Obituaries

Dr. James Elder Malcolm, DDS, passed peacefully on his 87th birthday, Jan. 31, 2012. Son of Rev. William John and Nell (Elder) Malcolm, Jim was born in Beaver Dam, Wis. in 1925. Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann (Hartley) Malcolm; children, Dr. James R. (Diana) Malcolm of Marietta, Ga., Kathryn (Leo) McDonough-Lemery of Brighton, Beth (Craig) …

Michael David McLellan, 50, passed away suddenly at his home Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 in Portage. Michael was born Sept. 1, 1961 in Niles the son of Robert Allen and Joan Verena (Dickerson) McLellan. Michael was a graduate of Three Rivers High School in 1979. Michael honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. Upon his return to Three Rivers, …

Officials from the Mendon School Foundation announced this week that a retired Mendon Middle School teacher who passed away last summer left the foundation $1.7 million. Math teacher Jan Hollenbeck, who spent 27 years with the district, left the money with the stipulation that it be used for scholarship funds to support Mendon High School graduates who go on to …

Ruth Samantha Gibson, age 76, of Pearland, Texas, and formerly of LaGrange, Ind., passed away early Monday morning, Feb. 6, 2012, at Windsong Village in Pearland.  She was born Aug. 13, 1935, in LaGrange, a daughter of the late John and Nola (Perry) Lovelace.  For the past 3½ years she resided in Pearland, moving there to be closer to her …

Ralph Dean Hemenway, age 74, of Three Rivers, died Friday Feb. 3, 2012, at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers. He was born Aug. 19, 1937 in Three Rivers, a son of Ralph H. and Mary I. (Weatherwax) Hemenway. Ralph graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1956. He first married Donna Happel, and was later divorced. His second marriage …

Floyd Templin, age 99, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Friday morning, February 3, 2012 at his home. He was born July 16, 1912 in Sturgis, Michigan a son of the late Louis L. and Clara (Smith) Templin. Mr. Templin was a life long Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1931. On August 5, …

Donald W. Orton, age 85, of Leonidas, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at his home. Don was born Nov. 28, 1926, in Bedford, a son to the late Clifton and Illa (Bird) Orton. Don served in the Merchant Marines four years. On Jan. 30, 1948, he married Louise M. Schwencer in Battle Creek. Don had been employed at Lee Paper …

Ralph Thomas Whitworth Sr., age 84, died Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at Heartland Health Care in Three Rivers. He was born in Jeffersontown, KY  October 16, 1927, to Delmar and Elizabeth (Black) Whitworth. On December 4, 1948 Ralph married Mary Lucille Eldridge in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. She preceded him in death April 4, 2009. Ralph served in the US Army from …

Anna Friend-Isaac, age 86, of Constantine, died February 3, 2012 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo She was born August 25, 1925 in Rieglekoph, Germany, a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Muhr) Schreiber. Anna attended schools in Germany then immigrated to the United States in 1948, coming to Constantine. On December 19, 1953 she married Harley Friend in Angola , he …

Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Ruth Norton, age 76, of Jones, MI. went peacefully to be with her Lord on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 3, 1935 in LaGrange Twp., Cassopolis, MI. the daughter of John and Yula Belle (Marshall) Chiddister. Mrs. Norton has been a lifetime resident of this …