January’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was six-tenths of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.3 percent January unemployment rate marked an increase from December’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 5.3 percent in January. …

Kenneth Charles Westfall, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018.  He was born on May 27, 1944 in Dowagiac, the son of the late Clarence Wellington and Vivian June (Rudd) Westfall. Ken proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force where he served in Guam.  He was honorably discharged on June 21, 1968. On …

Tegan Richard VanScoik, 11, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Bronson Hospital. He was born in Tallahassee, FL on August 23, 2006, a son of Philip VanScoik and Crystal Stewart. Tegan attended Riverside Elementary School in Constantine. He enjoyed cars, especially hot wheels, being outdoors, fishing, biking and sports as well as playing his X-Box. Tegan …

Maxine Barnell, age 94, passed away unexpectedly and quickly on Friday, March 23, 2018 at her home in Constantine. She was born February 18, 1924 in Burr Oak to Emil and Mary Klopfenstein. On July 30, 1943, she married Paul Barnell; he preceded her in death on January 24, 2008. She is survived by their five children: Dave (Jean) Barnell, …

Billy Joe Farley, age 76, of Three Rivers, died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at his home. He was born in Belzoni, MS on Dec. 3, 1941 the son of Chester W. and Ethel L. (Stokes) Farley. Billy attended Three Rivers schools and graduated from Marcellus High School. He was a proud veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He began working …

Laura Harrington, age 96, of Sturgis, Michigan died Thursday morning, March 22, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Laura grew up during the Great Depression, living in Detroit with her three sisters and their Polish immigrant parents. She left school early, working as a waitress and in various factories. It was in one such factory that she met and …

Brice Emanuel, age 65, of Salem, VA passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018. He was the husband of Julia Bailey Emanuel. Mr. Emanuel was born February 7, 1953 in Pittsburgh, PA a son of the late Noel Emanuel and Edna Douds Emanuel. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University Class of 1976. Mr. Emanuel was retired from a …

Dr. Shoon Hie Lee, age 78, of Three Rivers passed away in his sleep on Monday, March 19, 2018. He was born in Daegu, South Korea to Byung Dae Lee and Im Soon Yoo. Shoon graduated from Kyungpook National University School of Medicine in 1963 and from Seoul National University in 1967 with a Masters in Medical Science. In 1976, …

Karen Ann Astling (Connelly), age 48, of White Pigeon unexpectedly went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at her home. She was born on April 2, 1969 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Jim and Peg Connelly. She was a resident of Constantine and White Pigeon all of her life and graduate of Constantine High School …

Authorities said the death of an 11-year-old Lockport Township boy does not appear to be suspicious.The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said central dispatch was notified at 7:10 p.m. Thursday that the boy was in cardiac arrest in the 58000 block of Carman Drive. Emergency personnel from Three Rivers transported him to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he later passed away. The young man …