Twila June Batten, age 70, of Mendon died Tuesday May 7, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Kalamazoo on June 17, 1942 the daughter of Leon A. and Ina M. (Polmanteer) Cooper. Twila attended Gobles and Paw Paw Schools and graduated from Vicksburg High School. She was married to William Evert Haynes on June 6, …

Jamie Lee Brokaw, 33, died April 29, 2013 in an airplane accident at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, while operating a Boeing 747-400 owned by National Air Cargo on a civilian commercial flight. Born March 13, 1980, Jamie’s interest in aviation began as a baby where flying was a way of life. He was inspired by his grandfather, Sgt. Joseph Brokaw, …

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

Assistance from the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team helped Sturgis Police take custody of a man wanted in connection with a domestic-battery complaint filed last month. Sturgis police said Geoffrey Hunt, 24, was sought in Sturgis and Three Rivers after the report was filed regarding an incident in the 1200 block of East Chicago Road. Sturgis investigators were advised Hunt …

Beulah “Honey” Belle Graber, 79, of Constantine, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 2, 1933 in Hazard, Ky. the daughter of Spicer and Elizabeth (Smith) Dock. Mrs. Graber has been a long time resident of this area. She and her husband Ervin, whom she married …

Glendora M. Russell, age 88, of Colon, passed away, early Saturday morning at Thurston Woods Village, in Sturgis. Glendora was born Aug. 25, 1924, in Kalamazoo, a daughter to the late Martin and Ecco (Rench) Johnson. On June 14, 1947, she married Lester W. Russell in Athens. He preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 1998. Glendora had lived in …

Edith (Edie) Munn-Hagen, 94, of White Pigeon, died Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, following an extended illness. She was born Dec. 18, 1918, in Crystal, Mich., a daughter to Fred and Eulah (Faylor) Munn. She spent her early life in Ionia, Mich., and was a graduate of Ionia High School in 1938. Most of her life …

Theodore Joseph Rambadt was stillborn at Sturgis Hospital on May 2, 2013, at 11:28 p.m. God blessed his parents, Sarah (Thomasma) and Benjamin Rambadt with his special presence in their lives. Little boy Teddy was too perfect for this world, so instead, he returned to Heaven before his parents and families had the chance to love him throughout his entire …