Obituaries

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...

Jan 20, 2022

Douglas Vincent Lang, age 68 years of Niles, Michigan, son, brother, uncle, devout Catholic, Knight, and Mr. Fix-it died peacefully at 10:53 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. The family is extremely grateful for the West Woods of Niles team that provided Uncle Doug with care, comfort and...

Jan 19, 2022

Margaret Marie “Marguerite” Brown of Niles, Michigan died peacefully on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow having achieved the remarkable age of one-hundred-one years.

She was born on May 28, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward J. and Bertha A. (Borst) O’Brien, came to Niles in 1932, and was graduated...

Jan 19, 2022

Carole Sue Easton, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, camper, VW driver, and an aficionada of all things m&m died peacefully at 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 with her family gathered around her bed at home following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by...

Jan 18, 2022

Jerry Wayne Glass July 15, 1942 – January 18, 2022 Jerry Wayne Glass, 79 of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Jerry was born on July 15, 1942 in Blytheville, AR to the late Gilbert and Irene (Johnson) Glass. He is also preceded by his brother, Roy "Captain" Glass in 2018 and great granddaughter, Willow Ann Faith...

Jan 15, 2022

Jack Eugene Van Arsdall, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and devout Christian, was ordained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and nearly equally called to share a joke in every situation.  During the early morning hours of January 15, 2022, Jack’s heavenly Father tapped on his shoulder saying “well done My good...

Jan 13, 2022

Nellie Sue Mann, 85, of Niles, Michigan passed away on January 13, 2022 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan.

Nellie was born on January 22, 1936 in Lynn, Alabama to the late Theodore and Grace (Sexton) Tittle.

She married Billy Ray Mann in 1962 and the two celebrated 45 years of marriage, prior to...

Jan 12, 2022

Michele ‘Shelley’ Champlin, 48 of Cassopolis, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

Shelley was born on April 23, 1973 in Kalamazoo to Mike and Robin (Drury) Firestine.

She is preceded in death by her infant sister, Lisa Firestine.

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Jan 7, 2022

Leo Carl Pufall Sr., 81, of Niles was born in Three Oaks, MI. Leo was a young farmer. He met the love of his life, Daylene Rose in 1957 and on February 3, 1962, they were married until his last day on earth.

Leo is survived by his wife, Daylene; their three children, Bonnie Pufall, Leo Pufall...

Jan 5, 2022

Robert Dean Root, age 87 years of Niles, father, grandfather, brother, retired city employee, honorable veteran, and remarkable pole vaulter died peacefully at 5:23 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with family at his bedside at American House in Jenison, Michigan following an illness of five months.

He was born on March 24,...

Jan 5, 2022

Clara Marie Singleton, age 72 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, restaurant fan, casino visitor, but most of all: loving grandmother died peacefully at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with her family gathered around her bedside at home following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the...

Jan 4, 2022

Donald Lee Shelton, age 72 years of Berrien Center, Michigan son, brother, uncle, artist, nature lover, and well-known fisherman died peacefully at 10:18 a.m. on Tuesday morning, January 4, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on October 15, 1949 in Niles,...