Obituaries

Rebecca Lynn Godfrey, 36, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Three Rivers Health. She was born on June 28, 1974 in California the daughter of Genevieve Johnson. Rebecca has been a resident of this area for almost 20 years. She was employed at Aquatic Bathware, formerly Lasco Corp., where she recently obtained her bachelor’s …

Frankie M.  Briney, 96, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home. She was born on Aug. 19, 1914 in Flowerfield Township, the daughter of the late Frank and Myrtle (Knight) Youells. Frankie graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1933. On June 1, 1934 in Angola, Ind., Frankie was united in marriage …

Gail Eugene Woods, 77, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, May 20, 2011, at his home.  He was born Sept. 4, 1933, in Sturgis, a son of the late Gerald and Genivieve (Poe) Woods.  Gail had resided his whole life in the Sturgis, and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1951.  On Nov.26, …

Ronald E. Juday, 62, of Mottville, died May 19, 2011, at his home following an extended illness.  He was born April 13, 1949, in Sandusky, Ohio, a son of Marion L. and Rosemary (Grover) Juday.  He served in Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force and had lived in Mottville for 35 years, coming from Union.  On June 26, 1976, he married …

Orvan J. Miller, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  He was born Dec. 27, 1928, in LaGrange County, Ind., a son of the late John S. and Delcie (Miller) Miller.  Orv had resided in Sturgis for the past 51 years, coming from Constantine, and his early life was …

Dawn Vilena Harper, age 50, of Colon, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011, at her home.  Dawn was born April 1, 1961, in Vicksburg, a daughter to the late Kenneth and Goldie (Butler) Watson.  Dawn had lived in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis Schools. She had made her home in Colon for the past seven years.  On July 7, 2007, she …

Verily Shepherd, 54, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at his home. Verily was born Nov. 24, 1956 in Chicago, Ill. a son to the late Ernest and Christine (Carr) Shepherd. He had worked at the former Dock Foundry in Three Rivers. Verily is survived by his companion of 27 years, Christine Bingaman of Three Rivers; four …

Karen Elaine Ruhlig, 54, of Three Rivers, died Monday, May 2, 2011 in a motor vehicle accident in Kalamazoo County. She was born in Springfield, Ohio on Oct. 22, 1956 the daughter of Walter G. and Betty Jo (Ostram) Ruhlig Jr. She was a 1974 graduate of Three Rivers High School and received her degree from Western Michigan University in …

Francis Lawrence “Frank” Dreger, 96, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Heartland Health Care Center. He was born in Chicago on Oct. 23, 1914 the son of Henry and Caroline (Rowles) Dreger and was a lifetime resident of Chicago. He was married to Phyllis Hughes in 1941, and she died in 1988. Frank was a pipefitter and …

William “Bill” Judson Affhalter, 79, of Constantine, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Heartland Healthcare Center. William was born June 15, 1931 in Colon the son of George and Edith (Brock) Affhalter. William was a long time resident of Constantine. William entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served his country proudly in the Korean Conflict. Upon returning in …