Obituaries

Helen L. Alexander, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born Sept. 16, 1929, in Columbia City, Ind., a daughter of the late Thomas and Nancy (Huff) Marker. On July 1, 1967, she married Dwight E. Alexander in LaGrange, Ind. He preceded her in death March 28, 2004. Helen …

Lester Leroy Leister, age 67, of Centreville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 4, 1942, in Three Rivers, a son of the late Lester E. and Vivian B. (Caseman) Leister. Lester had resided in the Constantine and Centreville area most of his life. He retired from Viking …

Pauline M. Mast, age 98, formerly of Colon, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Pauline was born May 18, 1911, in Goshen, Ind., a daughter of the late Charles C. and Mayte (Farmwald) Amsler. Pauline grew up in Goshen and graduated from Goshen High School. On May 18, 1934, she married Harris W. Mast …

June Marie Starks, age 68 of rural Mendon, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 at the Three Rivers Health Emergency Room. She was born in Three Rivers on April 19, 1941 the daughter of Guy and Melba (Irving) Kline and was a member of the Mendon High School class of 1959. She was married to Oscar Stark on Nov, 19, 1960 …

Donnie Ray Jackson, age 59, of Springfield, MI, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2009 at Bronson Hospital.  He was born in Fulton Co., Arkansas on January 16, 1950 the son of Vester and Marion (Thompson) Jackson.  He worked in construction for Upjohn. He enjoyed writing poems, reading, arts and crafts and nature. What Donnie loved most was “Charlie-dog” as …

Eleanor L. Gilchrist, 88, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. She was born March 13, 1921 in Indianapolis, Ind., a daughter of John and Gladys (Miles) Dailey and was a long time resident of Portage. Eleanor was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and her family was her focus. On Oct. 9, 1943 she married Frank E. …

Barbara Ann Avery, age 78, of Mendon, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. She was born Aug. 16, 1931, in Illinois, a daughter of E. Gordon and Mary (Morrell) Male. Barbara graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1949, and married Lloyd Avery on Aug. 30, 1956, in Mendon. She was an Avon Products representative for many years. …

Christopher Michael Schweda, 27, of Greenville, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. He was born Aug. 14, 1982, in Sturgis. Christopher loved to volunteer, and received the national “Yes I Can” award for his work. He also enjoyed working with Disability Awareness. More than anything, He deeply loved the Lord. Christopher was an exceptional human being who will be deeply missed …

Violet Pearl Hahn, age 96, of Mottville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at the Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born July 7, 1913, in Portage, a daughter of Joseph K. and Savannah (Griffith) Adams. On Nov. 28, 1930, she married Raymond Hahn in Cumberland, Md. He preceded her in death on Aug. 24, 1997. Violet …

Phyllis Ann East, 88, of Three Rivers, passed away early Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon. She was born on Feb. 26, 1921 in Ludington the daughter of Ernest J. and Doris (Ackerman) Subora. Phyllis had a great passion for reading, music and the importance of a good education. She attended Lawrence University in Wisconsin in the …