Obituaries

Richard (“Dick”) Joseph Ruth, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022 in Three Rivers, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 17, 1957 in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of William John and Catherine Mary (Pinkel) Ruth. Dick grew up in Tonawanda, New York and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. Dick next attended and …

Vivian L. Heltzel, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at New Care Adult Foster Care Home. She was born Dec. 19, 1929 in Lansing, a daughter to the late William and Marcelta (Benjamin) Westra. Vivian has been a resident of Sturgis since 1960, moving from the Constantine and Three Rivers area. She had been employed at …

Richard A Hershberger, age 78, of Sturgis, died on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Thurston Woods Village. He was born on January 27, 1944 in Elkhart, the Son of Andrew and Edna (Berger) Hershberger. He lived most of his life in Sturgis coming from White Pigeon. Employed by ARCH workshop, he enjoyed crafts, attending church service, and people. Survived by …

Sylvia Suzanne Wood, age 81, of Three Rivers, died on September 19, 2022 at Beacon Health – Three Rivers. She suffered a myocardial Infarction unexpectedly. Susie passed holding her daughter’s hand. Susie was born October 27, 1940 in Wapakoneta, OH, the daughter of Frederick M. Slusher and Constance A. (Courtney) Slusher. Susie graduated from St. Joseph High School with the …

Carolyn Yvonne (Gilliam) Little died on October 12, 2022 at the age of 79. She was born in Lonepine, CA to Roy L. Gilliam and Ella Pauline (Rhodes) Gilliam on March 5, 1943. Carolyn grew up in Death Valley, CA with older brother Roy L. Gilliam Jr., 1941-1985 and younger sister Barbara (Gilliam) Waddell, 1944-2009. Carolyn is survived by her …

Darin Jay Watkins, age 61, of Byron Center, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Trinity Health – St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born May 29, 1961, in Kalamazoo, the son of David and Della (Hollestelle) Watkins. Darin was a 1979 graduate of Three Rivers High School. He was a truck driver for Spartan Nash for …

Dennis Rex Lanning, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, October 17, 2022 at his home. He was born January 1st, 1937 in Kendallville, Indiana to Donald and Marguerite (Sherer) Lanning. Denny graduated from Orland High School in 1955. On August 3rd, 1958 he married Elizabeth Pappas at the Congregational Church in Orland, Indiana. She preceded him in death …

Thomas Paul Rock, age 79, of Richland, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Sunday afternoon, October 16, 2022 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 8, 1943 in Grand Rapids, son of the late John and Alice Rock. Tom was the 2nd of 8 children. Tom was proud to have served his …

On July 27, 2022, Pastor Dewey E. Moore went from this earth to his eternal home in Heaven where he has been rewarded for his life-long service to the Lord. Dewey influenced many lives for Jesus. He accepted Christ as his Savior during his military service in Alabama and felt God calling him into full-time ministry. Shortly after Dewey’s salvation …

Ramah Emily Krontz, age 95, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday evening, October 12, 2022 at her home. She was born May 17, 1927 in LaGrange, daughter of the late Wellington and Lulu (Smith) Bradley. Ramah was a longtime resident of Burr Oak and had also lived in Sturgis where she was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the …