passed away Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at Whispering Pines Nursing & Rehabilitaion Center, Fayetteville, NC. She was born on February 9, 1926, a daughter of the late Augustus and Mary Adams . Sara graduated from Columbus High School during the depression and went to work helping to support her family. She …

Edna Claire Strobel, age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27, under loving care at the Birch Adult Foster Care home where she had been a resident for six and a half years. Edna was born on October 21, 1918 to Alfred and Eunice (Chamberlain) Avery. On March 24, 1940 she married Frederick Perrin Strobel at her parents home. …