Obituaries

Irene Bradford Willis

Sep 7, 2017

Irene Bradford Willis, age 92 of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017.  She was surrounded by family.

She was born on February 12, 1925 in Enid, Mississippi to John Robert and Mandy (Buckley) Bradford.  She attended school in Enid, and lived in Charleston, Mississippi before coming to Niles in 1950.

...

Gary Groat

Sep 3, 2017

Gary J. Groat

February 17, 1943 – September 3, 2017

Niles – Gary J. Groat, 74, was born on February 17, 1943 in Niles to Robert and Frances Groat.  He passed away at home on September 3, 2017.

He graduated from Buchanan High School and was part of the football team...

Richard Matthews

Sep 1, 2017

Richard Lee Matthews, age 72 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully but unexpectedly on Friday, September 1, 2017 at his home of natural causes.

He was born on January 23, 1945 (1/23/45) in Niles to Jess Earl and Laura Elizabeth (Dugan) Matthews.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles all of his...

Owen Buck

Sep 1, 2017

Owen L. Buck, 85 of Niles, passed away in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph after a brief illness.

Owen was born on July 7, 1932 in South Bend to the late Warren and Helen (Ernsberger) Buck, Sr. He is also preceded by his son Bruce, his sister, Phyllis Harris and brother Warren Buck, Jr.

On August...

William Watson

Sep 1, 2017

William Warren Watson

December 24, 1948 – September 1, 2017

William ‘Wild Bill’ Warren Watson, 68 of Niles passed away at his home after a long and courageous fight with cancer.

Bill was born on December 24, 1948 to the late Warren C and Ruth H. (Zerr) Watson.  On July 3, 1971 he...

George Spence

Sep 1, 2017

Niles George Scott Spence 69,died and hopefully has gone to join his mother and Frankie, Johnny and Beauregard and the many other dogs that were an important part of his life.

George was born November 17, 1947 to Jack and Gertrude Spence, who preceded him in death.

He started his teaching career as an orchestra...

George Boston

Aug 31, 2017

George Edward Boston, age 85 years of Berrien Center, Michigan died peacefully at 12:22 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017 with family gathered around at this home following a brief illness.

He was born on October 22, 1931 in East Liverpool, Ohio to Clarence Albert and Helen Elizabeth (Crawford) Boston.  He was graduated...

Aaron J. Sanders

Aug 27, 2017

Aaron James Sanders, age 24 years formerly of Buchanan, Michigan died unexpectedly at 7:21 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at his home in Bristol, Indiana.

He was born on July 28, 1993 in Niles to Christopher Wayne Sanders and Mary Ann (Williams) Sanders.  He was graduated from Marcellus (Michigan) High School, and enlisted in the Michigan...

Dan Bucha

Aug 26, 2017

Mr. Dan Lee Bucha, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:49 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on March 13, 1937 in South Bend, Indiana Epworth Hospital to Jerry and Ruth H. (Baker) Bucha. ...

Murray Winningham

Aug 24, 2017

Berrien Springs – Murray Leon Winningham, 86, passed away at 1:29am on August 24, 2017 in Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Murray was born on July 10, 1931 in Wynne, Arkansas to the late Murray Loe and Florance Atalia (Hudson) Winningham. On December 3, 1949 in Wynne, Arkansas, Murray married Ella Mae (Waters) and she passed away on...

Wava Crouch

Aug 22, 2017

Wava Jean Crouch

October 7, 1928 – August 22, 2017

Niles – Wava Jean Crouch, 88, passed away at 4:55pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in Memorial Hospital.

Wava was born on October 7, 1928 in South Bend, to the late Henry J. and Augusta P. (Mischke) Wishman. Wava was also preceded in...

Mary Heath

Aug 13, 2017

Mary “Kitty” Heath, 76 of Niles, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 13, 2017 with her family by her side.

She was born on March 6, 1941 in Niles to the late Ernest and Winifred (Kiggins) Juhasz.  Kitty is also preceded in death by her son James Michael Heath and sisters Joyce De Jaegher and...

Lee David "Dave" Topping

Aug 9, 2017

Lee David "Dave" Topping, age 61 years, of Niles, Michigan died Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

The family will be gathering privately.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, Niles.

Robert Geik

Aug 9, 2017

Robert R. Geik

September 27, 1934 – August 9 2017

Niles – Robert R. Geik, 82, passed away at 11:59am on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

Bob was born on September 27, 1934 in Three Oaks, MI to the late Gustave and Bertha (Schmidt) Geik. Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers...

Gerald Thomas

Aug 7, 2017

Gerald Lee Thomas, age 94 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 12:45 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 with family gathered around at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born on April 14, 1923 in Rochester, Indiana to Harold G. and Eva Lucille (Johnson) Thomas.  He attended Eau Claire, Michigan schools, and enrolled in...

Donna Hahn

Aug 7, 2017

Donna E. Hahn

December 12, 1930 – August 7, 2017

Kalamazoo – Donna E. Hahn, 86, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2017 in her home, surrounded by her family.

Donna was born on December 12, 1930 in Niles, MI to the late Russ and Ruth (McCallister) Hibbard.

On June 19,...

Margaret Pegan

Aug 3, 2017

Margaret J. PeGan, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:25 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on July 31, 1926 in Bremen, Indiana to Raymond and Thelma (Emmons) Pfefferle.  She came to Niles from...

Michael Thomas

Jul 30, 2017

Michael Kenneth Thomas, age 56 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on November 25, 1960 in Fort Myers, Florida to Henry J. and Lucille (Thomas) Thomas.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and served a...

Gale Robertson

Jul 29, 2017

Gale B. Robertson, 52 of Niles, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday July 29, 2017 in Lakeland Hospital.

Gale was born on November 13, 1964 in Niles to the late Bradley and Phyllis (Pollock) Robertson.

He is survived by his sons, Ryan (Christina) Robertson and Sam Garvin, both of Niles,...

Frank Joo

Jul 27, 2017

Frank William Joo, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.  The family offers many thanks to the staff of West Woods for all of the loving care of their beloved Frank.

He was born on...