Obituaries

Sydney James Abbott passed away quietly on July 21, 2012, at his daughter’s home in Austin, Texas. He was born March 6, 1937, to Percy and Gladys Abbott of Colon, Mich. Sydney graduated from Colon High School in 1955 and the following few years were spent driving truck and working at the Colmer Co. in Colon. He joined the U.S. …

Michael K. Foster, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 23, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Sept. 30, 1942, in Battle Creek, a son to the late Gerald G. and Maxine V. (Reed) Foster. Michael had been a resident of Sturgis since 1972 and had previously resided in Elkhart, Ind., for six years. …

Evelyn May Coleman, age 94, of Freeport, and a former resident of Sturgis and Coldwater, passed away Tuesday morning, July 24, 2012, at her home. She was born March 7, 1918, in Steuben County, Ind., a daughter of the late Ancil Garfield and Meada (Fisher) Murden. On Nov. 16, 1946, she married Paul R. “Mike” Coleman in Angola, Ind. He …

Charles Ross Jones, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, July 23, 2012, at his home. He was born Oct. 4, 1939, in Corbin, Ky., a son of James Leonard and Delia (Smith) Jones. Charlie resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Kentucky. On Nov. 23, 1974, he married Donna Smead at Assembly of God Church in Three Rivers. …

Leonard Raymond Stevens, 80, of Sturgis passed away early Monday morning, July 23, 2012, at his home. He was born Jan. 23, 1932, in Athens, a son of the late Clarence and Marie (Johnson) Stevens. Leonard resided nearly his whole life in the Fawn River and Sturgis area. On Oct. 5, 1979, he married Sally Hepner in Niles. He was a …

Henry Otis Taylor, age 81, of Centreville, MI, died Monday, July 23rd, 2012 at the Fairview Living Centre in Centreville. Henry was born in Sturgis on September 13, 1930,  a son of Harold and Dexter (Hunter) Taylor. Henry attended Centreville Schools. On July 29, 1950 he married Gloria Gammon in Vicksburg. Henry always loved his family, but especially his faithful dog Jeanie, …

Harold James “Smokey” Geark, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Three Rivers Health. Harold was born on July 29, 1921 in Three Rivers the son of Harvey H. and Ruth (Timm) Geark. Harold was a lifetime resident of the Three Rivers area. He served his country in the U.S. Army Tech 4 Infantry during World …

Johnny Michael Jansen, 24, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on July 17, 2012 at the Borgess Medical Center. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 10, 1988 the son of John M. Jansen and Sandra Hemenway. Johnny has been a lifelong resident of both Mendon and Three Rivers and truly loved his family. He enjoyed music, especially playing guitar …

Arlie Lee Smith, age 82, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Doe Hill, Virginia on Sep. 9, 1929 the son of William and Maggie (Smith) Smith, and attended schools in Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 at several stations around the world. Arlie was married to …

James William “Bill” Allen, age 86, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Herrin, IL on Jan. 29, 1926 the son of Lem and Lela (Frailey ) Allen, and attended schools there. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Bill was married to Lois Conrad on Dec. 11, 1948 …