Obituaries

Darwin G. (Dar) Matthews, 74, of Sturgis, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon, where services are at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Cremation will follow. Donations may be directed to the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Herman Kenneth Karlsten, after 90 years of life, passed away in the home of his granddaughter, Kimberly Staley. Herman was born on July 27, 1922 in Chicago, the son of John and Annie Karlsten. On Aug. 29, 1942 he married Mae Belle Olson in Chicago. She preceded him in passing on Aug. 5, 2002. Before being drafted in 1943, Herman …

Clara Burkey, age 82, of Mottville, passed away Friday, November 30th, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cass County , MI on June 5, 1930. Clara graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1947 and served in the Women’s Army Corps. during WW II. On March 25, 1950 she married Max Burkey in Bronson, …

Irene Arnold, age 94, of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 at Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre in Centreville. She was born in Marshall County , IL on April 11, 1918, a daughter of Arthur and Myrtle (Sullivan) Dowty. On November 27, 1935 she married Reuben Arnold in Goshen, IN. He preceded her in death in 1985. Irene worked …

Ailene H. Doe, 89, of Grand Rapids, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 29, 2012, at Crystal Springs Lifehouse in Grand Rapids. She was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Kinde, to Cyril and Anne Cregeur. On Feb. 19, 1944, she married Richard Doe. In 1958, they moved their family to Sturgis to establish Doe Distributing …

Jonathon D. Congdon, 28, of Stevensville, and formerly of Sturgis, died unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at his home. Jon was born June 20, 1984, in Niles to Edwin Dale Congdon and Judy Smith. He was veteran of the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jon was attending Lake Michigan College. His hobbies included skateboarding and snowboarding. He is survived …

Delores A. Irwin, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Three Rivers Health. She was born June 29, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Delores had been a resident of the Sturgis and surrounding areas for most of her life. She retired in 1992 from Kirsch Company after 20-plus years of employment and was an avid golfer and …

Joy Nadeane Messer, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday Nov. 28, 2012, at her home. She was born June 2, 1935, in Fawn River Township, a daughter of the late Vern and Mildred (Wagoner) Kuhlman-Eberhard. Joy resided most of her life in the Sturgis with the exception of the few years she lived in Crab Orchard, Ky. She was …

Joan Doris Bell, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, Nov. 27, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born March 18, 1921, in Woodstock, Ill., a daughter of the late James and Ada (Carlson) Berkhout. Mrs. Bell resided in Sturgis since 1946, coming from Aurora, Ill. On June 9, 1945, she married Robert O. Bell in …

Lewis W. Brandt, 96, of Portage, and formerly of Colon, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 18, 2012, at Tender Care Nursing Home in Portage. Lewis was born Jan. 15, 1916, in Colon, a son of Otto and Ruth (Darling) Brandt. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Colon, a World War II veteran and member of the …