Chester Stefaniak, age 81, former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday afternoon, March 16, 2014, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born July 12, 1932, in Covert, Mich., son of the late John and Rose (Posh) Stefaniak. Chet’s early life was lived in South Haven, where he was a graduate of South Haven …

Lyle Harvey Millard, age 74 of Mendon died peacefully on March 18, 2014 at his riverfront home surrounded by his family. He was born in Mendon on July 10, 1939 the son of Arthur and Gladys (Orr) Millard and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. Lyle began his working life at Simpson Lee Paper Company and later at Wyant Heating …

Donna Sue Schrader age 58 Centreville passed away Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 at her home. She was born in South Bend, Indiana on December 17, 1955, a daughter of James Hann and Vera (Winrott) Snyder. On July 1, 2000 Donna married Dale Russell Schrader, Jr., in Three Rivers. He preceded her in death November 8, 2008. She worked as a …

Seven candidates from a pool of 26 applicants to replace Roger Rathburn as superintendent of Three Rivers Community Schools have been identified. Interviews with the seven will take place over the course of three nights next week. The candidates interviewing Monday are: Tim Staffen, CTE Principal, Calhoun County ISD; John Stryker, superintendent of New Lothrop Area Public Schools; and Mike …

St. Joseph County’s Parks and Recreation Department is pursuing a grant that would offset the purchase cost of a 135-acre piece of land in Burr Oak Township. Parks and Recreation Department Director John Pence said the property is on the north side of Lafayette Road, between Big Hill and Plumb School roads. Members of the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday …

A 20-year-old Fabius Township woman was issued a citation after the vehicle she was driving rear-ended another car in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Jessie Hanstine was driving east on M-60 when she failed to stop for a car turning left off M-60 into a residential driveway near Haines Road. The turning car was driven by …

A child-safety-seat check is being offered later this month in Three Rivers. The event runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 at the Fabius-Park Fire and Rescue station on Broadway Road, west of U.S. 131. Organizers of the event said the children who use the seat must be present during the free inspection.

Members of the St. Joseph County Marine Corps League Detachment 1401 have voted to give $150 to each food cupboard in the county this year. Detachment Chaplain Bill Stevens said due to the loss of funding from the government, the county’s food pantries find themselves in greater need than usual. Stevens said he hopes the measure will be duplicated by …

Michael L. Frutig of Fort Wayne, Ind., passed away March 17, 2014, at home. He endured a brief battle with cancer, always maintaining a positive attitude. When asked how he was doing, his reply was anything from “I’m terminal just like all of us,” to “I’m feeling great, better than ever.” God had given him a great peace about where he …

Roland L. Oldenberg Jr., age 44, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly March 17, 2014, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Sept. 9, 1969, in Three Rivers, a son of the late Roland L. and Susan (Warner) Oldenberg. Roland had been a St. Joseph County resident his entire life. On Sept. 3, 1993, he married Nancy Miller in …