Obituaries

Gwendolyn Marie Tavernier, 59, of White Pigeon, died Friday, April 13, 2012, at her home. She was born Feb. 16, 1953, in Three Rivers, a daughter to Richard E. and Wanna L. (Keller) Lewis. She was a resident of White Pigeon, coming from Cleveland, Ohio. She was employed in manufacturing for Syndicate Systems, Owens Illinois, Lear Segler and Crocker. She was …

Gilbert D. Bell, 90, long-time resident of the Three Rivers area, died on April 9, 2012, after chronic illness. He was retired from the Michigan State Hospital system. Mr. Bell was a member of the Order of the Knights of Columbus and served as an usher at his church. He was preceded in death by: his wife, Inez Bell; significant …

C. Lavenia “Bing” Stevens, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly early Thursday morning, April 12, 2012 at her home. She was born Feb. 12, 1916, in Lewisport, Ky., a daughter of the late John Ellis and Anna Thomas (Lampkins) Crask. Bing resided in Sturgis since 1933, coming from LaGrange, Ind., where she was a graduate of LaGrange High School with …

Edith D. (Worrell) Hope, age 97, formerly of Brookville, OH, died Wed. April 12, 2012 in Centreville. She moved to Centreville from Brookville, OH  to be near family members. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Ward Hope; parents, Henry W. & Anna R. (Bunn) Worrell; brothers-in-law, Don Eichelberger & John Hope; sister-in-law, Catherine Hope; nephew Don …

JoDe Le Wheeler, 37, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on April 5, 2012 at her home. She was born on Oct. 4, 1974 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Arthur D. and Judy LaJean (Rumsey) Remington. JoDe has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She loved the outdoors, her many animals, and especially her horses. She was …

Agnes M. Wenning, 92, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, April 12, 2012, at the home of her granddaughter in Paw Paw. She was born July 5, 1919, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Vyverman) Westrick. Mrs. Wenning had resided in Sturgis since 1986, coming from Kalamazoo. On May 14, 1949, she married Garrett Wenning …

Susie D. (Bontrager) Miller, age 89, of Centreville, died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at her home. Susie was born in LaGrange, County, Ind., on Jan. 10, 1923, to Daniel M. and Margaret (Chupp) Bontrager and was a member of the Old Order Amish Church. She was married to Henry J. Miller on Jan. 31, 1946, and they lived in Holy …

Jeffery Lynn Horrell, 53, of Constantine, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at his home. He was born on Jan. 20, 1959 in Huntington, Ind. the child of Esta E. and Janette (Rubrake) Horrell. Resident of the Constantine, Union and White Pigeon area since 1973 coming from Huntington. Member of the Army National Guard and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, taxidermy and …

Amos D. Hochstetler, age 86, of Findley Road, Sturgis, died Wednesday April 11, 2012, at the home of his daughter, Ella Mae (Freeman) Bontrager. He was born March 28, 1926, in St. Joseph County, a son of the late Dan M. and Anna S. (Wickey) Hochstetler. On Dec. 18, 1947, Amos married Ida D. Bontrager in Centreville. They lived in …

Marlene K. Mullins, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, April 10, 2012, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. She was born May 13, 1936, in LaGrange, Ind., a daughter of the late Alvin and Mary Lumm. Marlene resided in Sturgis since 1986 coming from Muskegon. She had been employed by the Sturgis Journal and she was a …