Aydan Christopher Leis, age 14, of Shipshewana, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021 at his home. He was born October 13, 2006 in Goshen, son of Robert and Tami (Moore) Leis. Aydan was a lifelong resident of Shipshewana and a current eighth grade student at Westview Junior/Senior High School in Topeka, Indiana. He attended Gracepoint Baptist Church in Sturgis and …

Vernon C. “Vern” Kempton, age 92, formerly of Tekonsha, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Birch Meadows AFC in Three Rivers surrounded by his family. A celebration of Vern’s life will be held at noon on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City, with his son, Pastor Douglas Kempton, of Grace Community Church …

Michigan, which not long ago had among the country’s lowest COVID-19 infection rates, is confronting an alarming spike that some public health experts worry could be a harbinger nationally. The resurgence is being fueled by loosened restrictions, a more infectious variant and pandemic fatigue. While rising vaccination rates provide protection for seniors, the upswing is boosting hospitalizations among younger adults …

Pamela Lorraine Lung, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning March 24, 2021, at her home. She was born Jan. 16, 1950, in Woonsocket, R.I., a daughter of the late Lloyd and Phyllis (Ludwig) Carr. Pam had resided most of her life in the Sturgis area. Her early life was spent in Rhode Island. She was first married to …

Lillian E. Krugh, age 82, of Shipshewana, died at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Mrs. Krugh was born on August 23, 1938 in Miami Beach to Frank G. Sr. and Lena V. (Anderson) Hinkley. Lillian grew up in the Colon area and worked as a bank teller for the 1st National Bank of Centreville for …

Joseph H. Hofmann Jr., age 70, of Kingsport, TN passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born Feb. 15, 1951, in Catskill, N.Y., to the late Joseph and Harriet Hofmann Sr. Joseph was a loving and devoted son, husband, father and uncle who was especially proud of his son, Kyle. Joseph and Pamela were …

A months-long road project will begin next week in downtown Constantine. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said work on the U.S. 131 Business Loop bridge over the St. Joseph River will start Monday. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the $4.4 million project will include bridge deck and superstructure repairs, water-main and lighting replacements, and 2.2 miles of chip-sealing from Spring Street …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging has reopened in-person activities at its centers in Sturgis and Three Rivers. COA executive director Pam Riley said the sites re-opened March 15 and so far, all is going well, she noted. Limited activities include exercise classes and bingo at both locations. The agency is adhering to a limited capacity of 25 percent per …

Nearly 370 students attending Glen Oaks Community College this semester will receive federal emergency grants through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. While the process of awarding grants is almost complete for this semester, any remaining funds will be available to assist students enrolled over the summer as well. …

John Thorvald Svendsen, age 78, formerly of Greenville, Sturgis and Grand Rapids, passed away at his home March 18, 2021, at Samaritas. He was born May 11, 1942, in Greenville, the son of Allison R. and Agnes (Lansing) Svendsen. He graduated as salutatorian of Greenville High School with the class of 1960 and furthered his education at University of Michigan, …