Obituaries

Joline Puckett, 32, of Leonidas, died at home after a three-year illness. She was born in Three Rivers, Feb. 21, 1979. She earned her GED from Colon High School and had worked in child care. Members of her family include her mother, Veronica (Wayne) Martinka; father, William (Valerie) Puckett; children, Jhenna Puckett and Trevor Saylor; step sons, Brian and James …

Elva Ellen Dobyns, 77, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. She was born in Wister, Okla., the daughter of Harry and Girtie (Jones) McLean. Mrs. Dobyns has been a resident of Three Rivers since 1969 moving from the Kalamazoo area. She married …

Bertrand O. Barkey, 69, of Topeka, Ind., died Sept. 1, 2011, at his home. Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Monday at Frurip-May Funeral Home, 309 W. Michigan St., LaGrange, Ind., where services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in White Pigeon Cemetery in White Pigeon, Mich., with LaGrange American Legion Post #215 conducting the military graveside service.

Joseph Gerring, 63, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 at his residence. He was born Sept. 7, 1947 in South Bend, Ind. to Marcus “Bus” and Ann (McAdam) Gerring. He served in the US Navy. Joseph is survived by his mother, Ann Gerring of Three Rivers; one daughter, Shawna (Mike) Middleton of Constantine; two sons, Marcus Gerring of Jones …

Raymond Newton Johnson, 83, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 following a long illness. He was born in Mendon on March 1, 1928 the son of Newton O. and Nora (Croghan) Johnson and had been a lifetime resident of this area. He was married to Chloa E. Goodsell on Aug. 11, 1950 in South Bend, Ind. Ray had …

Maggie L. Wiard, age 82, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at Three Rivers Health. She was born July 15, 1929 in Bethel Township, a daughter of the late Charles Henry and Fanny (Lewis) Deeds. Maggie had been a resident of Burr Oak since 1957, previously residing in the Coldwater area. She was married to Kenneth Wiard, …

Rachel Yvonne Rostamo, 73, of Rockford, Ill., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011, after a courageous 22-year battle with breast cancer. She was born Oct. 10, 1937, in Sturgis, a daughter of Maynard and Gelorne (Wetzel) Myers. On Oct. 15, 1955, she married Wallace G. Rostamo in Michigan. Rachel worked at Cupid Inn and Patterson Restaurant …

It is with great sadness that the family of Shirley Jean Parish announces her passing after an extended illness Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at the age of 76 years. Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her children, Vicki, Bonnie, James, Kathy, Theresa (Joe), Florence (Philip) and Kimberly (Gary). Shirley also will be fondly remembered by several grandchildren and great grandchildren. …

Neil W.Hagelgans, age 75, of  Centreville passed away Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers, on February 5, 1936,  a son of  Richard C. and Virginia R. (Sloan) Hagelgans. Neil graduated from Centreville High School in 1954 and served in the US Army from 1959 to 1961.  On May 10, 1955 Neil married Mary …

Sherrie Lee DeBoer, 46, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. She was born in Sturgis on Jan. 6, 1965 the daughter of Gerald and Sandra (Jansen) Dentler. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1983, and was married to Fred DeBoer on May 12, 1984 in Three Rivers. Sherrie was a homemaker …