Obituaries

Matthew J. Yoder, age 49, of Mendon, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Matthew was born on November 14, 1974, in Sturgis, a son to Orlis and Marietta (Lehman) Yoder. On May 18, 2000, Matthew married Rosellen F. Bontrager at their now home in Mendon. Surviving Matthew is his wife: Rosellen F. …

Hazel A. Hoffine, age 86, of Douglasville, Georgia, formerly of Three Rivers, died Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. She was born July 21,1937 in Three Rivers, a daughter of Chandler and Naomi (Freese) Shumway. Hazel graduated from Centreville High School in 1955. She then received her Registered Nurse certification at Mercy Hospital in Detroit …

Paulette Suzanne Leist, age 83, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born June 6, 1940 in St. Nazaire, France a daughter to the late Paul and Yvonne (Fouquet) Marrié. On July 7, 1979 in Sturgis, she married Ronald R. Leist. He preceded her in death March 12, 1994. After Ron’s death, Paulette …

Theresa Martel, age 76, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, February 22, 2024 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born July 8, 1947 in Battle Creek, daughter of the late Alfred and Beverly L. (Meese) Kozaczewski. Theresa resided in the Sturgis and Nottawa area her whole life. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class …

Patricia Ann Gregory, age 80, of Schoolcraft, passed away Monday, February 19, 2024 at Medilodge of Portage surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 3, 1943 in Fort Wayne, the daughter of Bert and Wilma (Knapp) Wolfe. She later moved with her mother and father to Pennsylvania where she graduated with the Class of 1961 from Reynoldsville-Winslow High …

Virginia “Ann” Ely, age 88, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Optalis Health and Rehab in Three Rivers. She was born February 6, 1936 at home on Butler Road in Centreville, a daughter to Seth and Della (Bronstetter) Brown. Ann was a Centreville High School Graduate with the class of 1954. She married Howard Ely on July 25, …

Ivy-Elizabeth Storm Smith was born sleeping, but still born, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 4:14 AM at Three Rivers Hospital. She was born perfect, a beautiful girl with porcelain white skin, black hair and the most perfect red lips. Weighing in at 7 pounds and 04 ounces. With a length of 20 inches. She was born to Doren Smith …

Michael Paul Kutz, age 64, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, February 19, 2024 at East Lake Nursing & Rehab. He was born November 10, 1959 in Three Rivers, the son of Paul E. and Anna L. (Pond) Kutz, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1978. Michael was a dedicated employee of Elkhart Plastics for more …

Larry Michael “Moe” Ettinger, age 67, of Mendon, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo following a long illness.  He was born in Sturgis on March 11, 1956 the son of Eugene and Linda (Bowerman) Ettinger and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. He graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1974 and was …

David Allen Bannow, age 64, of Jones, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 2, 1959 in Dowagiac, the son of Norman and Carolyn (Mott) Bannow, and graduated from Dowagiac High School with the Class of 1978. He played drums in the school band, and after graduation, raced …