James Willie Deale, age 86, of Mendon, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at his home following a brief illness. James was one of eight children born to Mr. Willie Deale and Mrs. Hattie Deale on August 18, 1927  in Vicksburg, Mississippi. James later moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated from …

Jeanette Rose Avila, age 87, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully at Riverview Manor on Thursday Nov. 21, 2013. She was born in Milwaukee, WI on Oct. 10, 1926 the daughter of Frederick and Rose (Holland) Schade. Jeanette later moved to San Mateo, CA where she met John Steven Avila. They were married on May 8, 1948, on Mother’s Day …

Two people were injured early Monday in a 1-car crash at 1am. The driver was identified as 37-year-old James Devries. He rolled his full size conversion van at the intersection of Wakeman and Baer Roads. County sheriff’s deputies say he fled the scene of the crash, but was later found walking up to his home by an awaiting officer. Devries …

Wayne Edward Outman, age 90, of Leonidas, died Saturday Nov. 23, 2013 at his home. He was born on March 20, 1928 the son of Lloyd Edward and Elda Marie Krum (Hagelgans) Outman and has been a lifetime resident of Leonidas. Wayne graduated from Colon High School in 1941. He joined the U.S Marine Corps in 1941 and served in …

Raymond “Sonny” Hugh Wright, 104, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 at Park Village Pines, Kalamazoo. He was born on July 19, 1909 in St. Joseph County, the son of the late Hugh John and Irma (Ayers) Wright. Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Mrs. Twilla A (Oxley) Wright on Aug. 15, 1938 in Warsaw, …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-car collision at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Lockport Township. According to a department media release, one of two cars going in opposite directions on M-60 near Mahnke Road crossed the center line and collided with the other vehicle. One of the vehicles rolled several times and the driver had to be …

St. Joseph County United Way is joining #Giving Tuesday  to inspire people to improve their communities by creating a better world. Next week, #Giving Tuesday will leverage social media to create a national movement dedicated to giving, just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been positioned to be synonymous with holiday shopping, according to Kelly Hostetler, St. Joseph County …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education is looking for a new member, as president Tom Robertson announced his resignation this week. Robertson on Monday told board members he is accepting a new job as juvenile court director, and the position has the potential to put him in a conflict of interest as a school board member. A successor to …

A Fort Wayne funeral home is turning to the Internet to allow people who can’t attend funeral services to join in from afar. D.O. McComb & Sons is offering videoconferencing of visitations and memorial services using Skype. The videoconferencing software will be used Friday so a relative in Australia can participation in a visitation being held in Fort Wayne. Co-owner …

A World War Two-era steam engine is back on track in central Michigan. The Argus-Press says a crowd cheered Wednesday night as the Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive’s whistle sounded to announce its arrival at the train yard in Owosso. The 200-ton steam engine was built in 1941 and retired 16 years later. It was donated to Michigan State University …