Virginia Marie Radewald
July 16, 1925-Feb. 28, 2019

 Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI), March 4, 2019

Virginia Marie Radewald

Virginia Marie Radewald, 93 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 at Hanson House in Stevensville, Mich.

Virginia was born on July 16, 1925 in Lincoln Township, Mich., to the late August M. and Emma E. (Nitz) Totzke.

On Feb. 4, 1951, in Baroda, Mich., she married Edwin A. Radewald who passed away on January 28, 2009.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edwin and her brother Gerald "Bud" Totzke.

Virginia is survived by her children: Marie (John) Parsey of Phoenix, Ariz., Lois (Fred) Thurnherr of Colden, N.Y., Jean (Curt) Loutzenhiser of South Bend, Ind., and Vern (Laura) Radewald of Excelsior, Minn.; grandchildren: Karen Radewald, Brent Radewald, Stephen Parsey, Carolyn Parsey, Emily Thurnherr, Joshua Loutzenhiser and Jessica Tysman; great-grandchildren: Daren, Randy and Braydon Loutzenhiser; Austin and Alaina Shively; and Parker and Payton Tysman. She also is survived by her sister, Stella Bowers, of Comstock Park, Mich., and her brother Edgar Totzke of Berrien Springs, Mich.

Virginia graduated from Stevensville High in Stevensville, Mich. She had been a teacher at Benton Harbor and Berrien Springs schools for 12 years before being business manager for Radewald Farms for the next 25 years. She was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ. Virginia also belonged to the John Deere Two Cylinder Club and was a Lifetime Alumni Member of Western Michigan University. She was active with the Berrien County Youth Fair, was a 4-H Leader and a member of the Berrien County Association of Churches. Virginia enjoyed sewing, embroidery and cooking. She loved history. Michigan history and local history were her favorites. Virginia also enjoyed genealogy and family history. She was a Chicago Cubs fan.

Visitation for Virginia will be on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. A funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St., Niles.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorials in Virginia's name may be made to the Berrien County Youth Fair, 9122 US Hwy. 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 or at St. John's United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St., Niles, MI 49120.

Online condolences may be made at www. Halbritterwickens.com.

William S. Rahiser, of Niles
March 17, 1963-March 23, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:15 am Wednesday, March 27, 2019

William S. Rahiser, SMSgt, 56, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at his home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, with Father Bill Schooler officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with military honors rendered by the Buc

William Rahiser

hanan American Legion, Post 51, and the United States Air Force.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, also at Swem Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Buchanan Scarecrow Charities. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.

William was born on March 17, 1963, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in South Bend. As a child, he loved working on radio controlled airplanes; a hobby he continued throughout his life.

At the age of 17 William entered the Air Force where he served as a loadmaster on a C130. Eventually he cross-trained to flight engineer on a KC10 air to air refueler; a slot he held in the Air Force Reserves until 2013.William, being a reservist, was always the first to volunteer.

He served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield and was in the first wave of predawn airstrikes when the U.S. invaded Iraq on Jan. 16, 1991. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and attained the status of Senior Master Sergeant throughout his military career. William was awarded more than 40 awards and decorations for his service, of which included; Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal. William fulfilled a life-long dream by becoming an airline pilot when he joined Atlas Airlines as a co-pilot on a 747. This is a position he held until his illness grounded him in 2017.

William is survived by his Parents, Mary and Dr. Leonard Fisher of Niles and brother, Brian (Kim) Fisher of Buchanan.

Ruby Tiller, of Niles
Feb. 2, 1921 — March 21, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21 am Monday, March 25, 2019

Feb. 2, 1921 — March 21, 2019

Ruby Tiller, 98, of Niles, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Ruby was born on Feb. 2, 1921, to the late Andrew and Mary (Elrod) Sutton in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. After graduating from high school, Ruby wed the love of her life, Malcolm C. Tiller Sr., at a ceremony in Portageville, Missouri. Ruby joined Malcolm traveling around the country as he served in the military and they eventually settled in Niles.

Ruby Tiller

Ruby was an immaculate housekeeper and thoroughly enjoyed cleaning her house, teaching her children and grandchildren the joys of good old fashion southern cooking, and tending to her flower garden and her vegetable garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, one granddaughter, and son-in-law Charles Shoemaker.

Ruby is survived by her children, Serena “Kay” Shoemaker of Niles, Gwendolyn “Ann” (Dale) Lowery, of Kansas City, and Malcolm “Mac” (Glenda) C. Tiller Jr., of Elkhart; eight grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor Ruby’s life will be held at noon on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home, with a time of visitation two hours prior.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:41 am Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Rosie Lyons, 79, Niles, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2019. Funeral will be at noon with visitation at 11 a.m. on Feb. 23, at Mt. Calvary, in Niles. Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Obituary from Funeral Home website:

Rosie Lee Lyons was born in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Mr. Willie Jones and Mrs. Willie Jones on October 19, 1939. She was the youngest of 15 children of which 13 preceded her in death. Rosie went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 14, 2019.  

She was educated in the public school system in Missouri, and in 1957 she relocated to New York City and later on moved to Chicago, Illinois.  In 1958 she conducted the C.E.T.A (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) program to assist the youth in employment training on the Southside of Chicago.  Rosie later met Willie James Lyons and in 1963 the two were married. She also received a certificate of appreciation from the Cook County Prison for helping the incarcerated gain education, job skills, and motivation to become productive members in the Chicagoland community.

Rosie received Jesus as her personal savior and joined St. James C.O.G.I.C. She served in several capacities and later began to teach the word of God as a missionary. Rosie relocated to Niles, Michigan where she began to work with the youth and established a C.E.T.A. program in the Hatcherville community of Niles.  She also resumed and completed her high school education. While there she started a program to assist parents of incarcerated children, organized a youth community day (Fun Day), and after petitioning state and local officials for the Hatcherville community her efforts were awarded with park improvements, street repairs, installed street signage for school loading, organization of a block club, and home rehabilitation grants for residents. Rosie received countless awards, honors, and medals for mentoring the community’s youth from local law enforcement, schools, and youth groups. She acted as a liaison between troubled youth and law enforcement and between inmates and the Department of Corrections.  She attended criminal and civil court hearings with plaintiffs or defendants while explaining court procedures to them and the rights to both parties.  Rosie also worked with both drug and alcohol victims. In 1978 Rosie retreated back to Chicago’s westside and became a member of Old Landmark Church of God Holiness in Christ where she served as a faithful member until she returned to Niles, where she resided until her departure. 

Rosie loved to walk and was known for her warm smile and laughter. She was full of wisdom and enjoyed teaching. She was very gifted when it came to knowledge of the law and assisted in several inmates being released from incarceration, transferred to better facilities, or transferred home. Rosie was a writer of poetry and songs and was a featured commentator in the Niles Daily Star, The Herald-Palladium, and South Bend Tribune. In 1992 she was held as a “Niles Hero” in an article written by a teacher after speaking to a class of troubled youth. Rosie often assisted in political elections.  She received acknowledgment letters from the White House from former president Barack Obama, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She also was a big fan of the WWE and watched it faithfully cheering on her favorite wrestler, Shawn Michaels. 

Rosie leaves to cherish her children Willie (Michelle) Jones, Suzette Marie Lyons, Sherridon (Demetrius Verse) Lyons-Verse, Etta James Lyons, and Octavia Denise Lyons; grandchildren, Angel Lyons, Juliana Jones, Willie T. “Mooney” Jones, Jimmy Williams, Wisdom Lyons, Marquez “Squeaky” Lyons, Jewel Williams Jr., Justin Williams, Charmaine Lyons, and Sherridon Yevette Lyons; 33 great-grandchildren; siblings, Troy Moore and Lovie Nichols, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Linda Devette Lyons; and grandsons, James Davall Lyons, Malander Darrell Jenkins Jr., and Richard Louis Lyons. 

https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/2381/Rosie-Lyons/obituary.html

Jeanette H. Harker-Albin, of Niles
Sept. 28, 1930 — Feb. 7, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:17 am Monday, February 11, 2019

Sept. 28, 1930 — Feb. 7, 2019

Jeanette H. Harker-Albin, 88, of Niles, passed away at The Center for Hospice in South Bend, on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.

Jeanette was born on Sept. 28, 1930, to the late Herman R. and Dora C. (Kale) Exner in Niles.

Jeanette H. Harker-Albin

She graduated from Niles High School class of 1948. Jeanette worked as a receptionist at Pawating Hospital in the X-Ray department for several years. On Oct. 10, 1998, she wed Charles “Chuck” Albin at a ceremony in Niles.

After retirement, she would winter in Arizona. Jeanette loved spending time with her family, especially watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards, and watching the Chicago Bears and her beloved Cubbies. She also enjoyed following her soap opera stories, particularly “The Young and The Restless.” She was very savvy connecting with friends and family on Facebook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Herman J. (Bonnie) Exner.

Jeanette is survived by her husband, Chuck Albin, of Arizona; daughter, Nan (Pete) Countess, of Niles; two grandchildren, Cathie (Tracy) Waggoner, of Niles, and Todd (Andrea) Countess, of Stevensville; four great-grandchildren; Mason and Mehgan Waggoner, and Addison and Hayden Countess; several nieces and nephews; Chucks’ children, Richard (Myana) Albin; John (Jane) Albin; Bill (Jill) Albin and Kathy Pletcher; all of Arizona; along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place, and she will be laid to rest with her mother and father in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to The Center for Hospice, Intermediate Care Unit, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Barbara J. Ortmann, of Niles
May 6, 1928 — Feb. 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:41 am Tuesday, February 5, 2019

May 6, 1928 — Feb. 2, 2019

Barbara J. Ortmann, 90, of Niles, went on to receive her reward on Feb. 2, 2019.

James and Charlotte (Horner) Robbins gladly welcomed their baby daughter into this world on May 6, 1928, in Niles.

Barbara J. Ortmann

Soon after graduating from Niles High School, class of 1945, Barbara wed William Ortmann Jr., on Jan. 30, 1946, at a ceremony in Niles and just recently celebrated 73 years of marriage.

Bill and Barbara worked together for the Lord and were faithful members of Coulters Chapel Church of God for more than 50 years. They were both musically inclined and could often be found playing at church; Bill on the guitar and Barb on the bass. Barb’s faith was paramount in her life. She found great joy in serving and working for the Lord. For many years Barb made sure the Sunday school teachers had all of their supplies. Her family will miss her steadfastness, her support and love, and her homemade chocolates and red pie.

She is preceded in passing by her parents, and her sister Marjorie Rodebush.

Barb is survived by her husband, William Ortmann Jr., of Niles; her children, Judy and (Jim) Cripe and Jim and (Jacki) Ortmann, both of Niles. She will also be missed by her six grandchildren, her 12 great-grandchildren and her six great-great-grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Friday at the funeral home at 2 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior, with Rev. Louis Staubs officiating.

Barbara will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to Caring Circle, formerly Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Memories of Barb may be shared with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.