The Oasis Restaurant, south of Three Rivers on U.S. 131, caught fire over the weekend. Information about the incident remains limited as of Monday afternoon, but Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson said area of origin was the kitchen and the incident involved a kitchen hood system. The incident was reported by a passer-by around 10:20 p.m. Friday. Three Rivers …

Doris M. Nelson, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Sept. 17, 2012 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Sept. 10, 1922, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Clarence and Florence (Merchant) Bunnell. Doris had resided in Burr Oak and Sturgis all her life. On June 11, 1938, she married Irvin F. Nelson in Sturgis. He preceded …

Donald E. Dilts, 79, of LaGrange, Ind., died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Ind. He was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Steuben County, Ind., to Clarence L. and Thelma M. (Coney) Dilts. Don was retired from Ross Laboratory in Sturgis. He worked there for 26 years. He also was a farmer in Howe, Ind., …

Anna Wright, of Three Rivers and formerly of Allegan, passed away Sept. 12, 2012 in Three Rivers. Mrs. Wright was born Feb. 18, 1935 in Riceville, Ky., the daughter of W.E. “Deak” Conley and Shirley (Burke) Conley. Surviving: husband, Steve; two daughters and two sons and their families; special friends and caregivers Diane Buell and Jan Bresson. At Anna’s request, …

Jean Benson Daugherty entered into the “Kingdom of God” Saturday morning, Sept. 1, 2012, surrounded by her three loving daughters. She was the daughter of Lester and Frieda (Smith) Heape and was born on June 29, 1929 in Tamaroa, Ill. On Dec. 21, 1946 Jean married Clyde Benson and they raised three daughters. She was employed at Continental Can, Glen …

A three-member panel of judges with the Michigan Appellate Court has upheld the convictions of a Centreville couple charged in the death of their daughter. The court last week dismissed appeals filed by Anthony and Marsha Springer, who were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the death of 16-year-old Calista Springer in February 2008. The …

Two Sturgis residents were arrested on various charges after they were involved in a dispute last week. According to Sturgis police, officers were called shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday to the vicinity of North Jefferson and West West streets. Upon arrival, officers noticed both parties had sustained knife wounds. They were treated at Sturgis Hospital. A 25-year-old woman was charged …

Willodean (Swindle) McKenzie, 92, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 16, 1919, in Marmaduke Ark., a daughter of Cornelius A. and Tulah Mae (Thomas) Swindle. She resided for a short time in Fort Wayne, Ind., LaGrange, and Sturgis, and …

Dustin “Raze” Pike, age 28, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 5, 1983, in Sturgis, a son of Lloyd Pike Jr. and Bonnie Jarratt. Dustin spent most of his life in the Sturgis area and had moved to Grand Rapids in 2008 to work with the 61syx Teknique …

Maxine Schowalter, 93, of Sturgis, died at 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis. She was born March 9, 1919, in Hugo, Colo., to Claud and LaVina (Bradfield) Wilson. On May 28, 1942, she married Fred Schowalter in Pueblo, Colo. He died Jan. 14, 2007. Surviving are a daughter, Sheryl (Larry) Gingerich of White Pigeon; a son, …