Johnny Hicks, 46

Johnny D. Hicks, age 46, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

He was born March 16, 1967, in Sturgis, a son of the late Vernon and Gracie (Huff) Hicks.

Johnny was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1985.

For the past year, he was employed by Lippert Components in Middlebury, Ind. Prior to joining Lippert, he had been employed by Morgan Olson in Sturgis for 22 years.

Johnny was a member of the Southwest Michigan Parrot Head Club and participated on the Lippert bowling and softball leagues. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, swimming and tubing. For several years, he coached Little League Baseball and Rocket Football. Johnny was an avid fan of NASCAR and especially enjoyed following the career of Jeff Gordon. He was also a dedicated and loyal fan of the Detroit Lions.

He is survived by the love of his life and life companion, Beth Jackson; two daughters, Ashley Bowman of East Lansing and Audrey Cowan of Three Rivers; two sons, Arthur Bowman of Sturgis and Nicholas Bowman of Sturgis; a brother, Gregory Hicks of Three Rivers; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Hicks of Colon; nieces Rebecca (Shannon) Kirkestue of Colon, Elizabeth (Tony) Rodriguez of Sturgis and Kathleen Hicks of Sturgis; a great-niece, Kaylee Boyle; great nephews Jesse Rodriguez and Bryce Kirkestue; and several aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Timothy Hicks; grandmother Gladith Hall; and uncle, Ernest Hall.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Johnny Hicks will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A graveside committal will follow the service at Sturgis Memorial Gardens in Sturgis.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Johnny’s memory consider Southwest Michigan Parrot Head Club c/o: Brenda McGowan, 61201 Raintree Blvd., Sturgis, MI 49091; or St. Joseph County United Way, 660 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032.

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

Leslie Schrader, 79

Leslie C. Schrader Sr., age 79, of Colon, passed away, Sunday, May 12, 2013, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville.

Leslie was born Dec. 15, 1933, in Wasepi, a son of the late Charles and Zella (DeLong) Schrader.

He had lived most of his life in the Colon area, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1954.

Leslie served in the U.S. Army, where he was a pitcher for the Army baseball team.

On Sept. 4, 1959, he married Kathie Shears in Colon.

Leslie had worked for the former Paramount Furniture Company and Kirsch Company, both of Sturgis, and retired in 1992 from Post Cereal Company in Battle Creek.

Leslie enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and golfing, and he also enjoyed NASCAR and eating at Red Lobster.

He is survived by his wife, Kathie Schrader of Colon; six children, Vicky (Mike) Ross of Bronson, Leslie C. Schrader of Colon, Amy Hoffer of Ducyrus, Ohio, Vayette (Mitch) Becker of Constantine, Randy Schrader of Sturgis and Tammy Whiting of Colon; and several grand and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother; and seven sisters.

There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A family gathering will take place at a later date. The family was assisted by Schipper Funeral Home in Colon

Casey Melnyk, 67

Mr. Kasimir “Casey” Melnyk, age 67, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, MI. on Sunday, May 12, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on November 4, 1945 in Mitterteich, Germany, the son of Nikolaj and Anna (Katschmar) Melnyk. The family immigrated to Chicago in 1956.

In 1959 the family moved to Marinette, Wisconsin where they bought a dairy farm. He was drafted into the US Army in 1966 and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He was wounded twice during his tour and received two Purple Hearts for his bravery. He was employed since 1976 for General Motors at Hydro Matic Corp., later American Axle, before retiring.

On January 25, 1969 Casey was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary (Faucett) Melnyk. Together they raised two children, Daniel (Teri) Melnyk, of Constantine, MI., and Sarah (Evan) Erskine, of Hamlake, MN.; two grandchildren, Kasey and Hannah. Along with his wife, children and grandchildren he is survived by one sister Sophie Glab, of Chicago, IL., three brothers, Roman (Anna) Melnyk, of Chicago, Walter Melnyk, Racine, WI., and John (Barbara) Melnyk, of Oscoda, MI. Several nieces and nephews and extended family.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Nystrom officiating.

Interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be donated to the Heartland Hospice of Kalamazoo 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite #120, Portage, MI. 49024. Envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com.

Mary Mains, 63

Mrs. Mary Louise Mains, age 63, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 11, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 20, 1950 in Kalamazoo, Michigan the daughter of Lewis Gilbert and Margret (Brady) German.

Mary grew up in Vicksburg, MI. and when she was fourteen she moved to Three Rivers. On Sept. 2, 1967 she was united in marriage to Mr. Larry Mains. Together they owned and operated Mains Handy Man Service. Mary also worked in the Three Rivers Schools Lunch Program where she grew close to many co-workers and students. She was a very dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and loved to be with her family and friends .

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother and sister.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory, husband, Larry Mains, three daughters, Melissa (Wilbur) Berry Jr., Renee Mains, and Michele (Brad) Slaton, all of Three Rivers; grandchildren, Jessica and Travis Hale, Danielle Mains, Marissa Berry, Tyler and Mariya Slaton, Trevor Lawrence Mains Slaton, and Rayna Mains; brothers, Bill(Betty Jean)German, of Chicago, IL and Rodney P. German, of Vandalia, MI; Very special friend, Linda Miller and her Yorky, Baby Girl Mains.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Hohner Funeral Home, with Pastor Paul Booko officiating.

Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials may be donated to the Riverside Church. Envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com

Marilyn Clark, 81

Marilyn J. Clark age 81,  of Three Rivers, MI passed away surrounded by her family at Three Rivers Health on Sunday, May 12.   Marilyn was born to Harold and Pauline Milhollin in Muncie,  IN on August 24, 1931.  She was the eldest of seven siblings and a lifetime resident of Three Rivers.

Marilyn was united in marriage to E. Cleyon Clark, the love of her life on March 1, 1959.

Marilyn was a devoted mother, homemaker and active member of the First United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed reading, golfing, playing bridge and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, late husband E. Cleyon Clark, infant child Pamela Kay, sister Phyllis Smith, and brother Norman Milhollin.

Marilyn leaves to cherish her loving family.  Daughters Patricia (Pat) Forman, Vicki (Thomas) Derderian, Debra (Charles) Kirk, son Michael Clark.  Grandchildren Rick (Shannon) Forman, Daniel (Megan) Forman, Nichole Penny, Carrie Derderian, Benjamin “B. J.” Clark, Amy Derderian, and Autumn (Brock) Salmen.  Loving sisters Karen (Richard) Hicks, Sandy (Marshall) Henschel, and brothers Mickey (Brenda) Milhollin, and Bob (Nancy) Milhollin.  She also leaves behind 16 great grand children.

The family will receive friends from 10;00a.m. until time of services at 11:00a..m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers with Pastor Robert Nystrom officiating.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church or Three Rivers Health Inpatient Hospice Respite Care.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hohnerfh.com.

Audra Noecker, 73

Audra Kay (Blood) Noecker, age 73, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday morning, May 11, 2013, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., following a long illness with cancer and an abdominal surgery from which she failed to recover.

She was born Dec. 3, 1939, daughter of the late Ora Anson and Marjorie (Sweazy) Blood.

Audra was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Floyd “Doc” Veasy; and her beloved father-in-law, Paul F. Noecker.

She is survived by her loving sister, Lois (Blood) Veasy of Sturgis. She is also survived by her husband, James Paul Noecker; and her following loving children and grandchildren: daughter: Audora (Audra + Ora = Audora) and James Burg of Sturgis and grandchildren: Rachel Elise Smith; Andrew “Andy” James Burg, her “bag of bones” granddaughter: Anna Rose Burg; and grandson: Paul James Burg; daughter: Ann F. and Joseph Blouin of Redding, Calif., and grandchildren: Madeleine “Maddy” Blouin; Grace “Gracie” Blouin and Joseph “Joey” Blouin; her favorite (if only) son: Paul Anson and Kitt Noecker of Fort Campbell, Ky., and grandson: James Paul Noecker and a whole host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins of the Blood and Perrin families.

Audra lived a phenomenally successful life. In addition to having successfully raised three loving children, and leaving by them, eight wonderful and loving grandchildren, she experienced a long, exciting, and successful career. After graduating from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Houghton-Hancock, Michigan in 1962 with a degree in registered nursing, she worked in various nursing positions in hospitals in Manhattan (1962-1969), where among other duties she worked in cancer research.

She left New York in 1969 for a visit with her parents, when she met her husband, Jim, and was married soon after. After initially raising her children until school age, in addition to working as a mother, she worked in various nursing capacities.

At the age of 48 she ventured alone, demonstrating immense personal courage, to China, Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia where she secured contracts to import latex examination gloves, which (under the name Audra Gloves You, a/k/a Audra, Inc.) she retailed latex gloves mainly to the dental industry for 25 years until her onset with cancer.

She was slightly eccentric, but a wholly memorable character, who loved wearing hats festooned with birds, flowers, and peacock feathers (from her own flock), traveling, fishing, playing cards, telling stories – some of which were true! – but most of all she loved being in her “nest” at home, surrounded by an audience of family and friends eager to hear her stories and laugh with her. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284. Funeral services celebrating the life of Audra Noecker will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Deb Johnson of the First United Methodist Church and The Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt of the St. John’s Episcopal Church will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donation be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the S. John’s Episcopal Church, 110 S. Clay St., Sturgis, MI 49091.

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

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