Margaret Jean McBain, of Niles
Oct. 19, 1946 — March 27, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:26am Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Margaret Jean McBain, 69, of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, March 27, 2016, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles following a brief illness. She was born Oct. 19, 1946, in New Troy, Michigan to Samuel and Carrie (Mangold) Martin.

On May 15, 1965, in Edwardsburg, Michigan, Margaret married Charles McBain, Sr., with whom she celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary before his death on Dec. 28, 2012. Margaret was also preceded in death by her son, Charles McBain, Jr.

Surviving family includes one daughter, Carrie Marie (Gerald) Long of Niles; a grandchild, Zebulon (Jennifer) McBain and seven siblings, Rose Kuhl of Wayland, Michigan, Joe (Shirley) Martin of Niles, Deloris (Frank) Brady of Niles, Janette Britton of Knox, Indiana, Sandra (Jim) Corner of Wayland, Michigan, Charlotte Stephens of Niles and Danny (Maxine) Martin of Niles; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family has gathered privately and interment took place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the American Cancer Society. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Kathryn Evelyn Sieswerda, of Niles
Oct. 2, 1913 — March 19, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:57am Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Kathryn Evelyn Sieswerda, 102, former long-time resident of Niles, Michigan died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the home of her daughter in Greenwood, Indiana following a brief illness.

Kathryn Evelyn Sieswerda

She was born on Oct. 2, 1913, in Charleston, Illinois to the late Perry and Nora (Martin) Roberts. She came to Niles as a child, attended Niles schools and resided in Niles for several years with her beloved Husband, Fred Sieswerda (Passed Date: March 1st, 1981). Kathryn and Fred were married June 15th, 1935. Kathryn was involved in every aspect of her church, Saint John’s United Church of Christ on Sycamore Street in Niles Michigan for many years. She was a proud housewife and cared for her and Fred’s only child, Kathy Ann Hebner, who survives. (Husband Jerry Hebner, Passing Date: January 31st, 2000).

Kathryn had four lovely sisters, all proceeding in death. She also had three wonderful brothers, proceeding in death. In addition to her daughter, Kathryn is survived by her four grandchildren: Greg (Irlan) Hebner, Debbra Jackson, Brian (& Angela) Hebner and David (Joanie) Hebner. She is also survived by her nine great-grandchildren: Jasamyne Jackson, David Jackson II, Felicia Hebner, Ashley Hebner, Haley (Christopher) Maxwell and Chayse Hebner. She is finally survived by her soon-to-be great-great-grandchild, Evelyn Marie Maxwell.

Kathryn was loved by many and respected by everyone who had the honor of her presence.

Kathryn went home to our Father peacefully in her Indiana home. She was surrounded by love.

Kathryn would want you to make a donation, in her name, to the Breast Cancer Foundation or the MS Foundation, instead of flowers.

Kathryn’s request, she will be laid to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles Michigan at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Family and Friends are welcome to be present for the graveside service.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Laura Leslie, of Niles
Aug. 18, 1942 — March 14, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:47am Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Laura Leslie

Laura Lee Leslie, 73, of Niles, Michigan died at 12:03 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2016 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on August 18, 1942, in Marion, Indiana, to Arthur and Bonnie (Holiday) Nuckles. She was graduated from Monticello (Indiana) High School, and has lived in Niles since 1967. She was employed for many years at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.

Laura was a member of Hope Community Church in Niles. She enjoyed practicing all of the homemaker skills, especially sewing. She also enjoyed reading a wide variety of material, had read all of the Harry Potter series, and always read current events.

On July 6, 1957 at Monticello Presbyterian Church she married Richard E. Leslie with whom she celebrated last year the fifty-eighth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Richard Leslie; daughter Annette Marie (& Allen) Tillstrom of Atoka, Tennessee, son Ed William (& Danny Mercado) Leslie of North Liberty, Indiana; grandson Phillip Tillstrom; great-grandchildren Lydia Sage Girard and Coy Alan Tillstrom; Laura’s step-father, Charlie Taylor of Monticello; and her siblings, Robert Nuckles of Niles, Melody Wells of Ocala, Florida, and A.J. Nuckles of Anthony, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Laura Leslie will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Hope Community Church in Niles with her son-in-law, Mr. Gary Tillstrom and Rev. Michael Smith of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday at the church, beginning at 10 a.m. Contributions in memory of Laura may be made to Hope Community Church or to Hospice at Home. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Walter Neese, of Niles
Sept. 29, 1925 — March 14, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:36am Thursday, March 17, 2016

Walter Neil Neese, 90, of Niles, Michigan died at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Brentwood at Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on Sept. 29, 1925 on the family farm west of Niles to Harold Lafayette and Mildred Gladys (Chamberlain) Neese, and lived in on the west side of Niles most of his life. He attended Niles High School, enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and was a veteran of World War II. He was a draftsman, and was employed by the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment and the former Niles plant of the Kawneer Corporation. He was also employed by several companies in the RV industry.

Walter Neese

Walter was a member of the American Legion Post #51 in Buchanan, and of the B.P.O.of Niles Elks #1322. He enjoyed traveling in his RV throughout the United States, and especially the southwest. He was an animal lover, always having pets in the house.

On Feb. 8, 1958, in Flint, Michigan he married the former Marjorie Pauline (Bryant) Dyche with whom he celebrated the fifty-third anniversary of their wedding. Pauline preceded him in death on Dec. 27, 2011.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Susan (Terry) Mason of Dowagiac, Michigan and sons Robert (Ginna) Dyche of Basalt, Colorado and Jerry (Peggy) Dyche of Buchanan; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; and Walter’s sister, Dorothy McLaughlin of Niles and two nieces.

The funeral service for Walter Neese will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Ronald Smith of Hope Community Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday at the funeral home beginning at 9 a.m. Contributions in memory of Walter may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Izell Smith
March 24, 1930 - March 5, 2016

NILES - Izell Smith, 85, of Niles, passed away at 4:30 pm on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. 

Izell was born on March 24, 1930, in Geneva, AL. On April 9, 1988, he married Faye at God's Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Niles. Funeral services for Izell will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 2262 Moulder Dr., Niles, MI 49120. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services, from 11 am - 12 pm. Burial will take place at 11 am on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Helen K. Peters, of Niles
March 30, 1923 — March 5, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18am Monday, March 7, 2016

Helen K. Peters, 92, of Niles, Michigan died with her family gathered around at 12:06 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Lakeland Hospital — Niles following a brief illness.

Helen K. Peters

She was born on March 30, 1923, in Niles to Edmund William and Freida B. (Albrecht) Schadler. She graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here all of her life. She was first employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company, but is best remembered assisting her husband at East Main Gardens Florist in Niles. She worked at East Main Gardens every day for over 60 years, including helping into her 90s.

Helen enjoyed wintering in Pharr, Texas, sitting in the sun, and watching the birds, especially humming birds. She also enjoyed their home on Barron Lake, where she relished the warm summer weather, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She was also known to play euchre, make “quick” trips to the casino, and frequent the local diners for breakfast. But her greatest interest was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, rarely missing an opportunity to spend time with them. Birthdays, graduations, sporting events, births, weddings, holidays, and family gatherings are just a few examples that brought her the greatest joy.

On April 10, 1948 in Niles she married Roy G. Peters with whom she celebrated the forty-sixth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Oct. 25, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a brother, John Schadler on April 3, 2014.

Surviving family includes a son, Mike Peters of Niles; grandchildren Tarah (Doug) McLeod, Michael (Lacey) Peters, Amber (Ajay) Lind, and Mathew Peters, and their mother, Denise Peters; great-grandchildren Lily Sherwood, Avery McLeod, Maddox Peters, Hadley McLeod, Kinsley McLeod, and Memphis Peters; and Helen’s brother, Edward Schadler and sister, Lorraine (John) Armitage, both of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral for Helen Peters will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends and family are encouraged to surround Helen with flowers, as that was her life-long passion. Monetary contributions in memory of Helen may also be made to the Niles High School Athletic Booster Club or Niles Elks Lodge.

www.halbritterfunerals.com