Obituaries

Susan Jane Ball, 51, of Three Rivers, passed away late Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Facility in Kalamazoo. She was born on Sept. 29, 1959 in Panama City Beach, Fla., the daughter of Robert and Martha (Kirklin) Carter who preceded her in death. She loved gardening and preparing good food. She was also into antiques and …

Sandra Kay Dentler, age 60, of Mendon, died Sunday July 17, 2011 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo following a long illness. She was born in Vicksburg, MI on Jan 4, 1951 the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Dokey) Woods. Sandy attended Mendon Schools and later worked at Nagle’s Glad Farm, Buster’s Pizza, and in the cafeteria at Mendon High …

David Walter Bowman, 55, of Sturgis, and formerly of Myerstown, Pa., died Saturday, July 16, 2011, at Three Rivers Health. He was the husband of Grace E. Sargent Bowman. He was born Oct. 27, 1955, in Lebanon County, Pa., a son of J. Clyde Bowman of Dayton, Va., and the late Kathleen Smith Bowman. David was most recently employed as …

Fred Smith Jr., 87, of Bronson, died Sunday, July 17, 2011, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church, with Pastor Terry Siler of First Congregational Church officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Noble Township. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home …

Alberta Bogen, 83, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, July 17, 2011, at her home. She was born Dec. 27, 1927, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late John and Cora (Sargent) Ritter. Alberta was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1946. On Jan. 26, 1952, she married Donald Bogen …

Barbara K. Dilley, 59, of LaPorte, Indiana, died peacefully at 4:48 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital. She was born Feb. 25, 1952, in Three Rivers, MI, to Robert Sr. and Gwen Goodwin. Mrs. Dilley was a homemaker who lovingly cared for her family and grandchildren. On April 8, 1972, in Three Rivers, she married Mark …

Thelma Pauline Benson, 92, of Ossian, Ind. and formerly of Three Rivers, passed away late Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. She was born on July 7, 1919 in Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, the daughter of Arunah and Leda (Heartland) Gage. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, and her late husband, …

Virginia R. McNew, age 78, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born June 22, 1933, in Detroit, a daughter of the late Maurice and Ruth (Dee) Hunter. On June 14, 1951, she married Edward B. McNew in Monroe. Virginia was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren. She is …

Cheryl L. Gump, 66, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at Community Health Center of Branch County. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Bronson, with Pastor Paul Metzger officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bronson. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 …

Emma Louise Kerns, age 85, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away early Thursday morning June 23, 2011 at the Sturgis Hospital. She was born December 7, 1925 in LaGrange County, Indiana a daughter of the late Franklin J. and Irene (Johnson) Friend. Emma had resided in the Burr Oak area for over 40 years. Her early life was lived in …