Obituaries

Dec 22, 2021

Kirk David Hocker, 65 of Niles, passed away in Spectrum Lakeland in Niles.

Kirk was born on July 23, 1956 in Mishawaka to Richard and Betty Lou (Mills) Hocker.

On June 10, 1978, in Niles, Kirk married Gwendolyn K. Hein, who survives.

Kirk is survived by his parents Richard (Betty) Hocker of Niles,...

Dec 21, 2021

Daniel Lee Crouch, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan, companion, brother, uncle, draftsman, and fan of both the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and the late Ludwig van Beethoven died peacefully Tuesday morning, December 21, 2021 at his home – a bit unexpectedly, as his health had remarkably improved recently, but – following an extended illness.

Dec 18, 2021

Carey Lee Vella, age 49 years formerly of Caro, Michigan died peacefully at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at his home in Niles, Michigan following an extended illness.

He was born on December 10, 1972 in Caro to Bradley L. and Jeanne E. (Smith) Vella, and attended Caro High School.  He...

Dec 18, 2021

Eddie H. Reed, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, traveler, and regular morning coffee drinker died peacefully at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on September 25, 1929 in Niles to Earl and Lillie May...

Dec 18, 2021

Gary O. Holmes, age 60 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, whitetail deer hunter, and rock ‘n’ roll fan died peacefully at 3:20 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on August 9, 1961 in South Bend, Indiana to Alonzo J....

Dec 16, 2021

Ronnie Cole, 74 of Niles, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Ronnie was born on July 8, 1947 in Tiptop Kentucky to the late Henry and Maudie (Howard) Cole.

He is also preceded in death by his siblings; Grover Cole, Warren Lee Cole, Ray Cole and Ruth Cole Miller.

On September...

Dec 15, 2021

Donald Robert De La Mater, 82 of Niles passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 in Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Donald was born on May 7, 1939 in Troy, New York to the late Clarence and Lena De La Mater.

Surviving Donald are his children; Debora De La Mater of Tennessee, Donna...

Dec 15, 2021

Linda Ann Yazel

March 2, 1949 – December 15, 2021

Linda Ann Yazel  (Red Bird) 72, loving Mother, Grandmother and proud member of Pokégnek Bodéwadmik, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Linda was born in South Bend, IN to the late Daniel and Kathleen Topash.

Linda worked at...

Dec 14, 2021

Larry Dean Hollis, 64, of Niles passed away at his home suddenly at 4:47 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Larry was born on August 22, 1957 to Billie and Jennie (Phillips) Hollis and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1975. He went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University before moving to the...

Dec 13, 2021

Michael Allan Kirschbaum

March 18, 1954 – December 13, 2021

Michael A. Kirschbaum, 67 of Niles passed away in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in Niles after a brief illness.

Mike was born on March 18, 1954 in Niles to the late William and Betty Jean (Amon) Kirschbaum.

Mike is preceded...

Dec 10, 2021

Ronald Kenneth Sandburg, 89 of Niles, passed away after an illness in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka on December 10, 2021.

Ron was born on November 11, 1932 in  Hinckley, MN in the home of to the late Sam and Ellen Sanburg. He is also preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Ruth Sandburg in...

Dec 8, 2021

Roger Dale Batton, age 72 years of Three Oaks, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, dog-lover, traveler, and storyteller, died peacefully at 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, with family gathered at his bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

Roger was born on November 14, 1949 in Berrien...

Dec 5, 2021

Tebel Robert Kern, infant son of Tyler and Amelia Kern of Berrien Springs, Michigan died just moments prior to his birth at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles, Michigan.

While Tebel’s parents were aware of him for most of the past twenty weeks, Amelia was...

Dec 5, 2021

Yetive Ialanda “Puzzle” Carr, age 95 years formerly of Niles, Michigan, mother, sister, and family matriarch died peacefully at 5:36 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at her home in Cassopolis, Michigan following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by her three nieces, Jennifer, Kathy, and Marcia during the...

Nov 30, 2021

Charlotte Cole, 71 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness.

Charlotte was born on October 31, 1950 in Hazard KY to the late Cloyd and Josephine (Collins) Lockard.

On September 20, 1969 in Jackson, KY she married Ronnie Cole who survives.

Charlotte is also survived by her brother Mitchell (Joyce) Lockard of...

Nov 29, 2021

Kristin Ann Campbell, 47 of Niles passed away after a courageous battle against cancer with her family by her side.

Kristin was born on May 12, 1974 in Niles to Howard “Duffy” and Kathy (Stover) Huttenstine.

She is preceded in death by her father and her brother Denny Peters.

On October 9, 2010...

Nov 28, 2021

Linda Louella Ashley, 71 of Mishawaka, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021 in Golden Living Center in Mishawaka.

Linda was born on November 12, 1950 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to the late Elmer and Lenora (Forkum) Ashley. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father 3 brothers, Tillman, Donald and Jimmy Ashley and her grandson Nathanielle Walter.

Linda...

Nov 27, 2021

Michael Allen Cheney, 62 of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Ascension Borgess Kalamazoo on Saturday November 27 after a brief illness. In 1979 he graduated with his GED from Niles. After graduating from school he married the love of his life, Kelly (True) Cheney. Michael went on to work in the Weld Shop at Georgie Boy Manufacturing. He...

Nov 22, 2021

Eva Joyce Quick, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, seamstress, reader, and Southern Lady died peacefully at 10:31 a.m. on Monday, November 22, 2021 with family gathered around her bedside at Buchanan Meadows following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Buchanan Meadows...

Nov 19, 2021

Gary Michael “Mick” Holmes, age 35 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan, father, son, brother, gardener, reader, and master of the smoker grill died peacefully at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on February 23, 1986 in Berrien Center, Michigan to Gary O....