Obituaries

John W. Kinsey, 86, of Constantine, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born July 12, 1930 a son of Harold and Lucille (Lentz). He graduated from Monticello High School, Indiana and DePauw University receiving a business degree. John served in the US Navy for 2 years. He retired from Bendix Corp. in South Bend …

Another of America’s Greatest Generation has passed on. Bruce Dexter McKercher went to join his wife of 67 years, Carol, on Nov. 6, 2016. Bruce leaves behind a son, Brian (Debra) McKercherk of Richmond, Va;. and a daughter, Debra (Robert) Long of Colon. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren, Ashley (Jeremy) Meyers, Andrew (Stephanie) Long, Ensign Patrick McKercher, …

Joel Thomas Brickman, age 27, formerly of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 in Dundee, Michigan. He was born in Detroit on May 26, 1989 the son of Paul R. and Lori Ann (Biltz) Brickman. The family moved to Mendon when Joel was a first-grader, and he graduated from Mendon High School in 2007 . He attended Glen …

Albert O. Cappaert, age 99, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the Heartland Health Care Center. Albert was born on November 17, 1917 in Briarbluff, IL. the son of the late Henry P. and Eliza (VanZande) Cappaert. Albert has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. On Dec. 31, 1939 he married the love …

Daniel James Merten, age 55, of Centreville, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Mercy Health Partners Lakeshore Campus in Shelby.  He was born January 21, 1961, in Hart to Joseph and Mary Ann (Kokx) Merten. Dan graduated Hart High School 1979 and also Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, OK. Dan married the former Jannine Mieras in Oklahoma City, OK …

Dustin Carl Woods, 37, of Mendon, died unexpectedly at home on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. He was born in Sturgis on Sept. 6, 1979 the son of William C. and Shirley (Alexander) Woods and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Dustin attended Centreville Schools, and was the primary in-home caregiver for his parents. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, …

Ruth L. Holmes, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 12, 2016, at Adult Nu Care in Sturgis. She was born July 13, 1934, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Walter H. and June A. (Murray) Snyder. Ruth resided most of her life in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area. She attended White School, a one-room schoolhouse, …

Richard “Dick” Ohlin, age 86, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on March 22, 1930 the son of William and Cora (Christopher) Ohlin. He graduated from Three Rivers High School before joining the Army Air Corps. He served in the Aleutian Islands and was awarded the Bronze Star. Dick …

Richard Lewis “Dick” Dale, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Grace Healthcare, after many years of pain. He was born June 4, 1929, in Michigan, a son of Cyril and Lauretta (Fisher) Dale. Dick graduated from Constantine High School, where he was a member of the football and baseball teams. He was employed …

Ruth Elizabeth Cutler passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Bickford Cottage in Portage. Ruth was born May 9, 1921, in Batavia Township, Branch County, a daughter of Alex and Kate (Nelson) McCrary. Ruth worked for many years as a receptionist in physicians’ offices and retired as a pharmacy clerk from Upjohn Company in 1990. On Sept. 1, 1951, …