Josephine “Jay” Jones, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 19, 2013. She was born Nov. 1, 1927, in Chicago, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Scaperidine) Napoli. Jay had resided in Sturgis since 1973. On June 5, 1954, she married Robert “Bob” Carwile Jones in Chicago, Illinois. Jay grew up on the south side of Chicago. She attended …

Kevin Lee Ridenour, 57, of Peru, Ind., was escorted by angels into the arms of our Lord and Savior at 8:53 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving wife and his two daughters. Kevin was born July 30, 1955, in Vicksburg, to Glenn Ridenour (Lafayette) and Janet (Ridenour) Crabtree of Michigan. He graduated …

We’re more than half way through January, and the winter has not been that bad so far. I’m sure we’ll have our share of stormy weather, but right now, every nice day is a bonus. The snow blower is filled with gasoline and ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way. I’ve been reminded that we need the snow for …

Shirley J. Miller, age 77, of Constantine, MI formerly of Goshen, IN, passed away Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 surrounded by her family at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born in Goshen, IN on June 9, 1935, a daughter of Shirl and Lois (Hapner) Foos. Shirley attended school in Goshen. On May 18, 1951 Shirley married Tobias C. …

Saturday’s Snowman-Making Contest, an event in which the city of Three Rivers was a registered participant, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year. The five-city event was to see whose residents could build the most snowmen within their community. As was the case in 2012, quality snow conducive to snowman-making has prevented the event from taking place. The other …

Constantine village officials have passed a resolution to honor recently retired police Sgt. Robert Studabaker. Studabaker on Dec. 31 ended a career that exceeded 32 years with the Constantine Police Department. Village Manager Mark Honeysett, who was one of four chiefs under whom Studabaker served, said Studabaker maintained a level of competence and professionalism that benefitted the Constantine Police Department. …

White Pigeon village employees may be in line to receive a 3 percent raise, potentially their first pay increase in three years. Village President Dan Czajkowksi said the raises were included in the village’s 2013-14 fiscal year budget presented last week. Czajkowski said another matter that merits attention is the renovation of the village’s water tower. The exterior has been …

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Butz, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 19, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis. She was born Oct. 22, 1924, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late JG and Hazel (Strang) Pickels. Betty resided in Colon for 20 years, and the rest of her life was lived in Sturgis. She was a graduate of Sturgis …

Hipolita S. Lum, age 100, passed away Friday evening, Jan.18, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Aug. 22, 1912, in Mesa, Ariz., a daughter of the late Lazaro and Inez (Garcia) Salaz. She had resided in Sturgis since 2004, coming from Yuma, Ariz., where she lived from 1947-2004. While living in Arizona, she had worked as …

LeRoy “Lee” John Kennealy, 86, of Constantine, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, into the waiting arms of Jesus. He was surrounded by his wife of 42 years and his four children and one granddaughter. Lee enlisted into the U.S. Navy when was 17 years old and served from 1942-1946, on the U.S.S. Monterey with President Gerald …