Obituaries

Philip W. Miller, 45, of Mottville Township, White Pigeon, died unexpectedly Saturday, May 26, 2012, at his home. He was born Feb. 16, 1967, in Elkhart, Ind., a son of Edgar W. and Phyllis K. (Welty) Miller. He had been a resident of the Mottville and White Pigeon area all his life. On June 17, 1989, he married Connie E. Pletcher in …

Betty J. Wegner, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, May 26, 2012, at Matthew 7:7 Limited in White Pigeon. She was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Bronson, the only daughter of the late Victor and Delcie (Johnson) Ware. Mrs. Wegner had resided in Sturgis for the past 50 years, coming from Colon, where she was a graduate of …

Stanley Gayheart, 44, of LaGrange, Ind., died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at Wesley Healthcare in Auburn, Ind. Mr. Gayheart was born June 12, 1967, in LaGrange, to Bill Sr. and Ruby (Terry) Gayheart. Living his lifetime in LaGrange County and St. Joseph County, Mich., he was an electrician at Abbott in Sturgis. He is survived by his parents, Bill Sr. …

Harlon Phillip Robinson, 88, of Three Rivers, passed away on May 22, 2012 at the Heartland Health Care Nursing Home. Harlon was born on June 18, 1923 in Cass County, the son of the late Phillip “Jerry” and Edna (Roberts) Robinson. Harlon graduated in 1942 from Marcellus High School. He married Alma Boggio on Feb. 2, 1945. On Oct. 11, …

Beverly J. Nemeth, 83, of White Pigeon, died unexpectedly Thursday, May 25, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Sturgis, a daughter of Edward and Rhoda (Nichols) Hagen. She had been a resident of White Pigeon since 2000, coming from Yuma, Ariz., where she lived for 19 years. Her early life was spent in …

Francis “Frank” Joseph Cipriano, 61, of Three Rivers, died May 13, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born June 8, 1950, in Kalamazoo, a son of Joseph and Ruth (Wheater) Cipriano. Frank graduated from Monsignor Hackett High School in Kalamazoo before serving his country as a member of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by HI Tech …

Eugene Harold Brown, 87, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 18, 1924 the son of Carl and Helen (Reist) Brown and graduated from Three Rivers High School. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII, fighting in Europe, and was …

Fronie Marie (Underwood) Halfacre-Stanfill of Jackson passed away peacefully at her home on May 23, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 67. Fronie was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 16, 1944 to Keith and Willie Mae (Spann) Underwood. Fronie graduated from Three Rivers High …

Martha D. VanNess, 80, of Goshen, Ind. and formerly of Otsego and Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at The Maples of Waterford Crossing in Goshen, Ind. Mrs. VanNess was born March 3, 1932 in Chicago, Ill. to George and Margaret (Wright) Fox. Martha is survived by her children, Vicki (LeRoy) Holdread and Andrew (Kris) Friend; four grandchildren; …

LeRoy Dale “Bud” McKale, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.  In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service and burial of the ashes will be held at 11:30 a.m. Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at Nottawa Cemetery in Nottawa. Pastor Michael Bristol, a close family friend will officiate.  …