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Obituaries

James Elmer Lepel

James Elmer Lepel

Nov 17, 2024

 James Elmer Lepel, 91, of South Bend, died peacefully Sunday November 17, 2024 in the comfort of his family’s presence.   His life began July 13, 1933 in Niles, the first born of four children born to Walter and Eleanor Lepel.

 James was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Army. He then went on to serve...

Alice Marie Pratt

Alice Marie Pratt

Nov 16, 2024

Alice Marie “Susie” Pratt, 86, of Niles, died peacefully Saturday November 16, 2024 in the comfort of her family’s presence. Her life began March 24, 1938 in Niles the first of four born to Abraham and Alice Hargreaves.

 Alice was hard working and kind hearted. She loved cooking for the holiday and could often be found out working on the farm....

Lois Eunice Freske

Lois Eunice Freske

Nov 15, 2024

Lois Eunice Freske, 95 of Niles, died Friday, November 15 at Westwoods of Niles. Lois was born August 26, 1929 in Berwyn Illinois to Richard and Clara (Behnke) Klebbe. She married Rober W. Freske Sr., September 9, 1951 and moved to Niles in 1958.

Lois met the love of her life in high school, graduating from Luther Institute in 1947, where...

Emmajean Felhauer

Emmajean Felhauer

Nov 4, 2024

V. Emmajean Felhauer, 96, of South Bend, Indiana, died Monday, November 4, 2024.

Her life began November 30, 1927, in Niles, Michigan.  She married Virgil Raymond Felhauer January 16, 1946. After seventy-five years of marriage, he preceded her in death November 9, 2021. 

Emmajean will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by son, Kent (Denise) Felhauer of La...

Annette Hamrick

Annette Hamrick

Nov 3, 2024

Annette Hamrick, 75, of Niles, died Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Annette enjoyed spending time with her family and living in her home town of Niles.

She graduated from Niles High school in 1967. Annette loved collecting antiques, playing cards & dominos, watching football and especially rooting for the Chicago Bears. She worked for Martins Grocery Store and had many friends from there....

Kenneth Edward Cullum

Kenneth Edward Cullum

Nov 1, 2024

Kenneth Edward “Kenny” Cullum, 65, died November 1, 2024. His life began February 15, 1959 in South Haven, the youngest of three children born to James and Hazel Cullum. He married the love of his life, Kelly Grayam September 23, 1994 in Las Vegas Nevada. She survives.

Kenny was known as the “Bud Man” for many in Niles. He delivered beer...

John Yelape

John Yelape

Oct 29, 2024

John Yelape of Niles, Michigan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the age of 92 years. He was born on September 19, 1932 in Niles to John and Rosa (Pirolo) Yelape, and graduated in 1950 from Niles High School. He was member of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles.

Following graduation, John entered the United...

Guadalupe A. Castaneda, Sr.

Guadalupe A. Castaneda, Sr.

Oct 28, 2024

Guadalupe A. Castaneda, Sr., 74, of Niles, died peacefully Monday, October 28, 2024, in the comfort of his family’s presence.

His life began December 12, 1949, in Harlingen, Texas, the second of four children born to Roberto and Louisa Castaneda. He married Irma Saldana March 8,1967 in Mercedes, Texas. 

Guadalupe and Irma’s parents lived in Texas and were migrant workers who traveled...

Kenneth E. Keith

Kenneth E. Keith

Oct 17, 2024

Kenneth E. Keith, 93, of Niles, died October 17, 2024. His life began January 17, 1931, in Niles, born to James Keith and Frances Mildred Howell Keith. He passed away peacefully at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles

Ken served proudly in the United States Army entering the service on November 22, 1948, and retiring October 31, 1971, after 23 years as...

Moonyean Julia Quick

Moonyean Julia Quick

Oct 14, 2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Moonyean Julia Quick. She passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Sherwood, their two sons, Terry and Todd (Susan), and her sister Durbin (Mike) Shikany and nephews Ed, Ben, Andy and niece Nicki. Moonie was preceded in death by her son Brian and nephew Tim.

Moonyean,...

Ronald Wingeart

Ronald Wingeart

Oct 8, 2024

Ronald Edward Wingeart, age 82 years of Cassopolis, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, outdoorsman, athlete, and Barron Lake Boy passed peacefully from natural causes at 9:36 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 with his wife at his side at their home.

He was born on September 28, 1942 in Niles, Michigan to Erwin L. and Olive L. (Hansen) Wingeart, was raised...

Louis James Pysklo

Louis James Pysklo

Oct 7, 2024

Louis James Pysklo, 82, of Cassopolis, died Monday, October 7, 2024.

 His life began September 24, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the only child born to Louis Pysklo and Marie McDonald. 

 Louis enjoyed his bible studies and helping anyone and everyone he came in contact with. He loved history and enjoyed watching the History Channel. 

 Louis will be greatly missed by family and...

Sheila Mazingo

Sheila Mazingo

Oct 5, 2024

Sheila Mazingo, 65, of Niles, died peacefully October 5, 2024 in the comfort of her family's presence.

Her life began June 13, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana, the second of three children, born to Allen and Alice Pratt.

Sheila retired from Innovative Products in Niles, June of 2024. She belonged to a pool team named "Chaos" where she met many friends, she...

Becky Suzanne Dobrzykowski

Becky Suzanne Dobrzykowski

Oct 3, 2024

Becky Suzanne Dobrzykowski, 67, of South Bend, Indiana, died October 3, 2024.

Her life began October 20, 1956, in Niles, Michigan, born to Marion and Mable Bridges. 

She married Michael Eugene Dobrzykowski September 10, 1982, in Niles, Michigan. He preceded her in death December 6, 2016. 

Becky retired from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the State of Indiana. She enjoyed dancing Hula...

Joyce E. Dreitzler

Joyce E. Dreitzler

Sep 27, 2024

Joyce Elaine (Canfield) Dreitzler, 94, of Buchanan, died in Niles, Friday, September 27, 2024.

Her life began February 12, 1930, in Mishawaka, Indiana, born to Donald and Gladys (Phillippi) Canfield.

She married Melvin E. “Pete” Dreitzler September 15, 1951, in Buchanan, Michigan. After fifty-seven years of marriage, he preceded her in death May 3, 2009. They became proud parents to their sons,...

Jerry Lee VanDenBerg

Jerry Lee VanDenBerg

Sep 26, 2024

Jerry Lee VanDenBerg, 81, of Niles, died peacefully Thursday, September 26, 2024, in the comfort of his family’s presence.

His life began April 23, 1943, in Byron Center, Michigan, one of four children born to John Sr. and Henrietta VanDenBerg. He married Marty Hostetler July 24, 1999 in Niles, Michigan. 

Jerry was a musician, played marimba, drums, and vibraphone. He enjoyed playing...

Betty Jane Snouwaert

Betty Jane Snouwaert

Sep 16, 2024

Betty J. Snouwaert age 93, of Niles passed away at her home on September 16, 2024

She was born on September 24,1930 in Sugarbush Wisconsin; the daughter of Jacob and Helen Leick.

Betty was known to be both strong and caring. Her faith was important to her, and she would regularly be in church early. Betty, along with her husband, would plan...

Hector "Jim" Armando Rocha

Hector "Jim" Armando Rocha

Sep 13, 2024

Hector Armando “Jim” Rocha, 90, of Wilder, Tennessee, died September 13, 2024. His life began July 23, 1934, in Rio Grande, Texas, one of four born to Jose and Tina (Perez)Rocha.

Jim served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was very proud of his service. He enjoyed spending time with other veterans at the VFW hall. He also...

Sally Joann Flanders

Sally Joann Flanders

Sep 13, 2024

Sally Flanders, 77, of Edwardsburg, Michigan passed away Friday, September 13, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

Her life began April 26, 1947, in Niles, Michigan born to Frank and Bertha (Bennett)Tharp.  She married Thomas Flanders September 20, 1969. They celebrated forty-two years of marriage prior to his passing in April 2012.

Sally lived her entire life in Edwardsburg, Michigan. She was a...

Patricia Dorothea Gondeck

Patricia Dorothea Gondeck

Sep 13, 2024

Patricia Dorothea Gondeck, of Niles, died peacefully Friday, September 13, 2024, She was born September 30, 1931, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Vernon and Dorothy (Hanley) Kamin and grew up in Maywood, Illinois, graduating from Proviso East High School in 1949. 

As a gifted pianist, Patricia attended the American Conservatory of Music, in Chicago, Illinois, where she met her future husband,...

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