Dorothy M. Samuels, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, March 12, 2014, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. She was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Byron and Agnes (Reichard) Prestidge. Dorothy resided in Sturgis most of her life. On Nov. 2, 1946, she married Clifford Vincent Samuels at First Baptist …

Alan Scott Carpenter, age 51, of Parchment, Mich., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly on or after Feb. 28, 2014, at his home. He was born May 9, 1962, in Sturgis, a son to the late James and Dorothy (Miller) Carpenter. On June 30, 1990, he married Shelley Myers in Sturgis. This marriage ended in divorce. Alan had been …

Marieann Johnson, age 53 of White Pigeon. died Thursday March 13, 2014 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on Nov. 17, 1960 the daughter of Alva J. and Stella N. (Wodjylo) Johnson, and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. She is survived by three daughters, Shantell (Matt) Rumsey of Three Rivers, Brianne …

Joyce Ann Ames, age 84, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Friday morning, March 14, 2014, at her home. She was born Aug. 14, 1929, in Sturgis, Mich., daughter of the late Lawrence and Dorothy (Chapman) Holtz. Joyce was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1948. On Dec. 31, 1948, she …

Dennis Dale Brooks, age 35, of Burr Oak, Mich., was taken from his loving family and will be painfully missed Thursday evening, March 13, 2014, in Burr Oak Township. He was born July 5, 1978, in Coldwater, Mich., the only son of Robert Dale and Cathy (Robertson) Brooks. Dennis was the loving father of Isaac Nichols, Caleb Nichols, Grant Brooks, …

Leondard D. Cross, age 84, of Sherwood, passed away, Friday, March 14, 2014, at his home. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Factoryville Bible Church in Factoryville, MI.

A 33-year-old Burr Oak man died from a gunshot wound during a domestic dispute around 10:30 p.m. in Burr Oak Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Dennis Brooks died from a gunshot wound to the head at Townline Road, near Farrand Road, on the border of Burr Oak and Colon townships. Investigators said Maria Audrey-Louise Williams, 34, is …

There’s some good news for county government and municipalities facing road-budget shortfalls in St. Joseph and Cass counties, as the Michigan Legislature has approved $215 million in supplemental road funding. State Rep. Matt Lori said $100 million of the emergency funds will go to county and municipal governments to deal with deficits as a result of the inordinate amount of …

A 20-year-old Centreville resident was cited for careless driving after his car struck a parked vehicle Thursday morning in downtown Centreville. Charles Parker was cited after he failed to clear ice from his vehicle’s windshield, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The distraction was a factor in a collision with a parked vehicle in which 74-year-old Roy Buel …

Mendon volleyball coach Kathy Trenary is a finalist for national coach of the year. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has named Trenary as one of eight candidates for the position. The winner will be announced during the association’s annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in June. Trenary said she plans to attend the four-day conference. Trenary said nominations …