Carol Jean (Peters) Melville passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, after a brief illness at the age of 82.  Carol was born August 13, 1942 in Marquette to Walter and Bernice (Quayle) Peters. Carol attended Bishop Baraga Catholic School in Marquette and graduated in 1960. On October 16,1965 she married Richard Melville in Marquette. They moved to Constantine, where …

Phyllis Elaine Van Aken, age 88, of Colon, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, February 10, 2025. Phyllis was born on April 13, 1936, in Reading, Michigan, daughter to the late Lawrence and Dorothy (Burger) Wiler. Phyllis was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1954. Phyllis worked for 35 years for …

Carolyn Ann Vickers, age 73, of Colon, passed away at her home on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Carolyn was born on August 27, 1951, in Pontiac, Michigan, a daughter to the late Dewey and Vandaray (Combs) Deaton. Carolyn was a graduate of Pontiac Northern High School with the class of 1969. She then worked many years in finance.  She was …

Joseph C. Panarici, age 71, of Burr Oak, passed away at his home on Sunday, February 8, 2025. Joseph was born on February 2, 1954, in Chicago, a son to the late Anthony and Jesse (Tritto) Panarici. Joseph attended and graduated from DeLaSalle High School. He worked as a truck driver. Joseph and Ann moved to Colon 25 years ago …

Ronald L. Heath, age 95, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on February 1, 2025.  He was born on May 26, 1929 in Kalamazoo, the son of Harry and Lillian (Bush) Heath.  He attended school in the Kalamazoo area; after school he would began working at Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company.  While employed there Ronald was drafted by the United States …

Constantine Village Council members agreed last week to pursue a state grant through the state’s “MI Neighborhood” program. During their Feb. 3 council meeting, municipal officials decided to pursue what could amount to up to $400,000. Clayton Lyczynski, St. Joseph County Human Resources Commission housing coordinator, said the Michigan State Housing Development Authority still has $11 million of a $30 …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department deputies last week arrested two people on drug-related offenses stemming from separate incidents. In the first case, the agency received a search warrant for a home on Louise Avenue in Dowagiac. Deputies said they found methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia inside the residence. Authorities said a 43-year-old man was taken into custody. Meanwhile, on the same day, …

Branch County Sheriff’s Department deputies recently recovered weapons and drugs at a Coldwater Township residence. Items retrieved include multiple firearms, stolen property and a significant quantity of methamphetamine, investigators said. Occupants of the home are expected to be charged with possession of stolen property, possession of drugs with intent to deliver and firearms-related offenses, sheriff Fred Blankenship said.

A business new to downtown Colon opened to a large and enthusiastic crowd over the weekend. Farrand Hall Bakery has opened at 214 E. State St. Opening-day sales were strong and community sentiment seemed to reflect a positive vibe for having such a business in the village’s downtown district. Farrand Hall also has a market storefront at 113 E. State …

Roger G. Spillers, age 86, of Colon, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025, at his home on Palmer Lake. Roger was born on May 13, 1938, in Fort Wayne, a son to the late Donald Spillers and Garnett Roth. Roger attended Central High School in Fort Wayne. Roger had made his home in Colon since 1979, coming from Fort …