Richard "Dickie" Misner Jr.
May 09, 1948 - April 26, 2018

Richard “Dickie” Misner, Jr., 69, originally of Niles, Michigan passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Miller’s Merry Manor in New Carlisle, Indiana. He was born on Mother’s Day on May 9, 1948 in Niles, Michigan to the late Richard and MaryLou (Lucker) Misner.

Though born with cerebral palsy and needing complete care, Richard was fully and faithfully loved by his family, and he was steadfastly cared for by his parents until he was 62 years of age – at which time their health issues prevented them from performing the physical care that he needed. Richard was certainly not without his passions, he enjoyed listening to hours and hours of country and western music, amassing quite a collection of records, cassettes and CDs. He could often be heard singing along and at times making up comical lyrics of his own. Richard Sr. had built Dickie many work tables through the years where he loved to pass time sawing wood with his coping saws to be used as kindling for their woodstove. This allowed many father and son trips to the lumberyard to purchase 1” x 3” boards. In the afternoons, he would often tenderheartedly ask to be wheeled next to his mother, MaryLou, while she watched her shows and would often request that they pray together - and for years the trio made a nightly trip into town for dinner. Dickie meant the world to Richard and MaryLou, and they worried a great deal about the time coming when they couldn’t be there to care for him, but they eventually found compassionate helpers to care for Dickie as their health declined.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Misner, Sr. and MaryLou Misner. With deep sadness and fondest memories, he is survived by sister, Linda (Paul) Wogatzke of New Carlisle, Indiana; niece, Angela (Keith) Knight of Granger; nephew, Paul Wogatzke, Jr. of Niles; and great nephews, Tyler and Nicholas Knight.

Richard Jr. will be honored in a private family ceremony, officiated by Rev. Michael Sirovica of the New Apostolic Church, Niles, Michigan, then escorted to his final resting place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

http://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/richard-dickie-misner-jr

Margaret Laura Peterson, of Niles
Dec. 10, 1920 – May 21, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:45 am Thursday, May 24, 2018

Dec. 10, 1920 – May 21, 2018

Margaret Laura Peterson, 97, of Niles, died peacefully at 9:45 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2018, at the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, following an extended illness

She was born on Dec. 10, 1920, in New York City, New York to the Rev. Ralph L. and Laura E. (Laberteaux) Peterson, Sr., and came to Niles in 1927 from Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended the South Bend (Indiana) College of Commerce, and was first employed at the Bendix Corporation in South Bend for several years. In 1947, she came to work in the offices of the Niles Community Schools serving as secretary to the superintendent for 39 years before her retirement in 1986.

Margaret Laura Peterson

Margaret was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, and was instrumental in restoring the Ferry Street School to its original condition so that generations of students would be able to experience the early years of schooling. She knitted hundreds of pairs of mittens which were distributed throughout the school system to be given to students as needed.

Her nieces and nephews will always fondly remember her as “Aunt Margaret.” Many of them hold memories for all the trips she took them on, her homemade pizza, bowls of ice cream topped with chocolate and butterscotch, and learning how to drive with a clutch pedal in her manual transmission car. Aunt Margaret loved each and every niece and nephew unconditionally, and was always available for support and encouragement. She constantly gave of herself, and helped them all in various ways.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers and their wives, Ralph L. (Elizabeth) Peterson, Jr., Paul (Sally) Peterson, Charles (Lorraine) Peterson, Ted (Helen) Peterson, and John Peterson.

Surviving family includes 14 nieces and nephews and 20 great-nieces and nephews.

The family of Margaret Peterson will gather privately on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at her grave in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles to honor her life and share memories. Contributions in memory of Margaret may be made to the Niles District Library, 620 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120; nileslibrary.com in honor of her many contributions to the library, and many hours of reading to children. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan. Online condolences may be left at:

halbritterwickens.com.

Brian Lee Padgett
Sept. 28, 1973-April 7, 2016

Brian Lee Padgett, age 42 years of Niles, Michigan died at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Osceola Regional Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on September 28, 1973 in Big Rapids, Michigan to Donald Lee and Janet Lynn (Wenger) Padgett. He was graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana and attended Indiana University South Bend. He was the general manager at Audio Specialists in South Bend, and partnered with several other associated area businesses including New Tech in Valparaiso, Indiana. Brian had a great entrepreneurial spirit which was often evidenced by his intent to do “whatever it takes”.

Brian enjoyed traveling, especially to try new amusement parks and new restaurants. He also enjoyed cars, especially his Shelby Mustang, and was a great fan of the University of Notre Dame football team. His greatest interest was his family, working with his son, and supporting his daughter’s volleyball club and other activities.

On April 27, 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada he married Melissa Villanueva with whom he would have celebrated their nineteenth wedding anniversary later this month.

Surviving family includes his wife, Melissa Padgett and children Aaron, Ava, and Laura; Brian’s parents, Don and Janet Padgett of Niles and father-in-law, Mel Villanueva of Texas; Brian’s brother, Brett (& Lily) Padgett of Three Oaks, Michigan and sister, Beth Padgett of South Bend, Indiana and cousin, Jennifer (& Matt) Anseth of Norfolk, Virginia; a niece and nephew, Ylana Padgett and Miloh Padgett; and Melissa’s siblings, Edward “Eddie” (& Karen) Villanueva of South Bend, Armando (& Rose) Villanueva of Colorado, David (& Laurie) Villanueva of South Bend, and Naomi (& Keith) Melvin of Kentucky.

The funeral service for Brian Padgett will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the First Church of Christ – Christian in Niles with Brian’s Aunt, Jean Wenger officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the church from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Brian may be made to the Edwardsburg Public School Foundation, or to the Foundation of Saint Joseph Health System.

 https://www.halbritterfunerals.com/notices/Brian-Padgett

Lois Peabody, of Niles
March 8, 1925 — Jan. 2, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:23 am Wednesday, January 4, 2017

March 8, 1925 — Jan. 2, 2017

Lois Jean (née Rooks) Peabody, 91, of Niles, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at West Woods of Niles of a brief illness.
Lois was born March 8, 1925, in Holland, to Albert and Maude (Miller) Rooks. Her family moved to Niles when she was 5. She attended Niles schools, and was the salutatorian of the Niles High School graduating class of 1943. Her good friend Jane Zabel Waxman was valedictorian.
On May 30, 1952, she married Arthur Lee Peabody in Niles. He preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 2007, after 55 years of marriage.
Lois retired after 23 years of service from Old Kent Bank in 1990. She was active her entire life as a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, serving as a trustee and deacon, singing in choirs, and as a member of various Bible study groups, and the What-So-Ever Class. She was also active in the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels organization as treasurer of their board of directors, and as a meals driver. She was a member of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, a former Girl Scout leader, was a tutor for the Michiana Literacy Council and volunteered at Eastside School and the Friends of Niles Community Library.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; her parents, Maude and Albert Rooks; her brothers, Leon and Leslie Rooks; her sisters-in-law, Shirley and Hazel Rooks; and a granddaughter, Carrie Ann Tyler.

Lois is survived by her brother, Lloyd Rooks, of South Bend; her children, Virginia “Ginny” (Todd) Tyler, of Cassopolis, and Robert “Bob” (Jane) Peabody, of Scroggins, Texas; grandchildren Patrick (Monica) Tyler, of Dublin, Ohio, Daniel (Michelle) Tyler, of Chicago, Rob (Medea) Peabody, of Plano, Texas, Drew (Lindsay) Peabody, of Dallas, Joel (Allison) Peabody, of Richardson, Texas, and Laura Jane Peabody, of Seattle; and great-grandchildren Graham, Hadley, Caroline, Max and Luca Tyler, and Liam, Tate, Eloise and James Peabody, with one more on the way.
There will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The family will meet privately to honor Lois’ wishes, and would like to thank her neighbors on Regent Street — Martha and Tom Rockhill, Linda and Ed Gourlay, Taryn and Joe Ray, and June and Wayne Jonas — for helping her to live in her home and enjoy their families as they grew. Martha Rockhill cared for her daily.
The staff at Lakeland Niles ICU and West Woods of Niles Nursing Care Center were also extremely caring.
Contributions in memory of Lois may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, or to Meals on Wheels of Niles-Buchanan c/o Lakeland Hospital-Niles, 31 N. Saint Joseph Ave., Niles, MI 49120.
Arrangements were completed at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Service in Niles.
halbritterfunerals.com.

Samuel B. Hern
1838 to Dec. 25, 1903

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 26, 1903, page 2, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

DIES XMAS NIGHT.
Poor Old Sam Hern, Former Journalist, Hands in “30.”

Sam Hern, veteran of the confederate army, journalist, printer and finally a county charge, passed away last night at the Berrien County poor farm near Berrien Springs, aged about 65 years.

The deceased was born in Virginia and served in the Confederate army during the civil war, coming to Niles in the 60's. At that time, Hern was a young man of refined manners, well educated and of fine personal appearance—qualifications which soon made him a social favorite.

Early in the 70's Hern edited the Niles Democrat with Morris Gulheen, the latter now being foreman of the St. Louis, Mo., Globe Democrat office. The Niles Democrat exerted a powerful influence upon the politics of the county. In the 80's Hern and John Lardner, now of Chicago, launched the “Expositor” at Benton Harbor, which they edited for a time finally selling out to Tom Hurley.

Upon his return to Niles, Hern, who had acquired a strong appetite for liquor, worked at the printer's trade, until a year or two ago, when he became a physical wreck. From then on, until he became a county charge, the deceased lived upon the charity of his friends.

When he accompanied Hern to the county house, W.H. Bullard, commissioner of the poor, promised him that he would see to it that his body would not be sent to Ann Arbor for dissection when he came to die, and in accordance with that promise, Mr. Bullard is circulating a subscription paper today to raise funds with which to give the deceased a decent burial.

The deceased never married and he leaves no known relatives in this part of the country.

Rebecca (Deniston) Ingersoll
April 5, 1828 to Dec. 25, 1903

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 25, 1903, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Mrs. Rebecca Ingersoll Passed Away at South Bend

Rebecca Denistron Ingersoll, one of the pioneer residents of Niles, passed away on Christmas day at her home in South Bend, after a short illness with pneumonia..

Mrs. Ingersoll was born April 5, 1828, and came here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Deniston in 1830. Where the city of Niles now is, there was at that time nothing but a dense forest and the reminiscences which Mrs. Ingersoll was wont to relate of her early life here were intensely interesting. The log cabin erected by her father was preserved for the family for many years and was but recently torn down.

Rebecca Deniston was wedded to Harmon Ingersoll and they removed from her to South Bend in 1865, where Mr. Ingersoll died in 1892. Three sons were born to them, Harmon, who passed away in 1884, Capt. Royal Ingersoll of the U.S. Navy, and Alfred of South Bend. Three sisters and one brother are also left, Mrs. Clara Brown and E. Deniston of this city and Mesdames Eason and Webber of LaPorte, Ind.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Ingersoll are unusually sad. Only about three weeks ago Mrs. Brown went to South Bend to spend the winter with her sister and about a week after her arrival was stricken with pneumonia. Her life was despaired of for several days and just when she commenced to improve Mrs. Ingersoll became ill with the same malady and passed away with in a little more than a week.

The funeral will occur Monday morning at 11 o'clock in South Bend, after which the remains will be brought here for burial at Silver Brook cemetery.