Obituaries

Wendell E. Allen, age 72, of Leonidas, passed away Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at his home, after several months of failing health. Wendell was born July 24, 1938, in Leonidas Township, a son of the late Vern L. and Amelia (Diekman) Allen. On April 22, 1960, he married Carolyn Mae Lunger in Centreville. Wendell had lived most of his life …

DONNA J. GILLILAND, age 49, of Sturgis, Michigan, passed away early Sunday morning October 17, 2010 at the Fairview Living Centre in Centreville, Michigan. She was born May 19, 1961 in Trenton, Michigan a daughter of Judy Ann Schuon. Donna had resided in Sturgis for the past six years coming from Monroe, Michigan. On March 26, 2007 she married Gregory …

FAYEVELLA SCHUSTER, age 77, of Deming, New Mexico, and a longtime former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 15, 2010 at her home. She was born November 21, 1932 in Sturgis, Michigan a daughter of Harold and Ruth (Boals) Harker. Faye had resided in Deming since 1993. Prior to her move to Deming she had lived her whole life …

Richard “Dick” L. Erow, Sr., 85, of Milford, Ind., died Oct. 15, 2010 in his home. He was born Nov. 2, 1924 in Plymouth, Ind. to Clarence and Grace (Drach) Erow. On Oct. 5, 1944 Dick married Bernice (Brockus), she survives. Formerly of Three Rivers, Dick and his wife moved to Milford, Ind. 11 years ago. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, …

Robert N. “Bob” Shook, age 89, of Fulton, died peacefully on Saturday Oct. 16, 2010 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  He was born in Fulton on Dec. 22, 1920 the son of George W. and Carrie (Kline) Shook.  He graduated from Athens High School and continued to work on the family farm prior to World War II.  Bob served …

Ruta Inara Kalnmals, 77, of Three Rivers, formerly of Chicago, passed away on Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 at her home. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Hohner Funeral Home, with Rev. Beruta Puike and Rev. Olgerts Cakars officiating. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers.

Mark Douglas Bickel, 53, found peace and comfort in the hands of the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, following a tragic auto accident. Mark was born July 13, 1957 in Three Rivers, the son of Richard Bickel and Caroll Forreider. Mark graduated from Mishawaka High School. He has been a resident of Pontiac for the last 15 years where …

Alvin LaMarr Bontrager, age 68 years and 10 days, of rural Mendon, died unexpectedly Wednesday Oct. 13, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wis. Alvin was born Oct. 3, 1942, in Three Rivers, a son of Levi and Mary (Yoder) Bontrager. He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church. On Dec. 20, 1962, Alvin married Esther Marie …

JOHN ROBERT RINGLER, age 85, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Friday morning October 15, 2010 at his home. He was born May 30, 1925 in Stroh, Indiana a son of the late Harold and Delpha (Reinhart) Ringler. John was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1943. On March 23, 1947 …

Mark Douglas Bickel, age 53, found peace and comfort in the hands of the Lord on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, following a tragic auto accident. Mark was born July 13, 1957 in Three Rivers, Mi., the son of Richard Bickel and Carroll Forreider. Mark graduated from Mishawaka High School. He has been a resident of Pontiac, MI. for the last …