Obituaries

Constance Ellen Hutchinson, 72, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully March 24, 2012 at The Oaks in Plainwell following a lengthy illness. She was born in Three Rivers, the daughter of Robert and Gretchen Reed. She was preceded in death by her parents. She leaves to cherish her loving memory two daughters, Kelly Mazur, of Arizona, and Laura Lindsey, …

Frances (Hughes-Crabtree) Buzenius. age 82, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday March 27, 2012 at Bowman House in Three Rivers where she had resided the past six years. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 8, 1929 the daughter of George W. and Frances M. (Porter) Hughes. She was a 1947 graduate of Mendon High School. Frances was married to …

Nancy Elizabeth Cardella, 61, White Pigeon, died Monday, March 26, 2012, at her home, following an extended illness. She was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. She was born March 21, 1951, in Long Beach, Calif., a daughter of Jack and Barbara (Ernsberger) Rhoutsong. She had been a resident of White Pigeon the past two years, coming from Three Rivers. …

Lloyd H. Shafer Jr., 86, of White Pigeon, died Saturday, March 24, 2012, at his home following an extended illness. He was born Oct. 7, 1925, in Mongo, Ind., the son of Lloyd H. and Mabel (Bedford) Shafer Sr. He was a graduate of Mongo, Ind., High School where he was class president. He was a U.S. Marine Corp. veteran during …

Betty L. Stears, 83, passed away peacefully at her home. She married her childhood sweetheart, Fred. They raised four children on the family farm: Fred (Gloria) Stears, John (Sheila) Stears, Rita (Jim) Bickle and Sheila (Frank) Seybert; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. She touched many lives during her nursing career. Betty and Fred enjoyed wintering in Nevada and Arizona and made many new friends. Visitation …

Marion Bernice Burlingame, 95, of Three Rivers died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at her home. She was born in Minneapolis, Minn, on Aug. 26, 1916, the daughter of Harry Douglas and Willa Mae (Wylie) Bostwick. Marion was a homemaker who also worked as a receptionist at Dr. Dana’s office in Kalamazoo. She was a Day Care Center volunteer and also …

Joyce Hitchcock-Hackenberg-Thompson, 63, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Rose Arbor Hospice Facility, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Oct. 2, 1948 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Raleigh “Hambone” and Imogene (Salyer) Hitchcock. Joyce has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a member of Three Rivers …

Donald E. Easterday, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 22, 2012, at his home. He was born Oct. 28, 1927, in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late Edwin and Sylvia (Griffith) Easterday. On Sept. 20, 1950, he married Carol Townsend in Columbus. Donald was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II, earning …

Norby R. Ortmann, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away late Wednesday evening, March 21, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Aug. 15, 1926, in Detroit, a son of Frank and Agnes (Jesch) Ortman. Mr. Ortmann resided in Sturgis since 1960 coming from East Detroit. On July 24, 1948 he married Rita Strzalkowski at the Sweetest Heart …

Dorothy L. Pagels, age 95, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday March 21, 2012 at the Sturgis Hospital She was born on February 2,1917 in Sturgis to Albert and Nettie( Mingus) Pagels. Dorothy attended the Todd Rural School on Findley Road and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1935. She was employed at St. Joseph County Dept. of Social Services in Centerville for …