Kathryn M. “Kaye” Tyler, of Granger
Nov. 30. 1933 — Jan. 9, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:56 am Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Kathryn M. “Kaye” Tyler, 84, of Granger, died peacefully at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, with her family gathered around at her home following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the compassionate and skilled care offered by the staff of the Center for Hospice Care.

She was born on Nov. 30, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois, to Neil and Helen (Edwards) Meriwether. She graduated from Galesburg (Illinois) High School, and attended Knox College in Galesburg. On April 5, 1952, in Monticello, Indiana, she married Thomas L. Tyler of Niles, Michigan. Tom and Kaye lived in many locations where she would make a home for them including Hanover, New Hampshire; Aberdeen, Maryland; Smyrna, Delaware; Niles, Michigan; Lucerne, Switzerland; Rye, New Hampshire; Chesterland, Ohio; and Huntington, Indiana. Most recently, Tom and Kaye established a permanent residence in Venice, Florida and summer in Granger, Indiana.

Kathryn M. “Kaye” Tyler

Kaye was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, and the South Bend Bridge Club affiliate of the American Contract Bridge League. She was also a former member of the Niles Service League, but her greatest interest was providing a loving home for her family.

Kaye was fluent in German. Tom’s work frequently included hosting foreign guests, and Kaye was the perfect hostess. She was well regarded, in particular, by the Japanese executives she entertained. In Huntington, Kaye became an entrepreneur, owning and operating Letter Perfect Embroidery for 10 years.

Kaye was preceded in death by a 16-year-old son, Stephen N. Tyler on Nov. 15, 1971; and a brother, Daniel Meriwether, in 2011.

Surviving family include her husband of sixty-five years, Tom Tyler and their children, Terence (& Gisele) Tyler of Danbury, Connecticut and Jennifer Tyler (& husband, Lee Allard) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren Kathleen (& Eric) Walania, Christine (& Scott) Dansereau, Devon Tyler, Stephen Tyler, Lauren Allard, and Lindsey Allard; great-grandchildren Christian and Claire Walania and Edward Dansereau; and Kaye’s siblings, Peter (& Joanne) Spink of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jacqueline Meriwether of Chandler, Arizona, George (& Joni) Meriwether of Wildwood, Missouri, and sister-in-law Anita (Mrs. Daniel) Meriwether of Longmont, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Kathryn Tyler will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating. Committal will be private, at a later date in the Tyler Family block of Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Tyler Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. Contributions in memory of Kaye may be made to the FPC Foundation, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, MI 49120; or to the Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Vickie Sue Caison
July 28 1945-Nov. 19, 2017

Vickie Sue Caison, age 72 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2017 with family around at her home following an extended illness.  She was grateful to her sister, Linda & Richard for taking her into their home and providing personal care as her health declined.

She was born on July 28, 1945 in Niles to Edward William Hibbard and Delores Adeline Hartline.  She was graduated from Edwardsburg (Michigan) High School in 1963, and enlisted in the United States Army Women’s Army Corps the next year.  She served as a Clerk Typist, and was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era. She returned to Niles, and was employed at the former U.S. Department of Agriculture Biologic Lab.  She was later employed at the South Bend Tribune in the Obituary Department in the era when journalists called local funeral homes to gather information, and then compose the obituary.  She enjoyed that relationship with many of the funeral directors, and continued to offer them encouragement – and proofreading - via email.

Vickie’s career led to an interest in genealogy.  She started with her family, which – over the years – has expanded to a tree which includes 175,000 people.  That same line of interest also led her to research the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, eventually photographing nearly every legible gravemarker and monument, which she cross-referenced with published obituaries.  That resource is available to the public on the website of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, of which she was a member.  She also photographed many other area cemeteries.

Vickie was sadly preceded in death by her daughter, Tammy Sue Caison on June 2, 2009; and by her mother, Delores Buysse and fathers, Edward Hibbard, George Feirick, and George Buysse; grandparents Victoria Fleck Hartline, Silas Hartline, and Adam & Hazel Feirick; and best friend, Wynona Lunk.

Surviving family includes her son, Jeffery (& Dana) Caison of Denton, North Carolina, grandchildren Alexandria Caison, Ashley (& Richard Wood) Medford, and Aaron (& Tiffany) Medford; great-grandchildren, Rex, Jeremiah, Nathanial, Liam, and Mack; Vickie’s sisters, Linda (& Richard) DeForest and Peggy (& Frank) Walter, both of Niles and brother, George Feirick, Jr. of Edwardsburg; niece, Maria (& Tracy) Ross and nephew, Juan (& Joanna) Crespo; half-brothers John and Robert Hibbard, Wynona’s husband, Ray Lunk; and Vickie’s ex-husband, Linsey (& Louella) Caison.

The funeral service for Vickie Caison will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  The service will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.  Burial will be private at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m. 

https://www.halbritterfunerals.com/notices/Vickie-Caison

Fred A. McCullough, of Niles
June 17, 1942-Nov. 8, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38 am Friday, November 10, 2017

Fred A. McCullough, 75, of Niles, passed away peacefully, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017.

He was born on June 17, 1942, in Pontiac, Michigan, to the late Fred and Aurilla (Hunt) McCullough.

Fred was a hard worker and worked his entire life. In his younger years Fred worked along-side his father at Fred’s Barber Shop, cutting hair for family and friends. He later worked for Waterford Sport and Marine, alongside his brother Jerry for many years and then at Chrysler Marine. The last few years he managed the Silverbrook Manufactured Housing Community until his retirement in December 2016. He attended the First Church of God in Niles. Fred could often be found fixing things for those who needed his assistance. Fred also enjoyed many years of golfing and trips to the casino.

Fred McCullough

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jerry McCullough.

Fred is survived by his life partner, John Tibbs of Niles; three children, Joan (Doug) Langmeyer of Niles, Laurie (Tim) McCullough-Benner of Jackson, Michigan and Jeff (Annett) McCullough of Cross Lanes, West Virginia; seven grandchildren, Colin (Rasa) Benner, Jon Benner, Elizabeth (Curt) Visser, Nicholas McCullough, Jared Langmeyer, Adam Langmeyer and Aiden McCullough; two great-grandchildren, Riley and Gwen; a sister, Jean Powell of Bonita Springs, Florida.

Funeral services to celebrate Fred’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, with a time of visitation two hours prior. A private interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Pet Refuge, 4626 S Burnett Drive, South Bend, Indiana 46614 or to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Memories of Fred may be left for his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Dean Anders
April 15, 1931-Nov. 17, 2017

Dean L. Anders, 86, of Niles, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN.

He was born on April 15, 1931, in Mishawaka, IN to the late Melroy and Gladys M. (Powell) Anders.

Dean graduated from Plymouth High School in 1949, he went on to enlist in the United States Air Force where he trained as an Air Traffic Controller.

Dean married the love of his life Doris E. Baumann on April 4, 1953,in Plymouth, IN. He enjoyed being able to travel all around the United States as part of his work. Dean retired from South Bend Regional Airport, formerly Bendix Field, after twenty-four years. He truly loved his job. He was a faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles. Dean was the manager of the Niles Babe Ruth Little League Team for many years; they won the World Series Championship in 1974. He enjoyed watching sports of all types.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Melroy and Gladys Anders; brothers, Robert and Dale Anders.

Dean leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Doris Anders of Niles; daughter, Deborah (Michael) VanTornhout of Edwardsburg; son, Daniel Anders of Niles; two grandchildren, Timothy (Trisha) VanTornhout of Valparaiso, IN and Racheal (Billy) McNulty of Norfolk, VA; two great-grandchildren, Brynn and Brady VanTornhout; two sisters, Vivian Garbak and Wanda (Raymond) Zentz.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Noon at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St. in Niles with visitation beginning at 11:00 am. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church of Niles.

http://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/1413/Dean-Anders/obituary.html#tribute-start

Edward E.W. Kelly
March 1, 1937-Oct. 12, 2017

Edward E.W. Kelly, 80, of Niles, went to his eternal rest on Thursday, October 12, 2017, at his home.

He was born on March 1, 1937, to Coleman and Laura (Sylvester) Kelly in Pulaski, Illinois.

Edward wed Emma Gene Fowler on November 29, 1959, in Buchanan, Michigan. The couple enjoyed almost 60 years together before her passing in 2014.

After graduating high school, Edward worked for several local companies but retired after many years at Clark Equipment Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Emma G. Kelly; a daughter, Angela Kelly, two brothers, Floyd Kelly and T.C. Horton as well as two sisters, Rosalee Brown and Annie Marshall.

Edward leaves to cherish his memory his children, Deborah Kelly of Niles, Brian A. Kelly of Niles, Jheri (Marcus) White of South Bend, Vernita Kelly of South Bend, Edward "Donell" Kelly of Chicago, Spring Taylor of South Bend and Paul Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ophia Bledsoe of Berrien Springs, Lillian Fowler of Stevensville, Melvin Kelly of Lansing, Andrew Kelly of Benton Harbor and Vernice Jefferson of Benton Harbor.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. A private interment will be held at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery.

https://brownfuneral.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/details/1767/Edward-Kelly/obituary.html#tribute-start

Michael Charles Thomas, of Niles
Jan. 19, 1947-Nov. 8, 2017 

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18 am Monday, November 13, 2017

Michael Charles Thomas, 70, of Niles, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, 2017, while completing some repair work at his mother’s house in Niles.

He was born on Jan. 19, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Doris Marion (Stoerkel) Thomas. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1965, and attended Southwestern Michigan College.

Michael Thomas

He served in the United States Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam-era.

He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association laborer’s union local #20 in South Bend, and had been employed in a variety of area shops.

Mike was a founding member of Saint Boniface Evangelical Lutheran Church in Niles. He was a great cook with specialties that included Chop Suey and potato pancakes. He was also a talented amateur photographer, enjoyed reading, especially history and politics, and loved animals.

He was first married on March 15, 1974, to the former Susan Ann Hirsch, with whom he celebrated 23 years of marriage prior to her death on March 26, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his father, Charles Thomas, on July 24, 1963; his mother, Doris M. Hartman, on August 1, 2013; and his step-father, Sgt. Maj. James Hartman, USMC, Retired, on Sept. 1, 2003.

On June 16, 2001, in Niles, he married the former Linda Suzan Zink, with whom he celebrated the 16th anniversary of their marriage earlier this year.

Surviving family includes his wife, Linda Thomas; and his daughters, Cassandra (David Head) Thomas of Niles and Melissa Sue Thomas of South Bend, Indiana.

The funeral service for Michael Thomas will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, with the Rev. John Rutowicz, of Saint Boniface Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full military honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at halbritterwickens.com.