Obituaries

Jun 27, 2018

Chauncey Benjamin Tyler, age 43 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 6:39 p.m. at Lakeland Hospital – Niles from complications of a lifelong battle against kidney disease. Chauncey’s life was extended many years ago by a kidney transplant, and at his death he was able to enhance the lives of others through tissue donation. He was...

Jun 24, 2018

Celestino Feliciano “Tino” Echevarria, age 85 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:25 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2018 with family gathered around at his home following a brief illness. He was born on April 18, 1933 in Añasco, Puerto Rico to Jose Feliciano and Severiana Echavarria, and attended school in Puerto Rico. He came to Niles in...

Jun 22, 2018

Thomas A. Mantke, 60, of Niles, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, June 22, 2018. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan May 3, 1958, to Margaret Mannix Mantke and Alan W. Mantke. Thomas was preceded in death by his Father, Alan W. Mantke. Surviving Tom are his mother, Margaret Husa of Lawrence, MI and step father, James...

Jun 20, 2018

Peggy Sue French March 16, 1931 – June 20, 2018 Niles – Peggy Sue French, 87, passed away at 8:05pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 in Hallmark Living in Benton Harbor. Peggy was born March 16, 1931 in Dyersburg, TN to the late Tom P. and Mattie Lee (Via) Pettie. On July 30, 1949, in Niles, Peggy married William...

Jun 19, 2018

Betty Jane Cooper, age 91 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 2:38 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 with family gathered around at Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian, Michigan following an extended illness. Her family is grateful to the staff at Lenawee Care and Hospice of Lenawee for their compassionate and dignified attention. She...

Jun 15, 2018

Ruth Mary Vassar, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 with family gathered at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on April 1, 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee to Theoda and Sarah (Poston) Emmons, and was raised by her aunt,...

Jun 12, 2018

Margie Lee Ernsperger, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 with family gathered around at her home, ending a courageous battle against cancer. She was born on May 19, 1937 in Niles to William C. and Vivian M. (Robbins) Ferris. She graduated from Niles High School in 1954,...

Jun 8, 2018

Jerry Lee Hover, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 7:43 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital, Niles of natural causes.

He was born on June 4, 1937 in Niles to Frank Elvis and Bonnie “Helen” Pearl (Foster) Hover.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and enlisted in the United States...

Jun 7, 2018

Robert Lee Stanneart, age 75 years of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness.

He was born on December 29, 1942 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Floyd M. and Eula J. (Tribble) Stanneart.  He attended Bridgman Schools, and has lived...

Jun 3, 2018

Beverly J. Hillyer, 82 of Niles, passed away on June 3, 2018 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

Beverly was born on October 28, 1935 in South Bend to the late Harold and Azuba (Haas) Singleton.

She married Gerald “Red” Hillyer who passed away on September 1, 2013.  Beverly is also preceded in death...

Jun 3, 2018

Lynford E. Gabriel October 6, 1935 – June 3, 2018 Mishawaka – Lynford E. Gabriel, 82, passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018, in his home. Lynford was born October 6, 1935 in Bryan, Ohio to the late Charles and Priscilla Francile (Schad) Gabriel. Lynford married Jane Ann (Mossbarger) in 1960 and she passed away in February 1995. Lynford...

Jun 3, 2018

David W. Conner, 31 of Niles, died from injuries after an automobile accident on Sunday evening.

He was born on October 17, 1986 to James P and Pamelia D. (Bieritz) Conner.

David is survived by his father, James P. Conner of Brooklyn Center, MN; his mother, Pamelia D. Conner of Niles, MI; his sisters; Debra...

May 27, 2018

Mr. Laszlo Marian Vesei, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:58 a.m. on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on March 18, 1925 in Pápa, Hungary to József and Aranka (Okolicsányi) Vesei.  He completed primary and secondary school in Hungary, and briefly attended the...

May 27, 2018

Sharon Anne McKenzie, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, 2018 with family gathered at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born in Sturgis, Michigan on April 22, 1937 as the thirteenth child of Nathan and Marian (Troxell) McKenzie,...

May 24, 2018

Patricia Jo Smith, age 60 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 2:21 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018 with family gathered around at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on August 20, 1957 in Cumberland, Wisconsin to Chester A. and Ruth Lillian (Benson) Dash, Sr.  She attended Brandywine Community...

May 21, 2018

Margaret Laura Peterson, age 97 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 9:45 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, Michigan following an extended illness.

She was born on December 10, 1920 in New York City, New York to the Rev. Ralph L. and Laura...

May 17, 2018

James R. Uebler

April 13, 1938 – May 17, 2018

James R. Uebler, 80 of Niles passed away in his home on May 17, 2018.

He was born April 13, 1938 in Michigan City, Indiana to the late Norman and Ethel “Toots”(Hurbert) Uebler.

On October 14, 1961 at St....

May 17, 2018

Arcadia Ramirez, 78 of Buchanan passed away peacefully after an extended illness.

Arcadia was born on June 3, 1939 in Juncos Puerto Rico to the late Arcadio and Carmen (Perez) Ramirez. She is also preceded in death by a son, Ricardo Sierra, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Virginia Martinez and Efrain Suarez, both...

May 13, 2018

Joseph Robert “Bob” Wildeman, age 88 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully Sunday morning, May 13, 2018 at his home in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness.

He was born on October 28, 1929 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to J. Quentin and Avalon H. (Frank) Wildeman.  He was graduated from Indiana (Pennsylvania)...

May 10, 2018

Phillip Leverne Mills June 19, 1942 – May 10, 2018 Niles - SK1 Phillip Mills, US Navy Retired, 75, passed away at 9:28am on Thursday, My 10, 2018 in his home. Phillip was born on June 19, 1942 in Niles to the late, Walter M. and Anna M. (Britton) Mills. Phillip was also preceded in death by a brother,...