Obituaries

Bruce Fletcher, age 88, formerly of Bath, Mich., passed away Jan. 21, 2011, in Sturgis, Mich. He has joined the love of his life, Rhea (Johns) Fletcher who preceded him Oct. 12, 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Doris Fletcher; brothers, Derwood and Donald Fletcher; son, Gary; and grandson, Chris. He is survived by …

Luvergne “Skinny” Isaac, age 97, of Constantine, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1913, in Moorepark Township, a son of George and Caroline (Ruchaoft) Isaac. On Dec. 17, 1932, he married Sadie King. She preceded him in death on Oct. 29, 1989. On Sept. 14, 1991, he married Anna Friend at the Corey …

Blake Eldon Shirk, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL.  He was born on the family farm in Three Rivers, MI on July 31, 1937,  a son of Orville and Evelyn (Emmons) Shirk. Blake  attended Three Rivers Schools. On October 9, 1971, he married Mary A. (Palmer) Steiner in …

Mary Kathryn Stewart Reed, of Klinger Lake, died in her sleep Jan. 12, 2011. Her death was attributed to advanced age at 91. She resided with her daughter, Sally Porter, in San Gabriel, Calif. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., her parents only daughter, she graduated from then Robert Morris College, traveled to New York City where she met and married her …

Anne Louise Baker, age 86 of Mendon, died Tuesday Jan. 18, 2011 at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village in Chelsea, MI surrounded by her family. She was born in Kalamazoo on June 5, 1924 the daughter of the late Herbert and Mary (Vyverman) Schmitt. Anne graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1941 which was responsible for …

Kenneth G. Ruggles, 81, of Three Rivers, passed away on Jan. 15, 2011. A lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo area, Kenneth was born on April 24, 1929 to Donald and Irene Ruggles who preceded him in death. He owned Kalamazoo Abstract and Title Company until he retired. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Ruggles; children, Pam (Joel) Wright, Brad …

Ernest Earl Cain, age 74, of Colon, passed away Monday afternoon, Jan. 17, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 9, 1936, in Hillsdale, a son of the late Fredrick and Beryl (Howell) Cain. Mr. Cain had resided in Colon for the past 30 years. Ernie’s entire working life was involved in the recreational vehicle and mobile home industry. …

Alberta Betcke, 88, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Jan. 17, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born July 26, 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa, a daughter of the late Amos and Elizabeth (Laird) Linafelter. Mrs. Betcke had resided in Sturgis since 1953 coming from South Dakota. On March 15, 1945, she married Martin Betcke in Allen, Neb. …

Arlis I. Frohriep, 91, of East Peoria, Ill., and formerly of Sturgis, died at 1:20 p.m. Sunday at Rosewood Care Center in East Peoria. She was born Feb. 3, 1919, in Battle Creek, a daughter of George and Mae Hibbard Hart. On July 12, 1941, she married Arnold Frohriep in Bryan, Ohio. He preceded her in death. Surviving are a …

Paul E. Carroll Jr., 81, of Saline, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at Saline Evangelical Home. He was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Buffalo, N.Y., a son of Paul E. Sr. and Dorothy F. (Bowser) Carroll. On Dec. 26, 1950, he married Charlotte L. Fitzpatrick, and she survives. Paul retired from General Motors in 1991 with 38 years of …