Thomas Allen Persons, age 46, of 24 N. Oller Ave., Waynesboro, and formerly of Indiana, was suddenly called home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, Feb. 23, 2012, in Fredericksburg, Va. Born June 10, 1965 in Sturgis, Mich., he was the son of the late Maurice “Jake” and Darlene (nee Crain) Persons. He was a 1983 graduate of …

The Cincinnati Cyclones have pulled to within six points of the top spot in the North Division, as the second place Cyclones defeated the first place Kalamazoo Wings 5-3 Saturday night at the U.S. Bank Arena. A defensive struggle for the first 17 minutes of the first period featuring sprawling saves from both Maxime Clermont and Chet Pickard, turned in …

Tia Lynn Caroline Wilbur, 10-day-old daughter of Joseph Wilbur and Cassandra Gilbert, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. In addition to her parents, Tia is survived by a sister, Joanna Jones; a brother, Joseph Dean Wilbur; grandfather, Gerald Wilbur; grandparents, Harry and Caroline Wilbur; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death …

Robert Ray Schrader, age 51, a lifelong Sturgis resident, passed away, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Dec. 16, 1960, in Sturgis, a son of Robert and Patricia (Jordan) Schrader. In September 1980, he found his soulmate and life companion, Sherry Mullins. Robert had been employed at the Sturgis Oasis Party Store, Western …

A solid effort in the first period, the Kalamazoo Wings squandered a three-goal lead and lost to Chicago Express 4-3 Friday night at Wings Stadium. A first period filled with plenty of hits and penalties led to three power-play goals for the K-Wings. Kory Karlander (13th) got things started for Kalamazoo with a snap shot in the slot past Chicago …

A 30-year-old man with a last known address in Three Rivers was identified as the victim of an early morning fire Monday in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Thomas Nipper apparently broke into a storage barn at Meyer Broadway Park in an effort to seek shelter for the night. Investigators said Nipper intentionally started a fire …

A house in the 12000 block of Dickenson Road in Mottville Township was destroyed by fire Wednesday night. Fire officials said flames and heavy smoke were coming through the roof. Nobody was home at the time of the blaze, which was reported by a neighbor around 9 p.m. Personnel from the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Division will follow-up on …

Bill Lentz was named the Sturgis Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2011. The award was presented during Wednesday’s Sturgis City Commission meeting. Lentz was recognized by Public Safety Director David Northrup for his dedication to the department and his job. Northrup said Lentz has undertaken major cases in 2011 that yielded prosecution, including a criminal sexual conduct incident. …

Gary Lee Beauchamp, age 66 of White Pigeon, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 22, 2012 in a motor vehicle accident in Sturgis Township. He was born in LaPorte, IN on Jan. 30, 1946 the son of Vernon “Bud” and Norma (Bruner) Beauchamp. He attended Syracuse High School and was married to Fannie Hershburger; they were later divorced. Gary had resided in …

Melvis E. “Tex” Morris Jr., age 69, with a favorite saying of “Fire in the Hole,” passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Dec. 10, 1942, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to Melvis E. Morris Sr. and Margaret (Learned) (Morris) Landry. On Feb. 12, 2010, he married Elaine Kay Jackson in Centreville. Mel was a talented mason …