Ellen Mae “Ellie” Elzinga, age 85, of Centreville, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville where she had been a patient for two months. Ellie was born in Banks, MI and was the daughter of George M. and Ruth (Rubert) Elzinga. She was a graduate of Ellsworth High School in Antrim County, MI. Ellie worked …

William “Bill” Marvin Keith, age 60, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on April 30, 1952 in Three Rivers, MI the son of William and Myrtle Keith. Bill was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He also served his country in the U.S. Navy until his honorable …

After more than a year of construction, the Three Rivers Menards home-improvement store opens this week. Jeff Abbott, spokesman for the Wisconsin-based company, said the store will open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. Located off Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131, the new Menards is in excess of 200,000 square feet. Abbott said per company policy, however, the exact size …

The Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging is unveiling its once-every-three-years survey seeking input from residents in Branch and St. Joseph counties, and local service providers and key leaders. Laura Sutter, agency coordinator, said the agency prepares a multi-year area plan, and input received from the survey helps spell out the needs and priorities of older adults, and targets funding …

More than a dozen people showed up Saturday at the inaugural foster care and adoption open house in Three Rivers. Spearheaded by the St. Joseph County Department of Human Services, the three-hour, drop-in event provided information about licensing requirements to become involved in foster care. Karie Saylor, representing the Centreville-based DHS of St. Joseph County, said she was pleased to …

Sturgis-based Michigan Agency with Choice has terminated its contract with Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. The decision was made based primarily on the agency’s refusal to reinstate services for people with disabilities, according to John Carmichael, director of business development of GT Independence, the parent company of MAWC. Liz O’Dell, Community Mental Health executive …

Jean P. Zellner, age 88, born November 28, 1924 passed away peacefully at White Oaks Assisted Living Facility, of Lawton, MI. on Thursday, April 11, 2013 surrounded by her family and friends. Jean graduated from Indiana High School in 1944 and Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She worked as a registered nurse for many years and most …

Karl W. Schmidt, age 87, of Mendon, died Saturday April 13, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Chicago, IL on March 11, 1926 the son of Erich and Klara (Gedeon) Schmidt. When he was a child the family moved back to Germany. After WWII he emigrated back to the United States and settled in Mendon. …

In loving memory of Dale Clare Rauh, age 65, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Saturday morning, April 13, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born March 23, 1948, in Lapeer, Mich., son of Chris and Isabel (Houghtaling) Rauh. Dale graduated from Lapeer High School with the class of 1966 and attended Michigan Tech and Central Michigan Universities. On …

Ilda G. (Ditlow) Ecker, age 86, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village following a lengthy decline in health. She was born in Mendon, Michigan on February 16, 1927 the daughter of the late Joseph Allen Ditlow and Ellen Marie (Romans) Ditlow. Ilda traveled extensively and resided in Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, and …