Obituaries

Ronald A. Gingerich, 63, of Mendon, died Saturday, June 12, 2010, at his home. His death was unexpected and due to natural causes. He was born April 12, 1947, in Washington, Iowa, to Chester and Barbara (Kauffman) Gingerich. He was self-employed in sales with R.T.W. RV Supply. Ronald was a talented musician, playing with the Windy River Band. He was …

Bradley Alan Dietz, 58, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at his home. He was born in Kalamazoo on Aug. 4, 1951 the son of Gordon Richard and Vivian (Van Doorne) Dietz. Bradley has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. He graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1969. Bradley had …

Edwin “Eddie” Mayor Brookens, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at his home. He was born on Nov. 13, 1919 in Chicago, Ill. the son of Edwin Brookens Sr. and Earline (Walker) Brookens. Mr. Brookens has been a long time resident of Three Rivers, moving from Chicago where he worked for 30 years as a …

Imogene Ruth Blanchard, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Friday June 11, 2010, at Thurston Woods Care Center in Sturgis. Imogene was born in White Pigeon, Mich., on June 27, 1921, the daughter of William Walter Messner and Mary Rebecca (Freed) Messner. Imogene married Donald H. Blanchard on May 24, 1941. They had two sons: Donald R. Blanchard (Lydia) of …

Kimberly Ann Gushwa, 54, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Saturday morning, June 12, 2010, at her home. She was born Sept. 16, 1955, in Sturgis, Mich., a daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn (Gressman) Davis. Kim was a lifelong resident of Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1974. On March 29, 2005, she …

Elwood  Gest, age 81, of Centreville passed away  Friday, June 11th, 2010 at the Three Rivers Health Hospital. He was born October 10, 1928,  a son of Ernest and Hazel (Pinny) Gest. On January 16, 1947 he married Edith Mae Melchi in LaGrange, IN. She preceded him in death February 3, 2000. Elwood worked as a machine operator at Nickell …

David Charles (Chuck) Frays II, age 45, of Homasassa, Florida lost his battle with cancer on May 29, 2010. He was a resident of Homasassa, Florida having moved there 15 years ago from Sturgis. He was born  in Phoenix, AZ on July 29, 1964,  the son of  David and Mary Alice Frays.   Chuck was known in the area as “Dave’s …

Herman H. Hein Jr., 92, of Union, Mich., died Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Center for Hospice in Elkhart, Ind., following an extended illness. Relatives and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday and 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the Mottville Bible Church, where services are at 11 a.m. Saturday with Pastor Michael Bender officiating. Cremation will follow the service. …

Clifford Carl Miller, age 98 of Athens, died Tuesday June 8, 2010 at the Laurels of Coldwater. He was born in Missaukee County, Michigan on May 22, 1912 the son of Louis and Elizabeth (Skinner) Miller. Clifford was a 27 year employee of the Upjohn Company, and operated his own sawmill, manufacturing skids and pallets. Clifford was married to Edna …

Robert Peter West, age 77, formerly of Portage Lake in Mendon Township, passed away Monday, June 7, 2010, at his home in Sturgis. He was born Dec. 17, 1932, in Oak Park, Ill., a son of Peter Jacob and Ruth Maude (Larson) West. Robert graduated from Austin High School in Chicago. He attended the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, …