Richard K. “Dick” Bechtloff, age 83, of Colon, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born October 3, 1937 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania only child of John and Evelyn Bechtloff. Dick resided in Colon for the past 32 years coming from Omaha, Nebraska. On October 29, 2010 he married Jacqueline “Jackie” …

James D Chaffee, age 58, of Edwardsburg, died on Sunday, September 26, 2021 . Born on May 20, 1963 in Elkhart Son of David N and Shirleyl (Dunithan) Chaffee. Employed at Elkhart Products for 27 years. Member of The Lords House in Cassopolis, Ordained Minister, and Shop Steward. Survived by his Father, Sisters Annette(Douglas)Troyer, Sherry(Eric) Kramer, Ruth (Larry) Russ Elizabeth …

Jeanne V Wallman Gibbeny, age 76, of Sturgis, died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital following a short illness. Jeanne was born on July 20, 1945 in Nottawa Township the daughter of Joel and Vivian (Wilds) Schwartz. She lived in St. Joseph County all of her life. Employed By the Kirsch Company in Sturgis 34 years. She enjoyed …

Mr. Ernest Walker Palmer, age 81, of Navasota, Texas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 6, 2021.. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Ernest was born in Whiting, Indiana on February 16, 1940 to Mark Twain Palmer and Jennie (Chelesz) Palmer. He was one of six children. Ernie moved his family to Navasota, …

Enrollment at Centreville Public Schools is slightly less than projected, but the district maintains a considerably high number of out-of-district students. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer provided an enrollment update during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday. A week before the school year started, Lemmer said she expected enrollment to be at 880 students. As of Monday, the district is at 871 …

Volunteers are being sought by an agency that intends to plant 50 trees in Sturgis next month. ReLeaf Michigan, a non-profit tree organization, is partnering with the city of Sturgis, the St. Joseph River Basin Commission and others for the task. It will take place 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at Sturgis Memorial Garden Cemetery. Volunteers are asked …

A representative from Three Rivers Fire brought local publicity to the agency after winning Saturday’s pie-eating contest at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Firefighter/paramedic Travis McGahn downed a 9-inch chocolate pie in under seven minutes to claim first place. Firefighters on behalf of eight county departments stepped in with the goal of securing the pie-pan trophy for the next …

New coronavirus cases increased 7.3 percent in Michigan for the week ending Sept. 26, as the state added 23,008 cases. The previous week, the state confirmed 21,442 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 215 cases and four deaths connected with the virus. A week earlier, it had confirmed 199 cases and two deaths. Since the …

Ruth Ellen Herman, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Dec. 29, 1934 in Columbia City, IN a daughter of the late Lawrence Adam and Mary Jane (Mohn) Friend. Ruth has been a resident of Sturgis since 1980, previously living in the Middlebury, Shipshewana, Stone Lake area. She had been …

James Edward Wragg, age 84, of Centreville, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Skagg’s Assisted Living in Burr Oak after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Jim was born in Paw Paw on November 19, 1936, a son of Merrill and Kathryn (Cummings) Wragg.  He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1955 and went on to receive …