Obituaries

Raymond W. Saxman, age 69, of Colon, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, unexpectedly at his home. Ray was born Nov. 16, 1940, in Battle Creek a son of the late Wesley H. and Gertrude C. (Cooley) Saxman. Ray had made his home in the Leonidas and Colon area all his life and at his home on Long Lake since …

C.W. “Mike” Mestelle, age 84, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Monday afternoon Nov. 30, 2009, at his home, following a short illness. He was born Clarence Woodruff Mestelle the youngest child of seven on July 22, 1925, in Ladysmith, Wis. to the late Paul and Ella (Lohrey) Mestelle. However, he was known to most as “Mike” from a very early …

Genevieve “Genny” Ruth DeJesus-Rivera, 80, of Three Rivers, loving wife and mother, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 after a short battle with cancer. Genevieve was born in Detroit the daughter of Lorence and Ruth (Hanlon) Johnson. She was employed by National Bank of Detroit, retiring in the early 80’s to pursue traveling. She traveled …

Charles Edward (Chuck) Barnes, age 63, of 5756 Deer View Road, Gretna, Va., and formerly of Centreville, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Danville Regional Medical Center. Born Feb. 12, 1946, in Manila, Ark., a son of the late Charley Pankney Barnes and Bertha Leola Bell Carnal Barnes. He was predeceased by three brothers, Tommy Joe Barnes, Charlie Gene Barnes …

Larry L. Hovarter, age 79 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away late Sunday  evening November 29, 2009 at the Fairview Living Centre in Centreville. He was born August 22, 1930 in Colon, Michigan a son to the late  Laurence E. and Velma M. (Woods) Hovarter. Larry had resided in Sturgis since 1964 coming from Reed City. His early  life was spent in …

Luther “Lou” L. Warner, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on Nov. 16, 1922 in Three Rivers, MI., the son of LaVerne and Wyla (McDonald) Warner. Lou has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class …

Eugene L. Harvey Sr. age 81, of Colon, passed away, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital. Gene was born Aug. 15, 1928, in White Pigeon, a son to the late George R. and Gladys V. (Hackman) Harvey. He served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II. Gene had lived most all of his adult …

Daniel Jacob Kauffman, age 94 of Mendon, died Saturday Nov. 28, 2009 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers where he had resided the past 3 years. He was born in Versailles, MO on Sep. 20, 1915 the son of John S. and Lovina R. (Garber) Kauffman. The family moved to Indiana where Dan graduated from Columbia City High School in …

Robert R. Whitney, 74, of Three Rivers, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 at his home. He was born in Caruthersville, Mo. on Dec. 12, 1934 the son of Roy H. and Leatha V. (Cullom) Whitney. Robert served in the U. S. Army from 1957 to 1963. He worked as a machine operator for Continental Can retiring in 1999. Robert was …

Donna J. Dawson, 83, of Bartlett, Ill. and formerly of Three Rivers, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Ill. She was born in Sturgis on July 27, 1926 the daughter of Alvin and Francis (Longster) Dobberteen, and attended Sturgis Schools. She was married to Arthur D. “Red” Dawson on Aug. 27, 1943 in Sturgis. They resided in Three …