A 1945 law repeatedly used by Gov. Gretcher Whitmer to respond to the coronavirus pandemic was declared unconstitutional Friday by the Michigan Supreme Court, a striking decision that puts months of restrictions in jeopardy while COVID-19 continues to flare up around the state. The opinion is an extraordinary development in a monthslong conflict between Whitmer, a Democrat, and Republicans who …

Barbara Joan Wilkins, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a brief stay. She was born Aug. 21, 1937, in Ligonier, a daughter of the late Woodrow and Mildred (Hewitt) Sheley. Barbara was a homemaker and enjoyed playing the organ, was fond of pets, especially cats, and was a member …

Our family mourns the death of Bryan Junior Van Skike, who died on September 24, 2020, in Sturgis. He was 92 years old. Bryan was born at home in Holliday, Missouri on October 25, 1927, delivered by the doctor who arrived in a horse and buggy. His parents were Reva Smith Van Skike and Harry Bryan Van Skike. Bryan’s childhood …

Sharon Kay Harker, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, 2020, at her home. She was born June 1, 1964, in Sturgis, the only daughter of Willard W. and Barbara J. (Backman) Harker. Sharon resided most of her life in Sturgis. Most of Sharon’s working life was involved in the plastic industry. She had been employed by …

Mary Louise Schemahorn, age 90, of Sturgis, was reunited with her husband, Ernie, Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2020. She was born April 5, 1930, in LaGrange, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Martha (Rush) Keck. Mary had resided in Sturgis since 1954. Her early life was spent in LaGrange, where she was a graduate of LaGrange High School with …

William J. Burkhead, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Aug. 26, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Ralph M. “Hap” and Eulalia M. (Houser) Burkhead. Bill was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1960. On July 1, 1961, he …

Clara M. Schwartz, age 78, of Bronson, passed away early Saturday afternoon, September 26, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born December 29, 1941 in Kosciusko County, Indiana daughter of the late Martin E. and Susan (Hochstetler) Mast. Clara resided in Bronson for the past seven years coming from Sturgis. On February 28, 1960 she …

Six more aphorisms: A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night? Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without. Scratch …

A Kalamazoo pastor who has criticized police over their handling of protests has lost his seat on a community police review board. Members of the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board must be “impartial and perform their duties without bias,” City Manager Jim Ritsema said. The Rev. Nathan Dannison’s service won’t be extended when his term ends next week. …

Laurie Ann (Phelps) Janing, age 57, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 25, 2020 from Hypertension Cardiovascular Disease. She was born in Three Rivers, November 4, 1963 to James (Jim) and Joyce Mae Phelps. Laurie, aka “sweetheart,” graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1981. Afterward, she devoted her life to being a great mother and homemaker, as …