Obituaries

Kenneth J. Norton, age 64, of Colon, passed away  unexpectedly  Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at his home. Ken was born May 29, 1945, in Coldwater, a son of the late Charles Rex and Margaret (Hawver) Norton. Ken had lived most of his life in Colon and had graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1964. He had worked …

Thelma A. Lego, 71, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Decatur, Ind., a daughter of the late William and Clarice (Gilbert) Yake. Thelma had resided her whole life in the Sturgis and Brighton, Ind., area. She was a graduate of Brighton High School with …

Daniel H. “Big Dan” Colvin, Sr., age 62, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away unexpectedly Friday afternoon Sept. 11, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. He was born Dec. 11, 1946, in Plainwell, a son of the late Quentin Franklin and Wanda June (Shurlow) Colvin. Dan had resided in Sturgis since 1963. His early life was spent in Augusta. On …

Joseph E. Van Camp, age 53, of Belleville, and formerly of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2009 at his home.  He was born in Muncie, Ind., on May 15, 1956, the son of James E. and Clova H. (Porter) Van Camp.  The family moved to Mendon in 1968 where Joseph graduated from Mendon High School with the class …

Betty Jean (Carter) Seal, age 81, of Three Rivers went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Patrick County, Va., on Jan. 24, 1928. She was married in 1946 to Herman Bailey Seal when they were reunited after his service in World War II. They …

Howard Comadoll, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 at Heartland Health Care Center following a brief illness.  He was born on Oct. 15, 1923 in Kalamazoo, MI. the son of Peter and Ida (Winn) Comadoll. Mr. Comadoll served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy.  He was united in marriage to his wife, …

Betty Louise Lewis,  age 79, of LaGrange, Indiana passed away Monday evening September 7, 2009 at her home. She was born October 16, 1929 in Auburn, Indiana a daughter of the late Meryl and Erma (Chapman) Carper. Betty had resided in Ontario, Indiana for the past 35 years coming from Sturgis. On January 10, 1948 she married William Lewis in Fort …

Earnest Lee Canada, Sr., age 70, of Sturgis, Michigan entered the earthly gates on January 14, 1939 in Drew, Mississippi. The loving son of father and grandfather entered the heavenly gates on September 6, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency after what doctors believe to be a stroke. Earnest enjoyed his 70 years of life, fishing, playing …

Warren Daniel (Beck) Bachtel, 83, of White Pigeon, Mich., died July 7, 2009 in Three Rivers, Mich., following a short illness. Cremation was conducted. A memorial open house will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Constantine American Legion 65079, U.S. 131 in Constantine. Arrangements were handled by the Farrand Funeral Home of White Pigeon.

Virginia Marie “Ginnie” Lips,  age 83, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Monday morning September 7, 2009 at her home. She was born June 29, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter to the late Carl William and Mary (Macy) Hanichen. Virginia had resided in Sturgis since 1952 coming from Chicago, Illinois where she attended and graduated from the Illinois Masonic …