Obituaries

Mary Helen Curtis, age 93, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Jan. 21, 1916, in Hudson, Mich., a daughter to the late Bernard and Alice (Bradley) Timmerman. She lived in Coldwater for a short time before moving to Sturgis, where she has resided for more than 75 years. Helen worked …

Rudy “Ed” Edward Kelley, age 61, of Marcellus, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at his residence. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 13, 1947 the son of Rudy Washington and Lucy Thelma (Dancer) Kelley. Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Rudy W. Kelley. He leaves to cherish his memory …

June M. Buchanan, age 83, of Centreville, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at Odyssey House Hospice in Palm Desert, Calif. Cremation has been conducted.  A memorial service will be held later this month, and will be announced by the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon.

George E. Flager Jr. (Red) (Junior), 83, passed away Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Hernado Pasco Hospice Center in Zephyrhills, Fla. after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 1, 1926 in Dearborn, the youngest of three children born to George E. Sr. and Mildred L. (Boyd) Flager. He attended school in Bristol, Ind. On Sept. 18, …

Jane Louise Stocking, 74, of Centreville and formerly of Three Rivers, died Friday, May 1, 2009 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Three Rivers on June 18, 1934 the daughter of George and Winifred (Keigley) Stocking, and was a graduate of Three Rivers High School. She resided with her mother on Maple Street in Three Rivers until Winifred’s …

Bernhardt “Bernie” Paul Bird, of Moorepark, passed away on the job Jan. 13, 2009 at the age of 66. Bernie grew up in Moorepark and moved to Indiana, Missouri and finally to Arlington, Texas, to retire. He was a cook most of his life managing restaurants and food services and recently a part-time security guard. Bernie is survived by his …

Erma Oletha Huffsmith, age 89, of Constantine, formerly Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the home of her sister surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on Nov. 2, 1919, in Lockport  Twp., Three Rivers, the daughter of Boyd H. and Edith (Fairchild) Slack. Mrs. Huffsmith graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1938.  Mrs. …

John A. Gilbert, age 64, of Three Rivers, Mich., died Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at his home, following an extended illness. John was born on May 12, 1944, in Owsley County, Ky., a son of Orville and Louise (Short) Gilbert. He lived in Kentucky early in life and moved on to White Pigeon and Middlebury, Ind., and had lived in …

Ruth Ann Shelton, age 66, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Three Rivers Health.  She was born on June 13, 1942 in Mt. Morris, MI. the daughter of Gerald and Ella (Goodwill) Walton.  She leaves to cherish her memory, four sons, Steven Erdos, of Three Rivers, Jame Erdos, of Schoolcraft, MI., Jeffery Erdos, Three Rivers, …

LARRY L. LUNG, age 68, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Sunday afternoon April 26, 2009 at his home. He was born January 16, 1941 in Indiana a son to Hurlus “Sleepy” and Mary Lung. On October 13, 1961 he married Pearl Gray in Centreville, Michigan. She died September 6, 1993. He retired from Grumman Olson in Sturgis following 30 years …