Obituaries

Fairah Eileen “Shorty” Stokes, age 97, of White Pigeon, went to be with her Heavenly Father Wednesday, April 12, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 11, 1925 in Oil Trough, Ark., the daughter of Robb and Myrtle (Davidson) Phifer. She grew up in Bald Knob, Ark. as the oldest of eight children, where she spent most …

Robert L. Thompson, age 99, of Fisher Lake, Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. Bob was born on August 5, 1923 to Mabelle A. and Lloyd E. Thompson at home in Park Township, Three Rivers. Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia (Pat), 93, after almost 75 years of …

David Joseph Hines of  Mendon, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the age of 81. Dave was born on July 30, 1941 to Frank and Lillian (Coby) Hines. Dave will forever be remembered as a kind, gentle person, and an avid fisherman. While living in foster care, Dave had the most excellent caretaker: Ruth Bohm. For 50 years …

Donald Albert Palmer, age 95, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Edgewood Nursing and Rehab of Three Rivers. He was born June 6, 1927 in Sturgis, a son to the late James Albert and Bertha (Baker) Palmer. Donald married Norma Plucinski and this marriage ended in divorce in 1978. He was employed by Taylor Produce Co. for …

Mary Lou Ware, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born August 15, 1929 in Dayton, Ohio daughter of the late Lawrence J. and Elizabeth (Rose) Brinkman. Mary Lou resided in Sturgis since 1962 coming from Dayton. On September 1, 1951 she married Donald Ray Ware at the …

Corrine Kay “Connie” Woods, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, April 11, 2023 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born July 18, 1935 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Hugh “Sox” and Ethel (Lockwood) Carver. When Connie was in the fifth grade the family moved to Hillsdale where she graduated from Hillsdale High School with the class of 1954. …

Betty Jean Peters, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 11, 2023 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born July 4, 1932 in LaGrange County, Indiana daughter of the late Ellis and Blanche (Wilson) Rowe. Betty resided in Sturgis since 1962 coming from LaGrange County, where she was a graduate of Brighton High School with the …

Allan Robert Brown, age 78, of Three Rivers, entered the presence of the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. He was born August 3, 1944 in Avon, Mass., the son of Warren and Donna (Wood) Brown. Allan spent many years as a retail manager and a sales manager in the automotive field, but most recently spent eight years working …

Wesley Kenneth Freeland, age 81, of Kalamazoo, passed away March 22, 2023 at North Woods Village in Kalamazoo. He was born October 28, 1941 in Sturgis, son of the late Kenneth and Rolene (Binkley) Freeland. Wes grew up in and around Sturgis, a city he loved and took great pride in, especially his grandparents’ companies, Freeland Boat Company and Steel …

Carl L Stafford of Paw Paw, formerly of Constantine, died Friday, April 7, 2023. He was born in St. Louis, Michigan to Randall and Grace (Bigelow) Stafford on May 15, 1943. He graduated from Constantine High School. He worked for Simplex in Constantine and retired from Parchment Paper Company (James Rivers.) Carl had a good sense of humor and liked …