Ayden Wade Smith, of Niles,
Dec. 28, 2011-July 20, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Thursday, July 25, 2019

Ayden Wade Smith, 7, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Adam Smith and Jessica Mcnees welcomed their beautiful son on Dec. 28, 2011, in South Bend.

He was a young man with huge aspirations and a personality even bigger. He was both an avid player and watcher of sports. He played in the Cal Ripken Baseball League and was a part of the 7U and 8U All-Stars Team. He enjoyed basketball, football and any other activity that would get him outside and moving. Being all boy, it is no surprise that he loved to hear the roar of loud engines from jet planes, diesel trucks, Harley Davidson motorcycles and the sirens from fire trucks and police cars. Ayden was extremely outgoing. He had aspirations of being a civil servant and often spoke of serving his community as a firefighter. This would have been a great fit for Ayden because he was so full of compassion. He had an especially soft spot for animals and babies. He enjoyed playing video games, cooking in the kitchen, dancing and listening to music, and if there was a camera around, Ayden was always ready for a picture.

Ayden Wade Smith

Ayden is preceded in death by his grandmother, Patnie Perry.

Surviving Ayden are his parents, Adam Smith and Jessica McNees, of Niles; his siblings, Kaylee Ropp, Andrew Smith, Alivia Fox, Trevor Fox, Jazmin Smith and Kassidy Fox, all of Niles; his grandparents, Leon and Rae-Ann McNees, James Smith, Joseph and Brenda Hopper; special grandparents, Tim and Debbie Vella and Audrey Cooke; his maternal uncles, Clint Saksuag, Rusty Saksuag, Matthew McNees and Joey Cosby; his paternal aunts and uncles, Charles Perry, James Smith; Ronnie Smith, Willie Smith; Anthony (Tiffany) Smith, Jean (Robert) Johnson, Joann (Andomo) Kinslow; Debbie (Richard) Huntsman, Everleaner (James) Williams, Victoria (Carl) Hendrix, and Mary (Kevin) Maddox; his special aunts and special uncles, Jamie and Thomas Davis, Corey and Cheryl Thacker, Mike Waldo and Jesse and Marie Waldo. There is not enough space to list all of his family members, countless friends and the many hearts and lives Ayden has touched.

A time of visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services to celebrate Ayden will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Hope Community Church. The family will gather privately at Silverbrook Cemetery for a private committal service.

Memorial donations can be made to the family in care of Brown Funeral Home.

Those wishing to leave a photo, condolence or memory may do so at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Garry Asmus, of Dowagiac
April 29, 1951 — July 8, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:22 am Friday, July 12, 2019

April 29, 1951 — July 8, 2019

Surrounded by his sons and wife, Garry Asmus, 68, of Dowagiac passed away at his home on Monday, July 8, 2019.

He was born to Duane and Lois (Siebert) Asmus on April 29, 1951, in Niles.

Garry Asmus

After graduating from Niles High School, class of 1971, Garry married Sandy Kring at a ceremony in Niles on Oct. 15, 1982. He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis and had been very active in the Niles Jaycees.

Just a few moments with Garry and it was easy to tell he loved people. Garry had a way of connecting with people, lately through social media, so that they always felt at ease. He was passionate about the Niles community, was knowledgeable in its history and enjoyed keeping up with everything happening. Garry also liked watching old black and white westerns, fishing and hunting. Garry was a “foodie” and administrated a local Facebook review site. Most of all, he enjoyed family get-togethers and sharing meals.

Garry was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy Asmus, of Dowagiac; sons, Brian and James Asmus, both of Dowagiac; siblings, Steve (Kathy) Asmus, of Vandalia and Sue (Bart) Benjamin, of Niles; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

A time of visitation will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, at the funeral home, with Father Bob Flickinger will be officiating.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Garry may do so to St. Ann’s Catholic Church located at 421 North Broadway St. in Cassopolis or the American Heart Association located at 300 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606.

Photos, memories, and condolences may be left for Garry’s family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

L. Henry Albright
February 03, 1928 - July 07, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:06 am Tuesday, July 9, 2019

also https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/lewis-albright

Lewis Henry Albright, 91, of Niles, MI, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at his home.

He was born February 3, 1928 in Branchland, WV to the late Doliver and Marsella Albright.

He worked as a coal miner until moving to Niles, where he worked at Buchanan Steel. 

On November 17, 1990, Henry married Cheryl Price.

Henry is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Joy (John) Stough; son, Bobby Albright; brothers, Clarence Albright, Sambo Albright; sisters, Sue Albright, Natalie Albright, and Vickie Albright; grandchildren, Tiffany (Doug) George, Terrison (Jaymi) Albright, Amanda (Nick) Grzybowski, Jonathan Stough, Rebecca Stough, Bethany (Tony) Anglero, Bobbi-Lynn (Nick) Basse; great-grandchildren, Ashton George, KayLee George, Raquell George, Euriah George, Yance Albright, Audree Hunt, Lorahlyn Albright, Annalee Acker, Remington Grzybowski, Madison Stough, Jonathan Stough Jr, Hailey Anglero, Jackson Anglero, Pailyn Anglero, Tristan Basse, and soon another great-grandson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Doliver and Marsella; son, Terry L. Albright; daughter, Carol Lynn Albright; brothers, Merlin Albright, Verlin Albright, Jack Albright, Albert Albright; sisters, Nora Stevenson, Murtle Cunningham, Clodene Cooper; grandson, Terry L. Albright Jr.; and great-grandson, Axzyl Grzybowski.

Funeral Service for Henry will be held at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Bethel Tabernacle, 71378 Ironwood Dr, Niles, MI 49120, with Pastor Matthew Bair officiating.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. Burial will take place at 10 am on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Memorial donations may be made to Bethel Tabernacle.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Larry Collins, of Niles April 2, 1962
June 19, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:52 pm Friday, June 21, 2019

April 2, 1962 — June 19, 2019

Larry Wayne Collins, 57, of Niles, passed away at Riveridge Manor on June 19, 2019.

Larry was one of four children born to the late Carl and Beverly (Oler) Collins.

He was born in South Bend on April 2, 1962.

Larry loved watching his Michigan Wolverines play football on Saturday afternoons.

Surviving Larry are his brothers, Kenneth and Gary Collins, both of Niles; and his sister, Donna Collins, of South Bend.

In keeping with Larry’s wishes, the family will be remembering him privately at a graveside service at Silverbrook Cemetery, where Larry will be laid to rest.

Photos, condolences, and memories can be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Darla Mae Basore, of Niles
June 11, 1935 — July 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:03 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Darla Mae Basore, 84, of Niles, died unexpectedly at 8:08 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on June 11, 1935, in New Springfield, Ohio, to the Rev. Lester and Erba V. (Alexander) Schrock.

Darla Mae Basore

She was graduated from Shelbyville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in organ performance and religious education. She came to Niles in 1972 with her husband, and they opened the Good News Shop Christian bookstore, which they owned and operated in several locations in Niles for more than 40 years.

Darla was a member of the Michiana Christian Embassy, 

where she also served as the church organist, and taught the senior adult Sunday School class. She also taught private lessons in piano and organ to many students in Niles. She enjoyed reading and had read every novel that the Good New Shop offered for sale. Keeping her mind sharp, she rarely missed the television shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy,” including Monday night.

She also enjoyed crafts, made American Girl clothing and sold many outfits at local craft shows. She also made quilts for each family member and enjoyed sharing personally made gifts for birthdays and holidays. Her Christian faith was her greatest joy, but in this world, her family came first.

On June 29, 1957, she was married by her father, Rev. Schrock 

at his church in Monroe, Michigan to Raymond Howard Basore, with whom she celebrated last Saturday the remarkable 62nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Ray Basore, and their children, Randy (Pam) Basore, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kevin (Laura) Basore, of Niles, and Tim (Gail) Basore, of Sparks, Nevada; grandchildren, Joe (Kendall) Basore, Shannon (Tyler) Howard, Tiffany (Ethan) VanderWeele, Justin Basore, Jordan (Alyssa) Basore, Olivia Basore, Colby Basore, Josh (Chloe) Leach, Jonah Leach, Adrienne Leach, Amelia (Dimeko) Price; great-grandchildren Kali, Alexis, Lydia, Harvey, Aubrey, Celeste, Brody, Mia, Makayla, and Eden; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Robert and Carl Schrock; and her sister, Pearl Robinson.

The funeral service for Darla Basore will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019, at the Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St. in Niles, with the Rev. Jeffrey Whittaker of the church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Roxanne “Nancy” Anton, of Niles
June 7, 1930 — June 27, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:39 am Monday, July 1, 2019

June 7, 1930 — June 27, 2019

Roxanne “Nancy” Anton, 89, of Niles, passed away peacefully at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on June 7, 1930, in Somerset Center, Michigan, to William Thomas and Ethel Lucille (Fitch) Ossmer.

She was graduated from Niles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She was employed as a customer service manager in the offices of the Xerox Corporation.

Nancy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles while a young mother, but later joined her sisters at the First Baptist Church in Niles. She was a creative cook of the wild game that her husband would bring home, and combined those skills with her interest in creative writing to publish an article in Field & Stream magazine titled “From the Field to the Table.” More recently, she has published a collection of stories from her life in a book titled “Windows in Time.” Her greatest interest was her family, with a long history of caring for relatives during times of need and crisis, and a great love for her husband, for their children, and — perhaps most importantly — for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Sept. 30, 1950, at The Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend, Indiana, she married Robert Gerald Anton. Bob “the barber” maintained a barber shop at 118 N. Third Street in Niles for many years. They celebrated last year the remarkable 68th anniversary of their wedding.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Barbara Taylor, Sarah A. “Sally” Remus, David Ossmer, Daniel Dudley Ossmer, William Thomas Ossmer, and Margaret “Maggie” Gillette.

Surviving family includes her husband, Bob and their children, Julia (Reynold) Anton Wiggins of Half Moon Bay, California, and Gerald R. (Pam) Anton, of Niles; grandchildren Amy (David) Lueders, Robert (fiancee, Mollie O’Blenis) Anton, and Patricia Anton; great-grandchildren, Grayson and Madelyn; and Nancy’s brother-in-law, James Gillette, of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Nancy Anton will be at noon on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at the First Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main St. in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to the First Baptist Church, fbconnection.org/~fbcniles; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL, 60601, alz.org. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.