Obituaries

Norman Roush, 81, of Grand Haven, passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. Norm was born Aug. 1, 1932 to Harry and Louise (Gross) Roush in Benton Harbor. He married Mary Black on June 12, 1963. She preceded him in death. In his leisure time Norm enjoyed golfing, traveling and bowling with his buddies on his men’s league. Norm also enjoyed …

Elaine Cecilia (Jenssen) Davidson, a Sturgis resident since 1951, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village. She had been a resident at the Villa and then the nursing home, living with various stages of dementia since 2008. She could be seen visiting with people on the couch in the foyer for hours at a time. She …

Melissa Gail Wolf, age 46, of Centreville, passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born July 15, 1967, in Sturgis, a daughter of Billie Guy and Faye (Eichorn) Kerschner. Melissa was a lifelong resident of the Sturgis and Centreville area. On Dec. 5, 1988, she married John Wolf in LaGrange, Ind. Melissa was …

Alberta M. Dowty, age 96, of Brighton, and formerly of Sturgis passed away peacefully late Friday afternoon, Jan. 17, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 12, 1917, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Bert and Isabell (Porter) Parker, longtime First Presbyterian Church members. Mrs. Dowty resided nearly her entire life in Sturgis, moving …

Jean Williams Ware, age 62, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, Michigan passed away Friday morning January 17, 2014 at her home. She was born June 30, 1951 in Wauseon, Ohio daughter of Donald and Grace (Willson) Williams. Her early life and growing up years was lived in Delta, Ohio. Jean was living and working in Chicago when she built a home …

William M. Carver, Jr., resident of Lombard, Ill., beloved husband of the late Janice F., nee Van Slyke; loving father of William (Julie), John (Julie) and Michael; proud grandfather of Will, Jennifer, Matthew and Jeremy; dear brother of the later Eleanor (the late Keith) Littleton. Visitation Wednesday, Jan. 22, 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a funeral service at 7 …

Peggy A. Schaeffer, 76, of Sturgis, and formerly of Wolcottville, Ind., died Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Fla. Mrs. Schaeffer was born Aug. 4, 1937 in New Haven, Ind., to Raymond E. and Vera C. (Papenbrock) Burchardt. They preceded her in death. On June 19, 1962, she married Gary L. Schaeffer in New …

Ardith Smoll, age 95, of Sturgis passed away Friday, January 17th, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born in Sturgis, on November 9, 1918, a daughter of William and Grace (Rost) Young. Ardith graduated from Sturgis High School in 1936. On September 5, 1937 she married Estel R. Smoll in Sturgis. He preceded her in death July 27, 1976. …

Kenneth Leroy Staffen, age 79, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Three Rivers Health following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 7, 1934 in Schoolcraft, MI., the son of Clive and Mildred (Barber) Staffen. Mr. Staffen has been a life time resident of Three Rivers. He served his country in …

Lloyd L. “Louie” Hart, age 83, of Mendon died Saturday Jan. 18, 2014 at his home following a brief illness. He was born near Colon, MI on July 30, 1930 the son of Cecil and Minnie (Broker) Hart. Lloyd served stateside with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home he was married to Maxine Williams on July …