Obituaries

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 …

Bruce Arnold Walters, 52, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Thursday morning, April 14, 2011, at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was born June 22, 1958, in Sturgis, Mich., a son of LaVerne and Shirley (Kunce) Walters. Bruce was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1977.  Bruce was …

Eli M. Beechy, 80 years, 10 months and 16 days, passed away Saturday, April l6, 2011, at his home in Centreville. Eli was born June 14, 1930, in Topeka, Ind., a son to the late Manelius and Fannie (Yoder) Beechy. On Jan. 18, 1951, he married Clara Mullet in Topeka, Ind. Eli moved to Michigan in 1999, coming from Amherst, …

Thelma Jean Smoker, 86, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday afternoon, April 14, 2011, at the home of her son Ronald in Mason, Mich. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 3-8 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, …

Woodrow M. ‘Woody’ Funk, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, April 16, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Sept. 26, 1912, in LaGrange County, Ind., a son of the late George I. and Sarah (Nelson) Funk. Woody had resided in Sturgis since 1926, coming from Kendallville, Ind. On March 10, 1937, he married the …

Jason Michael Garmire, age 33, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away unexpectedly late Friday evening April 15, 2011, at his home. He was born Oct. 4, 1977, in Sturgis, Mich., a son of Les and Jean (Stevens) Garmire. Jason was a life-long Sturgis resident and had been employed by Medtec Ambulance Corporation in Goshen, Ind. He was a member of the …

David Scott Bradshaw, 48, of Centreville, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at his home. He was born in Chicago, Ill. on Oct. 20, 1962 the son of Scott Walters and Jeanetta Bradshaw. David was a member of the Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church and also the N.A.A.C.P. He is survived by his wife, Tracey Moore, of Centreville, one daughter, …

Gerald E. Bradford, 75, of Three Rivers, passed away early Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Three Rivers Health. He was born on July 31, 1935 in Three Rivers the son of George and Esther (Horn) Bradford. Gerald graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1953. Mr. Bradford attended Western Michigan University and traveled to Colombia, South America for two years. …