Obituaries

Apr 7, 2022

David Joseph DeHart, age 49 years of Niles, Michigan, loving husband and father, son, and brother died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, April 7, 2022 while on spring break with his family in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, near Mammoth Cave.  His family is grateful for the efforts of the emergency services staff, and they made the decision to enhance and...

Apr 2, 2022

Ray Nelson Bishop, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, honorable Veteran, Karaoke performer, and breakfast connoisseur died peacefully at 1:11 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022 with his family gathered around his bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on February 5,...

Mar 28, 2022

Caroline Camille Hayden, 83, of Buchanan, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022 in West Woods of Niles.

Caroline (“Camille”) was born on August 20, 1938 in Cape Girardeau, MO to the late Leo and Ruth Schumacher.

On October 6, 1972 she married R. Charles ‘Chuck’ Hayden, who passed away on December 25, 1992.

Mar 25, 2022

Laverne Mae Stubelt, age 76 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, letter writer, traveler, and cat lady died peacefully at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles with her husband at her side, following an extended illness.

She was born on June 12, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois...

Mar 24, 2022

Sarah Elizabeth McGraw of Niles, Michigan, mother, daughter, sister, animal lover, outdoors girl, and so, so funny sadly lost her battle against drug addiction on Thursday, March 24, 2022, just two-days short of her 32nd birthday.

She was born on March 26, 1990 in Niles to Herbert and Diane (Churchich) McGraw, and attended...

Mar 22, 2022

Nicole Brandy Ritter, 47 of Niles, passed away in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital on March 22, 2022.

Nicole was born in Elkhart, Indiana on July 15, 1974.

She was raised by Robert and Elaine Foreman.

Nicole is survived by Robert Foreman of Buchanan, her mother, Elaine Smith of Dowagiac, her daughter Shawnda (Travis) Goff...

Mar 20, 2022

John Joseph Sobecki, 56 of Niles, passed away in his home on March 20, 2022.

John was born on April 16, 1965 in Niles to the late Eugene and Viola (Linback) Sobecki. He is also preceded in death by his mother in law, Patricia Teske along with his sister Antoinette Beaman.

On October 8, 1994...

Mar 18, 2022

Darrell Duane Pence, 71 of Niles passed away at South Bend Memorial Hospital on Friday, March 18, 2022. Darrell was born on November 22, 1950 in Dowagiac to the late Neil and Margaret (Prescott) Pence. He is also preceded in death by his first wife of 25 years Patricia (Pilot) and brothers, Gary and Patrick. On November 25, 2000...

Mar 5, 2022

Nila Mae Lowrance, 85, of Buchanan passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, with her son, Dennis by her side, in Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph, MI.

Nila was born on January 16, 1937 in Buchanan to the late Ralph and Elizabeth (West) Young.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jessie J....

Mar 4, 2022

Robert Grice, 78 of South Bend, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawka.

Bob was born on August 13, 1943 in Niles to the late Richard and Virginia (Hartline) Grice.

He is also preceded in death by his son, Johnny Ray Grice, Great Granddaughters Leia

...

Feb 26, 2022

Sara T. Yudis of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, gardener, and homemaker died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital – Niles on the ninetieth anniversary of her birth.  Her family is grateful for the efforts of the ambulance crew and the emergency department staff.

Sara was born on February...

Feb 25, 2022

Sharon Ruth Hess, age 73 years of Dowagiac, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, seamstress, cook, and family holiday host died peacefully at 5:45 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022 with family gathered around at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

Feb 23, 2022

Dennis George Poirier, Sr. age 68 years of Dowagiac, Michigan, husband, father, cabinetmaker, outdoorsman, honorable veteran, and frequent partygoer died peacefully Wednesday morning, February 23, 2022 at his home following an extended illness.  His family is gratefull for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

He was born on April 23, 1953 in Mishawaka,...

Feb 22, 2022

Billie Jean Purdy, 84 of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital Niles on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Billie Jean was born on December 4, 1937 in Wichita Falls, Texas to the late Tom W. and Leeola (Campbell) Jones.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her children;...

Feb 18, 2022

Richard C. Alonso, 82 of Niles, passed away in Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

Richard was born on January 19, 1940, in Manhattan, NY to the late Harold and Rose (Vasquez) Alonso, Sr.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Gladys.

On June 21, 2005 he...

Feb 15, 2022

Rick Clark, 59 of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Lakeland SpectrumHealth Care in St. Joseph, MI. Rick was born on September 30, 1962 in Benton Harbor to Carl Clark and Jereba (Palmer) Wasmer. He is preceded in death by his father Carl Clark, sister Vicky Clark, and step-daughter Shanna Warren. On June 22, 2003 Rick...

Feb 13, 2022

Dorothy Lucille McLaughlin of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, 4-H Champion, Registered Nurse, and American Legion Auxiliary officer died peacefully at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles having completed a remarkable ninety-eight years.

She was born on December 18, 1923 in Niles to Harold L. and...

Feb 3, 2022

Theresa Mary Leazenby, 90 formally of Niles, passed away at The Center for Hospice Care Home on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Theresa was born in South Bend, IN to the late Edward and Mary (Balon) Sobieralski. On June 5, 1954 she married Russell Leazenby who passed away in 1993. She is also preceded in death by a son, Kent...

Jan 26, 2022

Peggy A. Petersen, 87 of Sister Lakes, passed away in Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Peggy was born on September 26, 1934 in Niles to the late John and Linda (Fatter) Upson.

On May 26, 1979 in Berrien Springs, she married Neil F. Petersen, Sr. who passed away in 1987. She is also...

Jan 22, 2022

Marilyn R. Bierwagen, 87 of Buchanan, passed away in Memorial Hospital on Saturday, January 22, 2022. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Marilyn was born on April 24, 1934 in Berrien Springs to the late Merrill and Elizabeth (Kelly) Whitfield. She is also preceded by her 2 sisters (Judy and Rosemary) and 1 brother (George). On June...