Obituaries

Naomi R. Steffey, 98, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away March 3, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Jan. 20, 1911, in Decatur, Ind., a daughter to the late Edward Edwin and Edith (Dean) Gilbert. Naomi had resided in Sturgis since 1951 coming from Bronson, Mich. She retired from the American Red Cross following many years of …

Dean Heywood, 96, died Tuesday, March 10.   He married Alice Standerline in 1936.  He and his wife were the parents of three children.  He worked at Eddy Paper Co. beginning in 1933, and later worked at Armstrong International starting in 1942, until retirement in 1977.  Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday at 11am, with visitation …

Wilbur Eash Jr., 74, of Centreville, Mich., passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Three Rivers Health Hospice. He was born on July 26, 1934, in Marcellus, a son of Wilber J. and Helen Marie (Golden) Eash. Wilbur attended Centreville Schools. He worked as a shear operator at Stoutco in Bristol, Ind. Wilbur will always be remembered for this sense …

Curtis Becker, 90, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, March 1.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

Bonnie Lee Rhodes, age 56 of Marcellus, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  She was born in Kalamazoo County, MI on Aug. 19, 1952 the daughter of Leon F. and Elnora I. (Howard) Sylvester, and was a lifetime resident of this area.  Bonnie attended Schoolcraft Schools and later became a licensed Manicurist, operating from her …

John Jay Foghino, age 72 of Three Rivers, died Saturday, March 7, 2009 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on March 5, 1937 the son of Charles and Florence (Howard) Foghino, and was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and was recently inducted into the Three High School …

Bobby Jack Parr, 56, of Hendersonville, NC, and formerly of Three Rivers, died February 27.  He was a son of the late James and Blanche Parr.  A memorial service will be held in Three Rivers at a later date.  Forest Lawn Mortuary of Hendersonville is handling arrangements.

Shirley Neumann, 67, of Niles, died Saturday, March 7.  Mrs. Neumann was born in Three Rivers.  She married Gary Neumann in Three Rivers, who survives.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, at 11am at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Sidonia Klingerman, 90, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, March 7.  Services were held at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Laura Mae Bowdish, 83, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Saturday morning, March 7, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Nov. 24, 1925, in LaGrange County, Ind., a daughter to the late Frances and Laura (Sailor) Ringler. Laura had resided most of her life in the Sturgis and LaGrange County, Ind. area. On April 14, 1955, …