Obituaries

Dennis Leon Baker, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at the Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born July 23, 1941 in South Bend, son of the late Cecil and Alice (Miller) Baker. Dennis resided in Sturgis for over 50 years. His early life was spent in Berrien Springs, where he was a graduate of …

Catherine Marie Hargett, age 53, of Coldwater, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Haven Home in Coldwater. She was born April 8, 1969 in Mishawaka, daughter of the late Norman and Rebecca (Yerrick) Hargett. Catherine resided most of her life in Sturgis and Coldwater and she loved music. She is survived by her …

Jack Blanchard, age 75, a former longtime resident of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022 in St. George, Utah. Jack was born August 20, 1947 in Sturgis, son of the late Carl and Ruth Blanchard. Jack retired from Ross Laboratories following several years of dedicated employment and had also been employed by the Kirsch Company both in Sturgis. He …

Austin C. Opdycke, age 17, of Three Rivers passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 in Three Rivers. He was born March 30, 2005 in Sturgis, son of Zachary and Brandi (Pokorny) Opdycke. Austin resided most of his life in Sturgis. He was currently a sophomore at Three Rivers High School and was working at Little Caesars Pizza in Three Rivers. …

Peter Fay Mathews, age 81, of Mendon, and Frostproof, Florida, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at his home in Mendon. Pete was born on May 23, 1941, in Fawn River Township, a son to the late Fay and Mary (Sanders) Mathews. On April 4, 1960, Pete married his wife of 62 years Geraldine (Gerry) Mears, in Kalamazoo, at …

Devona Wells, age 94, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on July 25, 1928 the daughter of Russell and Hazel (Tullis) Rader and was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. After graduating from Three Rivers High School, she was married to Dana H. Wells on March 26, …

Arlene Bernice Black, age 94, of Sturgis, died on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born on September 18,1928 in Sturgis the Daughter of Raymond and Mary Alice(Raver) Johnson. She lived most of her life in White Pigeon and Sturgis. She was a homemaker and was employed 15 years at Ventline in Bristol, Indiana. She loved …

Brandon Michael Goodfellow, age 28, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 in Three Rivers. He was born December 9, 1994 in Brawley, California Brandon resided most of his life in Sturgis. He was currently employed by Triple Creek Truck and Trailer Wash in Three Rivers, a job he truly enjoyed. He is survived by his parents: Suzie and …

Michael David Descheneau, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away at home with his loved ones holding him close on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 after a valiant fight with Lewy body Dementia and Parkinsonism. Mike was born on September 29, 1947 in Manchester, New Hampshire to Raymond Descheneau and Geraldine (McRae) Descheneau. His parents divorced when Mike was 4. Ray …

Darlene Ann (Wagner) VanZuilen, age 89, of Lake Templene, Sturgis, passed peacefully at Masonville Place in Coldwater on Thursday, January 5, 2023. She was born in Illinois on June 8, 1933 to Blanche (Rank) Wagner and William Wagner. She lived much of her childhood in Fulton County, Indiana. After graduating from high school and receiving the DAR Award, Darlene attended …