Obituaries

Helma Kaye Gehlbach, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, May 12, 2023 at her home. She was born August 17, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois, daughter of the late Robert and Rose Marie (Baughman) Gehlbach. Helma’s early life was spent in Lincoln, Illinois where she was a graduate of Lincoln High School. She furthered her education at Eastern Illinois University …

Parris Donald VanNoty of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the age of 79. Parris was born March 17, 1944 in Battle Creek. Parris was a graduate of Bellevue High School. He was a jack of all trades with an artistic flair. He enjoyed good food, fishing, and NASCAR. Most of all he loved and adored his …

Randall A. Jensen, age 62, of Vicksburg, died Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  He was born in Kalamazoo on March 15, 1961 the son of Albert and Kathleen (Reilly) Jensen.  He was a state champion wrestler at Vicksburg High School and was inducted into the Vicksburg High School Hall of Fame. After graduation, he served in …

Patrick J. Murphy, age 54, of Middlebury, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023. He was born October 09, 1968 in Sturgis. Pat enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sport shooting. He was a good dad and husband and loved his family dearly. He met his one true love, Sheila Fry, in 1983, and they dated for several years before losing touch. After …

Jerami Mykal-Lee Thompson, age 25, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023 at his home. He was born June 26, 1997 in Three Rivers, the son of Lisa Thompson and Anthony Rhodes. Jerami was a devoted father to his children, Xavion (6), Oliver (4), and Theodore (2) who he shared with Kelsey Martin. His boys were his entire …

Ricky Allen Falkenstein, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning, May 8, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born June 9, 1954 in Sturgis, son of the late Donald “Jim” and Ethelynn June (Taylor) Falkenstein. Ricky was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a talented welder by trade and had been employed by V.C.I. and Federal …

Ewalt “Walt” Shoesmith, age 97, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at ProMedica Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation. He was born May 20, 1925 in Perry, the son of Wayne and Velma (Walker) Shoesmith. Walt served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and Korea, ultimately earning the rank of Boatswain’s Mate G Second …

Toni Marie Wolfe, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 4, 1949 in Flint, the daughter of Tony and Ruby (Henry) Mayer, and graduated from Sturgis High School and beauty school. Toni worked as a hairstylist in Sturgis for more than 30 years and managed …

Ross Kenneth Clay, age 52, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, May 5, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital after a long illness. Ross was born October 28, 1970, in Kalamazoo, the son of Kenneth and Joyce (Grover) Clay. Ross graduated from Three Rivers High School as a member of the class of 1989. His high school years were happy ones …

Margo Klein, age 75, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was born on April 30, 1948 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the daughter of Elmer and Reba (Martin) Ake.  Margo graduated from Centreville High School and later attended and graduate from Glen Oaks Community College from their nursing program.  On December 22, …