Albert “AJ” Smith, age 73, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at his home. He was born in Sturgis on July 11, 1946, a son of Theodore and Hulda (Besser) Smith.   AJ graduated from Constantine High School in 1966. On August 12, 1966, he married Sandra Smitley in Constantine. AJ owned AJ’s Mapleland Auto Parts of Three …

Zoo officials say a 17-year-old lion that was a longtime fixture at a northern Indiana zoo has been euthanized due to chronic age-related conditions. The male lion, named Tango, was humanely euthanized this past week at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend after his condition suddenly worsened. The South Bend Tribune reports that Tango and his lion brother, Onyo, arrived …

Indiana officials say more baby boxes are coming to the state’s hospitals and firehouses. The Post-Tribune reports that Crown Point added one box last week at a firehouse, making a total of six boxes in Northwest Indiana. Baby boxes are padded, climate-controlled boxes where people can leave newborns safely and anonymously at hospitals or firehouses. Hospital officials say the boxes …

Erick “Rick” Jelderks, age 68, passed away on Thursday at his home in Jones. Erick was born June 4, 1951 in South Bend to David Jelderks and Beryl (Bartell) Guzowski. He was preceded in death by his father, David; step-father, Arthur Guzowski; and brother Kim Guzowski. Erick is survived by his mother, Beryl Guzowski; brother, David (Patti) Guzowski; sister-in-law, Leslie …

Todd Lee Reed, age 57, of Colon, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at his home on Palmer Lake. Todd was born Jan. 13, 1962, in Sturgis, a son of Jack Reed and Judith (James) Fountain. Todd attended Colon High School and lived his entire life in Colon. Todd is survived by his mother, Judith Fountain of Florida; a sister, …

Laura Lee Reames, age 52, of Three Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 3, 2019. She was born in Three Rivers on Aug. 13, 1967, the daughter of Gary and Jan (Broker) Reames. Laura graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1985. She furthered her education at Davenport College where she graduated with high honors in 1987 …

Royal Edward Hooker, age 73, died on Monday, November 4, 2019. A visitation will be held on from 2:00 to 4:00 on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Hohner Funeral Home. Cremation will be conducted following services.

Police have rescued a man from a trash truck in Kalamazoo after he fell asleep in a dumpster. The man screamed for help after the dumpster was emptied into the truck Monday. Fortunately the trash inside the truck hadn’t been compressed when the driver heard pleas for help before dawn. The man could have been killed. Capt. Matt Huber says …

Luke John Hotovy, age 91, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Bowman Place.  He was born in Colon Twp., MI on July 4, 1928 the son of Rudolf and Leopoldine (Timmel) Hotovy. Luke was a graduate of Three Rivers High School.  Upon his graduation he served his country in the U.S. Army during the …

Maurice Lee Cupp, age 91, of Mendon, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 at his home surrounded by family. He was born in Mendon on Sep. 14, 1928 the son of Lloyd S. and Edith A. (Bussell) Cupp and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. He graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1946. Maurice was a life-long farmer, …