Barbara Hesser

Barbara Joan Hesser, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan died at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on July 10, 1929 in Niles to John J. and Berniece F. (Belledin) VanTuyl. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles all of her life including many years in the 1600 block of Ferry Street. As a young lady, she was employed at the former Simplicity Pattern Company Niles plant, and later was retired from the City of Niles Utility Department.

Barbara was a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed camping with her family throughout Michigan. Her greatest interest was caring for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother, Richard F. VanTuyl, and his wife, Betty VanTuyl.

Surviving family includes her children, Cindi (& Charles) Durm of Cody, Wyoming, John Harold (& Cindy) Hesser of Glendale, Arizona, and Harry Joseph Hesser of Galien, Michigan; grandchildren Christi Bringle, Candi (& Ike) Eastman, Jeffrey Hesser, Sarah Hesser, Joseph (& Natasha) Hesser, Cyndi (& Richard) Krause, and Garrett Hesser; nine great-grandchildren; Barbara’s sister, F. Jean (& Tom) Reidenbach of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

The Catholic Wake Service for Barbara Hesser will be read at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by The Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of Saint Mark Catholic Church. Committal Rites will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at the graveside in Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

The family of Barbara Hesser will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church, or to an organization of the donor’s choice.