William “Rick” Commenator, age 71, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at UP Health System-Marquette. He was born on April 1, 1949 in Lansing, the son of the late Ralph and Rita (Rickey) Commenator. Rick graduated from high school in Constantine with the Class of 1967. Rick married Mary Blackmore on September 19, 1970 at …

Betty M. Finnerman Schlagheck, age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at her home in Sturgis. Born April 26, 1933, to Rudolph and Alma (Miller) Quirin, Betty was a life-long resident of Sturgis, having never lived more than a 2-mile radius from the home in which she was born. On Oct. 25, 1952, she was united in …

Michigan on Wednesday reported its biggest increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in nearly two months, leading Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to say she may be forced to reimpose some restrictions if the upward trajectory holds. Whitmer again pleaded with people to wear face coverings in public. Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, women’s coach Suzy Merchant and University of Michigan …

William Carl Croy, age 49, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at his home. He was born September 14, 1970 in Sturgis, son of the late Donald and Diann Marie (Hardesty) Croy. Billy resided most of his life in the Colon and Sturgis area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1989 and …

Carol Marie Oakes, age 74, of Tekonsha, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. According to Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation of Union City. Carol was born on October 16, 1945 at Bixby Hospital in Adrian. She …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday extended Michigan’s coronavirus emergency declaration through Aug. 11, five months after she first issued it, pointing to an uptick in new cases over the past three weeks. The move, which was expected, allows the Democratic governor to keep in place various orders designed to curb the virus, including certain business closures, limits on gatherings, a mask requirement …

Ralph Gaylord Troyer, age 91, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at The Birches in Leonidas. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Chapel in Sturgis. Arrangements by Schipper Funeral Home.

Mark Steven Truckey, age 61, of Mendon, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born in Warren, MI on July 23, 1958 the son of John “Jack” and Claire (Delehanty) Truckey. The family moved back to Mendon in 1966, where Mark was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Mendon High School …

Larry Walton (R), a candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 59th District, has received the “Friend of Agriculture” designation and endorsement from Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac for the Aug. 4 primary election. “It’s an honor to receive the endorsement from AgriPac,” Walton said. “As a member of the St. Joseph County Farm Bureau, this recognition is one not taken lightly. …

Randy Lamar Waite, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday July 11, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born January 10, 1959 in Sturgis, son of the late Garnet and Myrtle (Draper) Waite. Randy was a talented tree trimmer by trade, working for several area tree trimming companies. He is survived by one sister: Carol M. Wilbur …