Obituaries

Died May 16, 2023 Bruce James Shurtz, age 65, of Comins, MI, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Bruce was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 2, 1958 and grew up in Downriver, MI.

Linda Holberton, 72, went to her heavenly home on May 9, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Lin was born on February 18, 1951 in Fairview, Michigan to Herbert and Eloise Yoder.

Owen Sidney Smith, 84, of Mio passed away peacefully in his sleep with loved ones by his side at his home on Monday, May 8, 2023. Owen was born November 16, 1938, in that very same home to George Sidney and Thena Elizabeth (Pearsall) Smith. He was a 1959 graduate of Mio High School. On April 17, 1971, he married the love of his life, Inez Edith Holcomb, whom he met at a rodeo in Sparta, Michigan. She preceded him in death in 2007.

Died May 11, 2023 Michael William Putman, 74, of Mio, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at home in Mio, Michigan. Family includes his spouse Kathy Latch Putman; parents William Edward Putman and Lillian (Peters) Putman; children Michael Kirk Putman, Catherine Putman, Cirisan (Jeff), Christopher Scott Putman (Cheryl) and Bridget Marie Putman; brother William Edward Putman II; grandchildren Benjamin Carson and Madeline Carson, Abigail, Bethany and Elizabeth Putman and Aubrey Putman Hughes; and great-grandchildren Elliott and Oliver Carson and Henry Hughes.

Boyd Kauffman was born near Comins, Michigan on September 16, 1932 to Harvey and Alta Kauffman. He died peacefully while at the Wellspring Lutheran Nursing home on May 6, 2023.

Polly Joyce Becker Matthews, age 91, went to Heaven on May 2, 2023. Polly was born June 3, 1931, to Colin and Hattie (Burr) Humphrey on their farm in South Branch, Michigan, the youngest of nine children.

Bonnie Rhoads, artist, gourmet cook and gardener, died April 29, 2023, four months shy of her 70th anniversary with Dean Rhoads. She was born August 1, 1934, on the Mio family homestead.

Betty Jean Scherzer Phillips, age 83 of Mio, Michigan, passed away at her home on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Betty was born in Caro, Michigan on December 25, 1939, to Frank and Lillian (Darbee) Southworth.