Obituaries

Patricia Jean Deak, 53, of Fish Lake in White Pigeon, Mich., died Aug. 30, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Hospice in Three Rivers following a two-year illness. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Services are at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Pigeon with the Rev. Richard Altine officiating. Arrangements were handled by …

Vernon H. Teeple, 82, of Sturgis, died Aug. 15, 2009, following a long illness. He passed away at the Veteran’s Palliative Care Ward in Battle Creek, Mich., with his family by his side. He was very proud of his military service, serving his country in the U.S. Naval Air in World War II. He enlisted after his only brother, Staff …

David Edward Wolffradt, age 60, of Three Rivers, formerly of Detroit, MI. passed away on Friday, August 28, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.  He was born in Detroit, MI. on Feb. 27, 1949 the son of Robert Herman and Mary Magdalene (Morgan) Wolffradt. David moved to Three Rivers in 1980 where he was employed by General Motors and later at …

Mary M. Holmes, age 87, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Sept. 6, 1921, in Connersville, Ind., a daughter to the late William Walter and Bessie Viola (York) Oldham. In 1938 she married Charles E. Kain in Liberty, Ind. This marriage ended in divorce. In Feb. of 1955 she married …

Marcella Defena Myers, age 85, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born March 22, 1924, in LaGrange, Ind., a daughter to the late William and Grace Kerns. Marcella was first married to Elton Barkman and after his passing she married Harold Myers.  He also preceded her in death. She had been employed …

Mattie Troyer, age 95, of Colon, passed away Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, at her home. The family will receive relatives and friends Monday after 4 p.m. and all day Tuesday at the Double M. Building, 59287 Nottawa Road, l mile north of Nottawa. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Double M Building. The Schipper Funeral Home …

Stewart D. Swihart Sr., age 97, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, 404 Cottage, Sturgis, Mich., died peacefully at Thurston Woods Village on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. He was born Oct. 25, 1911, to Dyoll and Ella (Dague) Swihart in Howe, Ind.  He graduated Brighton High School (1929) and Purdue University (1934) with a mechanical engineering degree.  He was commissioned …

Ronald Roy Schrock, age 57, of Centreville, passed away Friday, August 28th, 2009 at his home. He was born in LaGrange, IN on May 10, 1952,  a son of  Roy D. and Rachael  I. (Hershberger) Schrock.  Ron graduated from Centreville High School in 1970 and attended Glen Oaks Community College for 2 years.  On November 6, 1971, Ron married Florence …

Stuart D. Halverson age 81, of Mattawan, passed away Wednesday August 26, 2009 at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born in Three Rivers, Michigan on January 11, 1928 the son of the late Erling and Kathryn (Patterson) Halverson. He graduated from Three Rivers High School and attended 2 years of college at Case Western Reserve in …

Mattie Jane Birch, age 83, of Richland and formerly of Chicago and Leonidas, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 at her home in Richland.  She was born in Leonidas on Aug. 18, 1926 the daughter of Karl and Ethel (Taylor) Birch.  She graduated from Mendon High School, attended the Chicago Evangelistic Institute, and graduated from Vernard University in University Park, IA.  …