Obituaries

Natalie W. Saunders, age 46, of Mendon, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Natalie was born March 1, 1964, in Sturgis, a daughter to Tom and Sandra (Loudenslager) Johnson. Natalie grew up in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1982. Natalie married Vern Rodgers, which ended in divorce. Later …

Philip Eugene Halverson, age 89 of Three Rivers, died Wednesday Jan. 5, 2011 following a two-week illness. He was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 8, 1921 the son of Erling and Kathryn (Patterson) Halverson and was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1940. While attending Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science, he …

LaVerne M. Norton passed away on Jan. 3, 2011 in Three Rivers. She was born May 28, 1926 in Chicago, Ill. She moved with her family to Three Rivers in 1946 where she met and later married Harold L. Norton Sr. They had five children together. LaVerne worked as a secretary in Chicago, was Newberg Township Treasurer for a number …

Mr. Martin Adam Mayer, 97, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 at his home. He was born in Fabius Township on Sept. 12, 1913 the son of John and Marianna (Reiss) Mayer. Mr. Mayer spent many years in Three Rivers working as a Petroleum Distributor for Walters Dimmick Shell for over …

Edna Dellinger, 88, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, Jan. 4, 2011, at her home. She was born May 19, 1922, in Perry County, Ky., a daughter of the late Lawrence and Lillie (Caldwell) Melton. Edna had resided in Sturgis since the early 1960s, coming from Hazard, Ky. On March 3, 1969, she married Oran Conn Dellinger in Wise, …

Margaret Sarah Miller, 81, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 4, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Oct. 30, 1929, in Howe, Ind., a daughter of the late Frank and Irene (Johnson) Friend. Margaret had resided in the Burr Oak area most of her life. On Feb. 21, 1952, she married Kenneth Miller in …

Ronald Tonander, 78, of Kalamazoo Ron’s courageous five year battle with cancer ended when he passed away peacefully on December 21st, 2010 at Bronson Hospital where he had been surrounded by family and friends, caring doctors, nurses and staff since December 7. Ron was born in Chicago, IL on March 11, 1932 to Ernest and Estelle (Henry)Tonander. Upon graduation from Maine Township …

Arthur G. Clauss, at the age of 81, passed away Dec. 30, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village after several years of failing health due to cancer. Arthur was born July 5, 1929, in Battle Creek, a son of Samuel G. Clauss and Lillie Clauss, both of Vicksburg. Arthur was a Korean War veteran, serving in the Army. He was awarded …

Corey Lee Eckert, 38, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, Jan. 4, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1972, in Sturgis, a son of Ted and Carolyn (Clark) Eckert. Corey had resided his whole life in the Sturgis area and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1992. On Dec., 1, 2001, he married …

Hilda M. Lane, age 89, of Sherwood, passed away late Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2010. She was born Feb. 14, 1921, in Bronson, a daughter of Ora and Jennie (Laughry) Hoard. Mrs. Lane had resided in Sherwood since 1945. Prior to that she had lived in Bronson. On March 12, 1938, she married Robert Lane in Bronson. He died in …