Emil “J.R.” Junior Schmeling, 86 of Elkhart, Ind., passed away Feb. 19, 2013, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Jan. 3, 1927, in Union, to Emil and Elsie (Hoffman) Schmeling. He married Lois A. Kruse, who survives along with a daughter, Sue Ann (Tom) Cloud; two sisters, Dorothy (Wayne) Reber and Arlene (Jim) Southard; three nieces, Karla Moore, Karen …

Four men between the ages of 17 and 27 were charged last week with methamphetamine-related offenses in Sturgis. Sturgis police said they responded around 5 p.m. Friday to a report of an unusual odor emitting from a residential unit at the Cato Lane Apartment complex. Officers secured a search warrant and found the four were involved in the production of …

Michigan State Police investigators are looking into a breaking-and-entering incident reported last week in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, a Polaris all-terrain vehicle, a .44-magnum revolver, two televisions, a pair of computers, frozen meat and other items were stolen from the residence, located on County Line Road, south of M-60. The incident was reported Saturday, though the …

A light agenda awaits the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon. Items under new business are an agreement for renewing a cost-allocation plan; a request to offer AFLAC insurance through payroll deduction; and a request to fill a vacant finance accounting clerk position. Also, Commissioner Rick Shaffer is expected to be nominated to the Templene Lake Board. The …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced an upcoming closure of M-216 in Flowerfield Township. Starting March 18, the road will be closed west of the U.S. 131 intersection for reconstruction. A detour will follow Pulver, Johnson and Flowerfield roads. The roadwork is set to be completed May 31.

Antoinette Marie Christiaens, age 91, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Friday morning, March 1, 2013, at the Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich. She was born April 20, 1921, in South Bend, Ind., a daughter of the late Michael and Josephine (Swiniarski) Sokoloski. Toni had resided in Sturgis since 1975 coming from Livonia, Mich. Her early life was …

William F.(Bill) Broker III, age 66, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Fergus Falls, MN. Bill was born Jan. 14, 1947, in Sturgis, Mich., a son to William F. and Margaret K. (Haroff) Broker II. Bill had lived all of his life in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1965 He furthered …

Jeffery Lee Fricker, age 49, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Friday evening, March 1, 2013, at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born March 12, 1963, in Sturgis, Mich.,son of John C. and Sharon L. (Knight) Fricker. Jeff was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1981. Jeff actively volunteered …

A 14-year-old girl missing from Three Rivers was located over the weekend in Kent County, Three Rivers Police said. Fourteen-year-old Alejandra Rubi had been missing since Feb. 21. After Rubi’s disappearance, police said she had phone contact with her mother the following day and told her mother she was alright, but no longer in Three Rivers. She was found Saturday …

Officials from the city of Sturgis have approved a letter of intent with St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners regarding the development of a senior center. The proposed center is slated to be built on property adjacent to the Doyle Community Center and would be leased to the county for a token $1 annually. County Commission members over the past …