Obituaries

Velma “Pep” Keller, age 57, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on October 17, 2013 in Tennessee as the result of an accident. She was born on Oct. 3, 1956 in Allegan, MI. the daughter of the late George and Margaret (Rex) Hatten. Pep dedicated her life to her husband, children, and grandchildren and made sure that all of their …

Larry L. Thornton, 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family, after several months of failing health. Larry was born Feb. 19, 1938 in Sherwood, his parents were Jesse and Velma (Wilcox) Thornton. Larry attended Colon Schools and had served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On Sept. 28, 1957 he …

Lillian Anne Renfro, 92, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 in Winter Garden, Fla. She was born in Whiting, Ind. on July 27, 1921 the daughter of Andrew and Rosalina (Dancisak) Fedorko. She graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Whiting with the class of 1940. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES in 1942 and served as a Radioman. …

Lillian J. Noble, age 93, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home. She was born in Chicago, IL., on May 13, 1920 the daughter of David and Joe Vesta (Carr) Noble. She was the third of eight children. Ms. Noble never married or had children, however, she helped to raise all …

Donna Jean Lovejoy, age 85, of Three Rivers, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the Heartland Health Care Center. She was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 5, 1928 the daughter of Henry and Ella Lucille (Cox) Irwin. Donna graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1945. On December 11, 1948 she was …

Sarah Elizabeth Vogel, age 85, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10th. Sarah was born in Wabash, IN on September 27, 1928 the daughter of Joseph L. and Flossie (Tippy) Elliott. Sarah spent her childhood years being raised on the family farm. She pursued her education by earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Oberlin University and a Master’s …

Terry Michael Calloway, 62, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8, 2013 at his home. He was born in Paw Paw on March 4, 1951 the son of Lloyd and Myrtle (Weston) Calloway. Terry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, David and Patrick Calloway; brother-in-law, Fred Reed II; nephew, Fred “Freddy” Reed III. He leaves …

Christine Hazel Smithers, age 96, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, October 09, 2013 at the Heartland Health Care Center. She was born in Hollywood, Missouri on November 6, 1916 the daughter of the late Oscar and Oma Travis. Mrs. Smithers was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Earl Smithers, and her son, William “Bill” Smithers …

Doralee (Powell) Kentner, 84, of Delta Township, passed away peacefully on Oct. 7, 2013. She was born June 13, 1929 on the 1837 homestead farm in St. Joseph County to Delbert and Edna Powell. She was the ninth of 10 children. Doralee attended the Maple Street one-room school for the first eight grades and graduated in 1947 from Constantine High …

A candlelight vigil in memory of Sturgis accountant David Locey drew more than 300 people to Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis Saturday night. Organized by family friends Jade Klingler and Leeann Lindsey, the vigil featured reflections from Sturgis City Commissioner Rob Sisson, retired bank executive Frank Iannarelli and retired Sturgis economic development director John Hayes. The trio made frequent …