Ella L. Balluff, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Oct. 8, 1922, in Nisland, S.D., a daughter of the late John and Anna (Peters) Freed. Ella spent her early years and graduated high school in Sturgis, S.D, and had been a resident of Sturgis, Mich., since 1952, moving here …

Lore Anna Oman, age 78, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Sunday afternoon January 5, 2014 at her home. She was born January 5, 1936 in Lansing, Michigan daughter of the late Fred and Anna (Shumann) Frueh. Lore resided in Sturgis since 1956 coming from Lansing. On October 6, 1956 she married James Oman in Sturgis. She retired in 1991 from …

Rachel B. Hostetler, age 90, of Sturgis, MI entered Heaven’s Gates, on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village.She was a native and former resident of Berne, IN, daughter of John P. and Barbara Schwartz, she was born on July 31, 1923. She married Joe R. Wickey on January 2, 1942 (deceased October 8, 1960). On March 7, 1971 …

Charles C. Jackson, 57, of Constantine, passed away in his home Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. Charles was born on March 19, 1956, the son of the late Milton S. and Emma Jean (Silcock) Jackson. He is survived by two daughters, Colleen Walls of Middleville and Cherie (Chase) Schmucker of Middlebury, Ind.; four grandchildren, Kaeli Walls, Devin Walls, Taeler Jones and …

Mildred C. Garcia, 90, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. She was born July 25, 1923 in Petersburg, Tenn. She later married John M. Garcia who preceded her in death in 1967. She formerly was a caregiver for the Council on Aging and a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post 4054 Ladies Auxiliary. Surviving are three daughters, Mildred Pierce of …

Mary Lou Chrobot, 80, of Three Rivers, formerly of South Bend, Ind., passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo. Mary Lou was born on April 12, 1933 in South Bend, Ind. to Peter and Stella (Scultz) Cudowski. She was employed with the South Bend Elks Club for 20 years and at Memorial Hospital in the Communications Department …

Hello. I am called Jewel because when I was found I had a jeweled collar on. I am a pretty cream colored shepherd mix with big brown eyes. I am very playful and love attention. Someone needs to teach me manners but I take instructions well. I may be happier with no other dogs around. Please come and see me. …

A dozen people attended a public forum Wednesday in Mendon to hear more about the school district’s millage-increase request. Superintendent Rob Kuhlman and Michael Galovan, project manager from engineer/architect firm TowerPinkster, went over a detailed explanation of what’s at stake in the $9.3 million request. They said nearly three-quarters of the request will go toward building renovations and technology upgrades. …

Two people were injured in a six-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said the accident occurred when 43-year-old Armando Bautista, of Dowagiac, was driving south on M-51 in Silver Creek Township. Bautista slowed for a snow plow and his vehicle was rear-ended by a truck driven by 36-year-old Jennifer Laporte, of Dowagiac. The collision forced …

Mary Kay Schultz has been named 2013 Exchangite of the Year by the Sturgis Exchange Club. Schultz, human resources director at Sturgis Hospital, was recognized during a ceremony last week at the Sturges-Young Auditorium. A number of club members praised Schultz for her unfailing participation in Exchange Club-sponsored events. Schultz is a former “Person of the Year” as awarded by …