The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Board of Health has released its “Certificates of Excellence” in food service for the year 2013. The 97 recipients in the three-county region represent food establishments that were able to meet stringent criteria during the year. The 32 St. Joseph County locations that received Certificates of Excellence included schools in Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, …

A classmate of mine recently sent me a quote that really set me to thinking. It’s really sad that the quote has come to be a reality, and we should all give it some serious thought. Albert Einstein said, “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” It seems …

Richard Lee “Dick” Shingledecker, age 70, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2014 following a brief illness. He was born on December 27, 1943 in Three Rivers, the son of Forrest and Dorothy (Nedham) Shingledecker. Dick graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1963. He worked with his father at the Shingledecker Dairy …

Frank Jenkins Wright Jr., age 59, Kalamazoo, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at his home. He was born on September 23, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri the son of the late Frank Sr. and Bertha Mae White. Frank was an avid sports fan and excelled at basketball and tennis. He coached youth sports …

A pair of seniors from the Three Rivers Lady Cats basketball team received special honors from the Michigan Associated Press. Teagan Reeves and Linsey Masnari were recognized, as Reeves was named to the Class B all-state basketball team, while Masnari made the honorable-mention list. Reeves, who will attend Western Michigan University in the fall and play volleyball and basketball, scored …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is looking to fill a full-time position following a retirement and two resignations. County commissioners earlier this month approved a request to fill the position to help offset the resignation of road patrol officer Dru Carney. In addition, patrol officer Terry Baker has resigned and Pete VanCamp retired Friday. In other personnel news at …

Mrs. Kalissa L. ManSon-Hamilton, of Kalamazoo and formerly of Three Rivers, began her work in Heaven, March 10, 2014. She was born June 20, 1988 the daughter of Doreen L. McNary and Kenneth L. ManSon Sr. in Chicago, Ill. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of New Jerusalem, in Three Rivers. She later became a …

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 …