Upon her last breath Feb. 27, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo, she was reunited with her heavenly family: her parents, Burr and Erma Howland; a sister, Wilma Carr; her husband, Joseph Gest; and a son, Larry Gest. Loved ones left to celebrate her life are sisters Wanda Kosmerick and Sharon (Jerry) Carpenter,; a daughter and son-in-law, …

Russell L. Forrest, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village. Per his wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Wayne Oxender, age 87, of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away Feb. 2, 2019, at Lee Health Center. He was born April 11, 1931, at home near Centreville, the first son of Harry and Myrtle (Sherck) Oxender. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1949. He completed an ag short course at Michigan State University, then married Joan Smith in 1950. …

Robert Wayne Seager, age 72, of Jones, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Borgess Medical Center.  He was born in Three Rivers on May 2, 1946, the son of Walter B and Melvina M. (Clute) Seager. Robert enjoyed farming, fishing, and spending time with the Amish at the Middlebury Hay Sale which he owned and operated for many, …

Michigan State Police say three people were killed when their car collided with an Amtrak train near Kalamazoo. Oshtemo Township Fire Chief Mark Barnes says no one on the train was injured, but everyone in the car died in the collision about 10 p.m. Sunday west of Kalamazoo. Police identified the crash victims Monday as 20-year-old Jarmaine Brown, 19-year-old Marcionna …

Like a good neighbor, my insurance company has given me a few suggestions about what not to store in my basement. I don’t have a basement, but for those who do, I’m passing these ideas on to you, and I don’t even sell insurance. Jot these down, then pass them on to your neighbors: If your basement is unfinished and …

Indiana Michigan Power has restored power to 94 percent of customers who lost service on Sunday and is working to restore the remainder. Crews have restored power to all South Bend/Elkhart area customers affected by Sunday’s high winds. In Muncie, Marion and Fort Wayne combined, fewer than 100 customers remained to be restored as of 4 p.m.  Monday.  I&M is …

After falling to the Cincinnati Cyclones by a score of 5-1 on Wednesday evening, the Kalamazoo Wings continued their four-game road trip as they headed to Independence, Missouri for a Saturday night match-up against the Kansas City Mavericks. Brandon Anselmini got things going early in the first period for the K-Wings as he found a loose puck in front of …

Lawmakers who want Michigan to no longer automatically try 17-year-olds as adults are pointing to its outlier status as among the reasons to pass bipartisan bills to “raise the age.” Michigan is among four states whose default is to treat 17-year-olds as adults in criminal proceedings. There is a growing consensus that 17-year-olds are better off in the juvenile justice …

Margaret L. Wayne, age 93, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019 at Grace Healthcare Center. She was born on September 5, 1925 the only daughter of Clarence and Maude (Munser) Becker. Margaret was united in marriage to Richard E. Wayne. In the early years of her marriage she babysat many young children of working parents. Later …