Obituaries

Stanley W. Pope, age 73, of Elkhart, Ind., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Dec. 16, 1937, in Grand Rapids, a son of the late William and Genevieve (Stapley) Pope. On Feb. 19, 1957, in Grand Rapids, he married Wanda J. Rhodes. She preceded him in death April …

Jerry Lee Potter, 65, of Jones, passed away peacefully at his residence on Sept. 18, 2011. Jerry was born Jan. 23, 1946 in Three Rivers. The son of Jerry L. and Beverly Potter, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Surviving are four sons, Jerry and Garry Lytle of LaGrange, Ind., Tim Ludman of Dowagiac and Sheldon Ludman of Downey, …

Gladys Jean Slocum, 67, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 at her home. She was born on Dec. 15, 1943 in Three Rivers the daughter of Edward and Gladys Comeau. She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1963. Jean has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a former member of the …

Anna Stauffer, age 90, of Burr Oak, passed away, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at her home. Anna was born Sept. 30, 1920, in rural Centreville, a daughter of the late Sam N. and Fannie (Bontrager) Bontrager. On May 12, 1945, she married Christopher J. Stauffer in Sturgis. He preceded her in death Aug. 4, 1975. Anna had lived in St. …

Charles Edward Kirsch, age 83, a resident of Jupiter, Fla., died peacefully on Sept. 15, 2011, at his summer home in Harbor Springs. He was born Sept. 21, 1927 in Sturgis, to Guy and Flora Callender Kirsch. Chuck graduated from Western Military Academy and served in the U.S. Navy. He attended DePauw University and later was awarded an honorary doctoral …

Donald J. Smith, 91, of Sturgis, and formerly of Colon, passed away early Friday morning, September 16, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service and burial of the ashes will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. The Rev. Barry Sommerfield …

Shirley Hartman, 74, of Three Rivers, died Friday, September 16, at her residence.  Visitation will be at Mater Funeral Home in Marcellus Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm.  Services will be held on Wednesday at 11am at Poe’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Newberg Norton Bible Church.

Barbara L. Diekman, age 68, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at her home. She was born Dec. 2, 1942, a daughter of John and Grace (Cornett) Gose. On June 10, 1961, she married Gerald W. Diekman in Sturgis. Barbara worked at Haas Corporation in Mendon and Maxitrol Company in Colon before retiring in 2008. She enjoyed …

Marilyn J. Clark, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Three Rivers Health. She was born Aug. 9, 1928, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Arthur and Irene (Fox) Acker. On Nov. 27, 1945, she married Edward C. Clark in Centreville. He preceded her in death June 20, 1991. Marilyn worked as a custodian at …

John Charles Boughton Sr., 68 of Roy, Wash., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Sept. 6, 2011. He was born March 4, 1943, in Sturgis. John graduated from Sturgis High School in 1961 and moved to Washington in 1970. He retired from the Todd Shipyard after 25 years. In recent years, he was a NRA Golden Eagles member and spent …