William R. Shipperley, Sr.
MAY 27, 1936 ~ DECEMBER 21, 2018 (AGE 82)

William R. “Bill” Shipperley, Sr., age 82 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:04 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on May 27, 1936 in Fort Sheridan, Illinois to George H. and Jean (diBlasio) Shipperley.  The Shipperley family followed George’s military career, moving to Texas, California, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan before settling in Niles.  Bill was graduated from Niles High School, and enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served in the Fleet Air Service, including time onboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, and was Honorably Discharged from peacetime duty.  Back in Niles he became successful in home remodeling, owning and operating Shipp’s Home Improvement.  He moved to Buchanan, Michigan in 2017.

Bill was a member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Buchanan, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Allouez Council #708 in Niles.  He was an excellent percussionist, playing drums in the country/western style most of his life, and once played in the band for a concert by Loretta Lynn.  He was also proficient on the organ and harmonica.  As a young man he enjoyed playing basketball and softball, enjoyed swimming and boating, and later coached a KC basketball team.  He lived for a while on Mackinac Island, Michigan where he was employed at the Grand Hotel Golf Course.  He collected transportation destination stickers from airlines, trucking, and shipping.

Above all, Bill was a people person.  He never met a stranger, striking-up a conversation with anyone, and genuinely enjoyed visiting with friends.  His family remembers his great example to them, and to the next generation.

On July 8, 1962 in Las Vegas, Nevada he married the former Carol Ann Johnson with whom he celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding just days prior to her death on July 28, 2002.

Surviving family includes their children, William Shipperley, Jr. of Buchanan and Susan (& John) O’Brien of South Bend, Indiana; grandchildren Alexis O’Brien and Shane O’Brien; Bill, Sr.’s brother, George (& Lois) Shipperley, Jr. of Aurora, Illinois and their children, Lori, Leanne, and Lynn; and a wonderful circle of great friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial for William Shipperley, Sr. will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2018 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 509 West Fourth Street in Buchanan by the Rev. Fr. Leo Cartagena of the parish.  Immediately following the Mass, the United States Navy Honor Guard will perform the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” just outside of the church entry.  Committal Rites will be read at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles by the Rev. Fr. Christian Johnston of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the Niles Veterans Memorial at Riverfront Park, c/o Niles City Hall, 333 North Second Street, Niles, Michigan 49120; http://www.nilesmi.org.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles

https://www.halbritterwickens.com/notices/William-ShipperleySr

Michael Joseph Wieger, 54, of Niles
Feb. 13, 1964 — Dec. 11, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:44 am Friday, December 14, 2018

Feb. 13, 1964 — Dec. 11, 2018

Michael Joseph Wieger, 54, of Niles, died at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital — Niles following an extended illness. His family chose to donate through Eversight to enhance the lives of others.

He was born on Feb. 13, 1964, in South Bend, Indiana to George F. and Margaret R. (Strantz) Wieger.

Michael Joseph Wieger

He was graduated from Brandywine High School, and earned an Associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College. He was a Quality Engineer and was employed for more than twenty years at the National-Standard Corporation in Niles.

Mike was raised in the Catholic faith, and has been attending Faith United Methodist Church in Buchanan, Michigan. He was an adult volunteer leader for the Saint Mary troop of Boy Scouts of America, and was a member of the Bend of the River Conservation Club where he enjoyed Single Action Shooting (Cowboy Action Shooting). He had hunted most of his life, usually for duck and goose. He had traveled throughout the United States, including visiting family in Washington state, and a recent trip to the southwest which included a trip to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway.

On July 19, 2003, at the First Presbyterian Church, in Niles, he married the former Marisa Susan Thiel with whom he celebrated this year the 15 anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Marisa Wieger and their son, Dallas George Wieger; Mike’s mother, Margaret Wieger, of Niles and his siblings, George (Kathy) Wieger, of Niles and Laura (Eric) Kraig, of Olympia, Washington; nieces and nephews, Gretchen (Mike) Turner, Frieda (Chris) Fuhrmann, Ingrid  John) Ryan, Matt (Kalie) Wieger, Brian Wieger, and Megan Wieger; and their children, Jack George, Arthur, Thomas, Adlie, and Emrie; and Marisa’s mother, Susan Thiel, of Allegan, Michigan; Marisa’s siblings Dallas (Lauren) Thiel, Christina Thiel, and Matt (Nikole) Thiel, and their children Hugh, Chapin, Logan, Allie, and Cade.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Wieger and a nephew, Jacob D. Wieger.

The funeral service for Michael Wieger will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Faith United Methodist Church, 728 North Detroit Street, in Buchanan with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of the church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday at the church beginning at 1 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Faith United Methodist Church; or to Saint Mary Catholic Church, stmarysniles.org; or to the Bend of the River Conservation Club, borcc.org. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com

Phyllis Fern Norenberg
May 10, 1918-April 11, 2009

Phyllis Fern Norenberg,nee Buttron, 90, of Chicago Ridge, passed away April 11, beloved wife of the late William F. Norenberg; dearest mother of David and Charles, Lana (Maurice) Ahern and Marian Davis; fond grandmother of nine; and great-grandmother of several. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 800-622-8358.

Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Apr. 19, 2009

James S. Doolittle
June 14, 1928 - Sept. 9, 2007

South Bend Tribune, September 13, 2007

NILES - James S. Doolittle, 79, of Regent Street, died following a brief illness at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, in West Woods of Niles. Mr. Doolittle was born on June 14, 1928, in Peoria, IL, to Rev. Charles T. and Ruth L. (Schermerhorn) Doolittle. He had lived in Niles since 1959, coming from Grand Rapids, MI. James attended the University of Michigan for four years and played in the University's Marching Band. He retired in 1989 after 30 years of service from Chase Clark Credit in Buchanan, MI. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he was an elder, Sunday school teacher, trustee and member of the foundation board. James volunteered as a board member for several city civic organizations. He enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and playing his trumpet. He enjoyed gathering with family and friends. On October 11, 1952, in Grand Rapids, James married the former Marilyn J. West, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Sharon R. (Mark Bedrosian) Doolittle of North Providence, RI, and Linda A. (Mark) Thomsen of Brookline, MA; a grandson, Max Thomsen of Brookline; and a sister, Lois Winchester of Cathedral City, CA. Mr. Doolittle was preceded in death by a son, David J. Doolittle, who died on May 15, 1969, and by a brother who died in infancy. The funeral service for James S. Doolittle will be at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 13, in the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with Rev. Stephen Kaszar of United Presbyterian Church, Cassopolis, MI, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning one hour prior to the services in the Tyler Chapel at the church. Contributions in memory of James S. Doolittle may be made to the University of Michigan Band Scholarship Fund, Attn: Matt Burrows, Revelli Band Hall, 350 E. Hoover Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

John E. Raven, 71, of Niles
Feb. 22, 1947 — Nov. 8, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:25 am Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Feb. 22, 1947 — Nov. 8, 2018

John E. Raven, 71, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly, at his home, while doing what he loved, taking care of his family, on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

John was born on Feb. 22, 1947, to the late Leigh and Pauline (Mitch) Raven in Niles. After graduating from Buchanan High School in 1965, John went on to join the United States Navy. After returning home he began his career as a Tool and Die Designer. He was employed at Clark Equipment for 14 years before he became an instructor for Acme Institute of Technology, then went on to work at Modineer for the last 28 years

John E. Raven

On June 15, 1985, John wed his one true love and his best friend, Colleen Payne Dillenbeck, at a ceremony in Buchanan. Together they raised a family of six children.

John was a hard worker and was always the person who set the bar. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, motorcycle and boat rides, watching the news, going on walks, and bringing diet coke home for his wife every single day. Everyone who knew John Raven, knew his heart was his family, and that he was a man after God’s own heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leigh and Pauline Raven.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Colleen Raven; children, Michael (Molly) Raven, of Niles, Jason (Kelly) Dillenbeck, of Elkhart, Miranda (Michael Smith) Daniel, of Granger, Jamie (John) Coulston, of Niles, Tad (Abby) Raven, of Niles, and Joanna (Jeff) Pugh, of Niles; grandchildren, Stacy, Nicholas, Jade, Lily, Sadie, Paisley, Alexa, Aiden, Camille, Edward, Elijah, Deacon, Cooper, Ryker, Paxton, Ava, Delanee, Grace, Lena, Emmy, Finley, Eloise, Carson, Brady, and Owen; siblings, Fran (Lee) Avers of Nashville, and Vickie (Mike) Kitchell of Buchanan; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will take place Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at Summit Church in Niles beginning at 11 a.m.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Memorial donations may be made to his family, in care of his wife Colleen.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home.