Obituaries

George Edward Lewis, age 78, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  George was born on July 3, 1939 in Argos, Indiana the son of the late Andrew and Gertude (Gotschalk) Lewis. Mr. Lewis graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1958 and on 1959 married the love of …

Fred Nelson Loetz, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Friday evening, Sept. 29, 2017, at his home. He was born May 18, 1939, in Sturgis, a son of the late Henry and Laura (Beebe) Loetz. Fred was a lifelong resident of Sturgis. He was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1958 and furthered his education at …

Sue Ann Rigdon, age 70, of Three Rivers, passed way on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Three Rivers Health. She was born on June 6, 1947 in South Bend, the daughter of Alonzo D. and Lila (Phebus) Hunt. Sue graduated from Dowagiac Union High School class of 1965. Soon after she was united in marriage to Larry Rigdon in 1968. …

Joseph “Jim” Fankhauser, age 87, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Heartland Healthcare Center. He was born in Kalamazoo, the son of Joseph J. and Bessie L. (Parr) Fankhauser. On September 2, 1950 Jim was united in marriage to Donna May (Burnham) whom preceded her in passing. He was employed in the maintenance department as …

Robert Arthur Patterson celebrated his 59th birthday on Monday, Sept. 25, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for and loved. Rob was born in Detroit and grew up in Belleville with his mother, Charma Patterson-Denison, and his father, Gary Denison; sisters Laura (William) Dudek-Bies; Lisa …

Jacqualyn J. Bower, age 89, of Burr Oak, passed away early Thursday , Sept. 28, 2017, at the Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri. She was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Coldwater, Mich., daughter of the late John and Blendena (Cummings) Gest. Jackie was a lifelong Burr Oak resident and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class …

William H. Routsong, age 47, of Greenbrier, Tenn., and formerly of the Sturgis area, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. He was born Dec. 27, 1969, in Madison Heights, Mich., a son to Jerry H. and Gail (Hebel) Routsong. William graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1988. He then attended Ferris State …

Chester C. Thomason, Sr., age 94, died on Monday,  September 25, 2017. Chester is survived by his sons Chester “Skip” Thomason Jr. and Corey O. Thomason.  Chester owned C&H Electric Contracting Co. of San Deigo, CA and was also a licensed hypnotist. He was a U.S. Navy “tin can sailor” during World War II and was a lifetime member of VFW# 1512, …

Deana M. Lillie, age 79, of Marcellus, passed away at home. She was born December 5, 1937, in Marcellus at the home of her Great-Grand Parents, Henry and Edith Eggleston and was the daughter of Milo Earl and Mary J (Barnhart) Gardner.  On June 22, 1958 in Marcellus, she married Albert V Lillie who preceded her in death in 2006. …

Wayne Lunak , age 78, husband of Suzanne for 57 years, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2017. Wayne taught and coached football for many years at Thornridge High School and enjoyed retirement in Three Rivers. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children: Kim (Steve) Barr, Greg (Peggy) Lunak, Kelly (Shawn) Davis; and grandchildren: Ben, Corey, Taylor, Alex, Zoe, …