Obituaries

Patricia Ann Straw, 62, of Elkhart, IN, passed away Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 at Elkhart Center for Hospice Care. Patricia was born in Martin, Kentucky on February 12, 1952, a daughter of Cora Lee (Harrington) and Troy Taylor. She graduated from East Central High School in Tulsa, OK in 1972. Patricia attended North Eastern State University and later Cosmetology school …

Joyce Ann Hughes, age 71, of Leonidas, died Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. She was born in Battle Creek, MI on March 20, 1943 the daughter of Samuel B. and Eddiess (Thomas) Hughes and has been a lifetime resident of Leonidas. She attended the Reserve Country School and worked on the family farm. Joyce loved …

Sherriel D. Coates, of Portage, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014 at her residence. She was born May 3, 1936, in Three Rivers, the daughter of the late Robert L. and Neva L. (Wheeler) Garber and was a longtime Kalamazoo area resident. On Oct. 3, 1953, she was united in marriage to Herbert “Herb” Coates. For many years she …

Marion L. Charon, age 82 of Three Rivers died Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at her home following a long illness. She was born in Chicago, IL on Aug. 3, 1931 the daughter of Edward G. and Mary A. (Lahey) Pearson. As a child her family moved to Michigan, where she graduated from Mendon Schools, and later attended Nazareth College. Marion …

Mrs. Ardyce “Brenda” England, 80, of Norton Shores, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2014. She was born in Alma on June 19, 1934 to Lionel and Beatrice (Harter) Thompson and married Clifford England on Oct. 2, 1955. Mrs. England had been employed in Customer Service at GTE Telephone for 15 years until retiring. Brenda was active at Life Circles for …

Fred Joseph Churchill, age 68, of Marcellus, Michigan passed away on July 12, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo. Fred was born on March 30, 1946 in Dowagiac, MI to Eugene and Edith (Curtis) Churchill and graduated from Marcellus High School in 1964. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly served for four years as an aviation …

Dolores T. (Kowal) Smith, age 87, of Kalamazoo, died Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Fountain View Retirement Village. She was born in Chicago on Dec. 16, 1926 the daughter of John and Mary (Hrycyn) Kowal. The family moved to Mendon in 1942 and Dee graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1945. She then graduated from Western Michigan …

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of our mother Maxine Straley, but with great joy knowing she has went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. Maxine F. Straley, age 77, of Centreville, passed away Friday, July 11th, 2014 at Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre, Centreville. Maxine was born in Muskegon, MI on July 25, 1936, …

Verneita Rose Lamb, 91, of Mishawaka, Ind., died peacefully in her home surrounded by three generations on Wednesday, July 9, 2014. She was born in Cavalier, N.D. on Feb. 26, 1923 the daughter of Henry and Anna (Andrews) Shafer. While working at Lockheed Aircraft in California during WWII she met Orion Lamb, the love of her life. They were married …

Dwight Milton Donmyer, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away late Tuesday, July 8th, 2014 at the Borgess Medical Center following a lengthy illness. He was born on May 20, 1932 in Three Rivers the son of the late Roy F. and Donna (Everhart) Donmyer. Mr. Donmyer attended Three Rivers Schools and later graduated from Glen Oaks Community College. He …