Obituaries

Bryan Shelly, 17, of Marcellus, succumbed to hidden depression early Sunday morning, Dec. 27, 2009. A senior at Marcellus High School, “Byron” was an excellent student, co-captain of varsity soccer and basketball teams, and a friend to all. He was a yearbook photographer, National Honor Society member, Spanish Honor Society president, and informal tutor. Surviving family includes his mother, Kim …

Jalaine R. Bacholl, age 61, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Dec. 2, 1948, in Grand Haven, Mich., a daughter to Raymond and Gertrude (DeCook) Vanderwal. Jalaine had been a resident of Sturgis since 2005, moving here from Angola, Ind. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and was an …

Icesis Shanielle McGairty, age 2 months, of Sturgis, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, Dec. 29, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. She was born Oct. 12, 2009, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of Shanda Ramirez and Kajuan Dean. She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Shanda and Trae McGairty of Sturgis; father, Kajuan Dean of Sturgis; three brothers, Trey Landon …

Marion A. Vanderhoof, 94, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 23, 2009 at the Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. She was born Dec. 17, 1915 in Jones, the daughter of Alfred E. and Edith L. (Darlison) Welburn. In LaGrange, Ind. on Aug. 22, 1936, she married Henry D. Vanderhoof who preceded her in death on April 28, 1993. She …

Theresea Kay Mulligan, 44, died Dec. 23, 2009, at the McDowell Hospital in Marion, NC. Theresea worked at Foothills in Marion, NC., and loved being with her many friends. Surviving are her mother, Connie Gentry of Sturgis, Mich.; three sisters, Constance Pifer of Zolof Springs, Fla., Terri Thorpe of Marion, NC., and Kathlene Emos of Ft. Collins, Colo.; one brother, …

Robert Warren Schmidt, age 88, of White Pigeon, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Thurston Woods in Sturgis where he had resided the past two-and-a-half years. He was born in White Pigeon on Feb. 23, 1921, the son of the late, Herman and Alta (Grimes) Schmidt and was lifetime resident of the White Pigeon area. He was married to Roma …

Robert C. Johnson, age 82, formerly of Sturgis, died Dec. 24, 2009, following an illness. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army Medical Corp., and retired from Penn Central Railroad following 40 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty M. (Decker) Johnson; a son, Robert (Gail) of Spring Grove, Ill.; …

Judith Marie Klein, 10 day old child of Edward and Amanda (Kucel) Kline of Mendon, died Christmas day, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. In addition to her parents, Judith is survived by a brother, Joshua; paternal grandparents Gary and Sandy Klein; paternal great-grandmother Henrietta Klein, all of Mendon; maternal grandparents, Mark and Darlene Kucel of Sterling Heights; maternal …

Oron E. Sellers, age 78, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Sept. 27, 1931, in Michigan Center, Mich., a son to the late Fred L. and Muriel (Quimby) Sellers. Oron has been a resident of Sturgis since 1987 moving here from Tekonsha, Mich. On Sept. 9, 1952 …

Johnie P. Jones, 83, of Marcellus, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. Johnie was born in Ball Knob, Ark. on Jan. 1, 1926, the son of William “Willy” and Thelma (Todd) Jones. Johnie leaves behind his wife, Dorothy J. (Harrison) Jones, whom he married Aug. 26, 1996 at Russ Forest Park, Marcellus. He is retired …