STURGIS – Two people have been recognized for their willingness to give back to the community.

The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that Don Eaton and Kimberlee Bontrager have been named the 2021 Citizens Of The Year. Bontrager is a Sturgis native, and after graduating from Sturgis High School, she attended Central Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor's Degree. She later received a Business Masters Degree at the University of Central Florida.

After she and her husband returned to Sturgis, Bontrager jumped feet first into serving the community. She has either served as a board member for or currently is serving as a board member for Sturgis Bancorp; Habitat For Humanity of St. Joseph County; Domestic Assault & Sexual Abuse Services; the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce; Glen Oaks Community College and Sturgis Hospital. Eaton, a Charlotte native, moved to Sturgis in 1987 and just recently retired from Edward Jones. He has been actively involved in the Sturgis Community as well as the surrounding areas.

Eaton was instrumental in creating the Sturgis Senior Center and the Sports Center. He has also been a board member for or currently is a board member with the Sturgis Neighborhood Program; the Sturgis Planning Commission; the Sturgis Foundation Board; the Sturgis United Fund Board; the St. Joseph County Commission and the Sturgis Economic Development Board. Both Bontrager and Eaton will be honored at the Sturgis Fest Kick Off Dinner in August.