Obituaries

Mar 15, 2023

William Arthur Hilligoss, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan; father, grandfather, brother, devout Catholic, honorable veteran and fast-pitch softball pitching MVP died peacefully at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on June 3, 1931 at home -- just as in death --...

Mar 13, 2023

Brooklyn Melody Lea Anders, 9 days passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Brooklyn may have only been with us for a short time. However, the love her family has for her will never be diminished.  She touched the hearts of so many. Her family will forever cherish the moments they had with her. They take...

Mar 13, 2023

Donald George Chapman, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan; father, grandfather, uncle, quiet accountant, vocal sports fan, and honorable veteran died peacefully at 9:50 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023 with family at his bedside in Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on September 10, 1932...

Mar 11, 2023

David D. Rachels, Sr. May 5, 1930 – March 10, 2023

David D. Rachels, Sr., 92 of Niles, passed away at his home on Friday, March 10, 2023. David was born to the late Wilbern T. and Bridgie (Casey) Rachels on May 5, 1930 in Greenfield, TN. He was the youngest of six children, all have preceded...

Mar 5, 2023

Paulette Kay Sargent, 74 of Buchanan, passed away after an extended illness in Corwell Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Paulette was born on February 2, 1949 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Paul and Dorothy Carley.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Carley.

Paulette is survived by...

Mar 3, 2023

Melisa ‘Lisa’ Hemphill, 58 of Niles, passed away in her residence on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Lisa was born on July 31, 1964 in Niles to Kenneth and Linda (McAbee) Grubbs.

She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Grubbs and Shane M. Grant, who she thought of as a son.

Lisa...

Feb 28, 2023

Michael Lee Sears, age 63 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, brother, machinist, and outdoorsman died unexpectedly at 9:34 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at his home with his family nearby.

He was born on February 6, 1960 in Niles to Gordon L. and Marie D. (Davis) Sears.  He was graduated...

Feb 27, 2023

Robert T. Crocker, age 75 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, brother, softball player, and country music fan died peacefully at 7:50 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023 with his wife by his side at Saint Joseph Mishawaka Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born on September 10, 1947 in...

Feb 26, 2023

Donna Erlene Haynes, age 67 of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, camper, fisher, and caring friend died peacefully with her family gathered around her bedside at 11:37 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2023 following a brief illness.

She was born on July 12, 1955 in Michigan City, Indiana to Robert E. and Emma...

Feb 25, 2023

Donald Mitchell, age 94, of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, interior decorator, honorable Veteran, and avid reader died peacefully at 7:17 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023 with family gathered at his side in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

Don was born on December 16, 1928 in Lawton, Michigan...

Feb 24, 2023

Marian June Binns, age 85 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and lifelong homemaker, died peacefully at 1:31 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023 with family at her bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

She was born on July 2, 1937 in South Bend to...

Feb 23, 2023

Gayle Denise Teske Waldschmidt, 75 of Dowagiac, joined God in Heaven on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Gayle was born in Niles to the late Clifford and Zeta (Werner) Teske. She is preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brother, Larry Teske and step son, Steven Waldschmidt. Gayle was married to Ben Waldschmidt, Jr. of Dowagiac for...

Feb 19, 2023

Tammy Marie Kennedy, 56, of Niles, passed away at Corwell Health Lakeland in St. Joseph, MI.

Tammy was born on August 24, 1966 in Niles to John and Clara (Blatz) Seidner.

Tammy is preceded in death by her mother, Clara Singleton and her brother Scott Seidner.

Tammy was a Home Care Manager for...

Feb 13, 2023

Margaret Ellen Hoese, 85 of Niles, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Margaret was born on October 27, 1937 in Eau Claire to the late Harold and Eva (Johnson) Thomas.

On October 18, 1958 she married William S. Hoese who preceded her in death.  Margaret is also preceded...

Feb 11, 2023

Miss Susan Marie Smith, age 59 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, daughter, sister, aunt, swimmer, singer, and proud Chippewa died at 9:46 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 with her brother at her side at Saint Joseph Plymouth Medical Center in Plymouth, Indiana following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care...

Feb 9, 2023

Pamela Sue Stanley, 60 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in Corwell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, with her family by her side.

Pam was born on December 4, 1962 in Niles to Buddy and Darlene (PeGan) Stanley.

Pamela was a very strong, beautiful, caring, loving soul. She loved all people...

Feb 7, 2023

James A. Young, 81, formally of Niles passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Edgewood Health and Rehab in Three Rivers, MI. James was born on July 11, 1941 in Niles to the late Ted A. and Ardis L. (Schockley) Young. He graduated from Niles High School, Class of 1959. While in High School, he excelled at Football...

Feb 6, 2023

Mary Catherine Welch, 91 of Niles, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 in Riveridge Health Care Center in Niles.

Mary was born on July 18, 1931 in Glenn, Michigan to the late Harold and Eva (Johnson) Thomas.

On September 27, 1949 in Berrien Center, she married Raymond Russell Welch who passed away. She is...

Feb 4, 2023

Kathleen Marie Jones, 64 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday February 4, 2023 in Vibra Hospital in Merrillville, Indiana. Kathleen was born on March 3, 1958 in Baltimore to Donald and Julia (Stemen) Hardy. She is preceded in death by her father, Donald, her grandparents Paul and Mary Stemen, Herbert and Esther Hardy,...

Feb 2, 2023

Starr Ellen Starbuck, 61 of Niles, wife, mother and devoted grandmother, passed away after a brief illness at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Starr was born on October 4, 1961 in Niles to the late Maynard and Margaret (Breland) Ewert.

In March 1999, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Niles, she married Harold “Jim” Starbuck...