Clarence Lester “Bud” Swihart, age 73, of Mendon, went to be with the Lord while surrounded by his loving family on Friday March 1, 2013. He was born March 31, 1939, in Colon, a son of Walter and Ethel (Ware) Swihart. He worked at several area family farms while attending Colon Schools. He served with the U.S. Army and then …

Warren Lavern Harder, age 83, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 13, 1929, in Three Rivers, a son of the late, Charles L. and Grace (White-Dieffenderfer) Harder. Mr. Harder has been a lifetime member of Three Rivers. After graduating from …

Lucille G. Pierson, age 88, of Vicksburg, died Feb. 24, 2013, at Faith Hospice in Grand Rapids. Lucille was born March 24, 1924, in Scotts to Earl and Melva (Wilcox) Holtz. She was a member of the Grange, Kalamazoo County Extension Club, 4-H and several genealogy societies. ‘ A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at …

Judy Ann Lutz, age 70, of White Pigeon, passed away Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at her home following a long illness. Judy was born July 22, 1942, in Marcellus, a daughter of Harold and Sylvia Milhahn. Judy graduated from Constantine High School in 1960. On June 25, 1960, she married James T. Smith in Constantine. He preceded her in death …

Esther Mae McConn, 87, of Bronson, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater. Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2013, at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the funeral home, with Pastor Terry Siler of First Congregational …

Gordon Kindig, 74, of Indio, Calif., and formerly of LaPorte, Ind., passed away Jan. 12, 2013, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif. Gordon was born Feb. 2, 1938, to Alta (Arndt) and Emery Kindig. Gordie was the golf pro at Beechwood Golf Course in LaPorte for more than 20 years until he purchased Cedar Lake Golf Course in Howe, …

George Hadley VanWormer , age 76, of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at his home, after several months of failing health. George was born July 17, 1936, in Hillsdale, a son of the late Basil and Lucille (Clark) VanWormer. On April 29, 1961, he married Betty (Castle) Stevens. George had lived most of his adult life in rural …

A charge of manslaughter was dropped against a 40-year-old Three Rivers man involved in the explosion of a methamphetamine lab last fall. St. Joseph County prosecutor John McDonough said Frank Pauwee will not seek the charge, as an investigation into the case has concluded and McDonough said he did not find reasonable grounds to pursue the charges. Police identified Pauwee …

Members of the Michigan House approved legislation allowing veterans to receive a special designation on their driver’s license or state ID cards, state Rep. Matt Lori announced Thursday. With more than 650,000 veterans living in Michigan, Lori anticipates the legislation will keep veterans from having to secure paperwork to prove their military service. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said veterans deserve …

The Sturgis Sister City Committee is looking for adult travelers for the 2013 exchange trip to Wiesloch. The trip will occur Aug. 22-29. Travelers will stay with host families and enjoy the annual wine festival, Winzerfest and planned excursions to local attractions. Airfare is based on group rates, and a figure will be established once the number of travelers is …