Constantine Public Schools Board of Education recently approved the hiring of Michigan Leadership Institute to conduct a search for a new superintendent. MLI was one of two organizations to apply for the search job. John Jarpe currently serves as interim superintendent at Constantine schools following the resignation of Steve Wilson, who was hired as superintendent at Bronson Community Schools in …

Peggy L. Preston, age 73, of Constantine, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  She was born in Goshen on March 10, 1946, a daughter of Robert and Barbara (Funkhouser) Emmert. Peggy graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1964.  On July 10, 1965, she married Dennis Scheibelhut in Mishawaka; he preceded her …

Ethel Beatrice Hoffine left this world on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. Ethel was beloved by many and will be deeply missed. She had a feisty spirit, indomitable courage and a huge heart. Born Oct. 1, 1931, to Ferdinand “Fred” and Beatrice (Lings) Dost, in Chicago, Ethel Beatrice Dost moved with her parents and two brothers, Fred and Roy, to Burr …

Doris Mae Noragon, age 86, formerly of Sturgis and Colon, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. Doris was born March 3, 1933, in Garrett, Ind., a daughter of the late Paul and Violet (Oberlin) Chapman. On Sept. 30, 1950, she married Robert Noragon. Doris had lived most of her life in the …

Mary Belle Spence, 56, of Sturgis, died on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born April 26, 1963, in Sturgis, a daughter of Jim and Emma (Sandrock) Campbell. Surviving are a daughter, Gennie Spence; four sons, Jon Kinney, Bobby Spence, Clifford Spence and Andy Spence; her mother, Emma Sandrock; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Wesley; …

Shelly Jean Weber, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2020 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. She was born November 2, 1958 in Whitley County, Indiana daughter of the late Howard Jay and Wilma Arlene (Householder) Weber. Shelly resided in Sturgis for the past year coming from Elkhart. She enjoyed music, had a love for cats, …

Robert James Babcock Jr., age 66, of Chapin, SC, formerly of Union, MI, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 22, 2020. He was born January 26, 1954 in South Bend, a son of Robert and Sheila (Gustafson) Babcock Sr. Robert graduated from Constantine High School in 1972. On June 23, 1973 he married Carla Creakbaum in Elkhart. Robert …

Reta M. Hetmansperger, age 86, of Three Rivers, went to be with her lord and savior Jesus on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at home surrounded by her family, after a long battle with bipolar, depression, and dementia. She was born on November 19, 1933 in Athens, MI the daughter of Charles and Dora (Moyer) Lafler. She attended Centreville High School …

Orson Franklin Poley Jr., age 95, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, Feb. 23, 2020, at his home. He was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Raisin Township, Lenawee County, a son of the late Orson F. and Annie E. (Fackler) Poley Sr. Orson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, where he flew B-29 Bombers …

As I’m writing this column, I’m soaking up the sun in Florida. This means that I am not in Three Rivers studying in my office. Therefore, I am out of touch with the heartbeat of my hometown. I won’t be filling you in on any local happenings, but I am including things of interest that I might be enjoying while …