Richard C. Martin, age 85, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born March 15, 1937 in Battle Creek to William and Dorothy Martin. Richard grew up in Sturgis, and the family subsequently moved to Birmingham, Michigan, where he graduated from high school. Richard proudly served in the U.S. Military in the Korean …

Bonnie Vane Salmen, age 81, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in Bowling Green, Florida. She was born December 12, 1941 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Robert and Katharine (Eitniear) Ivins, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1960. Bonnie was a member of the Three Rivers High School Drill Team. She …

James E. Malerich, age 78, of Howe, IN died February 27, 2023, at Life Care Center of LaGrange. Jim was born on May 3, 1944, in Peoria, IL to James F. and Dorothy Mae (Nuckols) Malerich. Jim worked for 43 years for Howe Military Academy in Howe, where he had taught and was the assistant superintendent before retiring. Also while …

Edna Jean Helmuth, age 85, of LaGrange, died Friday, February 24, 2023, at Life Care Center of LaGrange. Mrs. Helmuth was born on August 1, 1937, in Colon to Paul and Mabel (Warkentine) Stewart. Edna was graduate of Colon High School. Living for many years in LaGrange County, she was a homemaker and member of the LaGrange Missionary Church. On …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite was arrested over the weekend on an alcohol-related offense in Schoolcraft Township. Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office officials said the 47-year-old Flowerfield Township resident was arrested after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 131, south of West XY Avenue. Investigators said Lillywhite was headed south when his …

Robert Charles Kyle, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023 at his home. He was born December 7, 1938 in Battle Creek, son of the late Chester and Lillian (Miller) Kyle. Bob resided in Sturgis and Burr Oak most of his life. On February 2, 1957 he married Lillian L. Krontz in Angola. She preceded him in …

Mary Cross, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at home after a long hard battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 27, 1957 in Cleveland, a daughter to the late George F. and Anna Marie (O’Malley) Minosky. Mary has been a resident of Sturgis most of her life and had been employed by Sturgis Molded Products …

Barbara R. Sobeski, age 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at Rose Arbor Centricare Hospice Facility in Kalamazoo. She was born June 6, 1947 in Stambaugh, MI a daughter to the late Herb and Jean (Fager) Case. Barbara was a resident of Burr Oak most of her life and graduated from Burr Oak High School with …

This Friday, March 3, is a special day to celebrate. On March 3, 1931, the Star-Spangled Banner was officially named America’s National Anthem. I know very few people who can sing our anthem the way it was written. The month of February passed quickly. Normally, February is extremely cold and snowy, but Mother Nature has been kind to us here …

Fayetta Strang, age 75, of Constantine, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 24th, 2023. She was born in Jefferson City, MO on December 4,1947, a daughter of Ardie and Irene (Poyner) Allen. Fayetta graduated from Bentley High School in Kansas in 1965. On February 17, 1989 she married Gary Strang in LaGrange. Fayetta’s family was the pride …