Don Ricky “Rick” Spoerner, age 55, of Mendon, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at his home. Rick was born in Indiana on March 16, 1964. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1982. He was currently working for KS Auto in Sturgis as an office manager for the past five years. Previously, he was a manager at …

Richard Eugene Strang, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born July 28, 1932 in Sturgis, son of the late John and Bertha (Ross) Strang. Dick was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1950. On October 7, 1950 he …

Todd James Smeltzer, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 15, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born April 29, 1965 in South Bend, son of Glennis L. and Beverly (Reiner) Smeltzer. Todd resided in Sturgis for the past nine years coming from Saline where he lived for three years. His early life was …

Alison Carmona-Nieves, age 21 months, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 11, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 22, 2018 in Kalamazoo, a daughter of Cecilia Nieves-Ramirez. Alison is survived by her mother; a sister, Camila Nieves-Sanchez, at home; grandparents Manuel and Patricia Nieves of Sturgis; and aunts Mayra Castro, Yolanda Reynel and Tania …

Esther (Carpenter) Troyer, age 91, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, at The Birches in Leonidas. She was born July 6, 1928 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Joseph and Fannie (Eicher) Carpenter. She grew up in St. Joseph County, Mich., and attended Babcock School. She also attended Fairview Bible School. Esther married Ralph Troyer on October …

Gertrude Emma Engel, age 93, of Three Rivers, passed away with her children at her side on Sunday, December 8, 2019. She was born in Dresden, Germany on April 9, 1926, the daughter of Arthur and Elsa (Risse) Hantke. In 1953 Gertrude emigrated to the United States with her mother and children Heidi, Christine and Daniel. Their family first settled …

Jennifer A. Summey, age 52, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born April 26, 1967 in Sturgis, a daughter to the late Arthur and Elna (VonOlnhausen) Gould. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, …

Marty Ray McWatters, age 53, of Three Rivers, passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. He was born on Nov. 22, 1966 in Three Rivers, the son of Marvin and Donna (Perry) McWatters. Marty enjoyed people, camping, kayaking, working on engines and cars. He was an avid listener of all music. He was greatly loved and will …

St. Joseph County Substance Abuse Task Force is preparing to launch its 2020 Meth Campaign. The annual campaign will focus on recovery, hope and community healing, and conclude with the annual “Voices of Hope and Recovery” program. Task force members will begin a public-awareness effort through a series of emails, Facebook posts, radio interviews and by display messages on St. …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to a two-vehicle accident in Mendon Township. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of M-60 and M-66. Upon arrival, deputies located Colon resident Oscar Starks, who was trapped inside his pickup. With the assistance of Colon Fire personnel, a sheriff’s deputy was able to free Starks from the vehicle. …