Vickie Caison

Vickie Sue Caison, age 72 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2017 with family around at her home following an extended illness.  She was grateful to her sister, Linda & Richard for taking her into their home and providing personal care as her health declined.

She was born on July 28, 1945 in Niles to Edward William Hibbard and Delores Adeline Hartline.  She was graduated from Edwardsburg (Michigan) High School in 1963, and enlisted in the United States Army Women’s Army Corps the next year.  She served as a Clerk Typist, and was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era. She returned to Niles, and was employed at the former U.S. Department of Agriculture Biologic Lab.  She was later employed at the South Bend Tribune in the Obituary Department in the era when journalists called local funeral homes to gather information, and then compose the obituary.  She enjoyed that relationship with many of the funeral directors, and continued to offer them encouragement – and proofreading - via email.

Vickie’s career led to an interest in genealogy.  She started with her family, which – over the years – has expanded to a tree which includes 175,000 people.  That same line of interest also led her to research the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, eventually photographing nearly every legible gravemarker and monument, which she cross-referenced with published obituaries.  That resource is available to the public on the website of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, of which she was a member.  She also photographed many other area cemeteries.

Vickie was sadly preceded in death by her daughter, Tammy Sue Caison on June 2, 2009; and by her mother, Delores Buysse and fathers, Edward Hibbard, George Feirick, and George Buysse; grandparents Victoria Fleck Hartline, Silas Hartline, and Adam & Hazel Feirick; and best friend, Wynona Lunk.

Surviving family includes her son, Jeffery (& Dana) Caison of Denton, North Carolina, grandchildren Alexandria Caison, Ashley (& Richard Wood) Medford, and Aaron (& Tiffany) Medford; great-grandchildren, Rex, Jeremiah, Nathanial, Liam, and Mack; Vickie’s sisters, Linda (& Richard) DeForest and Peggy (& Frank) Walter, both of Niles and brother, George Feirick, Jr. of Edwardsburg; niece, Maria (& Tracy) Ross and nephew, Juan (& Joanna) Crespo; half-brothers John and Robert Hibbard, Wynona’s husband, Ray Lunk; and Vickie’s ex-husband, Linsey (& Louella) Caison.

The funeral service for Vickie Caison will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  The service will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.  Burial will be private at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m.