Obituaries

Virginia Evelyne (Horton) Sterling, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 94, of Three Rivers and formerly of Jackson, departed April 22, 2011 to be with her Lord, surrounded by her loving family at “The Birches” in Leonidas. She was born March 28, 1917 to Irene and Don L. Bellman. In June of 1934 she married Arthur Horton, deceased in 1970; in …

Joseph Franklin Dobberteen, age 88, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2011, at his home. He was born May 31, 1922, in Sturgis, a son of the late Henry and Ella Dobberteen, Joe lived a good portion of his life at Klinger Lake, enjoying life as a caddy, avid golfer (five …

Michael Bruce Sullivan, age 63, of Centreville, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He  was born in Ionia, MI on October 27, 1947,  the son of Elwood and Esther (Beachum) Sullivan. Michael graduated from Centreville High School in 1965. Continuing his education at Alma College, he studied Chemistry, Physics, and Philosophy. It was there that he …

Fred Washington Grunert, age 89, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord early Thursday, April 21, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 22, 1922, in Beloit, Wisconsin the son of Frederick William and Bertha M. (Liskow) Grunert. Mr. Grunert graduated from Three Rivers High with the class of 1940. He …

Marie Phyllis White, 84, of Parkville, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Heartland Health Care Center following a brief illness. She was born on Nov. 22, 1926 in Parkville the daughter of Ralph and Jessie (Dee) Dentler. Marie was united in marriage on June 2, 1962 to Mr. Raymond White who survives. She was employed at Dayco …

Douglas Allen Mitchell, also known as Doug or Mitch, 65, of Summerville, S.C., previously of Mendon, husband of Diane Gail (Gossett) Mitchell, died unexpectedly Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Summerville Medical Center. Funeral services were held on April 15, 2011, at Miles Road Baptist Church, Burial will be private. Doug was born on Nov. 25, 1945 in Sturgis, a son …

Robert Lee ‘Doc’ Pinney, 61, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning April 19, 2011, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was born Sept. 22, 1949, in Quonset Point, R.I., a son of Robert Lee and Bertie Lou (Jordan) Pinney. Bob’s early life was spent in Sturgis, and he was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. …

Glema D. Pierson, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, April 18, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Feb. 3, 1929, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Delphus and Ruth (Whisler) Hamilton. Glema’s early life was spent in Sturgis, following her marriage she moved to Mottville and moved to Constantine where she resided for many years returning …

Stanley Edward Burkett, age 61, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center following a long term illness. Stan was born on April 8, 1950 in Three Rivers, MI. the son of James Sr. and Doris (Blentlinger) Burkett. Stan has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He was employed before his illness at …

Arlo Dean James, age 77, of Three Rivers, went peacefully home to the Lord on Saturday, April 12, 2011, from Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. He was born in St. Joseph County on Sep. 2, 1933, the son of the late Francis D. and Grace (Timm) James Sr. He was a graduate of Marcellus High School and later attended what …