Obituaries

Oct 7, 2018

Norman D. Colcord, 84 of Niles, passed away after an extended illness in Lakeland Hospital on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Norman was born on August 5, 1934 in Niles to the late Ora C. and Goldie Mae (Brown) Colcord.

He is preceded in death by his parents as well...

Oct 4, 2018

John Wesley “Jack” Strayer III, age 67 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 2:57 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan. He was born on March 7, 1951 in Niles to Dr. John W. and Virginia (Eaglesfield) Strayer. He graduated from Niles High School, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Albion (Michigan) College. He...

Oct 3, 2018

Dale J. Hein August 30, 1933 – October 3, 2018 Niles – Dale James Hein, 85, passed away at 2:40pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in Southfield Village, South Bend. Dale was born on August 30, 1933, in Michigan City, IN. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; Rudy and Faye (Gonder) Hein; daughter Julie Hein; and brother,...

Sep 28, 2018

Thomas Glenn Lane, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 6:38 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

He was born on December 13, 1924 in Wickliffe, Kentucky to Ralph G. and Leona (Bowman) Lane, and was raised and attended school in Kentucky before...

Sep 28, 2018

Mildred E. Smith (Granny) July 23, 1928 – September 28, 2018 South Bend - Mildred E. (Shaffer) Smith, 90, passed away at 3:33am on Friday, September 28, 2018 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Mildred was born on July 23, 1928 in Niles, MI, to the late Effie and Claude Shaffer. Mildred was also preceded in death...

Sep 26, 2018

Betty Lou Parker-Nyka, D.C., age 79 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:24 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on July 4, 1939 in Griffith, Indiana to Virgil A. and Frances E. (Wentzel) Parker.  She was graduated from...

Sep 21, 2018

Michael T. Sylvia, 63 of Niles, passed away in Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

He was born on July 30, 1955 in Manchester, New Hampshire to the late Elton John and Mary  Sylvia, Sr.. He is also preceded in death by his second wife Donna.

Michael is survived by his daughter Teresa (Lisa Howard) Sylvia...

Sep 20, 2018

Nancy C. Tracey, 69 of Vicksburg passed away after an extended illness in Borgess Medical Center. Nancy was born on May 20, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Kurt and Eleanore (Warmuth) Kuhnle. She is also preceded in death by a sister Kimberly Kuhnle. On January, 31, 1969 Nancy married Hugh R. Tracey, Sr. Nancy is...

Sep 13, 2018

Anne Catherine Lane, age 88 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Royalton Manor in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness.

She was born on March 17, 1930 in Bardwell, Kentucky to Mose and May (McClure) Lang.  She was graduated from the Cairo (Illinois) High School, and has...

Sep 12, 2018

Thelma L. Heimel March 6, 1929 – September 12, 2018 Thelma L. Heimel, 89 of Cassopolis, passed away at home after an extended illness. Thelma was born on March 6, 1929 in Three Oaks, MI to the late Elmon and Helen Mangold. Thelma found love twice during her life. She was first married to Franklin Worcester who passed away...

Sep 12, 2018

Hope Ann Flint November 12, 1964 – September 12, 2018 Niles – Hope Ann Flint, 53, of Niles, MI passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2018 surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. Hope was proceeded in death by her mother, Barbara Thurston and sister, Wendy Thurston also of Niles. Hope is survived by her father, Jerry Thurston; sons,...

Sep 12, 2018

Barbara A. Reum November 23, 1936 - September 12, 2018 Niles – Barbara A. (Evans) Reum, 81, passed away, peacefully after an extended illness, on Wednesday morning, September 12, 2018 in her home. Barbara was born in Detroit, MI on November 23, 1936 to the late Louis V. and Beatrice G. (Geyer) Evans. Barbara was preceded in death by...

Sep 10, 2018

Bonnie E. Exner March 18, 1937 – September 10, 2018 Niles – Bonnie E. (Susan) Exner, 81, passed away in her home on Monday, September 10, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Bonnie was born on March 18, 1937 in South Bend to the late George Gilbert and Mary Margaret (Johnson) Susan. On June 26, 1956, Bonnie married Herman...

Sep 7, 2018

Walter Lee Biggs March 2, 1938 – September 7, 2018 Niles – Walter Lee Biggs, 80, passed away at 8:20am on Friday, September 7, 2018 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Walter was born on March 2, 1938 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to the late Walter Elis and Virginia (Meek) Biggs. Walter was married for over 50 years to...

Sep 7, 2018

Joseph Louis Elias, age 83 years of Niles, Michigan died at 5:07 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2018 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following an unexpected medical event at home on Thursday.

He was born on October 23, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana to Joseph and Helen E. (Verash) Elias.  He was graduated...

Sep 6, 2018

Johnie A. Rodebush, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan and longtime Cass County Commissioner died peacefully at 11:19 a.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018 with his family gathered around at Lakeland Hospital – Niles following an extended illness. He was born on August 11, 1922 in Heber Springs, Arkansas to John and Hattie Mae (Knight) Rodebush. He...

Sep 3, 2018

Kathleen M. Barber May 21, 1948 – September 3, 2018 Niles – Kathleen M. (Vavul) Barber, 70, passed away in her home on Monday, September 3, 2018 Kathleen was born in South Bend, on May 21, 1948 to the late Thomas and Margaret (O’Brien) Vavul, Sr. On May 21, 1948, Kathleen married John L. Barber and he passed away on...

Sep 3, 2018

Kimberly K. Bonner September 10, 1962 – September 3, 2018 Niles – Kimberly K. (Galbreath) Bonner, 55, passed away on Monday morning, September 3, 2018 in her home. Kim was born in Buchanan, MI on September 10, 1962 to Larry and Sharon (Dause) Galbreath. Kim was preceded in death by her father, Larry; mother and step-father, Sharon and Dutch Reddick;...

Sep 3, 2018

Gerald H. Frieling, Jr., 88 died on September 3, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN after a short illness. His wife of 63 years, Joan, passed away in 2015. Mr. Frieling was born on April 29, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri to Mary Ann (Coons) and Gerald H. Frieling, Sr. He was a graduate...

Sep 2, 2018

Walter Phillip Jann, age 78 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2018 while hearing the Lord’s Prayer with family and friends who were gathered around at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following an extended illness. He was born on May 1, 1940 in Niles to Walter L. and Blanche...