Michigan is rolling out statewide a voluntary, free coronavirus app that notifies users if they have potentially been in close contact with infected people. Monday’s launch comes weeks after the state began piloting the technology in Ingham County, including at Michigan State University. State Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon is encouraging all Michiganders to download the app onto …

Esther Brouwer, age 97, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Esther was born in Berwyn, IL, on July 25, 1923, to John and Louise (Knobloch) Wimmer. She met her first and only boyfriend and love of her life, Harold Brouwer, in their church youth group. Harold joined the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII, …

Joseph Eugene “Joe” Warn, age 45, of Leonidas, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. He was born in Kalamazoo on Nov. 22, 1974 the son of Gary E. and Patricia Ann (Howard) Warn. He graduated from Portage Central High School in 1993 where he was active in all sports. He attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and worked briefly at …

Marilyn Joyce (Fritz) Borton, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo, with her family by her side. Marilyn was born March 7, 1937, in Fulton, Michigan to Donald and Ruth (Knauss) Fritz. As the eldest of four girls, Marilyn grew up helping on the family farm. She was attending Vicksburg …

David Lee Chapman, age 83, of Centreville, passed away Tuesday evening, Nov. 3, 2020, at Three Rivers Health. He was born June 15, 1937, in Fort Wayne, a son of the late Paul and Violet (Oberlin) Chapman. Dave resided in the Centreville area most of his life. On Sept. 10, 1961, he married Shirley Long in Sturgis. He retired from …

Robert A. Vinstra, age 88, of Kalamazoo, passed away early Wednesday morning November 4, 2020 at the Alamo Nursing Home in Kalamazoo. He was born July 23, 1932 in Grand Rapids, son of the late Andrew and Cora (Laarman) Vinstra. Bob resided in Kalamazoo since 1997 coming from Coopersville. His early life was spent in Holland where he was a …

John Wendell Kirsch, age 93, of Sturgis, a man of quiet generosity, passed away peacefully at his home Monday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2020. He was born Aug. 1, 1927, in Sturgis, a son of the late John N. and Evelyn (McLauchlin) Kirsch and grandson of the Kirsch Company founder, the late Charles W. Kirsch. Mr. Kirsch was a lifelong resident …

Three Rivers Health and Indiana-based Beacon Health System have signed a Letter of Intent to have Three Rivers Health join Beacon Health System in the spring of 2021, pending final approvals. Dave Shannon, president/CEO of Three Rivers Health, a 60-bed facility, said the situation was an opportunity to grow through careful alignment with partners of high integrity, who share a …

A Three Rivers resident will succeed Aaron Miller as 59th District State Representative. Republican Steve Carra topped Democratic challenger Amy East and write-in candidate Jack Coleman. Carra captured about two-thirds of the 27,000 votes cast in St. Joseph County for the two-year term.

A former Three Rivers City Commission member will represent the municipality and two adjacent townships as St. Joseph County District 1 commissioner. Jared Hoffmaster comfortably held off Andrew George to claim the two-year seat. The position, which is being vacated by Allen Balog, also includes representation of Flowerfield and Lockport townships. Hoffmaster collected about 1,400 more votes than George. No-party-affiliation …