Obituary: Millie “April” Smith
Millie April Smith, 78, passed away June 30, 2020 at the St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital. She was born on June 10, 1942, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Russell and Mildred (Shupe) Smith. She was known by her middle name, April. April graduated from Manchester High School in 1960; from Jackson Junior College in […]
Obituary: Naomi (Schafer) Rodenbeck
Naomi Pearl (nee Schafer) Rodenbeck, 75, of Onsted, passed away July 13, 2020, from complications of a Covid-19 illness in April. She was born on September 29, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to Ralph and Ethel (Nolen) Schafer. Naomi married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, Doyle Rodenbeck, on December 23, 1967, in […]
Surviving coronavirus–at home in Manchester
Last Thursday was Day 112 for Kim Blumenstein. She’s a “survivor” of COVID-19 … but she’s still dealing with the aftermath. “The hardest thing for me is I don’t know what’s next,” she said, “or what’s going to go away and what will remain permanent.” It’s one of the biggest concerns of those who are […]
Obituary: Gloria “Jean” Smith
Gloria Jean Smith, 82, passed away July 11, 2020, peacefully with family by her side. She was born on May 28, 1938, in Manchester, Michigan to Benjamin and Doris (Wurster) Evilsizer. Jean was a lifelong resident of Manchester. Jean married Edwin Grant Smith, on September 17, 1955. She had a love for animals, was always […]
4 Manchester students graduate from GVSU
More than 2,800 Grand Valley State University students completed the requirements to receive their degrees this past April including four students from Manchester: Nehemiah K. Ingram earned a BS; Jessica N. Gustad earned a BS; Spencer L. Helminski earned a BBA; and Mackenzie A. Thompson earned a BS. Congratulations, graduates!
Obituary: Thelma Clara Kemeter
Her Legacy … Thelma Clara Kemeter, of Manchester, age 90, passed away March 24, 2020. She was born on October 26, 1929, in Willis, Michigan to Gale and Blanche (Laur) Howell. Thelma married the love of her life, Joseph Kemeter, on February 26, 1949, in Willis, Michigan. She will be remembered as a loving mother, […]
Manchester author to launch new book on Facebook Live Thursday
Steve Hagood didn’t start out to be an author, but he’d like to end up being one. With the publication of his third full-length novel featuring protagonist Tyson Chase, a Detroit cop forced into retirement who has been sought out to investigate a murder, he could be well on his way to achieving that goal. […]
GVSU Winter 2020 Dean’s List
Grand Valley State University announces the names of students who were placed on the dean’s list for the Winter 2020 semester concluding in April. The list includes those students who have maintained a 3.5 grade point average and been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. Students from Manchester who were honored for the winter […]
Mystique: A dream of a service dog
By Claire Pajka Though dogs are often just praised as best friends and beloved pets, Cheyenne Curts’ dog Mystique can literally, as well as figuratively, open doors for her. Curts is a lifelong resident of Manchester, currently raising money to pay for the training of her service dog, Mystique–a Siberian Husky matched with Curts through […]
Obituary: Howard Emerson Parr
Howard Emerson Parr completed his earthly journey peacefully on June 8, 2020, at his residence in Glazier Commons, Chelsea Retirement Center. He was born in Manchester on September 10, 1919, to Clayton and Willo Mattern Parr, the third of their five children. He grew up on the family farm on Austin Road, graduated from Manchester […]
