Obituaries

Jul 31, 2016

Kay Kiger Petruska, age 77 years of Kalamazoo, Michigan, formerly of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. She was born September 12, 1938 in Niles, Michigan to Fred and Grace (Simmonds) Kiger.

Kay was graduated from Stevens College and attended the University of Michigan where she received her...

Jul 29, 2016

Biography

Richard Hershel Hamman, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Lakeland Healthcare Hospital in Niles. He was born December 8, 1946 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Richard C. and Beatrice (Moses) Hamman.

Richard graduated from Penn High School and was a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the...

Jul 27, 2016

Biography

Mildred L. “Mickey” Muntz, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died on July 27, 2016 at Lakeland Healthcare Hospital in Niles. She was born July 21, 1923 in Erin, Tennessee to Charlie Andrew and Nettie May (Beechem) Ladd.

Mickey was a member of the Fraternal Order Eagles 2094 where she was a former past...

Jul 27, 2016

Marshall Claude “Pug” Thompson, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan died at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on October 1, 1938 in Allegan, Michigan to Claude Marshall and Lila Maxine (Bush) Thompson. He was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor’s...

Jul 26, 2016

Call to Order Flowers by Phone 1-877-212-3610 Code: 31637

Dennis Carl Soyk, age 53 years, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He was born on February 14, 1963 Rhode Island to Carl and Jonell Soyk. He was employed as a truck driver.

Jul 25, 2016

Donna Mark, age 89 years, formerly of Buchanan, Michigan died peacefully at 9:04 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2016 with family members gathered around her bedside at The Hearth at Juday Creek in Granger, Indiana following a brief illness. She was born on June 1, 1927 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Frank and Rose (Schneider) Tiemann, and was graduated...

Jul 24, 2016

Michael G. Wetmore, age 87 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 3:48 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2016 with family gathered around his bed at his home in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on April 23, 1929 in Niles to Joseph A. and Mary Magdalene (Farrell) Wetmore. He attended Niles...

Jul 23, 2016

Mildred A. Cain, age 87 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:58 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2016 with her family gathered around her bed at The Sanctuary at Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. The staff and fellow residents of The Sanctuary made her feel loved like family, and very at-home.

Jul 23, 2016

Joann Marie Nadler, age 59 years of Cassopolis, Michigan died on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Elkhart General Hospital following a brief illness. She was born February 14, 1957 in Southington, Connecticut to Stanley and Lois (Beaupre) Galenweski. Joann enjoyed crafts; crocheting or knitting hats and gloves or doilies for the house. She enjoyed playing cards, board games and just...

Jul 23, 2016

Biography

Joann Marie Nadler, age 59 years of Cassopolis, Michigan died on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Elkhart General Hospital following a brief illness. She was born February 14, 1957 in Southington, Connecticut to Stanley and Lois (Beaupre) Galenweski.

Joann enjoyed crafts; crocheting or knitting hats and gloves or doilies for the house. She enjoyed...

Jul 21, 2016

Vivian Rose Tharp, age 104 years of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born May 28, 1912 in Van Buren County, Michigan to Thomas and Carrie (Benwire) Sherburn.

Vivian was a cook for Brandywine Public Schools for over 15 years, retiring in 1974. She was a...

Jul 15, 2016

Jean Marie Griesinger, age 58 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at home with her family gathered around her bedside at 7:40 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2016 following a courageous battle against cancer.

She was born on November 21, 1957 in South Bend, Indiana to Ronald L. and Mary Jo (Manhart) Griesinger. She was graduated from...

Jul 12, 2016

Antonio Rocco “Tony” Frucci, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:15, p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 with his family gathered around at his home following an illness.

He was born on February 4, 1927 in Filadelfia, Italy to Frank and Catherine (Mazzotta) Frucci, coming to the United States, and to Niles in 1930....

Jul 12, 2016

Mr. Carmen Denisi, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at West Woods of Niles Nursing Home. His family is grateful for the care and compassion offered by the dedicated and loving staff of West Woods and Heartland Hospice.

He was born on July 26, 1920 in Filadelfia,...

Jul 12, 2016

Biography

June L. Gutschenritter, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on August 17, 1924 in Buckley, Illinois to Henry K. and Mary K. (Martin) Johnston. She was graduated from Buckley High School,...

Jul 9, 2016

Vera Elaine Holy, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2016 with her family gathered by her side at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on August 14, 1931 in Baroda Township, Michigan to Theadore and Agnes (Till) Hauch. She was graduated...

Jul 8, 2016

Bruce R. Bigford, age 85 years of Niles, Michigan died at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan on Friday, July 8, 2016.

He was born on January 13, 1931 in Lansing, Michigan to Harold and Catherine (Watkins) Bigford and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was proud of graduating from the former South High School...

Jul 8, 2016

Mr. Jesse James Russell, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan died of natural causes Friday evening, July 8, 2016 at his home.

He was born on August 27, 1929 in Decatur, Alabama to Leon and Myrtle (Verner) Russell. He was raised and schooled in Alabama, and came to Niles in 1949 where he lived the rest of...

Jul 6, 2016

Janet May Houseman, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness. She was born on June 14, 1927 in Niles to Roy H. and Ethel A. (Stryker) Rice. She was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor’s...

Jul 5, 2016

Paula Jean Barker, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at her home unexpectedly, but of natural causes. She was born February 1, 1950 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Paul and Thelma Jean (Hopkins) McCray. Paula graduated from Brandywine High School in 1968 and was always proud to be a Bobcat. PJ, as she was...