Harold James “Smokey” Geark, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Three Rivers Health. Harold was born on July 29, 1921 in Three Rivers the son of Harvey H. and Ruth (Timm) Geark. Harold was a lifetime resident of the Three Rivers area. He served his country in the U.S. Army Tech 4 Infantry during World …

Johnny Michael Jansen, 24, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on July 17, 2012 at the Borgess Medical Center. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 10, 1988 the son of John M. Jansen and Sandra Hemenway. Johnny has been a lifelong resident of both Mendon and Three Rivers and truly loved his family. He enjoyed music, especially playing guitar …

Lacey has been adopted. We are three four month old male kittens. We have been having a great time here today. You see, there are three humans with us and they think that they are going to get us to all look in the same direction! They are so funny. If you are up for some good clean fun please …

A monument to mark the gravesite of Jodi Parrack was put into place last month, thanks to the efforts of Constantine Police Chief Jim Bedell. The headstone is a permanent tribute to the 11-year-old girl, whose murder remains unsolved more than four years after she was last seen riding her bicycle from a friend’s house. The monument is placed at …

St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender is advising the public that petitions for candidates to area school boards of education, Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees and village councils are due by 4 p.m. Aug. 14. All positions will be elected in the Nov. 6 general election. Bender said candidates wishing to run for school board in Burr Oak, …

Organizers of the third annual 5K walk and run to support the Jonathan Edds  Memorial Fund have announced details of the 2012 event. Sponsored by the White Pigeon Parks and Recreation Department, the community activity begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 18, with a Fallen Soldiers Memorial dedication to follow at 1 p.m. at Wahbememe Park, at the northwest corner of …

The fourth annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival is set to kick off Friday. The three-day event in St. Joseph County’s smallest incorporated community has a number of entertaining events, including a vintage baseball game between the Burr Oak Bandits and Sturgis Biscuits Friday night, a parade Saturday morning, fireworks Saturday night, and a community church service and picnic Sunday. Patty …

Arlie Lee Smith, age 82, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Doe Hill, Virginia on Sep. 9, 1929 the son of William and Maggie (Smith) Smith, and attended schools in Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 at several stations around the world. Arlie was married to …

James William “Bill” Allen, age 86, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Herrin, IL on Jan. 29, 1926 the son of Lem and Lela (Frailey ) Allen, and attended schools there. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Bill was married to Lois Conrad on Dec. 11, 1948 …

A Sturgis woman was killed in a 1-car crash Friday morning on M-60 in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Natasha Richardson. She reportedly lost control of her car, rolling it over. The car caught fire, trapping her inside. Richardson’s sister, 23-year-old Catherine Richardson, was a passenger in the vehicle. She was able to escape from …