Obituaries

Jan 25, 2021

Melvin “Ray” Cross, 54, of Niles, MI, and having family members in Huntington County, IN, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 at Lakeland Hospital in St Joseph, Michigan following heart surgery.

He was born July 6, 1966, in Decatur, IN to Raymond Milbern and Lavonne E. (Strahm) Cross. His parents preceded him in death.

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Jan 25, 2021

Gerald Francis Marshall, age 92 years young of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, renowned physicist, devoted swimmer, and licensed pilot died peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2021 with his wife at his side at his home following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the care of the kind and compassionate healthcare workers throughout his final...

Jan 22, 2021

David Wayne Brown, age 60 years of Niles, Michigan, brother, uncle, cabinetmaker, rocketeer, cabin cruiser captain, and pet parent died unexpectedly but peacefully at home of natural causes.

He was born on May 7, 1960 in San Francisco, California to Darrell W. and Cheryl L. (Luke) Brown.  He was graduated from Niles High...

Jan 16, 2021

Stephen Albert Adams, age 59 years of South Bend, Indiana, fiancé, father, grandfather, gardener, Harley rider, and hunter extraordinaire died peacefully with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  Locks of Love will receive his final braid to help provide normalcy and self-confidence to children suffering hair loss.

He...

Jan 16, 2021

Opal Jewel Karns of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, fisherwoman, camper, Baptist, and fast driver died peacefully at 11:54 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021 – one day short of her 85th birthday – with her daughter at her side in Spectrum Health - Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

She was...

Jan 15, 2021

Samuel Caleb James Gonzales, age 17 years of Benton Harbor, Michigan, son, grandson, athlete, outdoorsman, and friend to everyone he met died at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Beacon Children’s Hospital in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident on January 8, 2021.  His family is grateful for...

Jan 11, 2021

Rose G. Zehner, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, handcrafter, active church member,  and – most importantly and worth repeating – mother died peacefully at 8:43 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan after the staff had compassionately arranged a visit by her children.

Jan 8, 2021

James Lloyd Whisenant, age 79 years of Niles, Michigan, father, brother, friend to many, honorable U.S.Navy veteran, TV repairman, and cannon builder died peacefully Friday afternoon, January 8, 2021 at home following a fight against cancer.  His family is grateful for the kind and skilled care offered by the staff of hospice.

He...

Jan 5, 2021

Edward B. Camp, 80, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 in Memorial Hospital with his family at his side.

Edward was born on February 14th, 1940 in Kalamazoo, MI. Edward was raised in Niles by his parents, G. Joseph and Eileen Camp. Early in life, Edward learned the value of a strong work...

Jan 1, 2021

Charles Joseph LaSata, 98, of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and lawyer for all, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 1, 2021 with his wife Julia and three children gathered at his side. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by “The Ladies” and by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home....

Dec 31, 2020

Jack Frederick Smith, age 70 years, of Buchanan, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, railroader, and outdoorsman died peacefully at 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the skilled and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

Dec 28, 2020

Beverly J. Thomas, 87 of Niles, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Beverly was born on February 28, 1933 in Niles to the late Fred and Ruth (Savley) Clay.

On June 18, 1960 in Niles, she married Gerald Lee Thomas who passed away on August 7, 2017.

Dec 27, 2020

Patsy Marjorie “Pat” Whisenant, age 75 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, sister, quilter, crafter, and Hallmark movie fan died peacefully at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2020 with her family at her bedside in her home following a brief illness.

She was born on March 23, 1945 in South Bend, Indiana...

Dec 26, 2020

Lynn Marie Ballew, age 65 years of Niles, Michigan, sister, aunt, crafter, walker, and lover of peanut butter and people suffered an unexpected illness last Tuesday and died Saturday afternoon, December 26, 2020 with family at her side at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.  Her family chose to enhance and extend several lives through the Indiana Donor Network....

Dec 24, 2020

Dorothy Dewey, 75 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Dorothy was born on October 10, 1945 in Niles, MI to the late Walter and Millie (Walters) Pickens.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings; David and V.R. ‘Bud’ Pickens, Virginia Pickens, Pat Unger, Pearl Spansail, Betty VanKirk and Mary Hartman...

Dec 19, 2020

Marion May Patrick, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, cook, star dancer, and elite archer died peacefully at 8:22 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care given by the staff of Brentwood.

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Dec 16, 2020

Mary Elizabeth Mace, 88, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in New Albany, IN.

Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville, IN and former member of Wesley United Methodist in Niles, MI.  A dedicated member of both churches, Mary sang in the choirs and served on the food committees. ...

Dec 7, 2020

Mary June Parker, 83 of Dowagiac passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020 with her family by her side.

Mary was born on June 14, 1937 in Cassopolis to the late Ralph and Annabelle (Goodman) True.

On December 9, 1967 in Niles, she married Gary Parker who preceded her in death.

She is...

Dec 6, 2020

Goldean West, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, tennis enthusiast, reader,  fashionista and fervent liberal, died peacefully at 5:36 a.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

She was born on January 18, 1949 in Catron, Missouri to...

Dec 5, 2020

Donald Gene Salyards, age 89 years, died peacefully on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Heritage Point in Mishawaka, Indiana following a brief illness. His family is forever grateful for the outstanding care and kindness provided to him by the Heritage Point staff and the dedicated nurses of Heartland Hospice. We also want to express the greatest appreciation...