Obituaries

Aug 26, 2019

Franklin “Bud” Linn February 2, 1934 – August 26, 2019 Niles – Franklin “Bud’ Linn, 85, passed away at 12:25pm on Monday, August 26, 2019 in Riveridge Manor in Niles. Franklin was born on February 2, 1934 in NIles, to the late William Amy (Harrold) Linn. On June 18, 1960, Bud married Vivian...

Aug 20, 2019

Richard Scott DeVos died on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Dick was born on December 20, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan.  His parents, Charles and Lois DeVos, subsequently settled in Royal Oak, Michigan where Dick attended and graduated from Dondero High School.

In 1966 Dick enrolled in Albion College where he met Amy Kelly.  After...

Aug 13, 2019

Judith Claire Bauer, age 82 years of Niles, Michigan died at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 with family gathered around her bedside at her home following a challenging illness.

She was born on December 15, 1936 in Niles to Oscar and Clara (Fetke) Timm.  She graduated from Niles High School, and...

Aug 10, 2019

Laura Emma Burch, age 87 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina near her home in Goldsboro following a brief illness.

She was born on November 27, 1931 in Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada to William L. and Rhea B. (Smith)...

Aug 9, 2019

Fred Marcus Wright, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 12:46 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019 with family gathered around at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan.  His family has chosen to extend and enhance the lives of others through the Gift of Life.

He was born...

Aug 8, 2019

Helen Patricia Rockhill September 20, 1936 — August 8, 2019 Helen Patricia Rockhill, 82, of Niles passed away at her home surrounded by her family on August 8, 2019. She was born on September 20, 1936, the daughter of Charles Vincent and Helen Mary “Nanny” (Becker) Clarke, both deceased. Her husband of 63 years Billy Lee Rockhill passed away in...

Aug 6, 2019

Stephen L. Persa July 21, 1931 – August 6, 2019 Niles – Stephen L. Persa, 88, passed away at 5:56pm on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Stephen was born on July 21, 1931, in Pecs, Hungry to the late Stephen and Helen (Blesich) Persa. Stephen is survived by his wife, Karen (Karlsten). They were...

Aug 2, 2019

Vanhsy Rattanavong January 10, 1945 - August 2, 2019 Vanhsy Rattanavong, 74, of Cassopolis, passed away at 1:55pm on Friday August 2, 2019 in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in Niles, MI. Vanhsy was born on January 10, 1945 in Vientiane, Laos to the late Thithy and Nou Mathavong. Vanhsy was married to the late Khamphanh Rattanavong. Vanhsy is survived by...

Jul 31, 2019

Barbara Marie Simko, 58, of Berrien Center, beloved wife and daughter, passed away Wednesday, July 31, after a brief illness.

Barbara was born Dec. 10, 1960, in Benton Harbor.  On June 26, 1993, she married Frank Simko, who survives, along with her parents, Julius and Kathy Kolosowsky of Royalton Township.  Also surviving are...

Jul 28, 2019

Kenneth Michaels departed to his eternal home on Sunday, July 28th, 2019 at the age of 85. Ken was born on March 30th, 1934 in Chicago, IL to the late Anthony Kenneth Michaels and Eleanor Mae Walsh. He owned a cold-storage warehouse in Chicago for many years, and then worked for The Field Museum as a Controller....

Jul 28, 2019

Marian was born in Niles, Michigan to William Bessemer and Minnie (Wilhelmina) Vetter. She was one of eight children all of whom predeceased her. Marian graduated from Niles High School in 1938 and began working at Simplicity Pattern. During the WWII she worked in Bridgman, Michigan assembling airplane parts. She met her future husband, Norman Paul Wedel...

Jul 27, 2019

John “Johnny” James Klosinski, 72, passed away on July 27, 2019 in Niles, Michigan, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born February 24, 1947 to Walter and Evelyn (Enders) Klosinski in Michigan City, IN. John was a member of our armed forces and is a veteran of the United States Navy. He served his...

Jul 27, 2019

Patsy Ann Galaske, age 68 years formerly of Galien, Michigan died peacefully at 10:06 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019 with her husband at her side at Spectrum Lakeland-Niles Hospital following an extended illness.

She was born on June 21, 1951 in Tyronza, Arkansas to Carl and Geneva (Johnson) West.  She was raised...

Jul 26, 2019

Constance Grace Theresa Marie “Conni” Smith, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 12:15 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019 with family at her bedside at Spectrum Lakeland - Niles Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born on September 7, 1931 in Spring Valley, Illinois to William and Barbara (Trijonys)...

Jul 22, 2019

Committal Rites and Full Military Honors for Robert E. Wyckoff will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Arlington National Cemetery.  The service will be directed by the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home of Niles, and will be available livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page.

Robert Ellis “Bob” Wyckoff,...

Jul 20, 2019

Lucille L. Grice, 92 of Niles, passed away on July 20, 2019 at her home.

She was born on February 7, 1927 in South Bend, IN to the late Louis and Dorothy Fisher.

When Lucille was 21, she married Harvey E. Grice who preceded her in death.  She is also preceded by her children; Diane...

Jul 17, 2019

Barbara Joy McCombs Bright, age 94 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 with family gathered around at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the compassionate and capable care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

She was...

Jul 17, 2019

Carolyn Karasek Goodman, 84 of Niles passed unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 17 in her home.

Carolyn was born on January 9, 1935 in Dowagiac to the late James and Sally Karasek.

On September 13, 1958 she married Richard L. ‘Skip’ Goodman who passed away in 1999.  She is also preceded in death by her son...

Jul 14, 2019

Niles – Darrell Wayne Brown, 87, passed away on July 14, 2019 in Lakeland Spectrum Health in Niles. Darrell was born on September 5, 1931 in Fayette County, IN to the late Arthur and Olive (Stanton) Brown. Darrell was preceded in death by a sister, Ouidabon Harwood. On March 19, 1959, in Mill Valley, CA, Darrell married Cheryl L....

Jul 12, 2019

Charles Parks June 27, 1936 – July 12, 2019 Niles – Charles Parks, 83, passed away at 1:50am on Friday, July 12, 2019 in Center for Hospice in South Bend. Charles was born June 27, 1936 in South Bend to Charles Parks and Irene (Ostrander) Parks-Lord. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Willedean Arata, Nancy...