Obituaries

David Ray Colter, 71, of Vicksburg, went to be with the LORD on Sept. 29, 2010 at home embraced by his family. David was born in Sturgis on May 31, 1939 to Thomas J. and Neva R. (Wygant) Colter. The family lived in Sturgis awhile, but later moved to the Portage area. He attended Portage Schools until leaving at the …

Lawrence “Bill” G. Pontius, 85, of Sturgis, was returned to his maker’s arms Sept. 30, 2010, at Sturgis Hospital in the company of his family. He is survived by three daughters, Deborah (Stephen) Klujsza of Granger, Ind., Crystal Pontius of Sturgis and Carmen Pontius of Sturgis; and a son, DeWayne Pontius of Coldwater. His youngest daughter, Shawn Williams, preceeded him in death …

Edgar (Ed) W. Wilson, age 94, of Sturgis, passed away Friday morning, Oct. 1, 2010, at home. He was born Dec. 8, 1915, in Detroit, a son of the late Omer and Hulda (Hassig) Wilson, and moved to Sturgis from Detroit in 1947. On Sept. 26, 1946, he married Marguerite Lentz in Detroit. Ed graduated high school from Southeastern High …

Charlotte H. Rupert, 72, of Centreville, passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2010 at the Fairview Nursing Community in Centreville. She was born in Schoolcraft on Dec. 16, 1937, a daughter of Elwin and Charlotte (Honel) Rupert. Charlotte worked as a cook at the Granger Bar & Grill in LaGrange, Ind. She lived in Edwardsburg until her retirement, when she moved …

John Henry Adamski, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, Sept. 30, 2010, at his home. He was born Oct. 30, 1937, in Bronson, a son of the late Harry and Bernice (Yesh) Adamski. John had resided his whole life in the Sturgis and Bronson area. On July 2, 1960, he married Joyce Harker at St. Mary of …

Chester F. “Chuck” Beers, 94, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday evening, Sept. 29, 2010, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Nov. 10, 1915, in LaGrange, Ind., a son of the late Ernest and Angeline (Hunt-Gilbo) Beers. Chuck had resided nearly his entire life in Sturgis. On June 29, 1934, he married Dorothy E. Burke in LaGrange, Ind. She died Feb. …

Esther Carpenter, age 89, of Sturgis, and formerly of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, at her home in Sturgis. Esther was born Sept. 17, 1921, in Choteau, Okla., a daughter of the late Lewis and Ida (Troyer) Eichorn. On Sept. 21, 1947, she married Marcus Carpenter in Burr Oak. Esther had lived in the Clarence, N.Y., area …

Marlene J. McDonald, 67, of Elkhart, Ind., died at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at Golden Living Center in Elkhart. She was born March 7, 1943 in Sturgis. Surviving are four sons, Fred Casner and Ricky Casner both of Sturgis, Mich., Kevin (Carla) McDonald of Plymouth, Ind., and Tracy (Caroline) McDonald of Elkhart, Ind.; two daughters, Ronda (Terry) Bailey …

Curtis H. Dowd, age 72 of Three Rivers, died Wednesday Sep. 29, 2010 at his home following a two month illness. He was born in Pinconning, MI on Aug. 22, 1938 the son of Justus and Aleta (Curtis) Dowd, and later graduated from Arenack Eastern High School in Twining. Curtis worked in area factories before establishing Bay Disposal Company of …

Nadean J. Cunico, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2010, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born May 5, 1919, in Indiana, a daughter of the late Victor and Frieda A. (Sielof) Troyer. Mrs. Cunico had resided in Sturgis since 2004, coming from White Pigeon. Prior to moving to White Pigeon, she had lived in Three Rivers …