Obituaries

Ronald C. Melvin, 64, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully at home on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. He was born on Jan. 8, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio to Carl W. and Mary V. (Strucensky) Melvin, and was married to Rochelle M. Albright on April 19, 1980 in Niles. Ron was a Three Rivers area …

Robert James “Bob” Faist, 91, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Oct. 7, 2011 at Heartland Healthcare Center surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born in Calumet City, Ill., the son of George and Florence Opal (Everson) Faist. Robert graduated from Thornton Fractional High School, Calumet City, Ill., later he took several correspondence courses. In 1941 Robert enlisted in …

Avis Genese Brothers, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, Oct. 7, 2011, at Maple Creek Lodge in Grand Rapids.  She was born Aug. 28, 1919, at the family home on U.S. 12 near Klinger Lake in Sturgis.  Mrs. Brothers had resided in St. Joseph County and for a short time in Detroit returning to Burr Oak, where …

Lee Ridley, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 6, 2011, at her home, with her devoted daughter, Marsha, and dear friend, Darlene, Loetz at her side. She was born Feb. 20, 1930, in Chicago, a daughter of the late George and Effie (Cooper) Smith. Lee had resided in Sturgis since 1941 coming from Chicago. On Dec. 26, …

Richard W. Schmidt, 88, of White Pigeon, passed away early Thursday morning, Oct. 6, 2011, after a brief stay at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.  He was born March 3, 1923, to Herman and Alta (Grimes) Schmidt at their farm in rural White Pigeon.  During World War II, he served in the 981st Ordnance Depot Company earning five bronze stars for campaigns …

LaMoine Belle Metty, 92, of South Padre Island, Texas, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. She was born near East Gilead, Mich. on Dec. 25, 1918 the daughter of the late Earl and Nellie (Stout) Preston. She attended Centreville schools and was married to Dr. Aloys C. Metty on April 21, 1939. …

Ralph E. Coons, age 75, of Niles, passed away Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at his home. He was born in South Bend, Indiana on March 15, 1936, a son of  Ralph L. and Mona E. (Groom) Coons. Ralph served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. On April 15, 1973 he married Barbara Wright in Jones. She preceded him …

Joyce Ann Black, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  She was born June 19, 1939, in Central Lake, a daughter of the late Harvey and Edna (Zimmerman) O’Brien.  Joyce had been a resident of Sturgis for the past 40 years, moving from the Benzonia-Traverse City area.  She was a homemaker …

Roger Wiedenbeck, 73, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center. Roger was born on Dec. 28, 1937 in Three Rivers, the son of Don “Dooley” and Leona (Deidrick) Wiedenbeck. Mr. Wiedenbeck graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1956 and received his Engineering degree from Purdue University in 1961. On June 22, 1962, Roger …

Rex Vernon Carter, 78, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Sept. 15, 1933 in Waverly, Tenn., the son of Rexie and Vinnie (Binkley) Carter. Rex has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. He was formerly employed at Arco Products/Premier Products before retiring. …