Obituaries

Mar 20, 2020

Billy D. Zimmerman, 76 of Mishawaka, passed away at his home on March 20, 2020’

Billy was born on January 10, 1944 in Niles, MI to the late Donald and Betty (Harger) Zimmerman.  In May of 1972 he married Wilma Thomas who preceded him in death in 2016.

Billy is also preceded in death by...

Mar 20, 2020

Margaret True Lewis Rankel, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born September 11, 1923, in Berrien County Michigan to John and Hattie (Smith) True.  She was the youngest of nine children all of...

Mar 19, 2020

Cecile M. Crandall passed away on March 19, 2020 in Riveridge nursing home in Niles. Cecile was born on August 16, 1928 in Berrien Springs to the late Mildred (Stowell) and Ellsworth Clem. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Don Clem and Larry Clem. On July 15, 1949 in Angola, Indiana she married Charles ‘Chuck’ Crandall...

Mar 18, 2020

Aaron D. Thomas, 42 of Niles passed away from natural causes on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Niles.

Aaron was born on March 20, 1977 in Niles to Daniel and Bonnie (Makepeace) Thomas.

Aaron is preceded in death by his father Daniel.

He is survived by his wife, Jona Thomas, children; Jacob Thomas,...

Mar 17, 2020

Marlene Lorraine Vandenburg, age 82 years of Niles, wife, mother, grandmother, creative crafter, seasonal celebrator,  photographer, and cat lady died peacefully at 3:23 p.m. on Saint Patrick’s Day Tuesday, March 17, 2020 with family at her side in the Emergency Department of Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

She...

Mar 10, 2020

Margaret Elizabeth Askren, age 89 of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, typist, and volunteer died peacefully at 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on July 13, 1930 in Palmer, Kansas (increasing Palmer’s population to 187) to Walter A. and...

Mar 10, 2020

Eunice Mae Hurlbutt, 93 of Niles passed away in Wellbrooke of South Bend.

Eunice was born on September 13, 1926 in Niles to the late Phillip and Esther (Mongomery) Tuesley.

On May 1, 1945 she married Melvin Hurlbutt who passed away in 2004.

Eunice is survived by her sons; Jerry (Linda) Hurlbutt and...

Mar 5, 2020

Scott J. Phillips, 56 of Cassopolis, passed away from natural causes on Thursday, March 5, 2020 in Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center.

Scott was born on January 24, 1964 in Niles to the late John and Evelyn (Woltman) Phillips.

He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Sandra, brothers Jim Phillips, Greg Phillips...

Mar 3, 2020

After a protracted struggle with respiratory and other ailments, Fred Schneider, 75, died on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, the same hospital where he was born (then known as Pawating Hospital) on 17 May 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Helen Schneider, his brother Terry Schneider, and his sister Rosalie Ann...

Mar 3, 2020

Former Niles City Councilman Osceola Wilson “Osie” Skinner, age 95 years of Niles, husband, father, grandfather, World War II veteran, chemist, optimist – both the club and the attitude, and friend to all died peacefully at 6:59 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 with his family gathered around him at his home following a brief illness.  His...

Mar 1, 2020

Mary Germaine Wagner, 86 of Niles, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020 in West Woods of Niles.

She was born on September 21, 1933 in St. Joseph County Indiana to the late Everet and Emmerence (Truyaert) Serry.

On February 27, 1954 she married Carl R. Wagner who passed away.  She is also preceded in...

Feb 29, 2020

Loretta V. “Ginny” Cochran, age 96 years wife, mother, grandmother, reader, and golfer died at 3:50 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 with family gathered around her bedside at Wellbrooke of South Bend, Indiana of natural causes. She was born on February 17, 1924 in Baroda, Michigan to Sherman and Helen (Unruh) Davis. She was graduated from...

Feb 29, 2020

Mary Lorraine Pickens, age 74 years of Niles, Michigan mother, server, furniture restorer, and friend to many died peacefully at 3:17 a.m. at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan following a brief illness. She was born on August 5, 1945 in Seattle, Washington to Lloyd C. and Charlotte (Pecor) Biles. She was graduated from Brandywine High...

Feb 29, 2020

Antonia T. Castillo, age 70 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife, shopper, and “Ma” to many died at 4:02 p.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 with family gathered around her bed in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

She was born on November 3, 1949 in San...

Feb 28, 2020

Elane Patricia “Pat” Gutschow, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, lover of animals and her family and friends died at 1:35 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center – Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

She was born on April 7, 1932 in Niles to...

Feb 26, 2020

Randy A. Clanton, 62 of Niles, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Randy was born on April 21, 1957 in Niles to the late Albert and Mary (Russell) Clanton. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Racheal Renee Clanton. On May 21, 1977 in Niles, Randy married Vicki Hilligoss who survives. He...

Feb 24, 2020

Margery Ellen Tuesley, age 85 years, wife, mother, grandmother, surgical nurse, and member of the ’53 Club died unexpectedly at 8:23 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2020 with family gathered around in the Emergency Department of Spectrum Lakeland Hospital – Niles, Michigan.

She was born on August 14, 1934 in Niles to Armond...

Feb 21, 2020

Peter V. Morrow, 75 of Niles, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 21, 2020 in Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Pete was born on October 29, 1944 in Cheboygan, Michigan to the late Roy and Minnie (Van Kampen) Morrow.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary Pedersen and brother, Ray...

Feb 21, 2020

Charles Herman Hahn, 79 of Niles, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020 in Wellbrooke of South Bend.

Charles was born on June 25, 1940 in Niles to the late Paul and Evelyn (Daun) Hahn.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Dennis Combs and niece, Jary Combs.

On August...

Feb 19, 2020

Peggy Lou Patterson, age 82 years, wife, mother, grandmother, and “Miss Peggy” to many died peacefully at 4:37 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 with family gathered around at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an illness of just one week.

She was born on July 3, 1937 in Tyronza,...