Rosie Avance, of Niles
March 28, 1934 — Jan. 26, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:21 am Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Rosie Avance, 94, of Niles, went to be with The Lord, on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at her home, following a brief illness.

She was born on March 28, 1924, in Louisville, Mississippi, to the late Morton and Lu Bertha (Sims) Micou.

Rosie Avance

Rosie was a hard-working, independent lady who took pride in being able to raise and care for her seven children. Many will remember Rosie from the former Pawating Hospital where she worked for a number of years. Rosie also was employed for more than 38 years at Simplicity Pattern and for a few years for Niles Community Schools where she assisted as a bus assistant. She had a great love of flowers and enjoyed spending time in her garden.

Rosie was saved as a young girl in Mississippi and attended New Vision an Apostolic Faith Assembly in Niles. Her faith was extremely important to her and still attended church while her health allowed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Armie Powell and a son, Otis Farrow.

Rosie is survived by her children, Nancy “Jean” (James) Fitch, of Niles, Bert (William) Lillie, of Niles, Janet Mantle, of Niles, Pastor Joseph (Kimberly) Avance, of Niles, Pastor Trent (Karin) Avance, of Elkhart, and Terry Avance, of Indianapolis, 13 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; a brother, Henry (Sophie) Micou, of Louisville, Mississippi; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and countless lives she has touched.

Homegoing services will be at noon on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at New Vision an Apostolic Assembly at 819 Lake Street, in Niles, with Bishop Carlton Burrel Sr., officiating.

A time of visitation will begin at 11 a.m Saturday. A private interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery on Monday.

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

Letha Mae Bell, of Niles
July 17, 1922-Jan. 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:05 am Friday, January 4, 2019 (January 3, 2019)

Letha Mae Bell, 96, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at home surrounded by loved ones.

She was born on July 17, 1922, in Hayti, Missouri, to the late Robert A. and Minnie M. (Creasy) Meek. Letha married Earl Bell on Nov. 8, 1952, in Dunklin Co., Arkansas. She retired from Simplicity Pattern Co. in 1983 after 29 years.

Letha enjoyed crocheting and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles Darnell; daughter, Linda Darnell; first husband, Charles H. Darnell; grandson, Jesse Kelems IV; two brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Earl Bell; son, Robert (Carolyn) Darnell; daughter, Charlene (Jess) Kelems; brother, Denver Meek, of Tennessee; sister, Bonnye Coppock, of California, Shirley (Mike) Morgan, of Arkansas; 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at hovenfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking to please make memorial donations to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane St. Joseph, MI, 49085.

Joseph Alan Correa, of Crown Point
January 13, 1956-April 2, 2017

Niles Daily Star,Published 9:30 am Thursday, April 6, 2017

Joseph Alan Correa, 61, of Crown Point, Indiana, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017.
He was the beloved husband of Marilyn R. (née Quist) Correa; the devoted father of Joseph John (Michelle) Correa and Beth R. (Jason) Atkinson; the proud grandfather of Bradley Correa; and the dear brother of Clara Singleton, the late Judith Correa, Susan Correa and William Correa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Edna Correa.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, Indiana, with a private interment.
Mr. Correa was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association.
For further information, please call the funeral home at (219) 322-7300 or visit the online guestbook and obituary at smitsfh.com.

Susan Iris Correa, of Niles
Jan. 19, 1955 — July 30, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16 am Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Jan. 19, 1955 — July 30, 2018

Susan Iris Correa, 63, of Niles, died unexpectedly Monday morning, July 30, 2018, at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana.

She was born on Jan. 19, 1955, in Niles, to Jose Perez Correa and Edna Marie (Vetter) Correa. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1973, and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University (East Lansing). She had been employed for many years at the Logan Center in South Bend, Indiana where she provided guardianship and protective services for the developmentally and intellectually challenged community. She was dedicated to that community, and often volunteered in supportive activities outside of her work hours.

At home, Sue maintained a wonderful garden of flowers and vegetables, and maintained a welcoming kitchen where family looked forward to her special lasagna. She was also known to go shopping – often – sometimes at area bazaars, but also travelling to shop in Chicago, Illinois and Frankenmuth, Michigan. Her shopping might exceed her needs, and she was generous to share her surplus.

Allene Jeanette Weller Felden, of Niles
Jan. 27, 1920 — Jan. 10, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:24 am Monday, January 14, 2019

Jan. 27, 1920 — Jan. 10, 2019

Allene Jeanette Weller Felden, 98, of Niles, died peacefully at 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at her home following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the compassionate and dignified care provided by her home caregivers.

She was born on Jan. 27, 1920, in Niles to Burgette O. and Charlotte M. (Linsenmier) Weller and was baptized as an infant at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. She attended Niles Community Schools, and has lived in Niles all of her life. As a young woman, she was a dental assistant to the late Dr. John G. Brodie until her marriage.

Allene Jeanette Weller Felden

Mrs. Felden began volunteering in 1959 with the former Pawating Hospital Auxiliary and its successor, the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Hospital serving as a Hostess, and the Bandage Rolling Chairman, and became a Life Member. She was well-known in bridge circles, as a former member of the Indiana Bridge Club and the Summit Bridge Club in South Bend, and playing with friends in Niles, Buchanan, and Dowagiac. She had been a member of the former Summit Club in South Bend, the former University Club at Notre Dame, and the former Pickwick Club in Niles, and was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322.

Allene enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island, staying at the Lilac Tree Hotel, and taking a carriage ride through the center of the island on British Crossing Road. She also enjoyed attending the hymn sings at The Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon, and attending the Summer Concert Series at the Memorial Bandstand in Dowagiac. She loved living on the farm, especially mowing the acres of lawn around the house and down at the creekside cabin.

On June 25, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, the Rev. Dr. Guy Simon officiated her wedding to Second Lieutenant F. William Felden Jr., U.S. Army Air Force. Bill would eventually rise to the rank of captain, as well rise through the international corporate offices of Clark Equipment Company. Allene and Bill celebrated the remarkable 72nd anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 26, 2017.

Bill was the chief love of her life, but she also counted as loves of her life their daughter, Jane Weller Felden Jeltes, who survives along with her husband, Dr. Thomas C. Jeltes of Ada, Michigan; and granddaughter, Sarah Jane Jeltes Dee and her husband, Austin Dee of Dade City, Florida.

The funeral service for Allene Felden will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St. in Niles, with the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Committal will be later, privately, at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Felden may be made to the Lakeland Auxiliary Pawating, 31 North Saint Joseph Avenue, Niles, MI, 49120; or to Saint John’s United Church of Christ; or to Heartland Hospice Services, 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite 120, Portage, Michigan 49024. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Charles Richard Wurz, of Niles
Feb. 19, 1920 — Jan. 15, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:10 am Thursday, January 17, 2019

Feb. 19, 1920 — Jan. 15, 2019

Charles Richard Wurz, 98, of Niles, died peacefully at 12:44 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, with his family gathered around at his home following a brief illness, and just 35 days short of his 99th birthday.

He was born on Feb. 19, 1920, in Niles, to Herman and Pearl (Linzbach) Wurz, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1938. He found work at the former Yellow Truck and Coach Plant in Pontiac, and in 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Chinaberry laying anti-submarine nets throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and was Honorably Discharged as a veteran of World War II. He returned to Niles where he was employed at the former Tyler Refrigeration plant. He later became a partner and meat manager at the former Tony’s Supermarket on Lake Street. In retirement, he was employed part-time at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles (now Halbritter-Wickens).

Charles Richard Wurz

Dick was a devout Catholic, and lifelong member of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles where he sang in the choir and served as an usher. He also sang with the Four Flag Quartet, and was a member of SPEBSQSA (the Society for Preservation and Enjoyment of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America).

As a young man, he enjoyed flying private planes; and he has always enjoyed golfing, including a witnessed hole-in-one on Plym Golf Course #6.

Whether serving customers at the meat counter, singing in a chorus, or greeting at church or the funeral home, Dick loved people. He watched for the best in everyone, and everyone saw the best in him. Above all, he loved God and his family.

On June 30, 1951, in Niles, he married the former Marilyn Maxine Hubble with whom he celebrated the 53rd anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on March 4, 2005. He was also preceded in death by a son, Edward Wurz on Aug. 28, 2018, a grandson, Corey Cleary Dick’s sisters, Mary Cary, and Virginia Haviland, and two sisters who died in childhood, Leona Frances and Eleanor.

“Papa Wurz” is survived by his children, Kay (Jordan Camenker) Wurz, of Winter Springs, Florida, Fay (Richard) Appelget, of Niles, Quinn (Jayne) Wurz, of South Bend, Ava (Marti) Schmaltz, of Saint Louis, Missouri, and Tia (Mike) Otman, of Sun Lakes, Arizona; a daughter-in-law, Pam Wurz, of Niles; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a wonderful community of great friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Richard Wurz will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 203 South Lincoln Ave., in Niles, by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski. Committal Rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery, in Niles, and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, in Niles, with recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Dick may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church; stmarysniles.org/ Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com