Obituaries

Daniel James Barfield, 23, of Sturgis, died Thursday evening, June 17, 2010, in Howe, Ind., due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born Aug. 29, 1986 in Sturgis, a son of James and Vickie (Hackett) Barfield. Daniel had resided in Sturgis his entire life and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 2005. He had …

Richard H. (Dick) Osbon Jr., age 76, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Community Health Center of Branch County. Dick was born Oct. 13, 1933, in Sturgis, a son of the late Richard H. and Dorotha D. (Slagle) Osbon Sr. Dick had spent all of his life in the St Joseph County area except for the …

Thomas Mittler, 67, of Three Rivers, passed away June 13, 2010 from complications relating to a stroke. He was a lucky son of a gun who did the things he wanted, his way. Born in South Bend, Ind. in 1942, Tom graduated from Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pa. followed by Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 1967, Tom married the …

Barbara Ann Donovan, age 79, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village nursing center in Sturgis. She was born Dec. 19, 1930, in Detroit, a daughter of the late Carl and Hildegarde (Sendzik) Jarson. On Sept. 27, 1958, she married Robert Donovan in Detroit. He preceded her in death in 1994. Barbara has been …

Constance Schermerhorn, 52, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2010 at her home. She was born Aug. 20, 1957 in Constantine, the daughter of Verlin and Arlene (Kline) Reed. Connie was a dedicated homemaker and enjoyed sewing and cross-stitch, and belonged to the Embroiderers Guild. On Nov. 13, 1976 in Cassopolis, Connie was united in marriage to Steven …

Beverly Ann Lothamer, 80, of Marcellus, passed away on June 12, 2010. She was born on Jan. 3, 1930 in Dowagiac and graduated from there in 1948. She taught in one-room schools in Glenwood and Jones in 1949 and 1950. She married Norm Lothamer in 1951 and moved to South Bend, Ind. and later moved to Portage in 1964, where …

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 …