Zac Weckel has been named information and referral specialist for Disability Network of Southwest Michigan. Weckel said he has the important goal of reaching as many people as possible in order to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. He said the agency’s services include information and referral, independent living, transitions, peer support, and education and advocacy. It serves people with …

Justin Wickey, second ward commissioner for the city of Sturgis, plans to step down from his seat in October. Wickey, a local pastor, is increasingly dedicating his time to a church project in Coldwater, he said. At the conclusion of a recent Sturgis City Commission meeting, Wickey said he has loved serving as a city commission member and will miss …

Betty Cowels, age 81, of Mottville, died on Friday, June 25, 2021. Arrangements are being handled by Farrand Funeral Home.

Kimber Lee Ruedger of Mendon, passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at the age of 74, after a short battle with bladder cancer. Kimber was born in East Detroit to June Johnston and Louis W. Ruedger in 1946. Kimber had five siblings Ron Ruedger (Marlene) (both deceased), Cindy Burns (deceased), MariBeth Higbee (Jon), John Ruedger (Jeanette) and Louis Ruedger …

James H. (Jim) Shafer, age 70, of White Pigeon, died on Saturday June 26, 2021 at his home following a short illness. Born on February 23, 1951 in New Paris,, Indiana the son of Floyd and Gloria (Raver-Clutter) Shafer. Jim was a White Pigeon area resident most of his life,  and aWhite Pigeon High School Graduate in 1971. He was …

Teresa Ann Nix, age 56, of Marcellus, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital of Kalamazoo. Teresa was born in Paw Paw on June 26, 1965, the daughter of Kenneth Kay Green Sr. and Linda Marlene Dean. On December 2, 1988 in Paw Paw, she married Shane Nix, who survives her in death. Teresa was a housewife, …

Charlotte Ann Persinger (Osborne), age 77, died on Thursday, June 24, 2021, following hospice care for cancer at Dear County AFC home in Burr Oak. She was born on June 27, 1943 in Montgomery, WV. Charlotte graduated high school in Hinton, WV. Throughout her life she lived in many different locations, with the notable ones being Hinton, WV; Constantine; Mendon; …

Norma J. Knautz, age 92, became an angel on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Born in Chicago on July 2, 1928, Norma Jeanne Johnson was an only child but was close to many of her cousins. After graduating from Roosevelt High School and spending time at the University of Illinois, she earned the nickname, “Stormy Normie”. It was during this time …

Ellen Beth Freeland, age 94, passed away on August 19, 2020 at the home of her daughter’s home, Patti Robertson, in Venice, Florida. She was born in Sturgis on July 17, 1926 to Charles (Mac) and Vera (Brown) McBride, joining her brother Fred McBride and many relatives. Ellen Beth lived in Sturgis most of her life, graduating from Sturgis High …

A Sturgis woman was injured after she was involved in a two-vehicle collision last week in Sturgis Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday to the intersection of M-66 and Bogen Road. Investigators said an SUV driven by 53-year-old Nannette Schroeder struck the rear of a truck driven by Daniel Haney, 26, of LaGrange. Authorities said Haney’s …