Obituaries

James E. Yoder, 82, of Sturgis, Mich., and Weslaco, Texas, passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, surrounded by his family at the Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco. He was born Aug. 11, 1927, in Nottawa, Mich., a son to the late Ernest and Lovina (Eicher) Yoder. Jim resided in the Sturgis area most of his life. In 1950 he married …

Charles Wade Vickrey, 84, of Boynton Beach, Fla. (formerly from Three Rivers), passed away on April 19, 2010 at 11 p.m., due to a long illness. Mr. Vickrey was the third child of Kenneth and Clara Hazel (Hughes) Vickrey. He attended school in Missouri. Mr. Vickrey served in the U.S. Navy (Pacific Theatre) during World War II. He was a …

Joyce Arlene Young, age 75, of Three Rivers passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 5, 1934 in Three Rivers, MI. the daughter of Frank and Hazel (Youngs) Hull. Joyce has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. She was employed for over twenty years at the …

Frances Margaret Shutes, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Heartland Health Care Center. She was born on March 10, 1923 in Mattawan, MI. the daughter of John and Luella (Britton) Butler. Mrs. Shutes graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1941. She later went on to be a secretary for …

Arthur Steven Mathiak, 57, of Three Rivers, passed away April 14, 2010, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Arthur was born June 10, 1952, in Kalamazoo, the son of the late George and Julia (Spalla) Mathiak. A 1971 graduate of Gull Lake High School, he was united in marriage June 6, 2009, to Gladys Halvorsen, who survives. Also surviving are …

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., …