Mary Ellen (Blackmun) Crouch, of Goshen
Nov. 20, 1931 — Feb. 2, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:18 am Friday, February 5, 2016

Goshen, Ind. — Mary Ellen (Blackmun) Crouch, 84, of Goshen, Indiana, died on Feb. 2, 2016, at Greencroft Healthcare, from complications of renal cancer.

Mary Ellen (Blackmun) Crouch

Mary was born on Nov. 20, 1931, in Niles, Michigan to Ruth (Carnes) and Harold Blackmun, graduated from Niles High School, and attended Hanover College and Michigan State University, where she studied literature. On Sept. 10, 1950, she married Jack Crouch. Over the years, Mary worked as a secretary, receptionist, and as an exceedingly well-organized homemaker. She and Jack were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles until moving to Goshen, where they joined the College Mennonite Church.

Mary enjoyed singing in the choir, reading good books, watching highly-rated films, gazing out over the lake or ocean with a cup of coffee in the morning, and deep conversations about the meaning of life. In the spirit of St. Francis, she cared for birds and other animals, and with Jack’s help, tended beautiful flowers.

Mary is survived by her husband Jack Crouch; daughters, Laurie (Crouch) Dowling of Lansing, Michigan and Marti Crouch of Bloomington; brother, Bob (Pat) Blackmun of Hilton, New York; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Bill (Dorie) Blackmun of Niles.

A memorial service officiated by College Mennonite Church will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb/ 6, at the Gathering Place in Evergeen, Greencroft Goshen, with visitation there at 9 a.m. Later in the spring, there will also be a service in Niles prior to burial of the cremains at Silverbrook Cemetery, TBA.

Contributions can be made in her name to the Mennonite Central Committee, or to the Cornell Lab or Ornithology.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, Indiana is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marilyn Winn Godsey, of Niles
Jan. 4, 1931 — May 10, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14 am Monday, May 16, 2016

Marilyn Winn Godsey, 85, formerly of Niles, Michigan died at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2016, with her family gathered around at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following a brief illness.

Godsey

She was born on Jan. 4, 1931, in Niles to Clayton U. and F. Lucille (Winn) McCoy. She was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University at Bloomington. She was employed for many years in the executive offices of the National-Standard Corporation in Niles and in the office of McCoy Ready-Mix Concrete.

Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, of Orchard Hills Country Club in Niles and The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida, of the Niles Service League, and the Niles Garden Club. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and had visited much of Asia including Russia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. She was both a proficient golfer and a talented pianist. But her greatest gifts were at home; cooking and caring for her family, and especially her grandchildren.

On April 8, 1952, at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles she married M. Austin Godsey with whom she celebrated last month the remarkable 64th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Austin Godsey and their sons Mark (Gayle) Godsey of New Buffalo, Michigan and Tom (Sheryl) Godsey of Hendersonville, Tennessee; grandchildren Blake (Ilene) Godsey, Brett (Cristina) Godsey, Brandon Godsey, Cami Godsey, Ben Godsey, and Blair Godsey; and great-grandchildren Avi, Aden, and Hannah.

The family of Marilyn Godsey will gather privately at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to The Salvation Army of Niles. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Maurice Schalliol Hahn, formerly of Niles
July 21, 1918 — June 5, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:37 am Friday, June 10, 2016

Maurice Schalliol Hahn, 97, formerly of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, June 5, 2016, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Maurice Schalliol Hahn

He was born on July 21, 1918, in Wakarusa, Indiana to Edward F. and Minnie C. (Schalliol) Hahn. He was graduated from Mishawaka (Indiana) High School, and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, eventually becoming the Master Sergeant over a staff of 55 who were responsible for the payroll of 40,000 recruits. He was honorably discharged as a Veteran of World War II, and continued his education at the U. of M., earning his Master’s degree in Accounting. He began his career with a Certified Public Accountant firm in Ann Arbor, and quickly became a CPA himself. An early assignment to audit Buchanan Steel and the Niles Community Schools led him to move to Niles in 1950 and open Niles’ first CPA office.

Through a series of mergers, Maury became a Managing Partner of Coopers Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers — PwC) with 60 local employees. He was pleased to mentor many young employees who successfully established their own firms, all following his goal to help clients improve profitability. He completed 30 years of service to the firm, retiring in 1980. In retirement, he served on the Board of Directors of several area manufacturing firms, and continued to advise area foundations and endowments.

Maury was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles where he had also served in many elected offices. He has also been a member, officer, and director of The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation and its Niles Area Fund, the Niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, the Samaritan Counselling Center, and the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and both the Indiana and Michigan CPA associations. He was a member of the Advisory Board for Excellence in Accounting Education of the Professor William A. Paton Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan, serving for over 25 years.

He helped raise funds for the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland Hospital – Niles), and was a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Club, the Barron Lake Land Corporation, the Niles Garden Club and Niles Music Club, the former Summit Club of South Bend and Pickwick Club of Niles; and volunteered with the Junior Achievement of South Bend and Mishawaka.

In 1962, Maury served on the Citizens Advisory Board which directed the transition of Benton Harbor’s Community College to become Berrien County’s Lake Michigan College. In 2000, the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Maury as the Niles Man of the Year.

At home, Maury enjoyed sailing his Hobie Cat catamaran, collecting National-Standard braided wire lamps, reading best-seller books, and – most of all – caring for his family.

On August 22, 1948 he married the former Leslie Joyce McVey of Hammond, Indiana with whom he celebrated the forty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on March 5, 1991. Ten years later, on October 19, 2001 in the Manse at First Presbyterian Church he married the former Robinette B. “Bobbie” (Burns) Wilkerson who survives. Also surviving are his children, Glen Ellen (David) Cope of Saint Louis, Missouri, Cara (Cecil) Murray of Fair Play, South Carolina, and William (Lauren) Hahn of Mundelein, Illinois; grandchildren Michael (Cynthia) Murray, Peter (Jaclyn) Murray, Ruth Ann Murray, Nathanial Hahn, and Vincent Hahn; Bobbie’s three children and six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to Leslie, Maury was preceded in death by five siblings including an infant, and Erma J. Willman, Frances Francis, Frederick Hahn, and Norman Hahn.

The funeral service for Maury Hahn will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church of Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church and the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the First Presbyterian Church of Irwin, Pennsylvania officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Maury may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth St., Niles, Michigan 49120; or to the Niles Area Fund of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 Days Ave., Buchanan, Michigan 49107.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Herbert Miller, of Niles
Dec. 14, 1930 — June 8, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38 am Friday, June 10, 2016

Herbert Miller, 85, of Niles passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 with his loving family surrounding him.

Herbert Miller

He was born on Dec. 14, 1930, to the late Lloyd D. and Florence M. (Finn) Miller, in Constantine, Michigan. On Dec. 31, 1948, he married Mary Lou (Brown) Miller at a ceremony in Niles, together they raised five children.

Herbert is preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark L. Miller; granddaughter, Tammy Sue Miller; brothers, Lloyd Jr. and Michael Miller; nephew, Nicholas Miller.

He is survived by his wife; Mary Lou Miller, children; Daryl (Laura) Miller, Teri (Gary) Cooper, Steven (Donna) Miller and Scott (Laura) Miller, seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren along with a host of family and friends.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Herbert, may do so to Hospice at Home; 4025 Health Park Ln., St. Joseph, MI.

Condolences , photos and memories may be shared with his family at BrownFuneralHome@gmail.com.

A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles on Monday, June 13, 2016 from 5-7 P.M. A graveside service will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 11 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home Cremation Service, Niles.

Douglas Eugene Nelson, of Niles
June 25, 1957 — Dec. 16, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:30 am Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Douglas Eugene Nelson, 58, formerly of Niles, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 surrounded by family and friends.

Doug was born on June 25, 1957, in Niles to Ray W. Nelson and Marilyn L. (Colcord) Nelson.

Douglas Eugene Nelson

After graduating from Brandywine High School in 1976. Doug began work at Fruehauf of South Bend, where he worked for 13 years. For the past 20 years, Nelson worked at Freightliner, serving as parts manager first in Grand Rapids, then at the Kalamazoo branch.

Doug was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He had a love for music, especially Stevie Nicks. However, his greatest passion was the time spent with friends and family. His presence and personality will be missed by so many.

Surviving family include two brothers, Rickie Nelson of Niles, Michigan. and Randy Nelson of Granger, Indiana, a sister, Cindy O’Connor of Niles, Michigan, two nieces and a nephew. He also leaves behind many close friends that he considered family. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ray and Marilyn Nelson.

A celebration of life will be held after the holidays at his home in Paw Paw, Michigan. Memorial contributions can be made in Doug’s name to the Vasculitis Foundation.

Terry Powell, of Niles
June 7, 1956 — April 26, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Friday, April 29, 2016

Terrill Alan “Terry” Powell, 59, of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 10:16 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital — Niles.

Terry Powell, of Niles

He was born on June 7, 1956 in Niles to Ralph L. and Mary L. (Ball) Powell. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1974, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (East Lansing). He has lived in Niles most of his life, and was employed for many years at Powell Tool Supply. He had also served in the security offices of Marriott hotels, and was retired from Gene Michael Productions.

As a young man, Terry was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and had earned the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed bicycle riding, eventually becoming a successful racer and challenger for a position in USA Cycling to race on the world stage at the Olympics. He also enjoyed jazz music, was a proficient trumpet player, performed at area live gigs, and was a studio musician — often at GMP — for video and movie scores and other background music. Wherever he was, and whomever he was with will remember his great sense of humor.

He was formerly married to Tera Jamesen.

Surviving family includes his mother, Mary Powell and a sister, Janice Powell, both of Niles; Jan’s children, Ryan Wozniak, Shawn Wozniak, and G. Patrick Lutin; and a great-niece and nephew, Gabe and Aylivia.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be scheduled at a later date, and will be announced to the public. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Terry may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or to the La Salle Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com