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Yunker to start early on the Board of Commissioners St. Joseph County

Online Niel November 5, 2024

CENTERVILLE – Christina Yunker will serve a two-month trial as a member of the St. Louis Board of Commissioners. Joseph County.

The unexpected, early turnover on the seven-member board is the result of Commissioner Dennis Allen announcing his resignation effective Oct. 31. News of Allen’s decision not to complete his two-year term — which expires Dec. 31 — was shared during county time. October 22 special meeting of the executive committee.

A Sturgis Township resident, Yunker is the commissioner-elect to succeed Allen and was set to join the county board on Jan. 1. Commissioners agreed during the meeting to appoint Yunker to complete Allen’s term.

Yunker, 47, was the manager of the St. Louis County Fair. Joseph Grange for the past 18 months.

“There’s a lot to know, a lot to learn, but I’m a quick study and I’m looking forward to representing the county and District 5,” she said. “It wasn’t an easy decision to run in the first place, but I committed after much discussion with my family and some thought about my obligations to the fair.”

Yunker defeated Craig Crabill in the August primary.

County District 5 consists of Nottawa and Sherman townships, part of Sturgis township and part of the city of Sturgis.

Yunker will be sworn in at the start of the board’s executive committee meeting on Nov. 12.

Drainage Commissioner of St. Joseph, Jeff Wenzel, is greeted and recognized by the chairman of the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners. Joseph, Ken Malone, for 15 years of service. Wenzel was one of 24 county staff members or elected officials celebrated during a recent employee recognition event at the Oct. 28 board of commissioners meeting.

In an unrelated matter during a special county commission meeting Oct. 28, 24 people, including a 40-year employee, were recognized by superiors and board members.

Andrea Guy, representing the Friend of the Court, was the longest serving employee recognized during the ceremony.

Next up are 30-year employees Kole Mostrom and Mark Pratt. Both work for the county’s building and grounds department.

Parks and Recreation Department employee Tonya Barrington, who shares duties with MSU Extension, was one of two employees celebrating 25 years in the county. The other was Donald Heath, now retired, who worked for the St. Louis County Jail. Joseph.

In addition, six employees were recognized for 20 years of service. Meanwhile, four people celebrated their 15-year anniversary and nine more were honored for 10 years of service.

This article originally appeared on the Sturgis Journal: Yunker gets an early start on the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners. Joseph