Obituaries

Melora L. Mendelssohn, age 72, of Leonidas, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Fairview Living and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville after a thirty-year battle with multiple sclerosis.  She was born on May 13, 1949 the daughter of Donald D. and Donna (Carkenord) Hiemstra. Formerly known as Bonnie Hiemstra, she was a 1967 graduate of Mendon High School. She was a …

Lois Kathryn Cary (Garber), age 82, of East Lansing, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born in Manhattan, New York, on June 6, 1940, the daughter of the late Dr. Kathryn Small Garber and Dr. Clarence Zent Garber. Lois’ young life began in an apartment overlooking the …

Lorraine Ann Marek, age 101, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Beacon Health System – Three Rivers Health. She was born June 28, 1921 in Chicago, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Hodek) Spevacek. Lorraine enjoyed volunteering at church as a minister of care, and serving Meals on Wheels. She was a member of SOKOL and …

Michael A. Rehe of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the age of 62. Mike was born on February 25, 1960 in Kalamazoo. He was the son of George and Patricia (Calhoun) Rehe. He grew up on Crystal Lake in the Lawrence area and he loved to go swimming, fishing and hunting. He proudly served his …

Kay Elaine Mayer, age 79, passed away Saturday evening, December 24, 2022 at her home. She was born August 29, 1943 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Victor Henry and Ruth Martha Jenny (Betcke) Andrews. Kay was a longtime Sturgis resident. She had also lived in California, Illinois, Texas, and Indiana. While working at Americraft in Sturgis she met the …

Laura A. Miller, age 61, of Bronson, died on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home. She was born May 6, 1961, a daughter of Clifford and Arlene (Stephens) Ditmer Sr.  Laura attended Bronson schools and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. On August 2, 1996 she married Roman Miller in Bronson. Laura enjoyed watching TV and movies, reading, and was passionate …

Robbin O Chaffee, age 69, died on Friday, December 23, 2022. Arrangements by Farrand Funeral Home, White Pigeon.

Christopher P. Mohney. age 49, of  Mishawaka, died on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at St. Joseph Regional Hospital in Mishawaka. He was born August 19, 1973 in Three Rivers, a son of Douglas and Sheryl (Hocker) Mohney. Chris graduated from Centreville High School in 1992. On December 2, 2016 he married Theresa Jewell in Mishawaka. Chris was employed at Federal …

Margean Bonnetta Marantette Cupp is a descendant of the very first pioneers of the Mendon Prairie and she cherished that prairie. Her third great-grandfather, Francois Mouton opened the first trading post on the banks of the St. Joseph River in 1831. A young man, Patrick Marantette came to work with Mouton and married his daughter, Frances. They became owners of …

Jeanne E. Fellows, a Fish Lake – Sturgis resident, died on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Jeanne always loved being the “life of the party” and as of December 22, 2022 she will be celebrating for eternity with her Savior Jesus and all of her loves ones that left before her that she has been longing to see. The house still …