Obituaries

Mar 2, 2021

Tracy Gray Keck, Sr., age 78 years old of Niles, Michigan husband, father, grandfather, commercial artist, and honorable veteran died unexpectedly at 10:55 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in the Emergency Department of Spectrum Health – Lakeland Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the efforts provided by the staff of...

Feb 27, 2021

Barbara Alice “Barb” Burton, age 84 years of Dowagiac, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, reader, and draft horse leader died peacefully at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 with her family gathered around at her home following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by hospice staff.

Feb 18, 2021

Ruth Elizabeth Schrumpf of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, bowler, baker, and traveler died peacefully at 8:42 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center, Saint Joseph, Michigan having attained the remarkable age of 102 years old.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of The...

Feb 12, 2021

Gertrude Arlee “Trudy” Stone of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, banker, motorcycle tourer, and honorable veteran died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 – the day after her 87th birthday – with her family gathered around her bed at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate...

Feb 7, 2021

As of 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16:

The family of Jim Crouch will be gathering privately in the summer.

James Lee Crouch, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, golfer, fisherman, and state champion pitcher died peacefully at 6:22 a.m. with his...

Feb 5, 2021

Scott M. Witwer 83 years of Niles, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2021 at his home.

He was born in Chicago, IL on May 10, 1937. Along with a twin sister Robin, they were adopted by Edwin and Joy Witwer at birth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.

Feb 2, 2021

Nelson Lloyd Brock, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, motorcycle builder, jeweler, and friend died peacefully at 2:10 p.m. at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on...

Jan 30, 2021

Victoria Rose Brown, age 75 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, outdoorswoman, woodworker, and egg and bonsai artist died peacefully on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia following an extended illness.

She was born on February 23, 1945 in Niles to Robert L. Repine and...

Jan 29, 2021

Mabel Frances Cowling, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, baker, camper, and Adventist died peacefully at 2:15 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on December 6, 1928 in Takoma Park, Maryland to Richard F. and...

Jan 25, 2021

Melvin “Ray” Cross, 54, of Niles, MI, and having family members in Huntington County, IN, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 at Lakeland Hospital in St Joseph, Michigan following heart surgery.

He was born July 6, 1966, in Decatur, IN to Raymond Milbern and Lavonne E. (Strahm) Cross. His parents preceded him in death.

...

Jan 25, 2021

Gerald Francis Marshall, age 92 years young of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, renowned physicist, devoted swimmer, and licensed pilot died peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2021 with his wife at his side at his home following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the care of the kind and compassionate healthcare workers throughout his final...

Jan 22, 2021

David Wayne Brown, age 60 years of Niles, Michigan, brother, uncle, cabinetmaker, rocketeer, cabin cruiser captain, and pet parent died unexpectedly but peacefully at home of natural causes.

He was born on May 7, 1960 in San Francisco, California to Darrell W. and Cheryl L. (Luke) Brown.  He was graduated from Niles High...

Jan 16, 2021

Stephen Albert Adams, age 59 years of South Bend, Indiana, fiancé, father, grandfather, gardener, Harley rider, and hunter extraordinaire died peacefully with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  Locks of Love will receive his final braid to help provide normalcy and self-confidence to children suffering hair loss.

He...

Jan 16, 2021

Opal Jewel Karns of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, fisherwoman, camper, Baptist, and fast driver died peacefully at 11:54 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021 – one day short of her 85th birthday – with her daughter at her side in Spectrum Health - Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

She was...

Jan 15, 2021

Samuel Caleb James Gonzales, age 17 years of Benton Harbor, Michigan, son, grandson, athlete, outdoorsman, and friend to everyone he met died at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Beacon Children’s Hospital in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident on January 8, 2021.  His family is grateful for...

Jan 11, 2021

Rose G. Zehner, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, handcrafter, active church member,  and – most importantly and worth repeating – mother died peacefully at 8:43 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan after the staff had compassionately arranged a visit by her children.

Jan 8, 2021

James Lloyd Whisenant, age 79 years of Niles, Michigan, father, brother, friend to many, honorable U.S.Navy veteran, TV repairman, and cannon builder died peacefully Friday afternoon, January 8, 2021 at home following a fight against cancer.  His family is grateful for the kind and skilled care offered by the staff of hospice.

He...

Jan 5, 2021

Edward B. Camp, 80, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 in Memorial Hospital with his family at his side.

Edward was born on February 14th, 1940 in Kalamazoo, MI. Edward was raised in Niles by his parents, G. Joseph and Eileen Camp. Early in life, Edward learned the value of a strong work...

Jan 1, 2021

Charles Joseph LaSata, 98, of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and lawyer for all, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 1, 2021 with his wife Julia and three children gathered at his side. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by “The Ladies” and by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home....

Dec 31, 2020

Jack Frederick Smith, age 70 years, of Buchanan, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, railroader, and outdoorsman died peacefully at 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the skilled and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.