Edward M. Gutschenritter
Feb 12, 2025
Edward Martin Gutschenritter, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan; brother, uncle, devout Catholic, and explorer died peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at his home, unexpectedly, but of natural causes.
He was born on July 8, 1953 at the former Pawating Hospital (now Corewell Lakeland Niles) in Niles to Victor M. and June L. (Johnston) Gutschenritter, and has lived in Niles...
Gerald Ray "Bill" Brant
Feb 8, 2025
Gerald Ray “Bill” Brant, 85, of Niles, died peacefully Saturday February 8, 2025, in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began October 9, 1939, in Eau Claire, Michigan, the third of seven children born to Kenneth and Dora Brant. He married Florence Edna Burnett June 12, 1963, in Niles, Michigan. After forty years of marriage, she preceded him in...
Jeri Lynn Taylor
Feb 8, 2025
Jeri Lynn Taylor, 78, of Niles, died February 8, 2025 in the comfort of her family’s presence. Her life began August 17, 1946 in Niles the first of six children born to Nathaniel and Doris Jaynes.
Jeri was a graduate of Niles High School. She worked forty plus years at Steel Warehouse in South Bend retiring in 2013. Jeri spent some...
Phil Potter
Feb 6, 2025
Philip Earl Potter, age 65 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, trucker, technology fan, and devout Adventist died peacefully Thursday morning, February 6, 2025 at the Duane L. Waters Hospital in Jackson, Michigan following a months-long battle against cancer.
He was born on January 5, 1960 in Mansfield, Ohio to Earl Amos and Mary Louise (Chavannes) Potter, and...
Alan Hostetler
Feb 5, 2025
Alan Duane Hostetler, age 73 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, chef, 4-H supporter, and friend to all, died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, February 5, 2025 with his wife at his bedside in their home, following an extended illness.
He was born on December 26, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana to Clayton and Lorene (Krzyzanowski) Hostetler, and was graduated from...

Vernon Eugene Knapp
Jan 26, 2025
Vernon Eugene Knapp, 90, of Niles, died Sunday January 26, 2025.
His life began August 20, 1934, in Niles, one of fifteen siblings born to Cleon and Madaline Knapp in Niles, Michigan.
The family will observe a private remembrance.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services.
Please leave a memory at HalbritterWickens.com
Linda Lee Briney
Jan 22, 2025
Linda Lee Briney, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan; wife, mother, and grandmother died peacefully at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 with her husband at her bedside at their home following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice.
She was born on December 8, 1955...
Anthony Korolis
Jan 20, 2025
Anthony “Tony” “Rizzo” Korolis, 44, of Niles, died tragically January 20, 2025. His life began April 2, 1980 in Chicago, Illinois, born to Gus and Roxanne Korolis. He married Shannon Bowers, July 4, 2009 in Niles, Michigan. She survives.
Tony-Rizzo was a big fan of Notre Dame, Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed fishing, shooting pool, playing corn hole...
Anoush "Noushi" Shaikh Myers
Jan 15, 2025
Anoush Shaikh Myers “Noushi”, 92, of Niles, died peacefully Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Her life began June 6, 1932 in Kerman, Iran, one of four children born to Abdoulnaghi Shaikh Mohandes Zand and Farkhondeh Zandi Sheikh Mohandes. She later immigrated to the United States going to Hanover College, where she met and married Robert Alan Myers on...
Diane Kaye Dreher
Jan 14, 2025
Diane Kaye Dreher went to be with Jesus on January 14, 2025, at the age of 57, after an extended battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family as she passed from this world to the next. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Diane was born on August 21, 1967, in Niles, Michigan, to Edward Manley...
Judith Elaine Hoese
Jan 11, 2025
Judith Elaine Hoese, 69, of Niles died suddenly, January 11, 2025. Her life began in Oak Park Illinois, the second of five born to Robert and Lois Freske. She married Kenneth Waine Hoese on August 27th, 1977 in Niles, MI at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. In the same year she graduated from Central Michigan University. Her caring heart showed in...

Darrell E. Williams
Jan 10, 2025
Darrell E. Williams, 84, of Dowagiac, died Monday, January 10, 2025. He was born May 25, 1940.
Mr. Williams will be laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, Niles. Please leave a message or memory at halbritterwickens.com.
Ronda S. Nietch
Jan 10, 2025
Ronda Nietch, 81, of (city or village of Niles, died Friday, January 10, 2025 in the comfort of her family’s presence. Her life began August 19, 1943 in the first of four born to Alvin and Maxine Nussbaum. She married Charles Albert Nietch on January 26, 1963 in Muncie Indiana. He preceded her in death in 2019.
Ronda graduated from...
Carl Steven DeLand
Jan 9, 2025
Carl DeLand, 89, of Niles, died peacefully Thursday, January 9, 2025 in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began September 8, 1935 in Monroe, Michigan the first of two children born to Carl Gordon and Esther A. DeLand. He married Kathleen Maager in the Cassopolis Methodist Church on December 27, 1957, recently celebrating 67 years. She survives.
Carl served his...
Terry L. Pettie
Jan 2, 2025
Terry Lynn Pettie, 70, of Niles, died peacefully Thursday, January 2, 2025 in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began February 23, 1954 in Niles, Michigan, one of eight children born to Otis and Isabell Pettie. He married Doree Anne Burnett July 6, 1985 in Dowagiac, Michigan.
Terry cherished his grandchildren. He loved to ride his motorcycle, especially when he...

Lloyd James Clark
Dec 29, 2024
Lloyd Clark, age 80, of Buchanan, died Sunday December 29, 2024, in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began August 24,1944 in Chicago, Illinois, born to Lloyd and Izora Clark. Lloyd was a hard- working and quiet man. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam and he spent 30 years as a ship captain at Tidewater...
Doug Boyd
Dec 23, 2024
Douglas Alan Boyd, age 79 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, uncle, Godfather, friend, electrician, honorable veteran, and avid traveler, died peacefully Monday evening, December 23, 2024 with his wife at his side at North Woods Village in Mishawaka, Indiana following an extended illness. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff at North Woods...
Joseph Vreden
Dec 23, 2024
Joseph Herbert Vreden, Sr., age 89 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, honorable veteran, devout Catholic, and active Knights of Columbus, died peacefully at 3:39 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024 with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate assistance of the hospice staff.
He was born...
Donald E. Snyder
Nov 26, 2024
Donald E. Snyder, 87 of Niles, died after an extended illness, Tuesday, November 26, 2024. His life began June 28, 1937 in Niles, first born of to Harold and Alice Snyder.
Don graduated Niles High School in 1955. Following high-school he went to Michiana College of Commerce, where he studied accounting. He was a supervisor for National Standard for 31 years...
Constance Louise Blackmond
Nov 25, 2024
Constance “Connie” Louise Blackmond, 94 of Niles, died Monday, November 25, 2024 in Woodland Terrace. Connie, was born June 12, 1930 in Sturgis, Michigan to Donald and Margaret Norris. She married Stephen G Blackmond in Sturgis, Michigan 1949.
Connie graduated from Sturgis high school and attended Western Michigan University. She worked for Graphic Art Center Clark Equipment, as an office manager....