Duane Donald Lucas, ae 85, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020. He was born to Donald and Matie (Smith) Lucas on June 7, 1934 at the Lucas farmhouse on Lucas Road in Fabius Township, Three Rivers. He attended Pleasant Hill School as a child and was the last President of the board before consolidating with Three Rivers …

Elwin Earl “Bud” Holtz, and Mable Alice (Denney) Holtz both passed away peacefully just 10 ½ hours apart at the family home in Fulton. Elwin died Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, 2020 at the age of 92. He was born in Scotts, MI on June 24, 1927 the son of the late Earl Lewis and Melva Mae (Wilcox) Holtz and was …

Leroy A. Pugh, age 64, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 at his home. Leroy was born on May 12, 1955 in Bronson, a son of the late Wilmer and Mary (Bekoski) Pugh. On December 20, 1973 Leroy married Pamela Babcock in Howe, Indiana. Leroy and Pamela would live in the St. Joseph county area all of …

Marlin C. “Butch” King Jr., age 71, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020 at his home. Marlin was born in Dowagiac on January 8, 1949, a son of the late Marlin and Ester (Churchill) King. Marlin graduated from Cassopolis High School with the class of 1966. He then continued his education and received a bachelor’s degree from …

Judith Ann Pollitt, age 71, died on Monday, February 3, 2020. In accordance with family wishes, cremation has been conducted and no public services will be held at this time. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Democrats are putting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on the national stage Tuesday to rebut President Donald Trump’s State of the Union message. By elevating a fresh face and casting an election-year spotlight on the Midwest, the party looks to win back states Trump narrowly captured. The 48-year-old’s ascendance comes as Democrats hope to solidify gains with female voters and as …

A judge has rejected a sentencing deal that carried a five-year cap for fraud committed by a farmer in southwestern Michigan. Judge Paul Maloney says it doesn’t reflect the “seriousness” of the crime. Mike Stamp had pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a scheme to defraud a government crop insurance program and lenders in Van Buren County. MLive.com reports that Stamp …

An immigrant who worked for the Roman Catholic Church in Kalamazoo has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for stealing fees from other immigrants. The government says Monica Mazei concealed the scheme by failing to open files for certain people and persuading them to give cash or blank checks. Mazei was ordered to pay $59,000 to her victims …

James Martin Harter Sr. age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 27, 1942, in Sturgis, son of the late Virgil Martin and Viola Belle (Nusbaum) Harter. Jim was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1960. Later …

The Reverend Floyd A. Kunce, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Jan. 31, 2020, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born Jan. 25, 1934, in Elkhart, a son of Helen and Ivan Kunce. On April 22, 1978, he married his beloved wife, Mary Kay at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Floyd resided in Sturgis most of his life, …