Obituaries

Jun 28, 2021

Robert Grant Tyler, Jr., age 77 years formerly of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, teamster, blues fan, and always a Marine – “Ooh-rah!” died peacefully on Monday morning, June 28, 2021 with family gathered around his bedside at his home in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

He was born on September...

Jun 28, 2021

Emily Molica, 97 of Niles, passed away on June 28, 2021 with her family by her side.

Emily was born on September 6, 1923 in Dowagiac to the late Frank and Cordella Smith.

On September 27, 1941 in Niles, she married Henry R. Molica who passed away on September 30, 2011.

Those left...

Jun 27, 2021

Conrad Jacob Stilwell, 25 of Niles, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Conrad was born on January 8, 1996 in Paw Paw, Michigan.

Conrad was a 4th year apprentice with Ironworkers Local 292 of South Bend.  He was an accomplished Motocross enthusiast.  Conrad started riding motocross when he was 9 years old and...

Jun 20, 2021

Elaine Denise Simmons, age 64 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, Michigan traveler, and friend died peacefully Sunday morning, June 20, 2021 with family gathered around her bed at the home of her son in North Liberty, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on June 30, 1956 in Niles...

Jun 11, 2021

Romeo age 4 of Elkhart passed away when he was not able to recover from injuries.

Romeo was born in Niles, MI on September 28, 2016 to Karen Duran and Jorge Pineda-Martinez.

He is survived by his Mother, Karen and his Father, Jorge, as well as his siblings; Ali, Aydan, Juan, Armando, Julian and Nikolai,...

Jun 10, 2021

Robert Lee Crouch, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, brother, uncle, electrical engineer, hobby farmer, and frequent visitor died peacefully Thursday morning, June 10, 2021 with family gathered at his bedside  in his home in Bertrand Township following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs of...

Jun 10, 2021

Robert William Kantowski, age 49 of Berrien Springs, Michigan, son, nephew, cousin, and gentle soul died Thursday morning, June 10, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on January 30, 1972 in the former Buchanan, Michigan Osteopathic Hospital to Harold L. and...

Jun 7, 2021

Eulalia Joo-Wetmore, 88, of Niles passed away on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow.

Lala, was born on October 29, 1932 in Niles to the late Joseph A and Mary M. (Farrell) Wetmore.

She is preceded in death by her parents as well as her 14 brothers and sisters; Sister Margaret Wetmore...

Jun 4, 2021

Lorraine Marie Van De Putte, age 97 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, aunt, bridge player, hostess, and devout Catholic died peacefully at 1:44 a.m. on Friday, June 4, 2021 at her home in Niles.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Woodlawn Terrace at Longmeadow, and during her...

Jun 3, 2021

Leonard Thomas Cameron, age 64 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, brother, uncle, printer, fisherman, and joker died peacefully at 11:46 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on July 8, 1956 in South Bend to Thomas J. and Mila (Yeager) Cameron, and was graduated...

May 29, 2021

William D. Dehn, Jr. 66 of Niles, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021. William was born on February 24, 1955 in Greenville, MI to William and Shriely (Coston) Dehn, Sr.

He is preceded in death by his father and an infant daughter Rebecca Lynn Dehn. On August 21, 1976 in Belding he married Marcia Carlson who...

May 28, 2021

Donna Rae F. Middleton passed away following a cardiac event on Friday May 28th, 2021. She was born in 1939 in Menominee, Michigan where she graduated from Menominee High School in 1957. She attended Northern Michigan College and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.

A life-long teacher, Donna taught math to middle-school and high-school students...

May 27, 2021

Duane Vere Smallidge, age 85 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, honorable veteran and avid reader died peacefully Thursday morning, May 27, 2021 at his home near Schoolcraft, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on August 3, 1935, also at home, but in Eau Claire, Michigan to Vere...

May 26, 2021

Debora Strugar, 62 of Niles passed in Memorial Hospital of South Bend on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

Deb was born on April 1, 1959, in Dowagiac to the late John and Nancy Ottinger.

On January 22, 2002, in Las Vegas, she married Donald G. Strugar who survives.

She is also survived by her...

May 26, 2021

Sharon Kay Bryers, age 79 of Niles, Michigan passed away peacefully at 9:38 am on Wednesday May 26th, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Lakeland Hospital and Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

May 25, 2021

Elmer J. Subera, age 87 years of Cassopolis, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, mechanical engineer, farmer, and a Godly man died peacefully at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, comfortably at-home, with his wife at his bedside.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home....

May 17, 2021

George Roberts, 85, left this world on the same day that he entered it, 85 years earlier.

George was born on May 17, 1936 in Manchester Tennessee to the late Wilburn ‘Jack’ and Erma Mae (Brown) Roberts. He is also preceded in death by his brother Jack ‘Tony’ Roberts.

On June 27, 1959 at St....

May 14, 2021

Betty Marie Villwock, 92 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness.

Betty was born on February 8, 1929 in Benton Harbor to the late Arthur and Leeta (Wolcott) Kiger.

On November 12, 1949 in Berrien Springs, she married Lester Villwock.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lester and...

May 13, 2021

Helen Joan Robertson Dunlap, formerly of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, homemaker, and community supporter died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on  Thursday, May 13, 2021.  Helen passed with family gathered around her bedside at the Dujarie House in Notre Dame, Indiana following an extended illness, just days short of her ninetieth birthday.  Her family is grateful...

May 6, 2021

Vickie Ann Nolan, age 69 of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, Apple Festival supporter, Christmas decorator, and caregiver died peacefully at 11:34 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2021 with her family gathered around her bed at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a courageously strong battle against coronavirus.

She was born on...