Jane Marie Frick, 64, of Shipshewana, Ind., died at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Parkview Hospital, Ft. Wayne. She was born on March 31, 1947, in Sturgis, Mich., to Ledger and Violet (Kaas) Wygant. On June 20, 1992, in Huston County, Latexo, Texas, she married Duane Frick. He survives. Survivors in addition to her husband are a daughter, …

Never leading until the overtime game-winner, the Kalamazoo Wings erased two third period deficits, including one with 80 seconds remaining in regulation to defeat the Trenton Titans 6-5 in overtime. For the second straight night, Kalamazoo allowed a goal in the first minute of the game. Ryan Hayes notched his ninth of the season just 41 seconds into the game …

Donna Rae Rathert joined Jesus in heaven Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Ariz. with her family at her side. Donna was born Feb. 25, 1949 in St. Louis, Mo. to Lawrence and Leona (Magwitz) Schlimpert. She was raised in St. Louis and graduated from Lutheran High School South. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Valparaiso University …

Margaret Schemmel, 85, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 17, 1926, in Bronson, a daughter of the late Alvin and Ada (Halferty) Ernsberger. Margaret had resided in the Sturgis and Bronson area her entire life, and was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class …

Lillian M. Sassaman, 89, of Union, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 at Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis. She was born Sept. 12, 1922 in Fabius Township to Willie and Ferna (Lucas) Krull. She married Carl Sassaman on March 9, 1940 in Elkhart, Ind. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Pam Sassaman, …

Doris J. King, age 78, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away early Wednesday morning January 4, 2012 at the Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Indiana. She was born December 28, 1933 in LaGrange County, Indiana a daughter of the late Carl J. and Margaret R. (Adair) Marks, Sr. Doris had resided in Burr Oak since May of 1962.  Before moving …

Joseph J. Phillip, age 67, Three Rivers, died Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012, at his home, following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 16, 1944, in Chicago, a son of Peter and Lillian (Vieha) Phillip. Joseph was a graduate of Three Rivers High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967 and in the Naval Reserve from 1967-1969. On …

Mitchell William “Mickey” Gregory Chrapek died Jan. 4, 2012. He was born Dec. 25, 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Jackson, a son of Constantine W. and Lillian Chrapek. He was a brother of Barbara and Bruce Jones, Constance and David Crandall, and Felicia and Michael Nettro; and a special beloved friend of Helena M. Pagels. He was grandson of Mitchell and …

St. Joseph County officials this week signed off on a four-year, $1.2 million agreement involving a partnership with Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan Partnership. The agreement, reached Tuesday during the county commission’s first meeting of 2012, involves the seven-member commission, the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation and Southwest Michigan Partnership. As a result, SMP will assign three full-time employees to work …

The city of Sturgis has announced that recycling collection for homes on the north side of U.S. 12 will be today, one day later than usual. Due to the New Year’s holiday, Borden Waste-Away, the city’s recycling contractor, is off a day from its normal schedule. The regular schedule of Thursday pickup will resume starting next week, when curbside recycling …