Herman Kenneth Karlsten, after 90 years of life, passed away in the home of his granddaughter, Kimberly Staley. Herman was born on July 27, 1922 in Chicago, the son of John and Annie Karlsten. On Aug. 29, 1942 he married Mae Belle Olson in Chicago. She preceded him in passing on Aug. 5, 2002. Before being drafted in 1943, Herman …

Clara Burkey, age 82, of Mottville, passed away Friday, November 30th, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cass County , MI on June 5, 1930. Clara graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1947 and served in the Women’s Army Corps. during WW II. On March 25, 1950 she married Max Burkey in Bronson, …

Irene Arnold, age 94, of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 at Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre in Centreville. She was born in Marshall County , IL on April 11, 1918, a daughter of Arthur and Myrtle (Sullivan) Dowty. On November 27, 1935 she married Reuben Arnold in Goshen, IN. He preceded her in death in 1985. Irene worked …

Ailene H. Doe, 89, of Grand Rapids, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 29, 2012, at Crystal Springs Lifehouse in Grand Rapids. She was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Kinde, to Cyril and Anne Cregeur. On Feb. 19, 1944, she married Richard Doe. In 1958, they moved their family to Sturgis to establish Doe Distributing …

Jonathon D. Congdon, 28, of Stevensville, and formerly of Sturgis, died unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at his home. Jon was born June 20, 1984, in Niles to Edwin Dale Congdon and Judy Smith. He was veteran of the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jon was attending Lake Michigan College. His hobbies included skateboarding and snowboarding. He is survived …

Delores A. Irwin, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Three Rivers Health. She was born June 29, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Delores had been a resident of the Sturgis and surrounding areas for most of her life. She retired in 1992 from Kirsch Company after 20-plus years of employment and was an avid golfer and …

Joy Nadeane Messer, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday Nov. 28, 2012, at her home. She was born June 2, 1935, in Fawn River Township, a daughter of the late Vern and Mildred (Wagoner) Kuhlman-Eberhard. Joy resided most of her life in the Sturgis with the exception of the few years she lived in Crab Orchard, Ky. She was …

St. Joseph County’s October unemployment dipped to 6.8 percent, a decrease of half a percent compared to September’s figure. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget indicated seasonal jobs and continued hiring in the education field offset an increase in job losses in the leisure and hospitality areas. Compared to October 2011, last month’s …

An undisclosed amount of heroin and prescription drugs were found in a vehicle stopped Tuesday on U.S. 131. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said four Grand Rapids residents were in a southbound vehicle stopped near Arnold Street in Three Rivers. A motorist had informed central dispatch it appeared the driver may have been intoxicated. Three Rivers Police initiated the …

A bookshelf and nearly five dozen books were dedicated this week at Riverside Elementary in Constantine in memory of Jodi Parrack. The bookcase was assembled by Dale Wentela’s shop class at Constantine High School and funds to purchase 56 books came from proceeds left from a previous fundraiser. Labels inside the new books included a picture of Parrack and reference …