Obituaries

Ruth Violet Marchand, 88, of Constantine, and former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away early Sunday morning, Dec. 25, 2011, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. She was born Oct. 27, 1923, in Baldwin, a daughter of the late Jesse and Della (Baldwin) Miller. Ruth had resided with her daughter in Constantine since 2007. Prior to that, she lived …

Marilyn J. Deisler, 77, of White Pigeon, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, following a short illness. She was March 9, 1934, in Mottville, a daughter of Winford S. and Mary A. (Harris) Rentfrow. She was a 1952 graduate of White Pigeon High School, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from University of …

Doris Jean Edwards, age 64, of Constantine,  passed away  Sunday, December 25th, 2011 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on February 14, 1947,  a daughter of Jesse and Beatrice (Gast) Ball. Doris graduated from Stevensville Lakeshore High School in 1965.  On May 28, 1966 Doris married Billy G. Edwards in Berrien Springs, MI. He preceded her …

Emily Jane Gosnell, age 66, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at home, surrounded by her family after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 13, 1945, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Orville and Alice (Crossgrove) Shirk Sr. Mrs. Gosnell loved spending time with her family, playing Skip-Bo, reading, crocheting and working when she …

Robert Gordon Reinel went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, following a brief battle with cancer at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Gordon was born Nov. 16, 1936, in Detroit, to John and J. Chrystal (Gordon) Reinel, who preceded him in death. As a young boy, he resided in Grosse Pointe Farms. His adolescence …

Nancy “Nan” Morgan Houston, of Kalamazoo, a writer, editor, and public relations manager for colleges and universities in Michigan, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Kalamazoo, after a brief illness. She was 83. From 1971 to 1993, she worked in Michigan State University’s public information office, first handling the needs of the university’s Colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine, …

Libby E. Atherton, age 96, of Clinton, Iowa, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Mercy Living Center North in Clinton, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Pape Funeral Home in Clinton. Visitation was held on Wednesday, prior to the services. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Clinton. Libby was born in Milaca, Minn., on Dec. 2, …

Edmund “Ed” Carl Haldy, age 93, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday morning, December 21, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Detriot, MI., on February 25, 1918 the son of the late Louis and Mary (Schonchek) Haldy. Mr. Haldy honorably served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army. After returning home, …

Lee B. Crampton, 84, of Concord, Calif., died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Concord of natural causes. He was born Sept. 14, 1927, in White Pigeon Township, to Carl V. and Edna B. (Barnes) Crampton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had lived in California since 1973, 32 years in Concord. On July 6, 1952, he married Gloria …

Kenneth Eugene Newton Sr., age 53, of rural Three Rivers, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at his home, following a long illness. He was born May 11, 1958, in Manila, Ark., a son of James and Mildred (Keith) Newton. In 1966, the family came to Michigan, where he graduated from St. Joseph High School. Ken had resided in the Three …