Obituaries

Brock T. Schrader, age 33, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at his home in Mendon. He was born in Sturgis on July 21, 1977 the son of Tom and Mary (Orbeck) Schrader. Brock’s bright smile, charismatic personality and loving nature made him a joy to be around. He was the type of friend a friend would like …

Emma Jeanette (Garlets) Pagels, age 81, of Sturgis, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born to Harry L. and Ruby O. (Boyd) Garlets on July 31, 1929, in South Bend, Ind. On Aug. 23, 1953, Emma married Norman F. Pagels at the United Methodist Church in Mongo, Ind. Emma graduated …

Ruth Cora Tutewiler, age 89, of Leonidas, died Saturday May 21, 2011, following a long illness. She was born in Cherokee County, Okla., the daughter of James F. and Cora (Warner) Draper. The family moved to Leonidas when Ruth was in the fifth grade, and she graduated from Athens High School. Ruth was married to Richard Tutewiler on Sept. 6, …

Margaret “Maggie” Mary Smolarz, age 83, of Colon, and formerly of Naubinway, Mich., passed away Friday, May 20, 2011, at her home after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer. Maggie was born April 21, 1928, in Ferndale, a daughter to the late George and Mary (Pate) Durr. Maggie graduated from St. James Schools in Ferndale in 1947. After attending college …

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 …