Joycelyn Ann (Weyrick-Lott) La Brash, age 80, of Three Rivers and formerly of Dowagiac died Friday Dec. 28, 2012 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Three Rivers on Aug. 2, 1932 the daughter of Lynn and Leona (Wagner) Weyrick. She was a graduate of Centreville High School and attended Western Michigan University. She was married to Gerald F. …

Norma Mae Sabrosky, age 88, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Saturday morning December 29, 2012 at her home. She was born December 14, 1924 in Sturgis, Michigan daughter of the late Fred W. and Mae E. (Butterfield) Meyers. Mrs. Sabrosky was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1943. On November 8, …

Sylvia Yoder, age 84, of LaGrange, Ind., died Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at 8:33 a.m. at Miller’s Mary Manor in LaGrange. She was born Dec. 1, 1928, in Nappanee, Ind., to the late Ben P. and Ida (Miller) Yoder. She was married Sept. 5, 1948, to Sylvanus L. Yoder. Sylivia was a homemaker and a member of the Locust Grove …

Jim Lauver, 57, of Shipshewana, Ind., died suddenly around 10:05 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, while on his usual morning walk near his home. He was born on Sept. 7, 1955, in Puerto Rico to Rev. J. Paul and Lois (Swihart) Lauver. On March 29, 1980, he married Jan Mast. She survives. Survivors in addition to his wife are his …

Sturgis police were called Wednesday evening to a report of an attempted armed robbery at the Walmart store on Centerville Road. According to a department media release, a well-dressed, white man who appeared to be in his 50s, met privately with the store manager after convincing her he was with the sheriff’s department. During a subsequent conversation, the man displayed …

Wednesday’s snowfall was substantial enough to begin the 2013 White Pigeon Snowman-Building contest. Event organizers said if conditions don’t change too drastically, the competition will continue through next week. Judging will take place through photos emailed to box_art@hotmail.com. White Pigeon Village Trustee Shireen Cline, who has been a key organizer of the event, said a number of categories exist and …

Deputy Sgt. Geoffrey Smith of the Sturgis Police Department and deputy fire chief Andrew Strudwick have announced the city’s fire department has improved its ISO rating from a Class 6 to a Class 4. In a recent presentation before members of the city commission, Smith and Strudwick said the Class 4 status makes the Sturgis Fire Department one of 87 …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Shaffer compiled a list of 2012 accomplishments and noteworthy tidbits relevant to county-related matters. During last week’s final county commission meeting of the year, Shaffer reviewed a list of 31 items he noted as highlights. Shaffer also added he appreciates the work his fellow commissioners put in in 2012. The list of …

Edward Mitchell Schmeling, 88, of Union, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis. He was born on Feb. 12, 1924, in Union, Mich., to Emil and Elsie (Hoffman) Schmeling. Edward married Vera Maxine O’Dell on Sept. 13, 1947, in Elkhart, Ind. She preceded him in death on Jan. 26, 1996. He was also preceded by …

Marion Elizabeth Hults, age 84, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Wednesday Dec. 26, 2012, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law Edward and Linda Hults. She was born Sept. 30, 1928, in Bronx, NY, daughter of the late Herbert and Marion (Hopkins) Williams. Mrs. Hults resided in Sturgis since 1965 coming from Detroit. She retired from Grummon Olsen in …