Obituaries

Margaret Sarah Miller, 81, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 4, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Oct. 30, 1929, in Howe, Ind., a daughter of the late Frank and Irene (Johnson) Friend. Margaret had resided in the Burr Oak area most of her life. On Feb. 21, 1952, she married Kenneth Miller in …

Ronald Tonander, 78, of Kalamazoo Ron’s courageous five year battle with cancer ended when he passed away peacefully on December 21st, 2010 at Bronson Hospital where he had been surrounded by family and friends, caring doctors, nurses and staff since December 7. Ron was born in Chicago, IL on March 11, 1932 to Ernest and Estelle (Henry)Tonander. Upon graduation from Maine Township …

Arthur G. Clauss, at the age of 81, passed away Dec. 30, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village after several years of failing health due to cancer. Arthur was born July 5, 1929, in Battle Creek, a son of Samuel G. Clauss and Lillie Clauss, both of Vicksburg. Arthur was a Korean War veteran, serving in the Army. He was awarded …

Corey Lee Eckert, 38, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, Jan. 4, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1972, in Sturgis, a son of Ted and Carolyn (Clark) Eckert. Corey had resided his whole life in the Sturgis area and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1992. On Dec., 1, 2001, he married …

Hilda M. Lane, age 89, of Sherwood, passed away late Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2010. She was born Feb. 14, 1921, in Bronson, a daughter of Ora and Jennie (Laughry) Hoard. Mrs. Lane had resided in Sherwood since 1945. Prior to that she had lived in Bronson. On March 12, 1938, she married Robert Lane in Bronson. He died in …

Beulah Viola Mitchell, age 94, of Leonidas, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 18, 1916, in Leonidas, a daughter of Ralph A. and Minnie B. (Harmon) Lawrence, and was a lifetime resident of Leonidas. She attended the Hunt Country School. On Jan. 19, 1941, she married Justin Arthur Mitchell in Mendon. …

Janice Kay Chipman, age 63, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, Jan. 2, 2011 at the Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana. She was born April 9, 1947, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Gaylon and Winifred (Bergeon) Chipman. Janice was a lifelong Sturgis resident. She attended Holy Angels Catholic School and graduated from Sturgis High School with the …

Leo “Bud” Troy Knachel, 87, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Facility. He was born in Three Rivers on March 11, 1923 the son of Harvey and Lelah (Geark) Knachel. Leo served his country during WWII, being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Leo was employed at Hydramatic and later retired …

Wayne Lawrence Crippin, 73, of Oshtemo, passed away peacefully in the arms of Judy and surrounded by family on Jan. 2, 2011 at Bronson Hospital. He was born April 3, 1937 in Three Rivers, the son of Otis L. and Mary (Murphey) Crippin. He graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1955 and served in the US Army Security Agency …

Doris B. Littlejohn, age 88, formerly of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, in Topton, Pa. Doris was born April 19, 1922, in Persia, Iowa, a daughter to the late Benjamin H. and Ida B. (Davis) Nichols. Doris graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1941. She moved to Colon in 1943. Doris married Clayton …