Tiny Patience Burchard, age 96, of Mountain Grove, Missouri and a former longtime active resident of Sturgis passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Mount Grove. She was born on February 13, 1922 in Gravois Mills, Missouri daughter of Harley E. and Nellie (Conner) Holst. She was one of nine brothers and four sisters. Her parents owned a farm where …

Judith Ann (McElhenie) Nufer (Judi), age 70, of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at home. Judi was born July 1, 1948, in Sturgis, to Ross and Lenore (Pinney) McElhenie. She was a 1966 graduate of Sturgis High School, where she was a member of the concert and marching bands. Judi attended Michigan State University and later Grand …

Mrs. Phyllis Mona Bussler, age 103, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Heartland Health Care Center, Three Rivers. She was born on Dec. 27th , 1915 in Dowagiac, the daughter of the late Harry William (Coral Lyons) Claussen. Phyllis graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1934. She attended Glen Oaks College for two years. Phyllis was the …

Julie Ann Blanchard, age 60, of Swartz Creek, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at her home. She was born July 25, 1958, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Elwin and Joyce (Bedford) Blanchard. Julie resided in Swartz Creek for more than 20 years, coming from Sturgis, where she was a graduate of Sturgis High …

Jarrod N. Dingman, age 39, formerly of Colon, passed away Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. A memorial service will be held in memory of Jarrod at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Online condolences may be left for the family at Schipperfuneralhome.com.

Robert Lee Dawson II, age 62, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born March 11, 1956, in Wyandotte, a son of Robert Lee and Dyvonne Dawson. Robert resided in Sturgis since 1995 coming from the Detroit area. On July 24, 2004, he married Ann Collett in Sturgis. Robert was …

A Three Rivers woman was injured in a multi-vehicle accident Tuesday morning in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department deputies were called at 10:10 a.m. to the intersection of U.S. 131 and Broadway Street. Investigators said a southbound car driven by an 87-year-old woman from Three Rivers turned left onto eastbound Broadway in front of a semi driven northbound by a 73-year-old …

The road map for St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department’s next half-decade was approved by county commissioners last week. The agency’s five-year plan includes one major development and a variety of minor tasks. With a portfolio of nine parks, however, the highest priority going forward will center on adhering to a consistent maintenance plan, according to department director Jaymes …

Members of the board that oversees the St. Joseph County Grange Fair appear confident that operations can continue indefinitely without a fair manager. Tom Miller, president of the 14-member board, said there was talk shortly after former manager Bill Johnson was relieved of his duties in mid-October about finding a successor. Since then, however, Miller said several committee members and …

Police say two people have died but their 5-month-old son survived after carbon monoxide apparently filled a house from a generator and portable heater. Det. Sgt. Todd Elliott says it appears to be a “terrible accident” in Battle Creek. The victims were a 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman. Elliott tells the Battle Creek Enquirer that they were helping a …