Obituaries

Aug 13, 2021

Kenneth Richard Deka, age 73 years, former longtime South Bend, Indiana Westsider died peacefully at 11:27 p.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021 with his family gathered around at his home in Niles, Michigan following a brief illness.  The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home....

Aug 3, 2021

Greta Darlene Hoisington, age 89, passed away peacefully August 3, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived with her daughter Lori and son-in-law Chico.

Greta was born in St. Cloud, MN, to Arthur Benjamin and Eva Lenora (Wescott) Olson, and lived her early years in Clearwater, MN. Greta told many stories about her beloved Clearwater, and of...

Aug 2, 2021

Anna L. Shelton, age 91 years, of Berrien Springs, Michigan died at 8:25 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born on August 18, 1929 in Sioux City, Iowa to Fritz August and Hedwig Henrietta (Henning) Nitz. She attended East High School in Sioux City...

Jul 31, 2021

Mark Charles Gulbranson, age 60 years of South Bend, Indiana, father, grandfather, brother, Notre Dame fan, outdoorsman, and seeker of solitude died a bit unexpectedly on Saturday morning, July 31, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness.  He was quietly grateful for those who provided his care including his sister, Trudy whose daily...

Jul 25, 2021

Kenton Edward Smallwood, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, son, brother, and outdoorsman died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, July 25, 2021 while visiting his summer home in Roscommon, Michigan.

He was born on July 29, 1951 in Niles to Blair E. and Barbara J. (Welsher) Walter.  Sadly, Blair died when Kent was...

Jul 20, 2021

Laura Joyce Clark, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, gunsmith, cook, and traveler died peacefully at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

She was born on December...

Jul 18, 2021

Virginia Ann “Ginny” Sriver, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, equestrienne, and adventurer died peacefully at 6:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 18, 2021 with her family gathered around her bedside at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring...

Jul 13, 2021

Michael Reynolds, 72 of South Bend, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

Mike was born on June 14, 1949 in Connersville, IN to the late Garrett and Edith (Grove) Reynolds.

On August 16, 1969 in Harris Prairie Church, he married Susan Tharp who survives.

Those left to cherish...

Jul 6, 2021

Dora M. Gross, 88, of Niles, passed away on Tuesday July 6 after a lengthy illness.

Dora was born on March 20, 1933 in Niles to the late Cecil and Bessie (Fulkerth) Hart.

On July 12, 1951 in Buchanan she married Robert Gross who passed away in 1992.

She is also preceded in...

Jun 30, 2021

Willie B. Nolen was born on July 1, 1930 in Winona, Mississippi to Isabell Nolen.  Willie B was raised by his maternal grandmother, Susie Larry.  On June 30, 2021 Willie B pulled off mortality and put on immortality, making his transition to his heavenly home.

Willie was a veteran of the United States Army where he served...

Jun 28, 2021

Emily Molica, 97 of Niles, passed away on June 28, 2021 with her family by her side.

Emily was born on September 6, 1923 in Dowagiac to the late Frank and Cordella Smith.

On September 27, 1941 in Niles, she married Henry R. Molica who passed away on September 30, 2011.

Those left...

Jun 28, 2021

Oscar E. Davis, Sr. 87 of Niles passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021.

Oscar was born on December 17, 1933 in Coffeeville, MS to the late Oscar E. and Agnes (Tart) Davis, Sr.

Oscar had honorably served our country in the U.S. Navy.   On September 28, 1957 in Niles, he married Phyllis Vance who...

Jun 28, 2021

Robert Grant Tyler, Jr., age 77 years formerly of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, teamster, blues fan, and always a Marine – “Ooh-rah!” died peacefully on Monday morning, June 28, 2021 with family gathered around his bedside at his home in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

He was born on September...

Jun 28, 2021

Barbara Ann Voss, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, traveler, reader, and cook died peacefully at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021 with her family gathered around her bedside at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care of the staff of Caring Circle Hospice...

Jun 27, 2021

Conrad Jacob Stilwell, 25 of Niles, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Conrad was born on January 8, 1996 in Paw Paw, Michigan.

Conrad was a 4th year apprentice with Ironworkers Local 292 of South Bend.  He was an accomplished Motocross enthusiast.  Conrad started riding motocross when he was 9 years old and...

Jun 20, 2021

Elaine Denise Simmons, age 64 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, Michigan traveler, and friend died peacefully Sunday morning, June 20, 2021 with family gathered around her bed at the home of her son in North Liberty, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on June 30, 1956 in Niles...

Jun 11, 2021

Romeo age 4 of Elkhart passed away when he was not able to recover from injuries.

Romeo was born in Niles, MI on September 28, 2016 to Karen Duran and Jorge Pineda-Martinez.

He is survived by his Mother, Karen and his Father, Jorge, as well as his siblings; Ali, Aydan, Juan, Armando, Julian and Nikolai,...

Jun 10, 2021

Robert Lee Crouch, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, brother, uncle, electrical engineer, hobby farmer, and frequent visitor died peacefully Thursday morning, June 10, 2021 with family gathered at his bedside  in his home in Bertrand Township following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs of...

Jun 10, 2021

Robert William Kantowski, age 49 of Berrien Springs, Michigan, son, nephew, cousin, and gentle soul died Thursday morning, June 10, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on January 30, 1972 in the former Buchanan, Michigan Osteopathic Hospital to Harold L. and...

Jun 7, 2021

Eulalia Joo-Wetmore, 88, of Niles passed away on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow.

Lala, was born on October 29, 1932 in Niles to the late Joseph A and Mary M. (Farrell) Wetmore.

She is preceded in death by her parents as well as her 14 brothers and sisters; Sister Margaret Wetmore...