Obituaries

Andrew Walter ‘Walt’ Gray, 83, of Sturgis, died Friday, June 8, 2012, at his son’s home in White Pigeon, following an extended illness. He was born July 3, 1928, in Brooklyn, a son of Andrew and Iva (McJury) Gray. He had been a Sturgis resident for 55 years, coming from Three Rivers. He had been employed as a salesman and truck driver. …

Wanda J. Fox, age 87, a 60-year resident of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, June 11, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born July 4, 1924, in Flint, a daughter of the late Jake and Vera (Bell) Smart. In 1947, she was united in marriage to Raymond “Pete” Fox in Centreville. He preceded her in death. Wanda had been employed …

Eva L. Pierce, 84, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 9, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born April 25, 1928, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of the late Barney and Nellie (Ossewaarde) Longjohn. Mrs. Pierce resided most of her life in Sturgis. Her early life was spent in Kalamazoo, where she was a graduate of Kalamazoo …

Jean E. Schwartz, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, June 9, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis.  She was born April 12, 1931, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of Floyd Eugene and Margaret Louise (Boekeloo) Short.  Mrs. Schwartz had resided in Sturgis since the age of 15, coming from Kalamazoo.  She first married to James Palmer on April …

Noble B. Pittman, 89, of Marcellus, died Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. He was born on Nov. 2, 1922 in Enta Green, Ind. the son of Roscoe and Hazel (Mellott) Pittman. Marcellus resident since 1946 when he purchased his farm. He farmed until 1993. He was also employed by the Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, Good Manufacturing …

Anne Moore Pryser, born June 10, 1922, in South Bend, Ind., and formerly of Sturgis, died June 6, 2012, in Norwich, Vt., where she had lived since 2007. She was predeceased by her parents, Ruth Cole Moore and Elwyn Michael Moore; her beloved husband, Ray Charles Pryser Jr.; her sister, Barbara Moore Noble; and her grandson, Thomas Brandom Leary. She …

Vicki J. Slusher, 63, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, after a brief illness. She was born May 12, 1949, in Sturgis, a daughter of Wayne F. and Nora E. (Barrett) Packard. She had been a White Pigeon resident all her life, and was a graduate of White Pigeon High School in 1967. On …

Rex Allen Post, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away early Wednesday evening, June 6, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 15, 1955 in Highland Park, a son of William and Jodie (Hill) Post. Rex resided in Sturgis since 1980. Prior to coming to Sturgis, he lived in Centreville from 1969-1980 and was a graduate …

Michael E. Wood, 45, of Sturgis, died Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at his home. He was born Oct. 31, 1966, in Sturgis, to Milo Wood and Mary (Willms) Hogstead. Michael enjoyed deer hunting and coin collecting. He loved being in the woods. He is survived by his parents; a son, Joshua M. Wood of Sturgis; a daughter, Honey L. Wood …

David L. Willis, 64, of White Pigeon, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 4, 2012. He had suffered a massive heart attack on May 17, two days after his 64th birthday. He was born May 15, 1948, in Sturgis, a son of Elmer L. and Margaret L. (Beach) Willis. He had been a resident of the White Pigeon area …