First same-sex marriage in St Joseph County performed

History was made last week in Centreville, as a pair of Three Rivers residents became the first same-sex couple to marry in St. Joseph County.
Not long after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Susan Henry and Dawn Munson arrived to county clerk Pattie Bender’s office to complete a marriage license. The two decided on a whim to not wait and the ceremony was performed by Bender in the courthouse lawn’s gazebo.
Bender said two Sturgis men arrived shortly afterward and were recruited to serve as witnesses in the inaugural same-sex marriage. Henry and Munson reciprocated and served as witnesses for the second round of nuptials.
Bender wound up busier than she anticipated Friday, as she said she performed four traditional weddings in addition.