Obituaries

Jul 21, 2023

Tony Prestine, 43, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Tony was born on September 16, 1979 in Niles to Scott and Gudrun.

 Tony married the love of his life, the former Heather Weaver, on November 2, 2022 in Jamaica.

Tony is survived by his wife, Heather, children; Mitchell (Jade) Dehn of Niles, Tyler Prestine of Niles,...

Jul 20, 2023

Mary A. Zimmerman, 86 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Mary was born on October 28, 1936 in McClelland, Arkansas to the late Ray and Tressie Tate.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Janet Groves and son, Jody Gaul and several brothers and sisters. She is also preceded...

Jul 15, 2023

 

Richard J. Messenger, 51 of Niles, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Richard was born in Niles, Michigan on February 13, 1972 to the late Richard D. and Irene E. Messenger.

Richard graduated from Niles High School.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles. Richard enjoyed gaming.  He and his...

Jul 7, 2023

 

Ilah Lee Hebner, age 91 years formerly of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, administrator, and traveler died peacefully at 7:13 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023 with family gathered around her bedside at Pilgrim Manor in Plymouth, Indiana following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff at...

Jul 6, 2023

 

Gary Alan Skinner, age 43 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, son, brother, die-hard Cubs fan, and tattoo enthusiast died Thursday evening, July 6, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a motor vehicle accident.  His family is grateful for the efforts of the first responders and the emergency department staff.

He was born on June 30,...

Jul 6, 2023

 

Dale L. Arnold, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, dad, Poppa, brother, honorable Veteran, retired firefighter, and fan of the University of Notre Dame died peacefully at 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023 with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care of the...

Jun 28, 2023

Douglas Wayne Kelley, age 83 years of Niles, Michigan; father, grandfather, brother, and quiet worker died peacefully at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 with family at his home in Howard Township following a brief illness.

He was born on October 27, 1939 in Hamilton, Alabama to Fred T. and Clela (Colburn) Kelley, and attended school in Alabama.  He came...

Jun 20, 2023

Lynn Schweinzger died peacefully on June 20, 2023 at 9:28am at Green Acres Assisted Living where she resided for the past year.  Lynn was born on June 16, 1954 to Jack and Charlotte Schweinzger.  She lived her whole life in Niles and was known by many people.  After graduating from Niles High School she attended Andrews University for one year...

Jun 17, 2023

 

Harry Hallwood Jr., (79), of Niles, Michigan, passed away on June 16, 2023. Harry, also known as Ray, was a hell of a guy. He had a sharp, endless wit and charming grin, was an incredibly hard worker with high ethical standards, and was endlessly dependable to all who knew him. Born in Liverpool, England, he was a proud...

Jun 9, 2023

Vonda Marie Polega, age 93 of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, sister; devout Catholic, church choir member, and long-time Notre Dame library assistant died peacefully at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023, at her home following a brief illness.

She was born on May 2, 1930, in South Bend, Indiana to Arthur...

Jun 7, 2023

Pastor Michael Edny Ostrander, age 78 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, Christian Pastor, and fan of the South Bend Cubs died unexpectedly at 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

He was born on August 31, 1944 in Cheboygan,...

May 22, 2023

Mary Varner, co-founder and owner of local garden center Varner’s Greenhouse & Nursery, of Niles, Michigan, passed away after an extended hospital stay. Mary was born and raised in Niles, Michigan, and taught English at Brandywine Public Schools for almost 30 years, starting in the early 1960s.  She married the love of her life, Jack Varner, in...

May 20, 2023

Charles Eugene “Chuck” Rhodes, age 83 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, creative machinist, sport shooter and reloader, and avid gardener died peacefully at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023 with his family gathered around him at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on August 1, 1939...

May 18, 2023

Jay Severinghaus, 46 of Niles, passed away, on his birthday, after suffering injuries from a motorcycle accident.

Jay was born on May 18, 1977 in Benton Harbor to the late Robert and Marilyn (Dunn) Bowen.

On January 25, 2019, he married the love of his life, Janette Severinghaus.

May 17, 2023

 

Rosemary H. Eckler

October 30, 1921 – May 17, 2023

 

Rosemary H. Eckler, 101 of Niles, passed away peacefully at The Timbers of Cass County.

Rosemary was born on October 30, 1921 in Niles to the late Richard and Pauline (Pawalski) Kiell. She is preceded in death by two sisters and  one brother.

On July 23, 1949 in...

May 17, 2023

Donald Charles Eden, 69 resident of Decatur and Niles, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 17, 2023.

Don was born in Niles on January 18, 1954 to the late Charles Clifford and Dorothy Jane (McCormick) Eden.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bryan Eden in 2010.

...

May 2, 2023

Michael Emil Jones, 62, of Niles, passed away peacefully at the University of Michigan Hospital on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 after a long, hard fought battle with heart disease.

Mike was born on December 14, 1960 in St. Joseph, MI to the late Elmer Emil and Mary Louise (Post) Jones.

On October 7, 1995, Mike...

Apr 29, 2023

Gerald William Squire Westfall

December 5, 1946 – April 29, 2023

Gerald William Squire Westfall, 76 of Niles, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 29.

Jerry was born on December 5, 1946 in Allegan, Michigan.  He was raised by Garth and Eloise Westfall who preceded him in death. He is also preceded by his...

Apr 26, 2023

Adrienne F. Ramos, 76 of Niles, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Adrienne was born on October 23, 1946 in Niles to the late Steve and Marjorie (Stingel) Juhasz.

On October 23, 1966 she married Silvester who survives.

Adrienne is survived by her...

Apr 22, 2023

Chief Petty Officer Robert Bruce Pinnell, U.S.Navy, Retired, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, proud Papa, honorable veteran, double-lung-transplant survivor, and devout follower of Jesus Christ died peacefully Saturday evening, April 22, 2023 with his family gathered around at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan following a brief illness.  His family is...