Obituaries

Lawrence Alford Rhoda, age 98, of Schoolcraft, went to be with his Lord on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.   He was born in Sherman Twp., St. Joseph County on April 26, 1911 the son of Albert and Mary (Schmidtendorf) Rhoda. Mr. Rhoda has been a life long resident of this area.  He and …

Roman Kurzawski, age 79, of Colon, passed away Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at his home after several months of failing health. Roman was born July 13, 1930, a son to the late Gregory and Lucy Kurzawski. On Jan. 9, 1954, he married Margaret E. Thatch in Louisville, Ky. and she preceded him in death on Dec. 18, 2000. Roman had …

Vicki Lynn VanKirk, age 47, of Centreville passed away into the loving arms of her heavenly Father, Thursday, September 3rd, 2009. Vicki was born in Chicago, IL, on April 23, 1962,  a daughter of  William and Audrey (Mesch) VanKirk. Vicki was a member of Fish Lake Bible Church. She loved life and her family very much. Surviving are her sisters …

Daisy Lill Mae Holmes, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away on August 26, 2009 at Fairview Living Center in Centreville, MI.  She was born on August 4, 1920 in Athens, GA to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. Daisy has been a long time resident of this area and member of the Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church. Mrs. Holmes was preceded in …

Evelyn May Merritt, age 94, of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at her home. She was born in Benton Harbor, MI on June 16, 1915,  the daughter of Henry and Lillie (Clark) Maynard. Evelyn graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1935. On On May 28, 1938 she married Lyle Merritt in Benton Harbor, MI. Evelyn worked as …

James Joseph Bachorowski, age 62, of Sturgis, Mich.,  passed away Aug. 29, 2009 at his home. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich. Memorial donations may be directed to the family. Envelopes are available at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.

William Brenton Beall Jr. was born on July 14, 1945 in Fredericksburg, Va. He passed away July 16, 2009, after an extended illness in Modesto, Calif. His father was, William B. Beall Sr., his mother was Romaine June (Farver) Beall. He graduated from, White Pigeon High School, White Pigeon, Mich., in June 1963. Then enlisted in USMC July 1963. He …

Cheryl Lynne Towne, age 64, of Three Rivers, passed away on August 19, 2009 at her home in Portage, MI. following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.  She was born on Jan. 19, 1945 in Battle Creek, MI. the daughter of Henry F. and Jeanne E. (Fechler) Trudgeon. Cheryl  graduated from Portage Central High School in 1963, and later attended …

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 …