Obituaries

Matthew Joel Burns

Matthew Joel Burns

Jul 2, 2025

Matthew Joel Burns, 50, of Niles, died July 2, 2025.

His life began September 23, 1974, in Niles, the oldest of two children born to Donald Burns and Merva Zaleski.

Matthew was a graduate of Brandywine HIgh School Class of 1993. He was an avid fan of Penn State and would always watch football games on Saturday. Matthew was a clinical supervisor...

William LeRoy Hassinger

William LeRoy Hassinger

Jun 29, 2025

William L. Hassinger, age 98, of Edwardsburg, MI, died peacefully on June 29, 2025, in the comfort of his family’s presence.

He was born to John and Margaret (Ridenour) Hassinger on August 21, 1926, in South Bend, IN. Bill moved to Niles with his family in 1936 where he attended school and graduated in 1944. He was then drafted into the...

Tucker Vaughn

Tucker Vaughn

Jun 28, 2025

Tucker Jay Vaughn of Niles, Michigan; son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and hard worker died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in New Buffalo, Michigan, just eleven days after his twentieth birthday.

He was born on June 17, 2005 in South Bend, Indiana to Michael J. and Misty M. (Lintz) Vaughn, and has lived in Niles all of his life. He...

Clayson Ralph Cooper

Clayson Ralph Cooper

Jun 24, 2025

Clayson "Butch" Ralph Cooper, 76, of Crystal River, Florida, died peacefully Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

His life began October 5, 1948, in Niles, Michigan, the oldest of two children born to Clayson E. and Betty Cooper.

Clayson graduated from Niles High School in 1967 and continued his education in graphic arts at Ferris State University. He cherished his work and used his...

Sandra Kaye Halbritter-Bartley

Sandra Kaye Halbritter-Bartley

Jun 21, 2025

Sandra Kaye Halbritter-Bartley, age 79 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 with her family at her bedside at Mercy New Life Hospice near her home in Elyria, Ohio following an extended illness.

Sandra was born August 24, 1945 in Clinton, Oklahoma to Ted L. and Ruthe (Montgomery) Halbritter while her father served as a Chief...

Donald Franklin Ryman

Donald Franklin Ryman

Jun 8, 2025

Don Ryman, 97, of Buchanan, Michigan, died Sunday, June 8, 2025.

He was born April 1, 1928, in Brady Lake, Portage County, Ohio, the son of Floyd Jay and Anna Grace (Hottel) Ryman. He was educated in Ohio public schools, graduating from East Canton High School in May 1945. In June 1948, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a...

Barbara Ellen Searles

Barbara Ellen Searles

May 27, 2025

Barbara Ellen Searles, 80, of, Niles, passed peacefully in the presence of her husband, May 27, 2025. Her life began October 5, 1944, in Mishawaka, born to Virgil and Beatrice Brown. She married Warren Searles October 12, 1963 in Bertrand Bible Church, Niles.

Barbara grew up in Mishawaka/South Bend and graduated from Clay High School in 1963. She worked at Brandywine...

RaeAnn Clark

RaeAnn Clark

May 24, 2025

RaeAnn Clark,79, of Buchanan, passed away at home, Saturday, May 24, 2025. Her life began July 15, 1945 in Niles, born to Joe and Louise McBain. She married Lloyd Clark, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi in 1977, he preceded her in death December, 2024.

RaeAnn loved spending time with her family, especially caring for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

RaeAnn will be...

Dalton Sebastion Prentice

Dalton Sebastion Prentice

May 11, 2025

Dalton Sebastion Prentice, 30, of Dowagiac, died Sunday, May 11, 2025.

His life began August 18, 1994, in Niles the oldest of two born to Leslie and Jennifer Prentice. He married Mersadies Thar in July 2, 2016 in Buchanan. They have been married for eight years, but have been together for twelve years.

Dalton cherished spending time with his family, especially his...

John Nelson Polson

John Nelson Polson

May 9, 2025

John Nelson Polson, 75, of Bremen, Indiana, died May 9, 2025 in the comfort of his family’s presence.

His life began June 28,1949 in Bremen, Indiana the second of three children born to Jim and Lulu Polson. He married Barbara E. Boyer June 16, 1973 in Nappanee, Indiana.

John was an avid sports fan. He loved racing, especially NASCAR, and Triton High...

Mary Jane Wood Zabinski

Mary Jane Wood Zabinski

May 8, 2025

Mary Jane Wood Zabinski - Entrepreneur, World Traveler, Photographer, Animal Lover, and Beloved Sister

Born and raised in Niles, Michigan and a longtime resident of the Hilton Head area, Mary Jane died peacefully in Okatie, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerome W. and Priscilla Barbary Wood, her sister Barbara Wood Cook of Niles, and her husband,...

David Kelly

David Kelly

May 5, 2025

David Bruce Kelly, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, devout Christian, sports enthusiast, and “Captain Rite Aid” died peacefully on Monday morning, May 5, 2025 at Corewell Health Lakeland Niles hospital following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs at West Woods of Niles, and Pawating Hospital,...

Jill Mari Garmire

Jill Mari Garmire

Apr 12, 2025

Jill Mari Garmire,77, of Buchanan, died peacefully Saturday, April 12, 2025. Her life began February 19, 1948 in Circleville, Ohio the second of three children born to John and Minnie Steinhauser. 

Jill invested her time volunteering at the Buchanan senior center in their community garden and at Trinity Episcopal Church. Jill could often be found watching the food network. She was...

David Hirsch

David Hirsch

Apr 11, 2025

David Francis Hirsch, age 82 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, brother, professional truck driver, sports fan, and honorable veteran died peacefully on Friday morning, April 11, 2025 with his wife by his bedside at the Chalet of Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on April 23, 1942 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Louis H. and Audrey A. (Neunuebel)...

Marilyn Annette Barbour

Marilyn Annette Barbour

Mar 27, 2025

Marilyn Annette Barbour, 82, of Niles, died peacefully in the presence of her family, Thursday March 27, 2025. Her life began August 8, 1942 in South Bend, the third of four children born to Marshall and Goldie Ralston. She married Richard L. Barbour November 18,1972 in Osceola, Indiana.

Marilyn graduated from Niles High School in 1960. She later graduated from Bethel...

Stephen Michael Dunifin

Stephen Michael Dunifin

Mar 26, 2025

Stephen Michael Dunifin, 19, of South Bend, Indiana, died Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

His life began February 13, 2006 in Niles, Michigan born to Michael Dunifin and Dannielle McMillan.

Stephen cherished his family more than anything. He was a very talented and artistic young man. He was very athletic: he enjoyed basketball, soccer, and going to the gym to workout. He was...

Stephen John Simko, Sr.

Stephen John Simko, Sr.

Mar 25, 2025

Steve Simko, 91, of Berrien Center, passed away at home Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Steve was born October 15, 1933, in the farmhouse where he spent his entire life. 

Steve dedicated his life to farming, family, and community. For many years he raised fruit and vegetables, patiently working the land and tending to his crops. He spent many late nights spraying...

Alana "Adele" Watry

Alana "Adele" Watry

Mar 17, 2025

With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved Mother, Alana Adele Ayers Watry of Niles Michigan, at the age of 87, has passed peacefully on March 17, 2025, suffering from congestive heart failure.

Adele was born in Schenectady New York to her parents Emma Laurena Marsh Ayers and Edgar Harvey Ayers. Adele was raised in Niles Michigan. She was a graduate...

Peter Karl Wienke

Peter Karl Wienke

Mar 15, 2025

Peter Karl Wienke of Niles, Michigan passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025.

He was born April 23, 1944 in Niles, Michigan, one of two children born to Theodore and Phena Wienke.

Pete is survived by his sister Phoebe Wienke PhD of Cooper Harbor, Michigan; as well as his three children, Chris (Jessica), Jen, and David from Chicago and suburbs. He will also...

Warren "Zeke" Donald Hand

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...