An annual event that will observe its 30-year anniversary next year in St. Joseph County was promoted during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Colon resident Nancy Percival addressed commissioners regarding the Community Action-sponsored Walk For Warmth. The fundraiser’s biggest annual event takes place Feb. 28 at the Three Rivers Community Center. Percival said funds raised through the one-mile walk provide assistance …

Destany Dee (Diekman) Zierle Clementz, age 65, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 at her home. Destany was born in Sturgis on March 17, 1949, a daughter of Leroy and Pauline (Mann) Diekman. She graduated from Centreville High School in 1967. Destany married Dennis Zierle on Sept. 16, 1967, he preceded her in death on April 20, 1985. On …

Donna Lou Batten, age 79, of Mendon, died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014 at her home following a long illness. She was born in Evansville, IN on Dec. 10, 1934 the daughter of the late Herbert and Delcie (Crabtree) Betts, and was a graduate of Coldwater High School. She was married to Donald E. Tompkins, Jr. on Apr. 18, 1955 in …

Robert William Johnson, age 63, of Vicksburg, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 following a long illness. He was born in Three Rivers on May 28, 1951 the son of Herbert and Veronica (Huntowski) Johnson. Bob graduated from Mendon High School in 1969 and later attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He was a …

Peter Jay Wolgamood, age 62, of Three Rivers passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on October 20, 1952 the son of John Robert and Dorothy Ann(Smith) Wolgamood. Pete enjoyed snow sports and water skiing during his youth. In high school he excelled on the golf and basketball team. Pete …

Christine “Tina” Dudasko Schelstraete, born Sept. 14, 1964, was surrounded by her loving family as she passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord, on Nov. 30, 2014, from complications related to lung cancer. Married to Dave Schelstraete for 12 years, Tina reveled in being a mom, not only to her children, Paul (12), Luke (11), John (10) and …

Samuel James Hubbard, Jr. passed away on Monday, November 17, 2014 at Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born March 15, 1945 in Chicago IL, to Samuel and Dorothea Hubbard to that union, one sister. Samuel married the love of his life, Doris White on October 13, 1983 they built a life together filled with love, raising …

Nearly 1,400 new direct and indirect jobs, and more than $37 million in new investment were a few of the economic benefits provided to St. Joseph County through Southwest Michigan First in 2014. The highlights, detailed during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, were presented by Ken Jones of Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First. Through the first 11 months …

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said charges will not be authorized against a pair of Three Rivers Police officers involved in a conflict in September. Fitz was dealt the case due to a conflict of interest because the people involved are law-enforcement officers. The two were a part of a dispute that unfolded Sept. 29 outside a residence in rural …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners agreed to extension services provided by Michigan State University for 2015. Reached during Tuesday’s commission meeting, the agreement calls for the funding of one full-time extension educator and two part-time 4-H program coordinators. The services will cost the county more than $118,000. In an unrelated matter, Three Rivers resident Lee Zimmerman was appointed to …