Judith Marie Stepp, age 73, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, July 9, 2020 at the home of her son in Sturgis. She was born September 6, 1946 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Harlow and June (Neuschaefer) Hanselman. Judy was a longtime Sturgis resident. Her early life was spent in Kouts, Indiana where she was a graduate of Kouts …

Phyllis Jean Apple, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away at home on Friday, July 10, 2020 after a brief battle with Cancer. Phyllis was born on December 20, 1937 to Laurence and Esther Rager.  Phyllis attended Ball State University from 1955 – 1958, graduating with a degree in Education.  She taught at Knapp Elementary School until her retirement. Phyllis married …

Royce D. Russell, age 57, of Colon, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Royce was born on January 15, 1963 in Bainbridge, Maryland, a son to Ronald and Doris (Burger) Russell. Royce graduated from Morenci High School with the class of 1981. Royce worked for the last 20 years in management at Forest …

Thomas Owen Miller passed peacefully Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Three Rivers on April 18, 1944 the son of George L. Miller and Ruth M. (Bowersox) Miller. He was united in marriage to Tracy (Hackenburg) Miller on August 21, 1965 at the First Baptist Church Parsonage by Pastor John Booko …

The state Attorney General’s Office has agreed to handle the prosecution of any crimes stemming from a large party on a Cass County lake in which hundreds of people ignored state orders to wear masks or socially distance. The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office asked the Attorney General’s Office to appoint a special prosecutor after a viral video showed hundreds of …

Michigan health workers must receive “implicit bias” training tied to their professional licensure under a directive issued Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said the mandate will help address the coronavirus pandemic’s disproportionate and deadly impact on people of color. The Democratic governor also said she would soon announce steps to ensure compliance with Michigan’s mask-wearing requirement in indoor public …

Betty Lou (Jacob) Hazen, age 84, of Brownsburg, Ind.,and formerly of Mendon and Fort Myers, Fla., jumped into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, June 29, 2020, at Brownsburg Health Care, where she resided since November 2015. She was born Jan. 18, 1936, in Caro, to her late parents, Walter and Pauline Jacob. She attended Colon High …

Shirley LuRene Deisler, age 91, born Dec. 17, 1928, left this earth and was reunited with her husband on June 29, 2020. Shirley was the youngest of three children, born to Ross and Alice Scoville of Hillsdale. Shirley so loved her family and always wanted the best for them. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of …

Marilyn Mae Erbisch, age 75, of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. She was born in Vicksburg on Nov. 6, 1944 the daughter of Olin R. and Imogene A. (Butler) Spence. She graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1963. She attended the West Mendon United Methodist Church, now known as the West Mendon Community Church. …

Dennis H. Black, age 87, of Moorepark, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Dennis was born March 24, 1933 at home in the dining room at 11:10 that night. Dennis attended Moorepark school from primary thru the eighth grade, then Three Rivers High School and graduated with the class of 1951. He was president of the Junior Chamber of …