Obituaries

Margaret Jane Tobey, age 100, of rural Three Rivers, died Wednesday Feb. 29, 2012 at the home of her son in Battle Creek. She was born in Chicago, IL on April 29, 1911 the daughter of Rudolph and Caroline (Kratky) Koenig. The family moved to Portage Lake when Margaret was very young where she attended Canada Corners Country School. She …

Helen F. Lemak, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully in her bed at Thurston Woods Village around 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. She enjoyed a long, full life. Loved and cherished by so many in the world, she is reunited in death with her husband Louis Lemak Jr., and is survived by son Louis and daughter-in-law Marilyn of …

Dorothy Ellen Ulrich, 93 years, seven months and six days, left this earth and went home to be with her Lord and family, who were awaiting her arrival, which came 1:15 am Feb. 29. She was born July 23, 1918, in St. Joseph County, the middle child of Carl and Lillian (Pierson) Godden. She was a hard-working woman, both farming, …

Clifford Vincent Samuels, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Aug. 3, 1922, in Lady Smith, Wis., a son of the late Arthur and Irene (Porth) Samuels. Mr. Samuels resided in Sturgis since 1946 coming from South Bend, Ind. On Nov. 2, 1946, he married Dorothy M. …

A memorial marker commemorating the spot where Calista Springer died in a house fire was decorated Monday by people remembering the four-year anniversary of the Centreville girl’s death. The 16-year-old Springer suffered smoke inhalation and was burned while chained to her bed when a faulty vacuum sweeper started the fire. Balloons, flowers and stuffed animals were left at the marker …

Joseph John (nee: Szymanski) Simmons, age 95, of Jones, MI passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, MI. Joe was born on January 16, 1917 in Chicago, Il., the son of Frank and Mary Szymanski. Mr. Simmons was raised in Lansing, IL. It was there he formed a lasting relationship with his great friends Mr. …

David Daniel Taylor, 32, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at his home. He was born Feb. 26, 1979, in Sturgis, a son of David and Marsha (Jordan) Taylor. On Nov. 10, 2011, he married Tara Walkinhood in Centreville. David truly enjoyed music, especially playing drums and guitar. He also enjoyed hanging out with his friends and …

Richard Neavor, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home. He was born Sept. 5, 1957, in Hillsdale, a son of the late John and Dorothy (Gottschalk) Neavor. Richard had been a resident of Hillsdale most of his life and moved to Sturgis in 1996. He had been employed by Midwest Tool since moving …

Richard William Strawser, 88, of White Pigeon, died at 6:30 a.m. Friday Feb. 24, 2012 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers, Michigan. Richard (Dick) was born November 25, 1923 in Scott, Indiana. He was the eighth of ten children born to Ethan Allen Strawser and Maybelle (Platz) Strawser. He married Mary Covert on March 19, 1946 in Three …

Louise Marie (Van Zile) Pratt, age 72, formerly of White Pigeon, died Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 in Celina, TN where she has resided the past 11 years. She was born in Mottville Township, MI on April 24, 1939 the daughter of Clarence and Gladys (Strawser) Van Zile. She was a 1957 graduate of White Pigeon High School and attended Western …