Beverly Jean Smith Garvey, age 97, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025 at Birch Meadows Senior Care. She was born February 27, 1928 in Muskegon, the daughter of Victor E. and Emma (Anderson) Smith. On August 14, 1947 Bev married Douglas B. Garvey, becoming his partner in life and later in business. She was part-owner of Gar-V Manufacturing and …

Joe Willie Hart Sr., age 68, of Portage, passed away on August 18, 2025, at his residence. “Surrounded by his village.” Joe was born April 1, 1958, in Sledge, Mississippi, a son of the late Luvenia Ewing and Johnny Hart. Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Chrishon Hart; five brothers, Bertram Hayes, Willie Hayes, Curtis Hart, James Hart …

Linda J. Kemp, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was born May 26, 1950 in Grand Rapids, a daughter of Eric and Eileen (Manny) Mostrom. Linda graduated from Centreville High School in 1968. On September 4, 1971 she married Simon Kemp at Fish Lake Bible Church. After working at …

Connie Troyer, age 84, of Schoolcraft, died on August 24, 2025. She was born on June 26,1941 in Elkhart, the Daughter of  Forrest and Arvilla) (Maust) Anglemyer. Connie was a past resident of Union, Michigan, and the owner and operator of Troyer’s Grocery Store in White Pigeon. She was a member of the Elkhart Church of The Brethern. Connie was …

David Richard Lampe, age 62, of Henderson, Nevada, and longtime former resident of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 2, 1963 in Sturgis, the son of Donard R. and Lois L. (Crowl) Lampe. David spent his early years in Sturgis, where he graduated with …

Alta M. Schrock, age 94, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, September 1, 2025, at Life Care Center of LaGrange. Alta was born on July 4, 1931, alongside her twin sister Alma, at their grandparents’ farmhouse in South Bend. She was the beloved daughter of the late Rev. Cecil and Ruby (Early) Morningstar. Alta’s early years were spent …

Ned R. Bale, age 91, of White Pigeon, passed away on August 24, 2025. Ned was born in Douglas, Michigan on October 19, 1933. He was the third of five children of Ned H. and Katheryn (Kay) Bale of Fennville, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Loretta Bale, parents and brother, Homer Bale of …

A vibrant sunrise set the stage for a bright and calm day for the 2025 Mackinac Bridge Walk. More than 33,000 people who made plans to participate today were treated to comfortable weather in the Straits of Mackinac. “It was a picture-perfect day, with bright blue skies and a mild breeze,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. …

A GoFundMe effort to help repair damage done by vandals at Armstrong Park is more than halfway to its goal. According to GoFundMe’s Angelique McNaughton, the halfway point to $3,500 was reached last week. In all, about $10,000 worth of park property was destroyed during the Aug. 16 incident. Damage was done to the football and soccer fields, including a …

A Coldwater High School student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Officials with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said they were notified about the diagnosis, prompting a mandatory investigation. The agency confirmed with school officials that the student is receiving treatment. District and agency officials are working together to identify any possible students and staff from last school year’s second …