Obituaries

Larry K. Tilbury, age 57 of Constantine, passed away Monday, December 28th, 2009 at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Three Rivers, on September 14, 1952, a son of Kent and Sue Ann (Barnhardt) Tilbury Sr. Larry graduated from Constantine High School in 1969 and served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Larry worked in …

Jay Pittenger, age 90 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Friday evening January 1, 2010 at his home. He was born October 16, 1919 in Manitou Beach, Michigan a son to the late Jay Ralph and Clara Belle (Heslet) Pittenger. Mr. Pittenger had resided in Sturgis since 1940 coming from Hudson, Michigan. On September 11, 1942 he married Lorene Dixon …

Lila Royer, age 66, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in Cadillac, Mich. She was born Sept. 10, 1943, in Burr Oak, a daughter to Junior Gerald Summey and Laura Louise Milliman. Lila lived nearly her entire life in Burr Oak and was a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the Class of 1962. On …

Margaret Rambadt, age 94 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Thursday morning December 31, 2009 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born December 6, 1915 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter to the late Floyd and Etta (Baker) Chapman. Margaret had resided nearly her entire life in Sturgis. On May 19, 1934 she married Edmond Rambadt in LaGrange, Indiana. He died …

Bryan Shelly, 17, of Marcellus, succumbed to hidden depression early Sunday morning, Dec. 27, 2009. A senior at Marcellus High School, “Byron” was an excellent student, co-captain of varsity soccer and basketball teams, and a friend to all. He was a yearbook photographer, National Honor Society member, Spanish Honor Society president, and informal tutor. Surviving family includes his mother, Kim …

Jalaine R. Bacholl, age 61, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Dec. 2, 1948, in Grand Haven, Mich., a daughter to Raymond and Gertrude (DeCook) Vanderwal. Jalaine had been a resident of Sturgis since 2005, moving here from Angola, Ind. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and was an …

Icesis Shanielle McGairty, age 2 months, of Sturgis, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, Dec. 29, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. She was born Oct. 12, 2009, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of Shanda Ramirez and Kajuan Dean. She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Shanda and Trae McGairty of Sturgis; father, Kajuan Dean of Sturgis; three brothers, Trey Landon …

Marion A. Vanderhoof, 94, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 23, 2009 at the Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. She was born Dec. 17, 1915 in Jones, the daughter of Alfred E. and Edith L. (Darlison) Welburn. In LaGrange, Ind. on Aug. 22, 1936, she married Henry D. Vanderhoof who preceded her in death on April 28, 1993. She …

Theresea Kay Mulligan, 44, died Dec. 23, 2009, at the McDowell Hospital in Marion, NC. Theresea worked at Foothills in Marion, NC., and loved being with her many friends. Surviving are her mother, Connie Gentry of Sturgis, Mich.; three sisters, Constance Pifer of Zolof Springs, Fla., Terri Thorpe of Marion, NC., and Kathlene Emos of Ft. Collins, Colo.; one brother, …

Robert Warren Schmidt, age 88, of White Pigeon, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at Thurston Woods in Sturgis where he had resided the past two-and-a-half years. He was born in White Pigeon on Feb. 23, 1921, the son of the late, Herman and Alta (Grimes) Schmidt and was lifetime resident of the White Pigeon area. He was married to Roma …