A group has launched a ballot drive to replace Michigan’s flat personal income tax with a graduated system. Supporters say the proposed constitutional amendment would cut taxes for more than 90% of residents and raise them on higher earners. The 4.25% income tax would have to be reduced for individuals making $175,000 or less — $350,000 for joint filers. The …

Jack Stears, age 86, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.  He was born in Constantine on August 20, 1933, the son of Cecil and Catherine (Bradford) Stears.  Jack graduated from Constantine High School in 1951.  On November 6, 1952, he married Marlene Elaine Berry in Angola. Jack was a skid maker for Fibre …

F. Betty Krontz, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born Aug. 2, 1931, in Howe, Ind., a daughter of the late Franklin J. and Irene (Schull) Friend. Betty was a longtime Sturgis resident. Her early life was spent in Indiana, where she was a graduate of …

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 …