Obituaries

Darlene Sharon Hempel, age 76 of Portage, MI passed away at her home peacefully after a brief illness. She was born in Fort Wayne on February 9, 1950 the daughter of Milford and Sirelda Ross. Darlene attended Lakeland High School and was part of the 1969 graduating class. Darlene owned and operated Darlene Hempel Trucking for many years. She also …

Rachel M. Merkel, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born July 31, 1928, in Alburtis, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Oscar E. and Elizabeth (Moll) Reifinger. Rachel made her home in Sturgis since 2012, coming from Leo, Indiana. On December 24, 1948, she married the love of her …

Dustin “Whitey” Wiard, age 33, of Centreville, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. He was born in Three Rivers on February 20, 1993 and was a resident of the Nottawa and Centreville area his entire life. He attended Centreville High School and was part of the 2011 graduating class. On October 18, 2025 he married …

Sheryl Virgil, age 65, of Mottville Township, Michigan, passed away on May 31, 2026, at Three Rivers Health, following a courageous two-year illness with cancer. Sheryl was born in Elkhart to Mervin Roy and Mary Ellen (Chupp) Christner of Sturgis. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike Virgil, in 2014, as well as her parents. She is …

Loretta Dawne (“Dawne”) Underwood passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was 88 years old. Dawne was born on December 1, 1937 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Her father was Percy Woodrow (PW) Ligon, and her mother was Ira Laverne Donahoo. She was the oldest of five children; her siblings were Charles, Percy Woodrow (JR), Jack, and …

Lavon Russell Storms, age 90, of Centreville, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 at Beacon Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.  He was born on May 29, 1935 in Three Rivers to Clare and Maude Storms.  He graduated from Centreville High School in 1953. Lavon was a life-long farmer, and a portion of his farm has been in his family for …

Edwin (Bud) Drayton Sanderlin, age 84, of Kalamazoo, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026 at his home. He was born August 22, 1941 in Thermopolis, Wyo., the son of Edd Drayton and Rose Ellen (Sanford) Sanderlin, and graduated from Hot Springs High School with the Class of 1959. Bud spent a year at Casper College in general studies and worked …

Gary Lee McClain, age 81, of Centreville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2026. A man with a servant’s heart, Gary dedicated his life to his family, his faith, and the community he called home. He was born on October 17, 1944 in Detroit to Frank and Edith (Fauble) McClain. Shortly after graduating from White Pigeon High School, he …

Allen Ray Muldoon, DDS, 73, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 16, 1952 in Mishawaka, the son of Foster and Ann (Freeman) Muldoon, and graduated from Edwardsburg High School with the class of 1970. Growing up Allen enjoyed spending time out on the lake. He …

Mary M. Spealman, age 98, of Mendon, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Beacon Kalamazoo Hospital following a brief illness. She was born on April 9, 1928 in Mendon, the daughter of Robert and Martha (Rench) McClain. Mary attended Mendon High School and was a member of the Class of 1947. On February 8, 1947, she married William …