Obituaries

Jane Marie Frick, 64, of Shipshewana, Ind., died at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Parkview Hospital, Ft. Wayne. She was born on March 31, 1947, in Sturgis, Mich., to Ledger and Violet (Kaas) Wygant. On June 20, 1992, in Huston County, Latexo, Texas, she married Duane Frick. He survives. Survivors in addition to her husband are a daughter, …

Donna Rae Rathert joined Jesus in heaven Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Ariz. with her family at her side. Donna was born Feb. 25, 1949 in St. Louis, Mo. to Lawrence and Leona (Magwitz) Schlimpert. She was raised in St. Louis and graduated from Lutheran High School South. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Valparaiso University …

Margaret Schemmel, 85, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 17, 1926, in Bronson, a daughter of the late Alvin and Ada (Halferty) Ernsberger. Margaret had resided in the Sturgis and Bronson area her entire life, and was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class …

Lillian M. Sassaman, 89, of Union, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 at Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis. She was born Sept. 12, 1922 in Fabius Township to Willie and Ferna (Lucas) Krull. She married Carl Sassaman on March 9, 1940 in Elkhart, Ind. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Pam Sassaman, …

Doris J. King, age 78, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away early Wednesday morning January 4, 2012 at the Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Indiana. She was born December 28, 1933 in LaGrange County, Indiana a daughter of the late Carl J. and Margaret R. (Adair) Marks, Sr. Doris had resided in Burr Oak since May of 1962.  Before moving …

Joseph J. Phillip, age 67, Three Rivers, died Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012, at his home, following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 16, 1944, in Chicago, a son of Peter and Lillian (Vieha) Phillip. Joseph was a graduate of Three Rivers High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967 and in the Naval Reserve from 1967-1969. On …

Mitchell William “Mickey” Gregory Chrapek died Jan. 4, 2012. He was born Dec. 25, 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Jackson, a son of Constantine W. and Lillian Chrapek. He was a brother of Barbara and Bruce Jones, Constance and David Crandall, and Felicia and Michael Nettro; and a special beloved friend of Helena M. Pagels. He was grandson of Mitchell and …

Herschel Franklin Nichols, of Three Rivers has gone home to Heaven and is celebrating now with his Lord and Savior. Herschel passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at the Bowman House, where he had been a resident for the past two months. Herschel was born on Dec. 20, 1914, in Wellston, Ohio, the son of Thurmond and Martha (Byers) …

Clarence “Pete” D. Jacobs, 69, of Jones, passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on Sept. 20, 1942 the son of Clarence E. and Garnette M. (Dukes) Jacobs-McGary. Mr. Jacobs has been a lifelong resident of this area. He was employed by Fisher Body of Kalamazoo, which later became General …

Edgar Allan Wolfe,  age 75, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Wednesday morning January 4, 2012 at his home. He was born July 19, 1936 in Columbia City, Indiana a son of the late F. Lowell and Lavanga (Weeks) Wolfe. Ed returned to Sturgis in 2003 to care for his father.  For over 38 years he lived in California and …