Sturgis - Lulu M. BAKER, 97, died July 16, 1988, following a short illness. She was born Jan. 20, 1891, in Sturgis, a daughter of Henry and Sophia (FALKENSTEIN) VOLPEL. On Nov. 21, 1921, she married Edgar BAKER in Howe, Ind. He died July 7, 1960. She was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a homemaker. She had taught school for 10 years. She lived during the summers on Swarthmore Circuit of Chautauqua, serving one year as an advance person. She was a lifelong member of St. John's Episcopal Church and St. John's Guild and a charter member of the Grobhiser Guild. She was active in several bridge clubs. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs.
Peter (Betty) JACKSON, Sturgis. Relatives and friends may call from 6-8 p.m Tuesday at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis. The Requiem Mass is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Allyne SMITH, JR. officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.  Memorials may be directed to St. John's Episcopal Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)

BARNES - - Mr. Louis F. Barnes, aged 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday afternoon June 17, 1996, at Butterworth Hospital. He was born in Gibson City, IL the son of William and Nora Fitzhenry Barnes on July 30, 1915. He was a graduate of Centreville High School in 1935. Louis owned a 5 & 10 Store in Centreville, MI and during this time he was appointed branch manager of the State License Bureau. While in Centreville, he served as Village Clerk, and Justice of the Peace. Louis served his country during WW II in the Army with the Armored Infantry. He moved to Rockford in 1949 and was an active member of the Bostwick Lake Congregational Church serving as moderator and on the board of Trustees and Deacon. Louis retired from Lear Siegler (Smith Industries) in 1978 after 26.5 years. Then he was appointed building inspectors for Grattan Township for four years. He was raised a Master Mason at Mt. Herman Lodge #24 in Centreville, MI, transferring to the Rockford Lodge #246 F & AM where he served as Master of the Lodge. Louis also was a member of Rockford Chapter #215 OES and was a Past Matron. He is a member of the York Rites Bodies, Pat High Priest of Kent Chapter #106, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Tyre Council #10, Past Commander of DeMolai Commandry #10, Past Commander of DeMolai commandry #10, has received the KYCH. He is a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Grand Rapids, Past Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Past Member of the Board of Trustees, 33 degree Honorary member of the Supreme Council, a member of Saladin Shrine Temple, a member of Furniture City High Twelve, am member of Mt. Moriah Council #128 Allied Masonic Degrees. On August 11, 1940, he married the former Leola "Lee" Shears, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Johnlynne and David Frays of Centreville and Gary L. and Valerie Barnes of Royal Oak; his grandchildren, Steven and Abby Frays of Edwardburg, Karin Link of Kalamazoo, Matthew and Gail Barnes and Amy Barnes of Royal Oak; his great-grandchildren; Canden Barnes, Travis Frays and Amber Frays; his sisters, Josephine Washburn and Ethel Kirby of Sturgis and Alice Snow of Kalamazoo; his brother William and Ruth BARNES of Buchanan; nieces and nephews.
The service will be held on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 at Bostwick Lake Congregational Church with his friend and Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Gary L. Davis officiating. Internment in Fairplains Cemetery, Grand Rapids. A Masonic Memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening in the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider to the Bostwick Lake Congregational Church or Saladin Shrine Crippled Children Foundation. Relatives and friends may meet Louisí family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

John E. BEAN, 71, of Rt. 1, Howe, died Monday in LaGrange County Hospital.  He was born Nov. 9, 1886.  Surviving are his wife, Minnie, who is a patient in the Marks Nursing Home in Mongo; two brothers, Hewett, of New Buffalo, Mich. and Horace, of Ohio; one sister Ella BEAN
of Sturgis, Mich.; and his stepmother, Mrs. Mary ARNOLD, of New Buffalo, Mich.  The body is at the Shoup Funeral Home in Howe, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday.  Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Howe.  (No family connection to submitter.)

South Bend, Ind.-George C. BARE, 64, of 5125 W. Colfax, South Bend, died Monday in South Bend Memorial Hospital after an illness of four months.  He was born in Sturgis, Sept. 3, 1911, and moved to South Bend from Sturgis 25 years ago.  He was a carpenter by trade.  On Aug. 5, 1934, he was married to Margaret SIMON in Constantine.  Surviving are the widow; a son, John D., of Coloma, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Sandra NEWMAN, Niles, and Wanda BARE, Elkhart,; 11 grandchildren; a great-grandson; a brother, Jacob, of Sturgis; and four sisters, Mrs. Eunice (VANEK) and Mrs. Ethel SITES, Elkhart; Mrs. Ralph (Neva) SWIHART, Sturgis; and Mrs. Eva ADAMS, Pheonix, Ariz.  Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 2700 Lincoln Way West, South Bend.  Interment will take place in Constantine, Mich.  (April 1976)  (No family connection to submitter.)

Howe, Ind. - Ruth E. BRYIE, 87, 416 S. Fifth St., died 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1983 at her home. Born in Ovid, Mich., she was a Howe resident for two years. She had lived in Ocala, Fla. for 20 years and was a Sturgis resident for most of her life. On Feb. 20, 1911, she was married
to Alfred W. BRYIE. He died April 27, 1959. During World War II, she was employed by Nelson Restaurant and Bing's Restaurant. Most of her life was spent as a homemaker. She was a former member of Capt. John J. Kelley Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Mildred) RUSSELL, Howe; two sons, Alfred William BRYIE, JR., San Diego, Calif., and Richard D. BRYIE, Beaumont, Texas; 10 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.  Ruth E. BRYIE was born April 9, 1895, daughter of Charles D. and Sarah M. (RYAN) THOMPSON. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one son, Charles D. BRYIE in 1975, and a sister, Mrs. Ethel McGUIRE.  Friends may call at Foglesong Funeral Home beginning Thursday evening.  Funeral services will be held in the funeral home 1 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Richard HADDAD of the Christ Community Church officiating.  Interment will take place in Bronson Cemetery, Bronson, Mich. If desired, memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association.  Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)

Centreville - Clara BARTOLD, 89, formerly of 703 W. Congress St., Sturgis, died Dec. 3, 1986 at the Fairview Medical Care Facility, following an extended illness.  She was born July 2, 1897, in Bronson, a daughter of Michael and Anna (MALOVEY) KIBILOSKI.  On Aug. 29, 1920, he married Peter BARTOLD in Bronson.  He died Feb. 15, 1974.  She was a Sturgis area resident most of her life.  She was a lifelong homemaker.  She was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, Sturgis, and a past member of the church Altar Society.  Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. John (Geraldine) WHITE, Danville, Ill.; one son, Virgil BARTOLD, White Pigeon; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Floyd (Lucille) SMOKER, Elkhart, Ind., and Mrs. Matthew (Stella) NOVAKOWKSI, Bronson.  She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.  Relatives and friends may call after 7 p.m. today at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. today and 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday.  The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  The Funeral Mass is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Angels Catholic Church with the Rev. James PEARL officiating.  Entombment will be in Oak Lawn Mausoleum.  Memorials may be directed to Holy Angels Catholic Church.  Envelopes are available at the funeral. home.  (No family connection to submitter.)

George BASHORE, 96, 201 Washington St., died July 19, 1987, at Veterans Hospital, Battle Creek, where he had been admitted July 16. He had been ill for four years. He was born Nov. 13, 1890, in LaGrange County, Ind. a son of Jackson and Dora (PHILIP) BASHORE. On Sept. 14, 1918, he married Letty L. TWINING in Elkton, Md. He was a Sturgis resident for the past 69 years coming from Wolcottville, Ind. He had owned and operated a furniture refinishing business in Sturgis after retiring as an engineer from Harvey Paper Company, Sturgis, in 1958. Before that, he had been employed as an engineer at the A. Miller Company, Sturgis. He was a life member of the Sturgis Prairie Oddfellows Lodge 37; the Fred A. Rogers Encampment of Oddfellows 25, Quincy; Oriental Canton 19, Battle Creek; Newman-Wenzel Post 73 American Legion; Captain John J. Kelley Post 1355 Veterans of Foreign Wars; Meridian Sun Lodge 76, LaGrange, Ind.; Canton Colfax 12 Patriarchs Militant of Kalamazoo; Order of the Eastern Star Olive Branch Chapter 2; and the World War I Veterans, Kalamazoo. He had received a 50-year jewel from Sturgis Prairie Oddfellows Lodge 37 and was responsible for the hospital bed program offered by the lodge. His garage was used to store and loan hospital beds and wheelchairs to the public. He had received the Citizen of the Year award, the Golden Award for the American Legion Post and a 50-year pin from the Masonic Lodge of Wolcottville. He had actively participated in the collection of funds for the purchase of the local VFW Post Home. He was recognized as a "Good Neighbor" on two occasions by the Kiwanis Club. He was a veteran of World War I, serving in the U.S. Navy for four years and in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Florence LABADIE, Roseville, and Margaret BAKER, Sturgis; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Georgedean WYER, in 1965; one sister and two brothers.  Relatives and friends my call after 6 p.m. today at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Masonic services are at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home by the Meridian Sun Lodge 76, LaGrange.  Services are at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Don HERRINGTON, First Baptist Church, officiating, with memorial services being conducted by the Sturgis Prairie Oddfellows Lodge 37. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery with full military rites being conferred by the Captain John J. Kelley Post 1355 VFW. Memorials may be directed to the charity of one's choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.  Submitted by: Cheryl Arver - (No family connection to submitter.)

Sturgis-Beatrice B. BECKWITH, 77, 128 S. Nottawa St., died Jan. 5, 1985, at Millerâs Merry Manor Nursing Home, LaGrange, Ind., where she was a resident for one day. She was born Aug. 4, 1907, in Sturgis, a daughter of Orlo and Marie (McKALE) BECKWITH and was a lifelong Sturgis resident. For many years, she was manager of the Strand Theater until her retirement in 1968. She was also employed by the Colonial Motor Inn. Surviving are one half-brother, Charles MEESE, Venice, Fla.; three nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Winola MUSTONE and Josephine SITES; and two brothers, Bryant and William BECKWITH. Relatives and friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis, where services are 3 p.m. today. The Rev. Joseph LIDDICK, Wesleyan Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Nottawa Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)

Tequesta, Fla.-Wilber F. BLACKNEY, age 75, 100 Intercoastal Place, Tequesta, died June 18, 1979. He is survived by his wife, Hazel (ANDERSON); a son, Jack, Miami; two daughters, Sally SCHULTE, Sarasota, Fla., and Doris ROGERS, Battle Creek, Mich.; a brother Kenneth JORDON, Allegan, Mich.; three sisters, Delilah DARLING, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Maxine LING, Lake Mills, Wis., and Miriam JORDON, Vicksburg, Mich.; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. BLACKNEY was a former member of the Sturgis Elks Lodge. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at the Village Funeral Home, Jupiter, Fla. Memorials my be
made by contributing to the charity of oneâs choice. (No family connection to submitter.)

The Sturgis Journal July 1993

Cora M. Bonham, 99, of 206 Broadway, died on July 25, 1993, in the Sturgis hospital after a short illness. She was born on March 29, 1894 in Colon township, daughter of the late John and Mary (Hostetler) Carper. She attended the Tyler rural school. She was married to Clare C. Bonham on April 3, 1912 in Centreville. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1963. Mrs. Bonham had lived in and around Colon all her life. She was a member of Magic Senior Citizens.
Survivors include: two daughters, Mrs. Howard (Marguerite) Sprowl and Mrs. Robert (Joyce) Lundstrom of Colon; son, Robert A. of Nottawa; 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Bonham was preceded in death by a daughter, Bernice Willard, in 1987; two grandsons, a granddaughter, a brother and two sisters.
There will be no visitation. Graveside service and interment of cremains will be held on Saturday at Lakeside cemetery in Colon, Michigan at 11:00 a.m., with David J. Farrell officiating. Schipper funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Colon Rescue Squad or Colon Meals on Wheels.

Dr. Allen E. BRUNSON, 60, a benefactor and friend to countless persons on all walks of life, died at 10:55 a.m. Sunday in Sturgis Memorial Hospital. He had made a valiant effort to regain his health during the past year and one-half after the discovery of cancer was made. He had been under care, at intervals, in the University Hospital at Ann Arbor and was last admitted to the hospital here on Oct. 31. Dr. BRUNSON became widely known in the Sturgis community and area through his devoted care to his patients. He had moved to Sturgis 24 years ago to become associated with Dr. John P. SHELDON in the surgical profession and the practice of medicine. He was graduated from the University of Michigan medical school at Ann Arbor in 1935. His first practice was with the Coldwater State Home and Training School and after one-year tenure there, he opened offices in Colon where he remained for nine years before moving to Sturgis. Dr. BRUNSON was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Medical Association, St. Joseph County Medical Society, Sturgis Rotary Club and a member of the founding board of the Froh Community Home. His chief hobby was railway locomotive engines, trains, equipment maintenance, railway bridge structure and train travel. This led to his membership in the Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society. Dr. BRUNSON was born at Ganges, July 17, 1909, a son of Dr. Eugene and Grace (HATHWAY) BRUNSON. His marriage to Margaret STEKETEE was solemnized June 27, 1936 at Holland. Surviving are his widow, at home; two daughters, Mrs. Donald E. (Mary) WILLIAMS of San Jose, Calif., and Mrs. Kenneth (Barbara) ELZINGA of Charlotteville, Va., one son, John BRUNSON, a student at Colorado State University at Ft. Collins; his mother, Orlando, Fla; one sister, Mrs. Walter (Alice) SCOTT, Okemos, and one grandson. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home where rites will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Charles B. HAHN, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Private graveside services for members of the family will be observed at the Oak Lawn Cemetery following the funeral home rites.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the church of their choice, the Sturgis Memorial Hospital Remembrance fund or any of the local nursing homes. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (December 13, 1969) (No family connection to submitter.) Funeral services for Dr. Allen E. BRUNSON, 60, who had served the Sturgis and community area for nearly a quarter of a century as a surgeon and general practitioner, were held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday), in the Foglesong Funeral Home. The Rev. Charles HAHN, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, of which Dr. BRUNSON was a member, was the officiant and Mrs. John D. YOUNG the organist. The committal rites were observed at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Casket bearers were Dr. John P. SHELDON, Dale FAUNCE, Robert FINLAY, George FIELD, Robert E. A. BOYLE and Paul OSWALD. Attending in a group were members of the nursing staff and nursesâ aides from Sturgis Memorial Hospital. Others were members of the St. Joseph County Medical Society and the Froh Community Home which Dr. BRUNSON helped to found. The prominently-known physician died in Sturgis Memorial Hospital after a long illness due to cancer. He had resided at 507 Mortimer St.

Chris Burnahm was born in Matteson township, near Bronson, Michigan on July 2, 1874, and departed this life on Wednesday morning, July 8, 1925, at the age of 50 years 11 months and 29 days, at his home in Matteson township.

He resided at his birthplace nearly all his life.

On January 1, 1896, he was united in marriage to Miss Maude Decker of Matteson. To this union, seven children were born. Raymond of Matteson, Victor of Three Rivers, Rex, Shirley, and Fay, at home, Mrs. Ruby Cattell of Bronson, and Harry, who died several years ago in infancy.

His health had been very good until two years ago this August when he was taken ill with pneumonia. Since that time he had been gradually failing. His serious condition had not been realized until a few weeks ago, when he began to fail rapidly. He was a devoted husband, a most loving and comforting father, and a friend to all, ever ready with a helping hand to those in need.

Besides the wife and six children, he survived by the grandchildren, Neva Mae Cattell and Amos, Dale Burnham, two brothers, Albert and Charles of Matteson, and three nephews, Don Burnham of Matteson, and LaVerne and Leone Eberhard of Big Point, Miss.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the many acts of kindness during the illness and death of our husband and father, the donors of flowers those furnishing cars, Mrs. Carrie Snyder and Mrs. Irene Elliott for the music and Rev. Ware for his many conforting words.

Mrs. Maude Burnham and family

M. BURNHAM DIES IN EAST LEROY

EAST LEROY-May 17, 1955-Milo Victor Burnham, 57, died suddenly Sunday evening of a heart attack at his home in East Leroy, Mich.

He was born in Matteson Township, Branch County, Mich., Apr. 2, 1898, a child of Christie and Maud (Decker) Burnham.

He lived in the East Leroy area for the last 25 years. Mr. Burnham was associated with the Calhoun County Road Commission as a truck driver for several years.

SURVIVORS INCLUDE one son, Dale Burnham, of Centreville; two grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ruby VanBlarcom, of Clear Lake, Mich.; four brothers, Fay, of Jackson; Rex and Shirley, of Colon, and Ray, of Matteson Lake.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:30 P.M. in the Spencer Funeral Home of Athens with the Rev. Sidney Short officiating.
Burial will be in Colon Cemetery.

COLON-Rex E. Burnham, 64, 631 W. State St., died early Sunday evening, shortly after being admitted to Sturgis Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Matteson Township, Branch County, Jan. 14, 1900, a son of Chris and Maude (Decker) Burnham. He had lived in and around Colon most of his life and had attended the Shaw Town School in Branch County.

He was married to Bertha Bower Jan. 25, 1928 in Three Rivers. He was a farmer for several years and for the last 10 years he had been employed by the Haas Corp., Mendon.

Surviving besides his wife are three sons, Edward V. of North Canton, Ohio, Leonard R. and Jack L., both of Colon; two grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Glen (Ruby) Van Blarcom of Jackson; one brother, Shirley of Colon and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Schipper Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Mr. G.C. Wright, pastor of the Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

Earl M. BUTLER, 69, prominently known in Sturgis after nearly 40 years residence here, died at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sturgis Memorial Hospital after an illness that became serious last May 23. His home was at 207 S. Monroe St. Mr. BUTLER had been associated with the New York Central Railroad since 1908. When he moved to Sturgis he became freight agent with the NYC two years later - a position he retained until he retired a little over three years ago. He was born in Morenci, Mich., March 29, 1887, and was a son of C. A. and Cora (COFFIN) BUTLER. His marriage to Ethel DEYO took place at Erie, Mich., July 26, 1908. In addition to his railroad duties, Mr. BUTLER was active in Masonry and the Sturgis Exchange Club. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49, F. and A.M., and the Royal Arch Masons and in the latter organization he had served for many years as secretary. As secretary of the Exchange Mr. BUTLER became its outstanding official in this group of officers. He is survived by his wife, at home; three daughters: Mrs. Arthur (Margaret) HART of Knox, Ind., Mrs. Robert (Alice) SHIPP of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Mrs. George (Betty Jane) GOTTSCHALK of Kensington, Md.; his father C. A. BUTLER of Valparaiso, Ind.; two brothers: Ceil A. BUTLER of Elkhart, and W. A. BUTLER of Valparaiso. Other survivors are six grandchildren. A son Earl Jr., preceded him in death in 1928. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday with members of the Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49 in charge of services.  Interment will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery. (June 6, 1956) (No family connection to submitter.)