Obituaries

Jul 23, 2016

Mildred A. Cain, age 87 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:58 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2016 with her family gathered around her bed at The Sanctuary at Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. The staff and fellow residents of The Sanctuary made her feel loved like family, and very at-home.

Jul 21, 2016

Vivian Rose Tharp, age 104 years of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born May 28, 1912 in Van Buren County, Michigan to Thomas and Carrie (Benwire) Sherburn.

Vivian was a cook for Brandywine Public Schools for over 15 years, retiring in 1974. She was a...

Jul 15, 2016

Jean Marie Griesinger, age 58 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at home with her family gathered around her bedside at 7:40 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2016 following a courageous battle against cancer.

She was born on November 21, 1957 in South Bend, Indiana to Ronald L. and Mary Jo (Manhart) Griesinger. She was graduated from...

Jul 12, 2016

Mr. Carmen Denisi, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at West Woods of Niles Nursing Home. His family is grateful for the care and compassion offered by the dedicated and loving staff of West Woods and Heartland Hospice.

He was born on July 26, 1920 in Filadelfia,...

Jul 12, 2016

Biography

June L. Gutschenritter, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on August 17, 1924 in Buckley, Illinois to Henry K. and Mary K. (Martin) Johnston. She was graduated from Buckley High School,...

Jul 12, 2016

Antonio Rocco “Tony” Frucci, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:15, p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 with his family gathered around at his home following an illness.

He was born on February 4, 1927 in Filadelfia, Italy to Frank and Catherine (Mazzotta) Frucci, coming to the United States, and to Niles in 1930....

Jul 9, 2016

Vera Elaine Holy, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2016 with her family gathered by her side at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on August 14, 1931 in Baroda Township, Michigan to Theadore and Agnes (Till) Hauch. She was graduated...

Jul 8, 2016

Bruce R. Bigford, age 85 years of Niles, Michigan died at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan on Friday, July 8, 2016.

He was born on January 13, 1931 in Lansing, Michigan to Harold and Catherine (Watkins) Bigford and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was proud of graduating from the former South High School...

Jul 8, 2016

Mr. Jesse James Russell, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan died of natural causes Friday evening, July 8, 2016 at his home.

He was born on August 27, 1929 in Decatur, Alabama to Leon and Myrtle (Verner) Russell. He was raised and schooled in Alabama, and came to Niles in 1949 where he lived the rest of...

Jul 6, 2016

Janet May Houseman, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness. She was born on June 14, 1927 in Niles to Roy H. and Ethel A. (Stryker) Rice. She was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor’s...

Jul 5, 2016

Paula Jean Barker, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at her home unexpectedly, but of natural causes. She was born February 1, 1950 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Paul and Thelma Jean (Hopkins) McCray. Paula graduated from Brandywine High School in 1968 and was always proud to be a Bobcat. PJ, as she was...

Jun 29, 2016

Biography

Miss Virginia Mae Fisher, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on June 23, 1932 in Buchanan, Michigan to Leo A. and Wilma Rose (Vogelsang) Fisher. She was graduated from Niles High School,...

Jun 28, 2016

Biography

Evelyn M. Hardebeck, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. She was born August 21, 1920 in Lisbon, North Dakota to John and Christina (Linzbach) Hardebeck.

Evelyn was retired from the National Standard Wire Company in Niles after more than...

Jun 27, 2016

Robert Frank Hand, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 9:05 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2016 surrounded by his family at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on February 1, 1939 in Port Huron, Michigan to Harold and Merle (Fraser) Hand. He was graduated from Port Huron High School, earned a...

Jun 20, 2016

Barbara Jean Thurston, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan went to be with her Lord on Monday, June 20, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 17, 1945 in Niles to Harry Wayne, Sr. and Elizabeth Helen (Rodgers) Phillips.

Barbara was retired from Nickell Moulding after over 15 years of service. She...

Jun 17, 2016

Biography

Margaret F. Chmiel, age 82 years of Niles, Michigan died on Friday, June 17, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born November 19, 1933 in Buffalo, New York to Charles and Ruby (Thompson) Fox.

In 1955, Margaret graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from Cornell University in...

Jun 17, 2016

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Wilma Jean Zimmerman, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly Friday morning, June 17, 2016 at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on January 6, 1950 in Newport, Arkansas to Harvel Lee and Imogene M. (Looney) Thomas. She attended school in both...

Jun 17, 2016

Ralph Allen Heyn, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died at 2:10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on June 6, 1929 in Bridgman, Michigan to Emil Robert and Minnie (Ott) Heyn. He was graduated from Bridgman High School, and has lived in Bridgman and Niles all...

Jun 16, 2016

Biography

Dorothy F. Kendzierski, age 89 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, Oregon following an illness.

She was born on September 26, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Cass Tech, in Detroit and also lived in Mount Pleasant, Pontiac,...

Jun 11, 2016

Jo Ann “Jodi” Cummins, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an illness. Her family is grateful for the compassionate and caring staff of West Woods.

She was born on October 24, 1934 in Brookfield, Missouri to Dan Taylor and Dorothy L. (Brown) Taylor Pierce. She...