Obituaries

Jan 22, 2022

Marilyn R. Bierwagen, 87 of Buchanan, passed away in Memorial Hospital on Saturday, January 22, 2022. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Marilyn was born on April 24, 1934 in Berrien Springs to the late Merrill and Elizabeth (Kelly) Whitfield. She is also preceded by her 2 sisters (Judy and Rosemary) and 1 brother (George). On June...

Jan 20, 2022

Douglas Vincent Lang, age 68 years of Niles, Michigan, son, brother, uncle, devout Catholic, Knight, and Mr. Fix-it died peacefully at 10:53 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. The family is extremely grateful for the West Woods of Niles team that provided Uncle Doug with care, comfort and...

Jan 19, 2022

Margaret Marie “Marguerite” Brown of Niles, Michigan died peacefully on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow having achieved the remarkable age of one-hundred-one years.

She was born on May 28, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward J. and Bertha A. (Borst) O’Brien, came to Niles in 1932, and was graduated...

Jan 19, 2022

Carole Sue Easton, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, camper, VW driver, and an aficionada of all things m&m died peacefully at 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 with her family gathered around her bed at home following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by...

Jan 18, 2022

Jerry Wayne Glass July 15, 1942 – January 18, 2022 Jerry Wayne Glass, 79 of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Jerry was born on July 15, 1942 in Blytheville, AR to the late Gilbert and Irene (Johnson) Glass. He is also preceded by his brother, Roy "Captain" Glass in 2018 and great granddaughter, Willow Ann Faith...

Jan 15, 2022

Jack Eugene Van Arsdall, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and devout Christian, was ordained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and nearly equally called to share a joke in every situation.  During the early morning hours of January 15, 2022, Jack’s heavenly Father tapped on his shoulder saying “well done My good...

Jan 13, 2022

Nellie Sue Mann, 85, of Niles, Michigan passed away on January 13, 2022 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan.

Nellie was born on January 22, 1936 in Lynn, Alabama to the late Theodore and Grace (Sexton) Tittle.

She married Billy Ray Mann in 1962 and the two celebrated 45 years of marriage, prior to...

Jan 12, 2022

Michele ‘Shelley’ Champlin, 48 of Cassopolis, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

Shelley was born on April 23, 1973 in Kalamazoo to Mike and Robin (Drury) Firestine.

She is preceded in death by her infant sister, Lisa Firestine.

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Jan 7, 2022

Leo Carl Pufall Sr., 81, of Niles was born in Three Oaks, MI. Leo was a young farmer. He met the love of his life, Daylene Rose in 1957 and on February 3, 1962, they were married until his last day on earth.

Leo is survived by his wife, Daylene; their three children, Bonnie Pufall, Leo Pufall...

Jan 5, 2022

Clara Marie Singleton, age 72 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, restaurant fan, casino visitor, but most of all: loving grandmother died peacefully at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with her family gathered around her bedside at home following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the...

Jan 5, 2022

Robert Dean Root, age 87 years of Niles, father, grandfather, brother, retired city employee, honorable veteran, and remarkable pole vaulter died peacefully at 5:23 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with family at his bedside at American House in Jenison, Michigan following an illness of five months.

He was born on March 24,...

Jan 4, 2022

A superhero, Patrick Barr Reese, born April 23, 2003 passed away this morning safe in his mom’s arms, rocking in our chair, at home. Surrounded by his favorite things, puppies, and people who loved him. My heart is breaking. I’m finding peace knowing he will be resting high on that mountain, flying higher than an eagle in heaven surrounded...

Jan 4, 2022

Donald Lee Shelton, age 72 years of Berrien Center, Michigan son, brother, uncle, artist, nature lover, and well-known fisherman died peacefully at 10:18 a.m. on Tuesday morning, January 4, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on October 15, 1949 in Niles,...

Dec 31, 2021

Beverley Ann Weiler, age 93 of Niles, Michigan, mother, fun-loving friend, sorority sister, amateur photographer, and traveler died peacefully at 6:58 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Riveridge and Caring Circle Hospice.

Beverley was...

Dec 28, 2021

Gladys L. Canfield-Keith, 91 of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in Brentwood at Niles.

Gladys was born on August 9, 1930 in Keiser, Arkansas to the late Clyde and Mae (Via) Davidson.

Gladys was married to Ervin Canfield who passed away in 1987.  She later married Kenneth Keith who survives.

...

Dec 27, 2021

Joyce Elaine Rodie, 85, of Niles, passed away in Heritage Point in Mishawaka.

Joyce was born on July 22, 1936 in La Cross, Kansas to the late John and Elma (Kaiser) Rodie.

She is also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters; Ruby Lewinski-Veltman, Elvina Bott, Lloyd Rodie, Marvin Rodie and Junior Rodie

Dec 23, 2021

John Michael “Mike” Todd, age 68 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, companion, and musician died peacefully at 8:24 p.m. Thursday evening, December 23, 2021 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on May 4, 1953 in Niles to John C. and Marie J. (Powers) Todd, Jr. and was...

Dec 23, 2021

Laura Amanda “Lulu” Carlyle, age 54 years of Berrien Center, Michigan, sister, aunt, jeweler, Looney Tune fan, and big-time hugger died unexpectedly at 10:47 on Thursday morning, December 23, 2021 at her home with her family gathered around.  Her family is grateful for the assistance and life-saving directions provided by the emergency call center (911) while waiting...

Dec 23, 2021

Ellen Marie Kangas of Buchanan, Michigan, wife, mother, sister, devout Christian, volunteer, and Buchanan community supporter died peacefully at 2:08 a.m. Thursday morning, December 23, 2021 having achieved the remarkable age of 102 years.  Her relatives and friends are grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs of Buchanan Meadows and Caring Circle Hospice....

Dec 23, 2021

Esther Anne Wessell

September 9, 1959 – December 23, 2021

Esther Anne Wessell, 62 of Buchanan passed away on December 23, 2021 in Lakeland Spectrum Health in St. Joseph.

Esther was born on September 9, 1959 in Niles to the late Samuel and Fannie (Hart) Weiser, Sr.

On July...