GeorgeW. Emmel, age 82, of Colon, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at his home. George was born, July 6, 1932, in Branch County, a son of the late Lewis andMabel (Slagle) Emmel. He had made his home in the Colon area most of his life and had attended Colon schools. George had also served in the U.S. Army from …

Karen S. Green, 66, of Quesnel, British Columbia, and formerly of White Pigeon, Mich., died Oct. 19, 2014, in Quesnel. She was born June 14, 1948, in Sturgis, Mich., a daughter of John Thomas and Alice Elizabeth (Codd) Robertson. She attended White Pigeon Schools. For two years, she lived on a dude ranch in Israel on the Sea of Galilee. …

Sophia C. Barczak, 96, of White Pigeon, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, following an extended illness. She was born Dec. 30, 1917, in Jackson, a daughter of Carl and Dominika (Best) Chrapek. On Feb. 22, 1935, she married John A. Barczak in Jackson. He died Aug. 27, 1992. In 1949, Sophia and John moved to Bronson, …

Dan Lee Fryling, age 70, of Mendon, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Three Rivers on April 28, 1944 the son of Adrian and Bertha (Visscher) Fryling. Dan attended Mendon High School and was the proprietor of Dan Fryling Construction and Leisure Time Apartments in Mendon. He was a member …

The St. Joseph County Farm Bureau staged its annual meeting last week at Sturges~ Young Auditorium. Several awards were presented and recognition given to a number of people. Taya Bower of Colon and David Miller of White Pigeon were recognized for attending the Michigan Farm Bureau Young People’s Citizenship Seminar. Mariah Schlabach of Sturgis received the St. Joseph County Farm …

ServPro of St. Joseph and Cass counties earlier this month conducted its second annual Smoke Detector giveaway, joining up with the Three Rivers Fire Department as part of the promotion. After handing out 75 detectors at last year’s event, the drive pushed past 350 detectors given out in a two-hour span. The giveaway coincided with Fire Prevention Week. ServPro owner …

Hello. My name is Fireball and I am a female dilute calico cat, about 2 years old. I don’t know why I am called Fireball because I am quite calm and laid back. My fur is beautiful and long and I am already spayed. I am very friendly and get along with children. I know how to use my litterbox …

Nominations are being accepted for the 2014-15 John E. Oster Award for outstanding teaching and exemplary community service by a Sturgis Public Schools teacher. The award is in honor of the late John E. Oster, a Sturgis attorney, who placed high value on education and community service. The award has been presented annually since the 1981-82 school year. In addition …

Sturgis Bank & Trust has developed a long-term lease for the 32-space parking lot behind its property, between South Nottawa and south Monroe streets, in Sturgis. The lease with the city of Sturgis has an initial term of 20 years that began Oct. 1, with the option to renew for three succeeding periods of 20 years. Rent will be $1 …

A Sturgis dentist is offering to buy Halloween candy kids receive Friday night from trick-or-treating. Jamie Bartman has joined the movement to reduce gingivitis and anti-decay by giving away dollars and toothbrushes in exchange for Halloween candy. Candy will be collected 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bartman’s office, 905 E. Chicago Road. Each child is eligible to receive $1 …