Victor Knoff, 68

Victor C. Knoff, age 68 of Three Rivers, died Wednesday July 28, 2010 at Kairo’s Dwelling Hospice Home in Kalamazoo. He was born in Chicago, IL on Nov. 4, 1941 the son of Sigfried and Lena (Notaro) Knoff. Victor has lived in Three Rivers for most of his adult life. He was a tool & die maker and had worked for companies in Three Rivers and Mendon.

Victor was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers where he was a Eucharistic Minister, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and active in the jail ministry. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, cooking, playing his guitar, body building, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Victor is survived by 2 sons, Victor C. Knoff, Jr. (Deb Raab) of Mishawaka, and Matthew Knoff of Austin, TX; 2 daughters, Penny Vande Giessen (Bill) of Climax and Victoria Talsma (Paul) of Grandville; 8 grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia Baker (Jim) of Three Rivers. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Eickhoff Farrand Halverason Chapel in Three Rivers where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The funeral mass for Victor Knoff will be 11 a.m. Saturday July 31, 2010 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Rev. Father Mark Vyverman officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be directed to Kairo’s Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.efhchapel.com

Roberta Walter, 81

Roberta Donabelle Walter, 81, of Three Rivers, MI., passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Borgess Medical Center of Kalamazoo following a brief illness. She was born on July 29, 1928 in Centreville, MI. the daughter of William Willis and Eleanore (Schumm) Walter.

Ms. Walter was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1947. She employed at Sunshine Dairy and Eddy Paper Co. before joining the Women Marines. She had always dreamed about becoming a Woman Marine since she was a little girl. Roberta was one of the only two girls out of forty seven Michigan applicants who were interviewed and able to pass along with completing the necessary physical and mental tests to finalize the enlistment process. Her Platoon was the honor platoon of her class. Private First Class Roberta Walter was the first Woman Marine from the Kalamazoo recruiting district to graduate from boot camp since World War II.

After her time in the service she worked as an accountant and cleric for Montgomery Ward’s, Continental Can Co. later Fonda Corporation, and also Essex Wire Co. She later volunteered for the Domestic Assault Shelter of Three Rivers. She was a life long member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving family, two brothers, William (Ruth) Walter, of Three Rivers, James (Delores) Walter, of California, one aunt, Florence “Flossi” Roberts, of Three Rivers, nieces and nephews, Janice, Lucinda, Scott, James Jr., Frederick, and Melodie Walter.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July, 30, 2010, at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Alan Stadelman officiating.

Interment will be held in Riverside Cemtery, with Military Honors under the auspices of the American Legion Hice-Shutes Post #170.

Memorials may be donated to the St. Peters’s Lutheran Church Roof Fund. Envelopes available at the funeral home.

Leona Wegner, 97

Leona Elizabeth Wegner, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Sturgis Hospital.

Leona was born Aug. 25, 1912, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late August and Ella (Schweder) Siefert.

On Nov. 24, 1934, she married Harold C. Wegner in Sturgis. He preceded her in death on May 2, 2000.

Leona was a homemaker and had lived all of her life in the Sturgis area, graduating from Sturgis High School with the class of 1930. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis, and a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She sang in both choirs and many funerals and also WTRC Elkhart radio station.

She was a board member of Freedom and Fawn River school districts. She was a charter member of the original county school board and the now St. Joseph County ISD for 24 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Nancy L. (Alvin) Inman, and a son, David L. (Diane) Wegner, both of Sturgis; seven grandchildren, Kalyn (Timothy) Pulling of Sturgis, Kurt (Marcia) Inman of Sturgis, Kristi (Michael) Bronstetter of Sturgis, Dawn (Corey) Kauffman of Sturgis, Donna Wegner (Rachael Byre) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Deedra (Craig) Triezenberg of Broomfield, Colo., and Danielle Wegner (Synda Gaglio) of Houston; 10 great-grandchildren, Eric (Jessica) Pulling of Raleigh, N.C., Jaime Pulling (Brenda Allen) of Dubbo, Australia, Ella Inman of Sturgis, Gretchen Inman of Sturgis, Hannah Bronstetter of Sturgis, Emma Bronstetter of Sturgis, Courtney (Tyler) Voorus of Broomfield, Alexa Kauffman of Broomfield, Tori Triezenberg of Broomfield and Maci Triezenberg of Broomfield; and a great-great-grandchild, Claire Pulling, of Raleigh.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 3-7 p.m. Thursday at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon and from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. Funeral services follow at 11 a.m. at the church, with the Revs. Calvin J. Kolzow Jr. and Michael A. Klafehn will officiate.

Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

If desired, the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Leona to Trinity Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at the Funeral Home and Church.

Edith Rivers, 45

Edith Renee’ (McGowan) Rivers, 45, of Three Rivers, formerly of Chicago, went to be with her Lord early Friday morning, July 23, 2010 after a year-long battle with cancer. She was born on Jan. 3, 1965 in Chicago, Ill. Edie, as she was affectionately known, was the second child born to Robert Joseph McGowan Sr. and Sylvia Brookens McGowan.

On June 1, 1985, Edie was joined in holy matrimony to her childhood friend, James Edward Rivers II. To this marriage were born three beautiful daughters, Asia Lian, Jamie Jeanine and Imani Renee’. She is also survived by her loving mother, Sylvia; one “big” brother, Robert Joseph (Brenda) McGowan Jr.; step-brother, Reginald (Dee) Hampton; mother-in-law, Barbara Rivers; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends; eight brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

Edie was preceded in death by her father, Robert McGowan Sr., and her step-father, William Hampton.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, at the Hohner Funeral Home, with Bishop Gloria Cotton officiating.

Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Edith Rivers c/o James Rivers.

Charlie Thompson, 69

Charlie Harley Thompson, age 69, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2010 at his home surrounded by family following a lengthy illness. He was born in Dalton, Georgia on January 5, 1941 the son of John C. and Mary Magline (Fowler) Thompson.

Charlie has been a resident of Three Rivers for over forty years. He was employed for twenty years at the former Essex Wire before working in steel construction for Martin Steel Erectors for over twenty five years. On September 17, 2000 he was united in marriage to Nancy Jean Hughey. Charlie loved to garden, fish and camp, and he especially loved his two dogs “Muffy and Roxie” and all of his grandchildren.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Reba Thompson and Mary Katherine Vasquez; two brothers, Leonard and James Thompson.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving family, wife, Nancy Jean Thompson; one daughter, Susan Annette (Jeff) Johnson; five sons, James Louis (Marie), Johnny Michael (Sherry), Charles Randy, Eric H. Ashbrook, and Cory H. Hughey; two brothers, Eugene and Frank (Hillary) Thompson; one step-son, Travis Hughey; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Hohner Funeral Home, with Pastor Mike James of the Portage Church of Christ officiating.

Frances Frohriep, 83

Frances P. Frohriep, 83, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, July 25, 2010, at the Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Ind.

She was born April 3, 1927, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Edward and Hazel (Cady) Persing.

Frances had resided in Sturgis most of her life.

She was a dedicated mother and homemaker and enjoyed gardening and collecting stones.

Frances is survived by her longtime companion, Dan Nolen of Sturgis; three sons, Wayne (Lori) Frohriep and Larry Frohriep, both of Sturgis, and David (Cindy) Frohriep of Bronson; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Persing of Orland, Ind., and James Persing of St. Louis.; a sister, Carman Randall of Elkhart, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; two sisters; and a grandson.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Frances Frohriep will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Phillip Wyns of the Christian Fellowship Center in Sturgis will officiate.

A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

Memorial donations would be appreciated to the family.

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.

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