Emily Jane Gosnell, age 66, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at home, surrounded by her family after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 13, 1945, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Orville and Alice (Crossgrove) Shirk Sr. Mrs. Gosnell loved spending time with her family, playing Skip-Bo, reading, crocheting and working when she …

Robert Gordon Reinel went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, following a brief battle with cancer at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Gordon was born Nov. 16, 1936, in Detroit, to John and J. Chrystal (Gordon) Reinel, who preceded him in death. As a young boy, he resided in Grosse Pointe Farms. His adolescence …

Nancy “Nan” Morgan Houston, of Kalamazoo, a writer, editor, and public relations manager for colleges and universities in Michigan, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Kalamazoo, after a brief illness. She was 83. From 1971 to 1993, she worked in Michigan State University’s public information office, first handling the needs of the university’s Colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine, …

The St. Joseph County Intermediate School District has hired Stephanie Clark as special-education principal. The move this week means Cheryl Riley will follow through on her plan to step down as interim principal. Clark, meanwhile, was officially in charge of the position this past Monday. Clark is an 11-year veteran with the ISD, serving as a teacher consultant for the …

Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union has announced that its merger with St. Joseph Valley Community Federal Credit Union has been finalized. The deal, which became official earlier this month, completes a process that started in September. As a result, former clients with the St. Joseph Valley Credit Union now fall under the services of Kellogg Community Credit Union, which has …

Constantine Township officials are seeking input from its residents regarding road maintenance and improvements. Township officials said a survey in the latest newsletter will help guide them in deciding what roads need attention and in what manner. A survey question also asks if the township should consider adopting a special assessment dedicated specifically toward road-related maintenance and improvements. The township …

Ann Happel, a Title One teacher at Eastwood Elementary School in Sturgis has been named the recipient of the 2011 John Oster Award. The award was established in 1981 by JoEllen Oster as a tribute to her late husband and recognizes teacher excellence at Sturgis Public Schools. Happel was honored for her devoted effort to develop and implement a number …

A plan to implement in-house dental service at the St. Joseph County Jail moved a step closer to reality with the donation of $2,000 from a Fulton-area family. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said the donation, made in memory of Bob Shook, a former jail chaplain, allowed the department to purchase almost all the equipment it needs to begin tooth-extraction service. The …

Libby E. Atherton, age 96, of Clinton, Iowa, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Mercy Living Center North in Clinton, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Pape Funeral Home in Clinton. Visitation was held on Wednesday, prior to the services. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Clinton. Libby was born in Milaca, Minn., on Dec. 2, …

Cory is still waiting for a new BFF. My name is Denise, my friends call me Neisie. I am only one year old, I am a female Lab mix. I am very happy when someone stops by to take me for a walk and give me treats. I have nice manners and love the attention that I get form the …