Lillian Graham, 88
1921-June 21, 2010

Lillian Christina Graham, 88, of 1333 Well St., Niles died at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2010 at Riveridge Manor, Niles of natural causes.A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-5303.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:39pm Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Ricardo Sierra, Jr., 36
May 22, 1974 — June 23, 2010

Richardo “Chino” Sierra, Jr., of Lake Street in Niles, died suddenly but of natural causes at 9:20 p.m. June 23, 2010, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. He was 36 years old.

He was born on May 22, 1974 in Juncos, Puerto Rico to Ricardo Sierra Sr. and Arcadia Ramierz.

He moved to New York from Puerto Rico and moved to Niles in 1987. He attended New Vision Apostolic Faith Assembly and enjoyed helping others and attending area festivals.

He is survived by his parents, Ricardo (Tammy) Sierra Sr. of Elkhart and Arcadia Ramirez of Niles; sister Jacqueline Sierra also of Niles; half sisters Milagros Martinez and Sandra Martinez of Puerto Rico, Virginia Martinez of Niles and Margarita Sierra of Elkhart; half brother Efrain Suarez of Niles and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Elder Carlton Burrel of New Vision Apostolic Faith Assemblly officiating.

Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 12 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

Robert Smart, 83
July 16, 1926 – June 22, 2010

Robert W. Smart, 83, of Niles died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at Hospice House, South Bend following a brief illness.

He was born July 16, 1926 in Battle Creek, Mich. to William Scott and Elizabeth (Goebel) Smart. He graduated from high school in Battle Creek and attended Michigan State University, East Lansing. Since 1968 he had lived in Niles, where he owned and operating Creditors Service Bureau, retiring in 1986.

Bob was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed playing golf, pool and poker. He also enjoyed camping and traveling, and in retirement was able to travel to several countries. He always appreciated listening to music, especially classical selections.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Liz (Dee) Capron, of Niles and Tab (Roger) Miner, of Delton, Mich. Bob was formerly married to JoAnn Bennett.

Family and friends of Robert W. Smart will gather at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010 at graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles for a committal service with Capt. Tracey Walters of the Niles Salvation Army officiating.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Hospice House, c/o The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Patricia Laskowski, 72
Sept. 30, 1937 – June 30, 2010

Patricia J. “Patti” Laskowski, 72, of Inner Drive, Niles died at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born Sept. 30, 1937 in Niles to Robert Allen Dittmer and Vira G. (Walter) Dittmer. She moved from the west side of Niles to Inner Drive in Niles in 1960.

As a young woman, she worked at Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles. She was a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles. Patti collected antique dolls and enjoyed genealogy and history of the United States, both by reading and watching the History Channel.

She married Robert Earl Laskowski on Oct. 23, 1954 in Niles. He died Jan. 3, 1999.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

Patricia is survived by her daughters, Virginia “Ginny” Laskowski Frantz, of Seattle, Wash., Linda Stewart, of Mishawaka, Ind., Susan Laskowski, of Seattle; sons, Jerome “Jerry” (Lori) Laskowski, of San Francisco, Calif. and Robert E. (Elisa) Laskowski Jr., of Edwardsburg; grandsons, Joshua and Joel Moore and Devin and Shane Laskowski; granddaughters, Ashley Lauren Bouvier and Morgan Grace Laskowski; great-grandson, Colin Joseph Moore; sisters, Betty Humphrey, of Niles and Maureen “Carol” (Barry) Mooney, of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

The family is gathering privately for a Mass at Saint Mark Catholic Church.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Saint Mark Catholic Church.

A graveside service for Debra Louise Lewis will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 9, 2010 at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Barbara Hentsch, 71
Aug. 29, 1938 — July 17, 2010

Barbara Alene (Uselton) Hentsch, 71, of Niles passed away on Saturday, July, 17, 2010 at her home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

On Aug. 29, 1938 Barbara was born to Dolphus and Adelaide (Freeze) Uselton.

After graduating from Niles High School Class of 1957, Barbara fell in love with Wayne Hentsch.  At a ceremony at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Sept. 24, 1960 they wed.

Barbara loved to work with her hands, whether inside or outdoors. She was known for her perennial garden and has even been featured several times in the Niles Daily Star. Barbara was also very talented with quilting and sewing and was a part of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Sewing Group. Barbara was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for more than 50 years. She loved her savior and enjoyed reading her Bible and was faithful to the end. A fabulous homemaker, Barbara was known for her cooking and baking. Wayne and Barbara also loved to travel together and Maine was a favorite destination of Barbara’s.

She is preceded by her parents and three sisters: June Wiseman, Wilma Roush and Lila Conrad.

Surviving Barbara is her husband, Wayne Hentsch; her son, Stephen Hentsch, of Edwardsburg; a granddaughter, Amanda Hentsch, of Muskegon, Mich.; her two brothers, Donald (Charlotte) Uselton, of Niles, Kenneth Uselton, of Mishawaka; and a sister, Sue (Richard) Rossow, of Union, Mich.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Barbara’s memory may do so to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore St., Niles, MI 49120 or to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Visitation for Barbara will be Tuesday, July 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home with the service on Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 11 a.m with Pastor Carl Basset officiating.

An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences, photos or messages can be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.