Obituaries

Amanda A. Christner, age 46, of Shipshewana, passed away Tuesday evening, June 28, 2022 at her home. She was born December 17, 1975 daughter of the late Jerry and Adrian Welenc. Amanda resided in Shipshewana for the past five years coming from Elkhart, and she also had lived in Sturgis. She was employed by U.S. Cargo in Bristol. Amanda enjoyed …

Sharon Kay Sailor-Pignato, age 57, of Wolcottville, Indiana, was received into her Heavenly fathers arms on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 after a brief bout with cancer. Sharon was born November 14, 1964 in Elkhart, a daughter of Ted and Ruth (Rank) Sailor. Sharon graduated from Constantine High School in 1983, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. …

Madelynn G. Taylor, age 8, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, June 27, 2022 at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor following a lengthy illness. She was born March 13, 2014 in Coldwater, a daughter of Charles & Katherine (Swan) Taylor. Along with her family, Madelynn attended the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. She was in the first grade at Centreville Elementary …

Edward B. McNew, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, June 28, 2022 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born December 11, 1930 son of the late Robert and Stella (Keck) McNew. On June 14, 1951 he married Virginia Hunter in Monroe, Michigan. At the time Ed was serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corp …

Frederick R. Jenkins Sr., age 69, passed away in Sturgis on Saturday, June 25, 2022. He was born in Lawrence County, OH, the son of the late Charles and Bonnie (Shope) Jenkins. Fred loved his family and friends and leaves them with many wonderful memories to be cherished. He loved horses, and his dog, “Laddybug.” He was a true “wheeler …

Natalie Pukszta passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by her children at her home in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on June 16th, 2022. She was 94. Natalie was a longtime Sturgis resident, educator, beloved mother, and wife. Natalie grew up in Detroit, where she was crowned beauty Queen of Lutnia, a Polish social and singing club. She graduated from …

Barbara Joan Stauffer, age 88, of Centreville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Birch Meadows AFC in Three Rivers. Barbara was born on December 20, 1933, in Centreville, a daughter to the late Peter and Barbara (Wickey) Schwartz. On February 4, 1950, Barbara married Freeman “Sonny” Stauffer in Centreville. He would precede her …

Harry Edwin Hunt, Sr., born July 7, 1915 in Sturgis, died peacefully at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis, Sunday June 26, 2022, two weeks short of his 107th birthday. Harry was the youngest of seven children, was the fourth generation of Hunts living in the Sturgis area since 1852. In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family …

James “Scott” Hufford, age 55, passed away at his home in Three Rivers on Saturday, June 25, 2022. He was born in Greensburg, PA, on December 13, 1966, the son of James V. Hufford and Elizabeth (Tulloch) Hufford. James was kind, loving and passionate. He was a dedicated father and friend who will be missed by all who loved him. …

Jerry Wahmhoff of Three Rivers, died on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Kalamazoo at the age of 46, as the result of a traffic accident.  Jerry was born September 9, 1975 in Kalamazoo to Barbara Jean Wahmhoff and Wilbur Joseph Wahmhoff. He was a father, brother, uncle and friend to many. As a young boy, Jerry was in the first …