Robert “Bob” Ristau, Jr
April 1st, 1953 - January 21st, 2024

Published on website of Starks Family Funeral Home:

Bob's Obituary

Mary Ann Snyder
May 6, 1946 — January 23, 2024

Published on website for Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

Obituary for Mary Ann Snyder

Mary Ann Snyder, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, teacher’s aide, flower gardener, and pet parent died peacefully at 2:43 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 with her family gathered around her bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. 

She was born on May 6, 1946 in Niles to Leonard J. and Virginia A. (Stick) Dombrowski, and was graduated from Niles High School.  She continued her education at Southwestern Michigan College, earning an Associates Degree in Paraprofessional Education.  She was employed by Berrien Springs (Michigan) Public Schools as a teacher’s aide, serving more than twenty years prior to retirement.  She has always lived in Niles and Berrien Springs.

Mary was well-known for her flower gardening, especially her butterfly bushes and hollyhocks, and she enjoyed the hummingbirds that would call at her feeder.  She had a great affinity for animals, always having pet dogs in the house, but her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren, and the greats.  Family was her life.

She is survived by her children, Christopher Snyder of Berrien Springs, Mark (& Lea) Snyder of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Kimberly (& Paul) Pearison of Niles; grandchildren Kaitlin (& Zach) Ott, MaKenna Snyder, Gabrielle Snyder, Tyler (& Meara) Pearison, Alicia Mena, Craig Pearison, Camaron Pearison, and Gage Pearison (& fiancée, Valentine); great-grandchildren Carter, Mailee, Kinsley, Fayah, Rosilea, Avyana, Trey, Lexus, Darla, and Theon; Mary’s siblings, Sandy Duncan of Niles and Karen (& Charlie) Fox of Three Oaks, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mary Snyder will be at Noon on Monday, January 29, 2024 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to the Yeager Family Pet Shelter at the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://humanesocietyswm.org/.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Mary clearly enjoyed life, tending her flowers, watching the butterflies and hummingbirds, and caring for her pets; but her greatest joy was the people in her life, years of caring for the youngest students at school, and a lifetime devoted to loving her family.

Donald Edward Wood, 89
Oct. 12, 1934-Dec. 20, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:20 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Donald Edward Wood, 89, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Niles, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to and are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  

Published on website for Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

Donald Edward Wood Obituary

Donald Edward Wood, 89, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 in Niles, Michigan.

Don was born on October 12, 1934 in Big Rapids, Michigan to the late John Wood and Mamie (Collier) Wood.

Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Left to cherish the memory of Don is his loving wife of many years, Alice (Schoff) Wood.

Always a hardworking man, Don dedicated over 45 years at Bendix Allied Signal as a machinist, where he was well respected and fondly remembered.

Those who knew Don understood his love for the outdoors as he spent countless hours tending to his yard. Don's diligence and meticulous care could be seen in the yard that brought him so much joy. His neighbors often remarked on the pristine condition of his property, a testament to the passion and hard work he poured into every blade of grass.

Per Don’s wishes there will be no services held at this time. Don will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Photos, condolences, and memories may be left for Don’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Charles John Thomas
March 16, 1937-Dec. 25, 2020

Published on website of Kessler Funeral Home, Neenah, Wisconsin:

Obituary

Charles John Thomas, of Neenah, born March 16, 1937, in Niles, Mich. to John Henry Thomas and Helen Martha Thomas (Schuler) passed away at home on Christmas Day.

He attended St. Marys grade school and graduated from Niles High School in 1955. Charlie lettered in football, wrestling and track. In 1954, he set the then class A Michigan high school football state records for most touchdowns scored in a single season and most points scored in one season. Charlie earned a football scholarship to the University of Michigan and later served in the U.S. Army. He then attended the University of Wyoming and graduated from Central Michigan University. He had a successful career as a general manager in various wire manufacturing plants, including National Standard in Niles.

As a member of the army, he was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo. where he met and married Judith Margaret Ahrens who was attending Loretto Heights College in Denver. Charlie and Judy married at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Colorado Springs had three children; Michael Charles, Mary Kathryn (deceased) and Stephen Scott, who all grew up in Niles. After their children graduated from college, Charlie and Judy bought a house on Diamond Lake in Michigan where many family memories were made. Charlie and Judy later relocated to Chapin, S.C., North Hampton, Mass. and eventually retired to South Bend, Indiana. While in South Bend, they spent more time with their family and reconnected with old friends in the area, making many priceless memories. They spent the winter months in Hilton Head, S.C. where they enjoyed the ocean, Charlies golf outings and Judys volunteer work. Eventually, they moved to Neenah, Wisc. to be closer to their oldest son Michael and his family.

Charlie never lost his competitive spirit and had lots of joy challenging his children and grandchildren in Gin Rummy. He also made memories golfing with Stephen and searching for family genealogy with Michael. He was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah where a mass of Christian burial will be held in the future when safe for family to attend.

The family would like to extend a thank you to kind friends and loving caregivers at the VNA in Neenah. We are also very grateful to ThedaCare at Home Hospice for their compassion, care and love to Charlie. All of them commented on his great smile.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Judy, his sons, Michael (Stephanie) Neenah, Stephen (Lisa) Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren, Kathleen Thomas (Aaron Jank), Patrick Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Ivan Thomas, John Thomas, Robert Giacalone (Kayla) and Christopher Giacalone (Katie). He also leaves behind his six great-grandchildren and his brother, J. Michael Pethick (Vivian). He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Kathryn Thomas (Giacalone), his father, John Thomas (Lydia), mother, Helen Thomas (Jack), in-laws, Alfred and Helen Ahrens.

Contributions in memory of Charlie can be made to the Neenah Public Library or ThedaCare at Home Hospice. For online condolences, please visit: www.kesslerfh.com.

Virginia Asmus
Nov. 28, 1925  -  Aug. 22, 2023

Published on website for Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Virginia Asmus Obituary

Our beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Virginia Ruth (Kline) Asmus, 97, went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at home.

Virginia was born on November 28, 1925 in Buchanan, Michigan, where she grew up on the family farm. After graduation she went to work at Simplicity Pattern Company where she met the love of her life, Paul O. Asmus. They were married in Niles, Michigan on August 21, 1948, and shared 67 years together.

Surviving are her children, Paul W. (Tina) Asmus of Niles, Karen S. (Floyd) Mackenzie of Niles, Kevin O. (Debbie) Asmus of Niles; seven grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Asmus, Joshua (Becky) Asmus, Neil (Heidi) Huff, Ashley Lindley, Andrew (Heather) Osos, Dacia (Brett Parks) Asmus, and Kayla (Dan) Lawecki; twenty two great-grandchildren, Dane, Vaughn, Chloe, Ella, Lily, Emmalee, Lydia, Juliana, Caden, Adalyn, Owen, Ava, Ayra, Dylan, Clay, Connor, Carter, Ellie, Kash, Arleigh, Emmit, and Teagan; two great-great-grandchildren, Kingston and Charm; sister, Betty Cornwell; brother, Ed Kline; sisters-in-law, Marsha Kline and Pat Cloutier.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Jeramiah and Clara Kline; husband, Paul O. Asmus; sisters, Wanita Kline and Laura Graham; brothers, Bud Kline, Vern Kline, Bip Kline, and Fred Kline; and grandson, David Lindley.

Virginia and Paul lived their entire life in Niles. She went to work at Simplicity Pattern and then quit to stay home with her children. She went back and eventually retired from there. She was a lifetime member of St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Virginia was a person you met and stayed friends with for a lifetime. In her earlier days she loved to play her harmonica for family. She loved to knit and crochet making wonderful pieces for family and friends. She loved to play cards and games and loved her Friday night card group. She also loved her dog “Daisy” who was always by her side.

The family would like to thank Elara Caring Hospice and all the wonderful nurses and caregivers. Thank you, aunt Marsha Kline and our dear friends Lu Ann Werblow and Marge Cornwell for all the help and care you gave our family to keep mom at home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles beginning at Noon with visitation two hours prior. Virginia will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles next to her husband, Paul.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Virginia’s name may do so to Elara Caring Hospice located at PO Box 58, Jackson, Michigan 49204.

Doris Elaine Anders
April 25, 1932  -  August 20, 2023

Published on website for Brown Funeral Home

Doris Anders Obituary

Doris Elaine Anders, 91, peacefully passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Doris was born on April 25, 1932 in Culver, Indiana to the late Michael Joseph Bauman and Mary Ellen (Harrick) Bauman.

Along with her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Dean LeRoy Anders and siblings, Ellen Rosebaum, Michael Bauman, Howard Bauman, Alice Pierson, Lawrence Bauman, Joann Bauman, and Robert Bauman.

Left to cherish the memory of Doris are her children, Deborah (Mike) Van Tornhout and Daniel Anders; grandchildren, Timothy (Trisha) Van Tornhout and Rachel McNulty; great-grandchildren, Brynn Van Tornhout and Brady Van Tornhout; and sister, Lois Compton.

Doris' life was marked by selfless service and relentless love for her community. She was an active member of both the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, guiding young minds and hearts with wisdom and patience.

Her love for nature was evident in her passion for gardening. She found profound joy in planting and tending to both vegetables and flowers.

Doris was not only deeply involved in her community, but also in her church. Her faith was a guiding light in her life, and she served the Trinity United Methodist Church of Brandywine with unwavering dedication.

Family was the cornerstone of Doris's life. Her love for her relatives was boundless and she took great joy in visiting them. The love she had for her grandkids and great-grandkids was immense, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Doris also enjoyed going to NASCAR Races with her son, Daniel.

Doris's legacy of service, love, and devotion will continue to inspire all who knew her. Her spirit will live on through her family and the community she loved so much.

Memorial contributions may be made out to New Journey United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar St. Niles, MI 49120.

Visitation for Doris will be on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 1:00pm at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Burial will immediately follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 E Main St. Niles, MI 49120.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.