Obituaries

Sep 28, 2014

Kathy Marie Schuler, age 56 years, of Niles, Michigan died at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. She was born on December 29, 1957 in Saint Joseph, Michigan to Karl and Jeanette (Kublick) Schuler. Kathy loved to cook, and made birthday cakes and wedding cakes for many special occasions. She is survived by...

Sep 26, 2014

William Junior “Bill” Meyers, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died on Friday, September 26, 2014 at his home following an extended illness. He was born December 16, 1926 in Niles to William and Myrtle (Hall) Meyers, Sr. Bill was a World War II Veteran, having served on the USS Dyess in the United States Navy and worked many years...

Sep 23, 2014

Earl Keith Hamrick, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. He was born on April 5, 1919 in Dickens, Iowa to Alvin and Harriett Rose (Shannon) Hamrick. He came with his family to Niles in 1926, and was graduated from Niles High School...

Sep 21, 2014

Jim Matthews, age 63 years of Niles, Michigan died with his family gathered around his bed at home at 4:17 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 following a brief illness. He was born on July 18, 1951 in Niles, Michigan to James William and Joyce I. (Maxson) Matthews. He was graduated from Niles High School, attended Southwestern Michigan College, and...

Sep 20, 2014

Send Flowers Axl James VanLaecke

March 28, 2014 - September 20, 2014

Axl James VanLaecke, age 5 months, 3 weeks died on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at his home in Niles. He was born March 28, 2014 in South Bend to Arthur VanLaecke and Jessica Sheffield, who survive with Axl’s twin sister, Adrianna and siblings Riley Skoda...

Sep 16, 2014

Eleanor J. “Jane” Morton, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan and formerly of Dowagiac died with her family at her bedside at 5:02 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at The Timbers of Cass County following a brief illness. She was born on January 27, 1922 in Circleville, Ohio to Marshall and Gertrude (Southworth) Doxsee while her parents were traveling...

Sep 12, 2014

Donald F. Riggs, age 74 years of Niles died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at his home. He was born July 4, 1940 in Sedgwick, Arkansas to Andrew Jackson and Lucille (Fortner) Riggs. Donald worked for the meat department at Hanks Grocery Store in Roseland for over 35 years. He was a regular for coffee at the Bell Plaza restaurant...

Sep 12, 2014

Carolyn M. Stark, age 91 years of Niles died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. Carolyn was born June 29, 1923 in Stevensville, Michigan to Paul C. and Bertha (Luker) Hoge. On June 30, 1945 in Baroda, Michigan, Carolyn married Carl Stark, who preceded her in death in 2001. Carolyn was a member of Saint...

Sep 12, 2014

Lee O’Donald Patrick, age 90 years of Niles died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Golden Living Nursing Home Center, Mishawaka, Indiana. He was born July 14, 1924 in South Bend to Dolphus Canady and Opal L. (Pollitt) Patrick. Lee was a 1943 graduate of Washington-Clay High School in South Bend where he was a star athlete. He...

Sep 12, 2014

Mr. Jody Blane Gaul, age 51 years, of Niles died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at home. He was born February 5, 1963 in Lakeland, Florida to Arthur & Mary (Tate) Gaul. Jody was a 1981 Niles High School graduate and worked in the brick and masonry profession most of his adult life. Jody is survived by his sons Arthur...

Sep 11, 2014

Angeline Marie “Angie” Bowers, age 79 years of Berrien Center, Michigan died at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan following a brief illness. She was born on July 5, 1935 in Niles, Michigan to Arthur J. and Virginia T. (Wechnerowski) Handley. She attended Niles schools, and has lived in this area all...

Sep 10, 2014

Esther Pilot, age 91 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan died at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 following a brief illness. She was born on April 8, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Antonia and Carmela (Molito) Garritano. She has lived in Dowagiac, Niles, and Berrien Springs most of her life. She was employed for many years in the bakery...

Sep 9, 2014

Miles Stephen Cooper August 30, 1948 - September 9, 2014 Miles Stephen Cooper, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan died Tuesday morning, September 9, 2014 at his home following an extended illness. He was born on August 30, 1948 in Zanesville, Ohio to Victor E. and Elinor R. (Thomas) Reed, coming to Niles as a child, and living here...

Sep 8, 2014

Janite Lee Ernsberger, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan died surrounded by her family at 11:27 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014 at her home on Barron Lake. She was born on August 4, 1937 in Truman, Arkansas to Frank and Carmen (Sutfin) Lenox. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles most of her life....

Sep 3, 2014

Velma May “Val” Racht, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died at 5:55 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michgian following a brief illness. She was born on May 23, 1933 in Mississippi County, Arkansas to Peter Franklin and Bessie Ida (Ashley) Green. Val worked for the Krajci Drug Store in the 1950-1960’s. She...

Sep 2, 2014

Willadean Mervine, age 62 years of Niles, Michigan died at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness. She was born on August 26, 1952 in Niles to Walter D. and Joan Marie (Thomas) Linn, Sr. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1972, and has lived in Niles all...

Sep 1, 2014

Dorothy Hartranft Bunker, 87, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away September 1, 2014 with her family by her side. Born March 2, 1927 in Cassopolis, MI she was the daughter of the late Harry and Isabel Hartranft. She graduated from Niles High School and attended Western Michigan Univiersity. She was a long time resident of Scottsdale where she met her husband...

Sep 1, 2014

Biography

James Dillard Crocker, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 11:50 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness. He was born on January 19, 1925 in Coffee County, Tennessee to John Thomas and Sarah Madge (Haley) Crocker. He came with his family to Niles as a young child,...

Sep 1, 2014

Mabel Elizabeth Nietch, age 97 years former long-time resident of Niles, Michigan died on Monday, September 1, 2014 in Austin, Texas. She was born on March 2, 1917 in Evansville, Indiana. She lived many years in South Bend, Indiana where she was employed at the former Robertson’s Department Store. Mabel came to Niles in 1960, and owned and operated The...

Aug 31, 2014

Donald Ralph Severeid passed away on Sunday evening, August 31, 2014 surrounded by his family in the home he built. He was born May 22, 1938, in LaPorte, Indiana, the first of six children to Ward and Grace (Hall) Severeid. Don graduated from South Bend John Adams High School in 1956 and married his Junior High sweetheart, Jeannine R....