Obituaries

Francis “Frank” Joseph Cipriano, 61, of Three Rivers, died May 13, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born June 8, 1950, in Kalamazoo, a son of Joseph and Ruth (Wheater) Cipriano. Frank graduated from Monsignor Hackett High School in Kalamazoo before serving his country as a member of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by HI Tech …

Eugene Harold Brown, 87, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 18, 1924 the son of Carl and Helen (Reist) Brown and graduated from Three Rivers High School. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII, fighting in Europe, and was …

Fronie Marie (Underwood) Halfacre-Stanfill of Jackson passed away peacefully at her home on May 23, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 67. Fronie was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 16, 1944 to Keith and Willie Mae (Spann) Underwood. Fronie graduated from Three Rivers High …

Martha D. VanNess, 80, of Goshen, Ind. and formerly of Otsego and Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at The Maples of Waterford Crossing in Goshen, Ind. Mrs. VanNess was born March 3, 1932 in Chicago, Ill. to George and Margaret (Wright) Fox. Martha is survived by her children, Vicki (LeRoy) Holdread and Andrew (Kris) Friend; four grandchildren; …

LeRoy Dale “Bud” McKale, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.  In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service and burial of the ashes will be held at 11:30 a.m. Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at Nottawa Cemetery in Nottawa. Pastor Michael Bristol, a close family friend will officiate.  …

Bruce Lee Davis, 61, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning May 21, 2012, at his home. He was born June 2, 1950, in Melville, N.J., a son of the late Robert and Evelyn (Gressman) Davis. Bruce resided in Sturgis since the age of 2 and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1968. He continued …

Rachel Lee Jacobs, age 23, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2012. She was born in Three Rivers on May 20, 1988, the daughter of Bret and Denese (Fox) Jacobs. Rachel attended Howardsville Christian Schools, where she was active in softball and volleyball. She was a true “Country Girl” who loved to be on the farm. She …

Forrest Lyle Smith, age 88, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday morning May 19, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. A graveside service and burial will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Full military honors will be conferred by the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. The Hackman …

Julia Joan Miller, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, May 18, 2012, at Skaggs ALF in Burr Oak. Julia was born Aug. 24, 1929, in Colon, a daughter of the late Frank and Mae (Castle) Bailey. Her early years were spent in Colon. She graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1947. Julia married William C. Miller …

Betty G. Coy, 84, of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Community Health Center of Branch County. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Pastor Terry Siler officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. Visitation will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, …