Helen May (Olson) Shellenberger, age 91, of DeWitt, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6, 2019. She was born in Muskegon on October 20, 1927 the daughter of Oscar and Grace (Miel) Olson. In 1948 Helen was united in marriage to Jack William Shellenberger and together they celebrated 42 years of marriage until his passing …

Mike Dwane VanPelt, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 5, 2019 at his home. He was born February 25, 1958 in Sturgis, son of the late Norman D. and Betty Jean (Jourdan) VanPelt. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1976. Mike was employed by Morgan Olson in …

Barbara Louise Thrapp, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 5, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born November 3, 1922 in Ann Arbor, daughter of the late Leo B. and Wilma E. (Case) Purdy. Barbara resided most of her life in Sturgis with the exception of living in California for 12 years. She married …

Edward “Popps” Schrader, Sr., age 80, of Constantine, left his loved ones to be with God on Saturday, the 5th of October 2019 in his home. At the time of his departure, he had his wonderful wife of 57 years, Wanda (Howard) Schrader, and three sons, Edward Schrader Jr. of Constantine, Scott Schrader of Three Rivers and Shawn Schrader of …

Kathryn Mast, age 95, of Sturgis, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. She was born in Sturgis on June 23, 1924 the daughter of Eli and Polly (Miller) Overholt. She attended the Truckenmiller Country School. Kathryn was married to Melvin J. Mast on March 31, 1951 in Sturgis. They moved to Mendon in 1956 where …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction in Three Rivers. Stage 3 traffic plan is in place and two-way traffic is operating on northbound U.S. 131 at M-60 junction toward the south end of the project, as well as northbound at the Hoffman Road/Rocky River bridge area at its north end. Meanwhile, utility-relocation …

The St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education is accepting applications for a vacancy on its board. The passing last week of Mike Bosma leaves a position to fill. As required by Michigan School Code, the ISD board has 30 days to fill the post. The term expires in October 2021. Any registered voter who resides within St. …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has informed the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency of a new animal case of EEE in St. Joseph County. This brings the total number of known cases of EEE in St. Joseph county to four; all four in horses. To combat this disease, aerial spraying of insecticide has been completed in areas …

Butter made in southwest Michigan by farmer-owned Michigan Milk Producers Association was awarded top honors last week in the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. First-, second- and third-place awards were granted to unsalted butter made at MMPA’s dairy plant in Constantine. In the cheese division, MMPA’s colby-jack cheese won third place in the colby or Monterrey jack cheese …

Kenneth R. Moser, age 81, of Sturgis, passed peacefully in the early morning hours on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Ken was born Jan. 13, 1938, in Altoona, Pa., to the late William and Bertha (Muller) Moser. He was proud to be “100% Swiss.” Ken grew up in South Bend, and graduated from Riley High School in 1956. He joined the …