Obituaries

Sandra M. Chapman-Pittman, 61, of Centreville, died at Sturgis Hospital on Jan. 31, 2014. Arrangements are being handled by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel.

Donald Gerald Swatek, age 84, of Sturgis, and formerly of Westmont and Brookfield, Ill., died Jan. 30, 2014. He was an Army Korean War veteran and former owner of Holiday Draperies Brookfield. He was beloved husband of the late Jane Swatek, nee Jacob; fond father of Linda (Lenny) Wenz, Wayne (Lynn) Swatek, David (Laurie) Swatek, Susan (Rob) Buege, Barbara (Bill) …

Graydon Howard, age 62, of Sturgis, MI. passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 31, 2014 at his home. He was born on Jan. 10, 1952 in Knott County, Kentucky the son of Ell and Goldie (Shepherd) Howard. Mr. Howard served his country in the U.S. Marines and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. He was later employed for over eighteen …

Leroy Bishop, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, following 14 years of illnesses. He was born June 3, 1944, in Johnson City, Tenn., a son of the late Joshua T. and Reba (Humphrey) Bishop. On July 1, 1976, he married Joan Pitman in Sturgis. Leroy’s early life was spent in …

Keith Delmas “Bumper” Wing, age 68, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully early Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Keith was born on Nov. 4, 1945 in Three Rivers, the son of the late L.D. and Mildred Pearl (Armstrong) Wing. Keith graduated from Constantine High School in 1966. …

Robert R. (Bob) Gest Sr., age 71, of Mendon, passed away Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 21, 1942, a son of Roy O. and Ruth L. (Waldron) Gest in Sturgis. He graduated from Sturgis High School and later proudly served in the US Army. On March 28, 1996 …

Albert C. Fry, age 91, of Constantine, passed away Friday, January 31st, 2014 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He was born in Ramona, MI on March 31, 1922, the son of Andrew and Ida (Chupp) Fry. Albert served in the US Army from 1942 – 1946. He was the husband of Muriel (Tripp) Fry, whom he married January …

Cindy Lynn Doyle, age 63, of Three Rivers, died Monday Jan. 27, 2014 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Monroe, MI on July 24, 1950 the daughter of John and Betty (Miller) Doyle. She graduated from Start High School in 1968, attended Sienna Heights College and later received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Western …

John Stephen Avila, 87, passed away Friday, January 31, 2014 at Borgess Hospital after a short illness. John “Johnny” was a first generation American, born at home on July 14, 1926 in Lemore, California. He was the ninth of eleven children born to Antone Silveria Avila and Maria Madelyn Souza, both immigrants from the Azore Islands in Portugal. On Mother’s …

Linda Gayle Frasier, age 67, of Constantine, passed away Thursday, January 30th, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in New Buffalo, MI on December 10, 1946, a daughter of Robert and Judith (York) Humphrey. Linda graduated from New Buffalo High School and from Cosmetology school. Surviving are daughters Cheri Ann Landrus of Elkhart, IN, Renee Lynn …