Obituaries

Merdie Beverly, 72 of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday evening, April 15, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his family.  He was born Oct. 16, 1937, in Rock House Holler on Quick Sand Creek in Elmrock, Ky., a son of the late Marion and Tilda Bell (Collins) Beverly.  Merdie settled in Burr Oak in 1969. His early life was spent …

Gertrude L. “Betsy” Avery, age 101, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, April 15, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Aug. 25, 1908, in Wabash County, Ind., a daughter of the late Edward U. and E. Blanch (Keel) Wetters. Mrs. Avery had resided in Sturgis since 1944, coming from Bippus, Ind., where she graduated from Bippus High …

Audrey E. Hummel, 72, passed away at her home in Sturgis on Saturday, April 17, 2010, after an extended illness.  Visitation will be at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon from noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.  Cremation will follow the service.

Merritt E. Parr, 86, of Indian River and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2010, at Bortz Health Care Center in Petoskey. Merritt was born July 14, 1923, in Steuben County, Ind., a son of Shirley and Sylvia (Cannon) Parr, and grew up at Pleasant Lake, Ind., where he attended school. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving …

Worth E. (Blosdale) Thomson, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Worth was born Feb. 16, 1920, in Reading, a daughter to the late Dr. Carlyle E. and Gladys (Hakes) Blosdale. She graduated from Reading High School with the Class of 1937 and from International Business College in Ft. Wayne, Ind., …

Harold “Hal” Edward Schultz, age 84, of Jones, MI. passed away suddenly on April 13, 2010 at his home. He was born in North Judsen, Indiana, the son of John and Ida (Ringhand) Schultz. Hal served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #262 of Jones, …

Jeanette May Dunn, age 86, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord on March 28, 2010 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home. She was born on May 5, 1923 in Three Rivers, MI. the daughter of Marshall and Gleeola (Miller)Prange. Jeanette has been a life long resident of Three Rivers. She was employed for over 25 years at the …

David Gale Hammond of Colon, and formerly of North Adams, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the Battle Creek Health System. He was born July 22, 1949, in Hillsdale County, a son of Dale and Eleanor (Winner) Hammond. Mr. Hammond worked for many years as a prison guard for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections in Jackson, and …

John Raymond “Ray” Neagu, age 60 of Three Rivers, died Monday, April 12, 2010 at his home following a 10 year illness. He was born in Gary, IN on June 15, 1949 the son of John and Katherine (Garvey) Neagu, Jr. He graduated from Merrillville High School and later attended Indiana University. Ray served in the U.S. Army before returning …

Kathryn May Gunter, age 97, Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, April 10th, 2010. She was born  June 15, 1912,  a daughter of the late Levi and Catherine (Burkholder) Miller.  Surviving are her son  George Gunter,  Three Rivers, and 3 granddaughters Christine Gunter, Stacey Bohrs and Rebecca Sturwold. She was preceded in death by 7 brothers and sisters.  Religious services will be …