Obituaries

Ruth Alice (Kohlmeyer) Toothman passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at her residence in Sturgis. She was born May 8, 1958, in Uniontown, Pa., to James and Alice (Windgassen) Kohlmeyer. She was the first licensed woman pyrotechnician in Michigan. Ruth liked to crochet and she especially enjoyed her cats. Ruth loved her family. Ruth is survived by two daughters, Lisa …

Thomas Allen Persons, age 46, of 24 N. Oller Ave., Waynesboro, and formerly of Indiana, was suddenly called home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, Feb. 23, 2012, in Fredericksburg, Va. Born June 10, 1965 in Sturgis, Mich., he was the son of the late Maurice “Jake” and Darlene (nee Crain) Persons. He was a 1983 graduate of …

Tia Lynn Caroline Wilbur, 10-day-old daughter of Joseph Wilbur and Cassandra Gilbert, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. In addition to her parents, Tia is survived by a sister, Joanna Jones; a brother, Joseph Dean Wilbur; grandfather, Gerald Wilbur; grandparents, Harry and Caroline Wilbur; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death …

Robert Ray Schrader, age 51, a lifelong Sturgis resident, passed away, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Dec. 16, 1960, in Sturgis, a son of Robert and Patricia (Jordan) Schrader. In September 1980, he found his soulmate and life companion, Sherry Mullins. Robert had been employed at the Sturgis Oasis Party Store, Western …

Gary Lee Beauchamp, age 66 of White Pigeon, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 22, 2012 in a motor vehicle accident in Sturgis Township. He was born in LaPorte, IN on Jan. 30, 1946 the son of Vernon “Bud” and Norma (Bruner) Beauchamp. He attended Syracuse High School and was married to Fannie Hershburger; they were later divorced. Gary had resided in …

Melvis E. “Tex” Morris Jr., age 69, with a favorite saying of “Fire in the Hole,” passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Dec. 10, 1942, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to Melvis E. Morris Sr. and Margaret (Learned) (Morris) Landry. On Feb. 12, 2010, he married Elaine Kay Jackson in Centreville. Mel was a talented mason …

James Robert Rahfeldt, 72, of Three Rivers, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died at 7:50 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born Feb. 15, 1940 in Michigan City, Ind. to Robert F. and Evelyn (Reed) Rahfeldt. On Oct. 26, 1963 in LaPorte, Ind. he married Shirley M. Garrett. She died on Jan. 9, 1996 …

Richard Lee Flowers, age 69, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home. He was born Oct. 31, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Carl and Florence (Miller) Flowers. Dick had resided most of his life in the Burr Oak area, except for the 15 years he lived in North Carolina. On June …

Phyllis M. Hines, 80, of Marcellus, passed away at her residence Monday evening, Feb. 20, 2012 following an illness. She was born Nov. 13, 1931 in Steuben County, Ind. the daughter of Cecil L. and Rena R. (Perkins) Hanes. On July 28, 1951 in Auburn, Ind. she married Edward L. Hines, who preceded her in death on March 28, 2006. …

Stephen Leroy McMaster Sr. went home to be with the lord Friday, February 18, 2012 at Riverview Grace Manor in Three Rivers, MI. Stephen was born June 5, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to Clarence McMaster Sr. and Clara Rosaleigh (Blackwell) McMaster. He was their second child joining and older brother Clarence McMaster Jr. He is proceeded in death by both …