Obituaries

Lynn D. Norris, age 52, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. Lynn was born March 18, 1958, in Sturgis, a son of Shirley and Kay (Parlin) Norris. Lynn grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis High School with the class of 1976. He had also lived in Burr Oak and Leonidas. On Jan. …

Casey Richard Starks, age 16, of Bronson, Michigan passed away Friday evening January 28, 2011 in Sturgis Township due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born October 29, 1994 in Sturgis, Michigan the only child of Gerald and Lori (Wotta) Starks. Casey was a lifelong Bronson resident. He was currently a member of the Junior Class at Bronson …

JoAnn Proctor, age 62, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Friday morning January 28, 2011 at her home. She was born May 3, 1948 in Sturgis, Michigan a daughter of Harold and Kathleen (Darby) Newman. JoAnn had resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1966. She continued her …

Nancy Annabelle (Pridgeon) Thoms, age 70, went home to be with her Lord on Friday Jan. 28, 2011 at 10:25 A.M. She had been fighting a long battle of breast cancer. Nancy was born Nov. 24, 1940 in Sturgis, MI a daughter of Ernest and Josephine (Roberts) Pridgeon. On July 3, 1981 she married Fred M. Thoms in Sturgis, MI. …

Jean E. Rutter, age 79, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Aug. 12, 1931 in Bronson Township, a daughter of the late Earl and Nettie (Moon) Lane. On March 27, 1979, she married Lyle Rutter in Las Vegas. Jean was a homemaker and worked on the family farm for …

Dennis L. Kane Jr. of Sturgis passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, in Sturgis. Mr. Kane was born the son of the late Dennis L. and Clare (Westendorf) Kane Sr. Also preceding him in death was his brother, Terry Kane. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation of services. Private burial of the ashes …

Betty L. Leister, age 82 of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at the Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility in Centreville, after a short illness. She was born on May 20, 1928, a daughter of Lloyd K. and Elsie (Furman) Hoffine. On September 2, 1950 she married Forrest (Ted) M. Leister in Constantine. He preceded her in death on …

Charles “Charlie” E. Graves, age 53, of Mendon, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Sturgis Hospital. Services will be held in Pensacola Florida.

Eva E. Caldwell, age 69, of 62961 Lutz Road, Constantine, MI died Saturday January 22, 2011 at 12:30 P.M. at Kairos Dwelling, Kalamazoo, MI.  She was born in Ashland, OH on February 8, 1941 to David & Thelma (Tibbles) Hyatt.  She married Thurman E. Caldwell on November 14, 1959.  He survives in Constantine.  Eva was a homemaker all of her …

Kelly Lyn Roberts, age 45, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 at the University of Michigan Hospital. She was born in Three Rivers, MI. on Oct. 9, 1965 the daughter of Larry L. and Bonnie K. (Gifford) Roberts.  Kelly attended Three Rivers High School where she sang in the choir and was a member of the National Honor …