John Edward Thoendel, Sr., age 66, of Vandalia, died peacefully Friday, July 21, 2017 in the comfort of his family’s presence in his daughter’s residence. He was born July 24, 1950 in Cassopolis to Adolph and Martha Thoendel. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded by one daughter, Nykole Thoendel. John served honorably in the U.S. Army …

Floyd Alfred Astling, age 80, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017, following a brief illness. He spent his remaining days in the care of Grace Healthcare in Three Rivers. Floyd was born Aug. 30, 1936, at the Constantine Hospital in Constantine. He was the son of the late Charles H. and Myrtle K. (Schutt) Astling. He was a well-known resident …

A suspect wanted for a pair of murders committed Thursday night is now in the custody of Indiana authorities. Zachary Patten turned himself in Friday morning to South Bend Police. Patten, a 32-year-old Portage resident, allegedly shot and killed a 31-year-old woman in a mobile home park in Kalamazoo around 9:30 p.m. Authorities said it appears the woman was not …

Nominations and appointments involving a total of 12 people were made by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. Deb Davis, Joe Heivilin, Al Balog, Barb Fisher, Charles Thompson and Jim MacTavish were nominated to the Commission on Aging Board. Commissioners appointed Cathi Abbs and Kay Decker to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board. Richard Anderson …

Three people were arrested on drug-related offenses last week in the city of Dowagiac. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team was alerted to an impending drug sale July 13 in the 600 block of North Front Street. Two male occupants in the vehicle were detained and a third female was arrested shortly after exiting a nearby store. The 32-year-old woman, …

Richard E. Claxton, age 73, of White Pigeon, died Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at his home, following a one-year illness. He was born July 28, 1943, in Constantine, a son of Russell and Illa (Sudlow) Claxton. He was a White Pigeon and Constantine resident all his life, a graduate of White Pigeon High School and a veteran of the U.S. …

Joseph James Andrus, age 35, of Ann Arbor, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 17, 2017 at his home. He was born December 5, 1981 in Kingsville, Texas son of William and Diane (Barnett) Andrus. He resided in Ann Arbor for the past 3 years but Joe lived as most of us only threaten to do. He …

Karen S. Chaffee, 75, of Livingston, Mont., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Sunday, July 16, 2017, in Billings, Mont., following an extended illness. She was born Aug. 22, 1941, in Elkhart, a daughter of Robert and Ruth (Signs) Chaffee. She had been a resident of Montana since 2012, coming from White Pigeon, where she lived for 36 years. She …

A 16-year-old Three Rivers youth drowned in the St. Joseph River Wednesday afternoon. The victim was identified as Marco Chapman. Authorities were called to the area of Thomas and King Streets around 1:30pm. Chapman reportedly attempted to swim across the St. Joseph River with friends, and the current swept him under, according to witnesses. Chapman’s body was recovered following a …

A Centreville teacher charged with criminal-sexual conduct reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Wednesday. Court officials said 48-year-old Florence Township resident Terry Miller reached an agreement that saw him plea no contest to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The case was heard before St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. According to terms of the …