Willie “Pete” Lancaster, 77, of Niles
March 25, 1941 — Aug. 16, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:06 am Monday, August 20, 2018

March 25, 1941 — Aug. 16, 2018

Willie “Pete” Lancaster, 77, of Niles, passed away at his residence on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018.

He was born in Duck Hills, Mississippi, on March 25, 1941, to the late Willie “Buddy” and Clemie “Tim” (Harrison) Lancaster. After graduating from high school Willie enlisted in the United States Air Force.

Willie “Pete” Lancaster,

On Feb. 22, 1964, at a ceremony on the McClelland Air Force Base, Willie married Leona Clark. Throughout their 54 years of marriage, they traveled to 49 of the 50 states, and all over Europe. During his time in the Air Force Willi earned his bachelor’s of arts degree from Ole Miss and his Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland.

After 30 years in the service, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. Willie thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He looked forward to golfing, fishing, mowing for friends and the community, barbequing, and always willing to lend a hand to anyone who was in need. Willie was a member of First Church of God in Niles, where he currently served as treasurer.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Leona “Lee” Lancaster. Willie is survived by two sons, Joe D. (Tina) Lancaster of Grayling, Michigan and Terry L. (Tami) Lancaster, of Franklin, Wisconsin; daughter-in-law, Deborah Lancaster; four grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; Siblings, Ann (Bill) Vance, of Petit Jean Mountain, Arkansas and Ben Lancaster, of Jackson, Mississippi.

A memorial service will be held at the Niles First Church of God, 33180 US 12, on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Robert Jackson officiating, a time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.

Full military honors will be performed by the U.S. Air Force and American Legion Post 51 at an interment at Silverbrook Cemetery. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Willie may do so to the Niles First Church of God or the American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for Willie at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Sam Anthony Fredrick Loniello Jr
May 01, 1940 - August 26, 2018 

Sam Anthony Fredrick Loniello Jr, 78, of Niles, MI, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 26, 2018 surrounded by his family.

He was born May 1, 1940 in Madison, WI to the late Sam Sr and Olymbia Loniello. On February 13, 1994, Sam married Sherry Cunningham in Detroit, MI. Sam managed candy companies, and helped invent Cow Pie. He was foster father of many children. Sam was known for his intelligence, witty humor, and for making the best fudge. He loved to garden, go fishing, hunting, and football especially Green Bay Packers. Interested in politics and when he was younger traveled to many countries. Sam was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, and will be dearly missed.

Sam is survived by his wife, Sherry; sons, Bradley (Lonnessa) Loniello, Daniel Loniello, Russell Loniello, Sam (Laura) Loniello, Michael Loniello; daughter, Sophia Loniello; brothers, Gary Loniello, Nick Loniello; several grandchildren, many friends and family in Madison, WI.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sam Sr and Olymbia; and brother, George Loniello.

Funeral Mass for Sam will be at 11 am on Friday, August 31, 2018 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Niles, MI. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Published at http://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/sam-loniello-jr

Ben “Benedict” Mollica, of Niles
April 28, 1925 – Nov. 23, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:41 am Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Ben “Benedict” Mollica passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2017, at the age of 92.

He was the third youngest in a family of 11 siblings born to Rosario and Nuncia Molica who migrated from Sicily, Italy and eventually settled in Niles, where Ben was born and grew up. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II while still attending high school. The very next day after he was drafted, Congress passed a law they could no longer draft students who were still in high school. He served his military tour of duty in Hawaii as a staff sargeant, supplying parts to the troops to help end the war. He returned home after the war and married the love of his life, Wynne Bannister Molica.

Ben worked for the Studebaker Car Manufacturing Company located in South Bend, Indiana for several years until they downsized and moved to Canada before he moved his family to the Jackson area in 1955. He was employed by the Clark Equipment Company for a couple of years before becoming employed at Aeroquip Corporation, where he worked as a lab technician and later as a design engineer until early retirement in 1986.

Ben was preceded in death by his wife after 38 years of marriage, both of his parents and eight of his brothers and sisters (Nicolette McElroy, Philip Molica, Jenny Imus, Anthony Molica Sr., Henry Molica, Frank Molica, Mary Curtis and Robert Molica). He is survived by his daughter, Carole A. Loll (William) and son, Warren K. Molica, one brother, Alfred Molica and a sister, Fanny Probst.

He added an extra “L” to his last name legally because of mail mixup while living in Niles and for easier pronunciation. Ben was passionate about golf and worked for many years at the Ella Sharp Park Golf Course in the Starter House, as a Ranger, removing the golf course flags at day’s end, washing and putting away the golf carts, etc. It was here he formed many close friendships especially with Tommy Williams.

He loved to fix and repair things, especially replacing grips on golf clubs for other people. He was an active member and a deacon at First Presbyterian Church.

He was proud to be a grandfather to five grandsons: Craig Loll (Dolores), Andrew Loll  Mellanie), Christian Molica (Tricia), Matthew Molica (Camilla) and Lt. Colonel, Nathan Molica (Veazey), great-grandfather to 13 children, a great, great grandfather to four grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He loved to play pool, work jigsaw puzzles and read books, especially religious ones. He enjoyed easy listening music, especially music sung by Nat King Cole.

He has been cremated with inurnment to be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Michigan Heart Association or Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service has been planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave., with Reverend Dr. James D. Hegedus officiating. Visitation at 10 a.m. in the church’s Westminster Room.

Sandra K. Lynch-Neumann, of Granger
July 14, 1938 — Jan. 7, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:07 pm Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Sandra K. Lynch-Neumann 79 of Granger, passed away at Sanctuary at St. Paul’s on Sunday Jan. 7, 2018, after an illness.

Sandra was born on July 14, 1938, in Whittemore, Mchigan to the late Stanley and Mary Osinski.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents, and a son Mark Adrian.

Sandra K. Lynch-Neumann

She is survived by her husband Gary Neumann of Granger, her children; Denise Adrian of Dallas, Texas, Jeff Adrian of Oregon and Caryl (Steve) Jackson of Mishawaka, grandchildren Christine, Hannah and R.J., sisters; Maryann Graham and Carol (Jerry) Brown.

Sandra had worked at 1st Source Bank as a branch manager. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Sandra enjoyed cooking and traveling but, most of all, she loved her grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Trinity Episcopal Church 9 S. 4th St. Niles, MI 49120. Friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials in Sandra’s name may be made to the church.

Online condolences to the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Julane A. Porenta, of Noblesville, Indiana
Dec. 21, 1925 — Aug. 6, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:35 am Friday, August 10, 2018

Julane A. Porenta, 92, of Noblesville, Indiana, passed away on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, at Riverwalk Commons in Noblesville. She was born on Dec. 21, 1925, to Alfred and Hilda (Swanson) Waite in Niles.

For 25 years, Julane worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell, retiring in 1978. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Niles and Telephone pioneers of America. Julane was an avid reader who enjoyed music and traveling to Europe, Hawaii and Mexico.

Julane A. Porenta

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Rebecca L. Hiles, Alan T. and Connie (Waldroup) Waite, Philip A. and Regina (Jekwi) Waite, and Brenda J. Milthaler; great-nieces and nephews, Sean J. and Sarah (England) Waite, Ian M. and Kimberly (Fusco) Waite, Michelle Hiles, Jacquline L. (Waite) and Ron Huett; and great-great-niece and nephew, Samantha L. Taylor, Garrett J. Waite, Camden M. Waite, Annalise L. Waite, Henry A. Huett, and Benjamin P. Huett.

In addition to her parents, Julane was preceded in death by her husband, Roy H. Porenta; and siblings, Grant Waite, Lois B. Milthaler, Gordon A. Waite, and Edna C. Carlson.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Randall and Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan Street in Noblesville, with visitation from 1 p.m. to the time of service. Rev. Byron Fritz will officiate. Graveside services will be held at noon on Monday, Aug. 13, at Silver Brook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan, with Rev. Dr. Joyce Kuhn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 5635 West 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.

Condolences: randallroberts.com

Grant E. “Bud” Stauffer Jr., of Niles
Aug. 13, 1938 — July 29, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:17 am Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Grant E. “Bud” Stauffer Jr., 79, of Niles, died peacefully at 10:13 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on Aug. 13, 1938, at Saint David, Illinois to Grant E. and Irene (Branchfield) Stauffer Sr. and was graduated from the Canton (Illinois) High School. He was employed as a manager at Jack Hood Transportation of Michigan City, Indiana, which specializes in the distribution of national newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal. He has lived in Niles since 1968, coming from South Bend, Indiana.

Grant E. “Bud” Stauffer Jr.

Bud loved his family, and was most fond of the “get-togethers” to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and any other reason. For Bud, getting-together was worth celebrating.

On Nov. 13, 1970, in Niles, he married the former Lillian C. (Wojcik) Sabat, with whom he celebrated last year the 47 anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Lillian Stauffer; his children, Charles (Debby) Stauffer, Jackie (Ed) Banfi, Patrick (Dianne) Stauffer, Sherri Stauffer, and Judy Adams, all of South Bend, Indiana; Lillian’s children, Patricia (Neil) Ledet, of Fremont, Indiana, and Chad (Gail) Sabat, Andy Sabat, and Dan (Kelly) Sabat, all of Niles; 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; Bud’s sister, Judy (Dean) Weaver, of Troy, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Shelby Rice.

The funeral service for Bud Stauffer will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, in Niles, with Mr. Jim Snyder — nephew of Bud — officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Bud may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Services, 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville, Michigan 49127bccancerservice.org/ways-to-give. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com