Two Mexican gray wolf pups at a Michigan zoo have died of a rare mosquito-borne virus as health officials work to curb the spread of the virus in people and animals. Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek says results this week confirm the pups that died in early September were killed by Eastern equine encephalitis. Separately, in Kent County, a …

A southwestern Michigan police chief has died after crashing his vehicle into a tree. Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Craig Schmaltz says 59-year-old Nashville Police Chief Chris Allen Koster died in the crash about 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Richland Township. Investigators say Koster’s vehicle went off a road and struck a tree. No other passengers were in Koster’s vehicle at the …

William “Bill” P. Zuzanek, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Bill was born on April 29, 1931 in Chicago, to the late William P. Adams and Helen (Koubek) Adams. Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 30 years, Doris (Mechling) Bell, whom he married on October 28, 1989, two daughters …

Judith Kay (Gildea) Wellington died on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA. Judy grew up in Three Rivers, and was a graduate of Three Rivers High School, where she participated in cheerleading. In 1964 she had the honor of becoming Miss Three Rivers and representing Three Rivers in the Miss Michigan competition. After high …

Carole Ann Minger, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born May 5, 1937, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Gerald Ray and Wilma May (Fieberkorn) Carper. Carole had been a resident of the Sturgis and Bronson area all her life and had been employed at Kirsch Company for many …

Shane Matthew Buelna, age 31, of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at Dallas VA Medical Center in Dallas. Shane was the beloved son of Melodie Hummer Frazin and Kevin Ivan Bird. He was born July 11, 1988, in Elkhart. Shane honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear engineer. Shane was a lifetime learner and loved …

Rita Christine Scheske, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 22, 2019, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She was born April 24, 1935, in Morehead, Ky., a daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine Irene (Phelps) McClurg. Rita resided in Sturgis since 1969, coming from Southfield. She married Melvin Gerald Scheske in Detroit. He preceded her in …

Harriet L. “Pat” Bacon, age 87, of Fulton, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. She was born in Fulton on March 25, 1932 the daughter one of ten children born to Jonathin D. and Effie May ((Huffman) Parsons, and attended Fulton Elementary School. She was married to Donald W. Bacon on June 25, 1949 in Hastings. …

Marie Catherine Bontrager, 89, of Centreville, passed away Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, surrounded by her family, at her daughter Orvin and Miriam Bontrager’s residence. Marie was born Feb. 19, 1930, a daughter of the late William N. and Lydiaann (Miller) Bontrager. On Feb. 9, 1950, she married Ezra J. Bontrager. They lived most their lives together in the Centreville area, …

Avis G. Baldwin, age 94, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019 at Three Rivers Health. She was born on Jan. 17, 1925 the daughter of Fred and Elva (Anable) Hassenger. After graduation from High School she attended Beauty College and practiced briefly as a beautician. She was married to Lyle Allan Baldwin on Sept. 14, 1951 in Elkhart. …