John Edward Baker, age 83, of LaGrange, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born March 4, 1937 in LaGrange, son of the late Cletus and Evelyn (Parson) Baker. Ed resided most of his life in the Sturgis area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School …

Richard C. Fleckenstein, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, due to failing health over the last year. He was born March 7, 1942 in Kalamazoo, a son to the late Harold and Katheryn (Crane) Fleckenstein. On June 25, 1988 in Lansing, he married Shirley (Skinner) Holcom. Richard retired from Sparrow …

Dr. John Franklin Lindamood, Jr., DVM, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away on January 3, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born December 16, 1943 in Jackson, son of the late John F. and Naomi Louise (Treadwell) Lindamood. Dr. Lindamood resided in Sturgis since 1974 coming from Grass Lake where he was a graduate of Grass Lake …

A Centreville resident has been named executive director of the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring announced the hiring of Pam Riley. Riley, whose first day on the job was Monday, replaces Tim Stoll. Stoll resigned in November to oversee Thurston Woods in Sturgis. The 49-year-old Riley was hired …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will see its leadership remain steady in 2021. Commissioners approved Dennis Allen, 61, to continue serving as chair of the five-member board. Allen, a Centreville resident who represents Florence, Lockport, Nottawa and Sherman townships, will oversee the board for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Kathy Pangle, starting her fifth year as a county commissioner, …

Sturgis officers arrested a Leonidas man after he led authorities on a vehicle pursuit earlier this week. Sturgis Director of Public Safety Ryan Banaszak said officers attempted to stop a vehicle around 4 a.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of Laura Drive after confirming the vehicle was reported stolen. The suspect continued eastbound into Branch County before eventually losing control …

St. Joseph County commissioners on Tuesday renewed their agreement with county grant writer James Hissong. A contracted employee, Hissong will be paid $35,100 by the county this year after netting a $100 raise. The agreement was extended through 2021. County administrator Teresa Doehring and commissioners praised Hissong for the quality of work he has performed the past five years. He …

Roberta L. Layson, age 81, of Sturgis, died on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange. Ms. Layson was born Sept. 10, 1939, in Detroit, to Catherine (Jewell) Walberg. Roberta was a homemaker and nanny for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and had a special relationship with her sister, Judy and Judy’s family. …

Rodney Clair “Rod” Decker, age 59, of Schoolcraft, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Vicksburg on Nov. 23, 1961 the son of Allan R. and Geraldine M. (Spealman) Decker and was a lifetime resident of Kalamazoo County. He graduated from Vicksburg High School with the class of 1979 and later attended …

Carolyn V. Clark, age 70, of White Pigeon, and formerly of Mendon, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.