Warren "Zeke" Donald Hand
Mar 12, 2025
Warren “Zeke” Donald Hand, 87, of Niles, died peacefully, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
His life began February 3, 1938 in Sumnerville, the fourth of five children born to Pat and Tillie Hand. He married Rosa Rocha, November 10, 1962. She survives.
Zeke graduated from Niles High School in 1956. He served his country in the National Guard and Army Reserve from 1956...
Cherie Ann Dowling
Mar 11, 2025
Cherie Ann Dowling, 70, of Niles passed away on March 11, 2025, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, after an extended illness. Cherie was born on January 8, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of Barbara and Elmer Gaedtke, who soon settled in Barb's hometown of Niles, Michigan.
Cherie lived in Niles nearly all her life. She graduated from Niles High...
Linda Ann Hocker
Mar 10, 2025
Linda Ann Hocker, 67, of Edwardsburg, died at home after a brief battle with cancer, Monday March 10, 2025. Her life began May 24, 1957 in Niles, the first of four children born to James and JoAnn Hocker.
Linda loved rocks, she could often be found outside collecting and painting them. Linda enjoyed arts and crafts, including diamond paintings and adult...
Mark Lewis Poehlman
Mar 9, 2025
Mark L. Poehlman, 74, of Schoolcraft, died Sunday, March 9, 2025 in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began January 25, 1951 in Lafayette, Indiana, born to Robert and Mary Poehlman. He married Teresa “Terri” Smith on October 29, 1977 in the First Baptist Church in Niles, Michigan. After nearly forty-three years of marriage, she preceded him in death...
Mary Jean Knoll
Mar 4, 2025
Mary Jean Knoll, 97, of Niles died peacefully March 4, 2025, in the comfort of her family home. Her life began November 10, 1927, in Niles, the third of four born to Tracy and Ruth Dickey. She married Robert A. Knoll, May 8, 1954, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Niles.
Mary loved her community and was an active volunteer, serving...
Rosella McLaughlin Davis
Mar 1, 2025
Rosella McLaughlin Davis left this world on March 1, 2025. Rosie, as she was more familiarly known, was born at home to Walter Clifton (Clif) McLaughlin and Josie Gentry McLaughlin on May 11, 1940, in Niles, Michigan. She was the youngest of five children. Her parents and all her siblings - Bill (Kate) McLaughlin, Mary Louise (Bill) Withrow, Pat (Phil)...
Jack Edward Turner
Feb 27, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jack Edward Turner, who left us peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at home in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began February 24, 1933 in Montpelier, Ohio. He just celebrated his 92nd birthday. He was one of fourteen children born to Burl and Lena Turner.
Jack was a...
Doris Josephine Kissinger
Feb 27, 2025
Doris J. Kissinger, of Niles, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the age of 101.
Her life began January 24, 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana, born to Kenneth and Gertrude Deer. She married Roy T. Kissinger February 14, 1946 in South Bend, Indiana. After fifty-three years of marriage, he preceded her in death August 3, 1999.
Doris retired from Simplicity Pattern Company....
Tracee Cook, BSN
Feb 25, 2025
Tracee Laurana Cook, age 48 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, daughter, and devoted nurse died at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at home, with her family gathered around her bedside, following a months-long battle against pancreatic cancer, which she tenaciously fought until her final breath. Her family is grateful for the wonderful and passionate care provided by her...
Beverly Sands
Feb 21, 2025
Beverly Sands, 71, of Buchanan, died peacefully Friday, February 21, 2025 in the comfort of her family’s presence.
Her life began November 13, 1953 in Monette, Arkansas the second of four born to Talmadge and Jennie Blasingame.
When Bev was little her family were migrant workers. Being a nurturer, she was charged with caring for her siblings as they grew up. Her...
James Ellis Alkire
Feb 15, 2025
James Ellis “Jim” Alkire, 68, of Niles, died peacefully Saturday, February 15, 2025 in the comfort of his family’s presence.
His life began October 9, 1956 in Queens, New York, the oldest of two children born to James and Alta Alkire. He married Deborah M Cecil October 9, 1976 in Columbus, Ohio.
Jim loved chickens, dogs and all sorts of animals. Jim...
Bennie J. Bressette
Feb 14, 2025
Bennie J. Bressette, 79, of Dowagiac, died peacefully Friday, February 14, 2025.
His life began June 10, 1945 in Allegan, Michigan, born to Clayton and Helen Bressette.
Bennie will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by sisters, Dorothy Linville of Hilton Head, South Carolona, Tory Kennedy of Otsego, Michigan, Helen (Jim) Pelligrini of Niles, brother, Mike (Julie) Kennedy...
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...
Jerry Seals
Feb 9, 2025
Jerry Lee Seals, 81, of Niles, died Sunday, February 9, 2025. His life began November 23, 1943 in Niles, Michigan born to Everett and Edith Seals.
Jerry honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965. He was in the construction equipment industry for most of his life. He served at the Red Bud Area Food Pantry which...
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...