Obituaries

Mar 1, 2018

Timothy Edward Rucker II, age 52 years of Niles, Michigan died at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on May 10, 1965 while his mother, Jacque Ellifritz was serving in the United States Army in Stuttgart, Germany. ...

Feb 27, 2018

John F. “Jack” Young, Jr., after a long illness, died at his home in Niles on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the age of 87 years.

He is survived by his wife, Judy (Pritchard) Young; his daughter, Margaret Susan and her husband, Tom of Tucson, Arizona; his granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth of Dallas, Texas;...

Feb 23, 2018

L ydia E. Baker, age 99 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 12:55 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on August 6, 1918 in Dowagiac, Michigan and was graduated from Dowagiac High School.  She was employed for thirty-two years at...

Feb 20, 2018

Julio C. Sanchez, 70 of Niles passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital in Niles. Julio was born on May 22, 1947 in Puerto Rico to the late Pasquale and Lisa Concepcion Romero Sanchez. Julio is survived by his children; Benjamin, Miguel, Michael, Adrian, Emilio and Julio all from the Michiana area. He is...

Feb 18, 2018

Michele “Micki” Rene DeLay Bowman passed into the next phase of existence on February 18, 2018 in Muskegon, Michigan surrounded by loved ones at the age of 57. She was a mother, daughter, sister, and breast cancer warrior with a fiercely loving presence who will forever be cherished.

Micki...

Feb 18, 2018

Phyllis Jean Smith, 87, of Niles, passed away in Memorial Hospital South Bend after a brief illness. Phyllis was born on October 21, 1930 in Niles to the late Fred and Mary Kocher. On March 5, 1949 in Niles, she married Jack J. Smith who survives. She is preceded in death by her parents, a grandson Jacob...

Feb 17, 2018

Thomas Jerry Tedder 75, of Niles passed away after being injured in a house fire.

Jerry was born on October 29, 1942 in Carrizo Springs, TX to the late Elbert Murl and Velma Estelle Tedder, he is also preceded by eight brothers and sisters; Mildred, Murl, Jackie, Lilburn, Patricia, Edith, Leon and Ronny.

On November...

Feb 15, 2018

Lorraine M. Shafer 95 of South Bend passed away at home on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

She was born on August 28, 1922 in Baroda, Michigan to the late Sherman and Helen (Unruh) Davis.

On February 21, 1942 she married John Shafer who passed away on June 14, 2011.  She is also preceded in death...

Feb 13, 2018

Tommy E. Thompson, age 75 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida following an extended illness.

He was born on March 11, 1942 in Niles to Elton and Helen (Hardebeck) Thompson, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1960.  He...

Feb 12, 2018

Gloria Jean Eckstein, age 74 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born on March 5, 1943 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Carl E. and Mable F. (Giant) Waikel. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here most of...

Feb 10, 2018

Helen M. Crawford, age 94 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:39 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Arcadia (Florida) Hospice House following a brief illness.

She was born on July 31, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan to Peter and Gertrude (Himmelwright) Kroeg.  She was graduated from Decatur (Michigan) High School, earned a...

Feb 8, 2018

Robert F. Bailey, Jr., age 51 years of Niles, Michigan died Thursday morning, February 8, 2018 at this home following an extended illness.

He was born on June 3, 1966 in San Antonio, Texas to Robert F. and Maryam (Demir) Bailey, Sr., and was graduated from Niles High School.  He was an automobile...

Feb 7, 2018

Leon George Asmus, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan died on Wednesday afternoon, February 7, 2018 at his home of natural causes.

He was born on April 4, 1927 in Niles to Leon G. and Frieda M. (Koomler) Asmus, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1945.  He enlisted in the United...

Feb 6, 2018

Darlene Kujawa January 4, 1927 - February 6, 2018 Niles – Darlene Kujawa, 91, passed away at 11:18am on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. Darlene was born on January 4, 1927, in Niles, to the late Glenn and Doris May (Walter) Jones. On November 30, 1946, Darlene married Zymonth “Zig” Kujawa and he passed away on January 22, 2004. Darlene...

Jan 28, 2018

Helen J. Jackowiak September 23, 1922 – January 28, 2018 Niles – Helen J. (Suplicki) Jackowiak, 95, passed away at 11:12am on Sunday, January 28, 2018 in Grace Healthcare of Three Rivers. Helen was born in on September 23, 1922 in South Bend, IN to the late Stanley and Anna (Krusyna) Suplicki. On September 22, 1946, Helen married Theodore...

Jan 27, 2018

Harry D. Noecker, 76 of Niles, passed away in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

Harry was born on November 11, 1941 on the family farm in Cassopolis to the late Fred and Doris (Watson) Noecker.  Harry is also preceded in death by an infant sister Betty.

On September 13,...

Jan 22, 2018

Betty J. True August 27, 1930 – January 22, 2018 Niles – Betty J. (Green) True, 87, passed away at 5:30am on Monday, January 22, 2018 in Grace Nursing Facility. Betty was born on August 27, 1930 in Marked Tree, Arkansas to the late Benjamin H. Green and Bessy (Morrow) Chism. On February 26, 1955 in Niles, Betty married...

Jan 19, 2018

Doris Joan Thomas, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:03 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2018 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.  The family is grateful to the staff of West Woods for their compassionate and skillful care.

She was born on October 7, 1931 in Grand...

Jan 17, 2018

Genevieve R. Abair

July 19, 1920 – January 17, 2018

Niles – Genevieve R. Abair, 97, passed away at 10:20am on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in Wellbrooke of South Bend on what would have been her mother’s 125 birthday.

Geni was born on July 19, 1920 in Niles to the late Asa and...

Jan 17, 2018

Jamar Michael Carter, age 23 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

He was born on September 9, 1994 in Saint Joseph, Michigan, and became the son of Earl J. and Ruscella (Gay) Carter.  He attended Niles High School, and has lived in this area...