Obituaries

Barbara Jean Zimmerman, 79, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born July 9, 1930, in Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of the late Arthur and Thelma (Benson) Werkhaven. Barb had resided in Sturgis most of her life, coming from Ohio. She graduated from Sturgis High School with the class …

Pat Wheeler, age 90, of Three Rivers, died Dec. 7, 2009, at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers after an extended illness. She was born Nov. 20, 1919, a daughter of Joseph and Bessie Smith in Roanoke, Va. In 1942, she married Melvin Wheeler in North Carolina. He preceded her in death on July 6, 1987. Mrs. Wheeler lived in the …

Thomas John “Tommy” Weatherwax, 48, of Three Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, at his home. He was born May 11, 1961, a son of John Henry and Annette Marie (Egan) Weatherwax. Tommy had been a lifelong resident of this area. He worked as a carpenter and handyman for many years, serving many in his community. Tommy had …

Connie Lynn Kaniewski, age 61, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at her home surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 2, 1948 in Three Rivers, MI. the daughter of Bob and Marie (Dentler) Wiles. Connie has been a life long resident of this area. She attended West Mendon …

Christine L. Purlee, 44, of Howe, Ind., was surrounded by her family early Saturday morning, Dec. 5, 2009, at her home when she was called home to be with her Lord and savior following a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born June 25, 1965, in Coldwater, Mich., a daughter to Roger and Genevieve (Brouillard) Smoker. Chris had resided …

John C. (Jack) Turner, 72, of Sturgis, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at his home. He was born April 25, 1937, in Hammond, Ind., a son of John and Leona (Young) Turner. On June 13, 1959, he married Diana Pierce. She preceded him in death. Jack graduated from Hammond Vocational Tech High School. He was previously employed at Central Rent a …

Nila Mae Anderson, 82, of Three Rivers, passed away at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. She was born to the late Frank and Gladys (Barnhart) Meyer on June 1, 1927 in Centreville. Nila was one of 12 children and attended Three Rivers High School. She lived in many different places including Elkhart, Ind., Sweeny, Texas …

Randy J. Meyer, 49, of 7250 N-675 W, Shipshewana, Ind., died Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, after a motor vehicle accident in White Pigeon Township. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Monday at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Funeral services will be a 7 p.m. Monday at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, Ind. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Star City, Ind.

Margaret Phyllis Panczyk, age 87, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord early Thursday morning surrounded by her family. She was born in Saskatchewan, Canada on June 27, 1922 the daughter of Ervin and Bertha A. (Beam) Welty. Mrs. Panczyk has been a long time member of this area. She was a registered nurse for many years at …

Charles “Charlie” Grabe, age 73, of Sturgis, passed away early Wednesday morning Dec. 2, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born March 23, 1936, in Sturgis, a son to the late Edward and Lila (Roth) Grabe. Charlie was a lifelong Sturgis resident and lived his entire life on the family farm. On Oct. 26, 1974, he married …