Obituaries

Sturgis-Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon for Gustav PETSCHULAT, 61, a resident of this city for the past 30 years, who died at his home 504 West West street, Friday evening at 11:50 after an illness of about two years duration of cancer of the stomach. Services
will be held at the home at 1:30 and at the Trinity Lutheran church of which he was a member at two o'clock on Tuesday. The Rev. W. T. SCHALM will officiate. Interment will take place in Oaklawn Cemetery. Mr. PETSCHULAT was born in Schilleren, Germany May 18, 1865, and was the son of George and Helen PETSCHULAT. He came to America at the age of 17 years and lived for 10 years in Big Rapids where he resided for four years after which he came to Sturgis where he had lived since. He married Augusta KUTSCHINSKI on April 18, 1890 at Big Rapids. Mr. PETSCHULAT was formerly a railroad man but after coming to Sturgis he took up the carpenter trade which he followed for 26 years. The widow, three children, George PETSCHULAT, and Mrs. Miles HOWK, of Sturgis and Victor PETSCHULAT, of Grand Rapids; a brother in Germany and three grandchildren survive. A daughter, Dorothea, died in 1916. (Undated - estimated 1926). (No family connection to submitter.)

Sturgis-Treva M. PAINTER, 84, formerly of 306 John St., died March 8, 1988, at Miller's Merry Manor, LaGrange, Ind. She was born Jun 23, 1903, in Portland, Ind., a daughter of George and Jessie (HIATT) METZGER. On July 23, 1920, she married Earl PAINTER in Centreville. He died March 30, 1987. She was a Sturgis resident since 1920. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Sturgis, the American Legion Auxiliary; the Metropolitan Auxiliary, having served as its national president; and the Eagles Auxiliary, having served as its state president. She was a convention parliamentarian. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. William (Donna) LAMBERT, Titus, Ala. and Mrs. William (Kay) LONG, Fort Wayne, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Earl; one brother and one sister. Relatives and friends may call after 2 p.m. today at the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 10-11:30 a.m. Friday. Services are at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Loren M. SCRIBNER, First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)

Victor PETSCHULAT, 56, of 11419 Blackburn, in Livonia, Mich., a native of Sturgis and well known here, died unexpectedly at 4 a.m. Saturday, from a coronary occlusion. Mr. PETSCHULAT had been at his bowling alley in Livonia and had returned home early in the morning. He was stricken and died a short time later. Dean of the Kirsch Company's sales force, he had been a Kirsch salesman for the last 38 years. He was born in Sturgis, a son of Gustav and Augusta PETSCULAT and was a graduate of the high school here. When he was only 17 years old he was playing semi-professional baseball and also was a star track man. He continued his athletic career after entering Kalamazoo College. Surviving are his wife, the former Thelma YODER of Sturgis; three daughters, Mrs. Ben DARNELL, Mrs. Richard ERDYLLI and Mrs. Robert SHELLY, all of Plymouth; three grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Miles N. HOWK of Sturgis. The body is at the Shafer Funeral Home in Plymouth. Arrangements for the
services are incomplete. (No family connection to submitter.)

Mrs. Gertrude PETSCHULAT, 59, well known Sturgis and area resident, was found dead in her bed in her home at 400 W. Lafayette St. at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mar. 24. The discovery was made by her son, Dr. Neubert PETSCHULAT and his wife, Joan, of LaGrange, when they stopped to call Sunday afternoon. Death is believed to have occurred mid-morning on Saturday. She had begun breakfast preparations and had apparently partaken of her morning coffee and had removed toast from the toaster when she became ill at which time she returned to her bed, fully clothed. An autopsy is to be performed Monday afternoon to determine the cause of her passing. Mrs. PETSCHULAT had had a telephone conversation at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday with her sister-in-law, Laura HOWK, at which time the women made plans to attend church on Sunday. Mrs. HOWK called for Mrs. PETSCHULAT Sunday but was unable to enter the house. She then assumed Mrs. PETSCHULAT had stayed overnight with Mrs. C. F. McBRIDGE, a close friend. Mrs. PETSCHULAT was born at Big Rapids, Mich., May 16, 1903, a daughter of William and Amelia (TOLKEMITT) NEUBERT. Her marriage to George C. PETSCHULAT was solemnized Nov. 27, 1922 at Grand Rapids. Her husband, an executive with the Kirsch Company preceded her in death May 12, 1943. She was a member of the Howe, Ind. Presbyterian Church and had just recently been named chairman-elect of the Loan Service Guild of the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary. Surviving are two sons, George PETSCHULAT of Kalamazoo and Dr. Neubert PETSCHULAT, of LaGrange, Ind.; four grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. R. H. DeBEER, of Kalamazoo. Services will be observed at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 27 at the Foglesong Funeral Home with her former pastor, the Rev. Earl BURGER, officiating. Interment will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday. If desired, friends may direct memorials to the Remembrance Fund of the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Harry J. SPRECKEN is administrator of the fund.

Sturgis-Funeral services for Mrs. George C. (Gertrude) PETSCHULAT, 59, were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Foglesong Funeral Home with her former pastor at Howe, Ind., the Rev. Earl BERGER, officiating. Mrs. Lucille CAMERON was the organist. The committal service was pronounced at Oak Lawn Cemetery where the Rev. Walter KUCH, a relative of Mrs. Peter PETSCHULAT, gave the final benediction. Pallbearers were R. W. WESPHALL, Arthur W. EVERS, T. L. SHUMAN, Jack KIRSCH, Joseph DOBBERTEEN and Dr. John SHELDON. Mrs. PETSCHULAT, victim of a coronary occlusion that is believed to have occurred in her home, 400 W. Lafayette Street last Saturday, was found dead in her home at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday by
her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Neubert PETSCHULAT. Surviving besides her son, Dr. PETSCHULAT, of LaGrange, is another son, George PETSCHULAT of Kalamazoo, her sister, Mrs. R. H. DeBEER of Kalamazoo, and four grandchildren. Mrs. PETSCHULAT had been active in the Howe Presbyterian Church and was the chairman elect of the Sturgis Memorial Hospital Loan Guild. She had also planned to have been a sorority house mother at the University of Michigan this fall. (March 28, 1963) (No family connection to submitter.)

Dr. M. F. PARRISH, 79, Succumbs Friday in Leila Post Hospital. Dr. M. F. PARRISH, 79, one of Sturgis' pioneer physicians and surgeons, died at 11:45 a.m. today in Leila Post Hospital, Battle Creek, where he had been a patient since Oct. 22. His condition had been regarded as serious since he entered the hospital. Dr. PARRISH had practiced in Sturgis, at 120 S. Nottawa, since 1922. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati University's medical school with the class of 1897, and had practiced in Indiana before opening his office here. He served in the medical corps during World War I.

Dr. PARRISH was a member of the St. Joseph County Medical Society, had served as president of Sturgis Memorial Hospital's medical staff, was a member of the Fifty Year Club of the Michigan State Medical Society, and was to have been honored next Monday evening by the Exchange Club. His name was to have been entered in the club's "Book of Golden Deeds" and a facsimile of the page on which his name was written was to be presented to him. This, the highest honor the club confers, is extended to one or more persons each year for outstanding achievements in the community. He was a native of Monroe, Ind.

Dr. PARRISH is survived by his widow, Minnie C. PARRISH; and a daughter, Mrs. Earnest (Mary Catherine) HENRICKS, Sturgis. The body was returned to Sturgis this afternoon and is at the Moon Funeral Home. Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

Ralph W. PIERSON, 50, Sturgis resident most of his life, died unexpectedly at 4:01 a.m., Tuesday, in his home, 400 W. West St. He had been in only fair health over the last year and had been confined to the hospital here for a short period but his condition was not deemed critical. Death was attributed to a coronary condition. He was born in Bronson, Jan. 20, 1908, a son of Lewis and Sara W. (WEIMER) PIERSON. His marriage to Leona DOSTER was solemnized Aug. 31, 1929, in Sturgis. Mr. PIERSON was an employee of the National Carbon Coated Paper Co., in the capacity of stock man. He was affiliated fraternally with the Eagles Lodge and the Loyal Order of Moose, both of this city. Surviving besides his wife are his son, Clifford, of Sturgis; two sisters, Mrs. Viola SNOOK, also of Sturgis, and Mrs. Don (Millie)
HARRIS, of Burr Oak, and his brother, Daniel PIERSON, of Sturgis. Surviving also are a number of nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home beginning Wednesday morning. Last rites will take place in the funeral home at 1:30 p.m., Friday, where the Rev. James LOGAN, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

DeLial S. PORTER, 82, 406 Michigan Ave., Sturgis, died Aug. 1, 1979, in Sturgis Hospital where he had been admitted a few hours earlier. Mr. PORTER was born in Blissfield, Mich., Dec. 16, 1896, a son of Hudson and Cora (COMSTOCK) PORTER. He lived in Sturgis for more than 75 years. Mr. PORTER was married to Ethel M. STOLL April 4, 1926, in Coldwater. Mr.
PORTER graduated from Ferris State College with a pharmaceutical degree in 1920. He was a life member of the college's Alumni Association. In 1946, Mr. PORTER and his wife, Ethel, purchased what was to become one of the best-known drug stores in the area. Porter's Cut-Rate Drug Store changed owners in 1969 when he and his wife retired from business. Mr.
PORTER, a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, served the community in many ways. He attended Kiwanis Club meetings regularly with unbroken string of attendance of 34 years, serving as president in 1952. Mr. PORTER became lieutenant governor of Michigan State Kiwanis in 1955. Mr. PORTER was a life member of the Knights of
Phythias Phoenix Lodge. At one time he served as the lodge's Chancellor Commander. He received the Book of Golden Deeds in 1962 from the Exchange Club. This award is given to community leaders for outstanding civic work. Because of his many community contributions, PORTER was presented the Governor's Award by Gov. George ROMNEY in 1967. Mr. PORTER
was a president of the Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement. He also was a member of the Junior Achievement Board of directors. Mr. PORTER served the city as a member of the Cemetery and Park Board and also was on the board of the Salvation Army. Mr. PORTER was a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic Order: Sturgis Chapter No. 26, RAM, Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49, F and AM, and Columbia Commandery, No. 18. PORTER joined professional associations such as the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association and the American Association of Pharmacy. Surviving are his wife; a niece, Mrs. Roger (Virginia) ZUERCHER, Sturgis; two nephews, Paul SWEET, Tekonsha, and Duane
VANORDEN, Bradenton, Fla.; and several great-nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Richard W. MITCHELL officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Fraternal services will be held in the funeral home Friday at 7:30 p.m., conducted by Phoenix Lodge No. 171, Knights of Pythias. (No family connection to submitter.)

Harold PRINCE, a lifetime resident of this city, died Sunday in Sturgis Hospital. From his death, this community will find a void that will be hard to fill. He was a man who loved this city, its citizens and programs. He came here in 1908 while a junior in high school and worked as a linotype operator for the Sturgis Journal -- a tenure that would stretch to 16 years. PRINCE was a man who enjoyed and loved people -- and the feeling was returned in full force. A grateful community afforded him honors he richly deserved, such as "Citizen of the Year" during Michigan Week in 1972. And, too, there was the "Elk of the Year" presentation in the Club's 1969-70 year, and the "Book of Golden Deeds" award from the Exchange Club in 1965. Funeral services will be held Wednesday. He was a worker in everything he touched. Some of his accomplishments are worth noting. Offices he held included commander of Columbia Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar; past president and district governor of the Sturgis Exchange Club; past president of the Sturgis Shrine Club; welfare director of the United Fund 15 years; publicity director of the Sturgis Cancer Fund, board member of the Salvation Army,
and membership in many other civic organizations. PRINCE was a doer. When he became involved in activities you could expect to hear from him. There wasn't much PRINCE couldn't do and when the occasion merited it If funds were needed for a worthy cause, he found them. If a club needed publicity, PRINCE got it. And all you had to do was contact him for assistance -- he was always there to help. He was a businessman in Sturgis for 35 years, until his retirement in 1972. In his operations of Foglesong Funeral Home, his conduct in his profession earned him high esteem and membership in the Order of the Golden Rule. But it was in sports that PRINCE found his special niche. He was manager of all the Sturgis Wildcats football team -- and they were some team as old-timers will recall. He also served as secretary of the Sturgis Bowling League for many years. He was constantly reminding friends and citizens in the area how important sports are in a person's life -- and he will be sorely missed in this department. He had an indomitable spirit and a lust for life few people possess. He faced his last illness with a courage that inspired others. Harold PRINCE will be missed. This obituary was written by Carol Ankney, and it was published in the "Sturgis Journal"

Sturgis-Harold W. PRINCE, 72, of 500 E. South St., died at 4:50 p.m Sunday in Sturgis Hospital after an extended illness. He had been the owner and president of the Foglesong Funeral Home, Inc. for 35 years, retiring in 1972. Born March 8, 1903, in Rensselaer, he had lived in the Sturgis area most of his life. In 1932 in Sturgis, he married Olga H. OLSON, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. James WILL of Battle Creek; a son, H. Peter of Denver, Colo.; three grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Mertie REMPLE of Montpelier, Ind., two nephews and a niece. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Foglesong Funeral
Home, Sturgis with Rev. R. C. DUNKELBERGER, former pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis. Friends may call anytime in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sturgis Hospital cancer clinic. PRINCE was a member of the Meridian Sun Lodge 49, F&AM; Knights Templars, Columbia Commandery; the Royal Order of Jesters; the Sturgis Shrine Club; the Sturgis Elks Club; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Eagles Lodge; Knights of Pythias; the Odd Fellows Lodge; the Sturgis exchange club; the National and Michigan Funeral Directors Associations; National Selected Morticians and the Order of the Golden Rule. (Undated) (No family connection to submitter.)

Edna P. PROCTOR, 90, 29610 Witt Lake Road, died Nov. 2, 1986, at Froh Community Home. She was born Jun 17, 1896, in Mongo, Ind., a daughter of John and Caroline (SWEITZER) SNYDER. In August 1915, she married Guy W. PROCTOR, in LaGrange, Ind. She was a Strugis resident since 1943, coming from Scott, Ind. She was employed at the Kirsch Company, retiring in the late 1950s. She attended the Methodist Church, Mongo. Surviving are two sons, Karl E. PROCTOR, Sturgis, and Edmond PROCTOR, Lewisville, Texas; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Veva RUSH, Mongo; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter, Josephine BARENIE, one brother and one sister. There will be no visitation. Memorial services are at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of God, Sturgis, with the Rev. Donald JOHNSON officiating. Burial of the cremations will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Froh Community Home. Arrangements were handled by the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home, Sturgis. Submitted by: Cheryl Arver - (No family connection to submitter.)

Vlasta PURDY, 83, formerly of 407 Walker St., Sturgis, died May 19, 1979 in Southwest General Hospital, Middleburg, Ohio. She had made her home with her daughter in Brookpark, Ohio. She was born in Godley, Ill., June 14, 1895, a daughter of Frank and Anna (HOTOVEC) BRTVA. Mrs. PURDY was a Sturgis resident from July 15, 1925 to 1972, when she moved to Brookpark. She was married to Arthur H. PURDY Sept. 24, 1919, in Morris, Ill. He died Nov. 12, 1958. She and her husband owned and operated PURDY Grocery Store in Sturgis from July 15, 1925 to 1953. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis; a longtime member of United Methodist Women; 50-year member of Pocahontas Temple No. 121, Pythian
Sisters; Jacob Rebekah Lodge No. 5, and Past Noble Grand Club. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ray (Lillian) THOMPSON, of Brookpark, Ohio, with whom she had made her home, and Mrs. John (Phyllis) OVERHISER, Plymouth, Mich.; a son, Francis PURDY, Cleveland, Ohio; six grandchildren; a great-grandson; a brother, Frank BRTVA, Sturgis; and several nieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters and seven brothers. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home where services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. George Hartmann of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial service will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home, conducted by the Pythian Sisters. Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

White Pigeon -- Donald Alan Price, 77, 404 N. Kalamazoo St., died Oct. 23 1996, at Three Rivers Area Hospital, after a two - year illness.

He was born Sept. 20, 1919, in Kalamazoo, a son of Carl Alan and Maude Ethel (Tyler) Price. In 1946 he moved to Ohio for one year, then to Benton Harbor where he lived until he moved to White Pigeon in 1953.

On Sept. 4, 1949, he married Clara M. Dumond at the First Baptist Church of Benton Harbor.

He attended Kalamazoo College for two years, graduated from Ferris State College with his B.S. degree in pharmacology. He was employed by Pecks Drug Store in Grand Rapids, Ohio and Benton Harbor. He also owned and operated the Burgess Drug Store in White Pigeon for 31 years. He was sponsor of the White Pigeon Women's Bowling League and the school yearbook.

He was a member of the White Pigeon Lions Club, B.P.O.E. Lodge of Kalamazoo, Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, National Association of Retail Druggists, Kappa Alpha Phi at Ferris State College, Past Patron of the Eastern Star of White Pigeon, White Pigeon Lodge #104 F& AM, and Group Member to Promote Bronson Methodist Hospital 1937 to 1938.

He enjoyed traveling, electronics and music, playing the clarinet in high school and college.

Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Gene (Rosemary) Regan of White Pigeon and Mrs. Ed (Beverly) Draper of LaGrange, Ind.; four grandaughters, four grandsons, and one great-grandaughter, and one sister, Barbara Davenport of Portage. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were at 11 a.m. Oct. 26 at the White Pigeon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mary Pieh officiating. Burial was in the White Pigeon Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Three Rivers Manor, White Pigeon United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc. Envelopes are available at the Farrand Funeral Home, which handled the arrangements.

Village Weekly, Saturday, November 2, 1996

Submitted by Beverly Edwards