Kirk Douglas Herrmann
Feb. 8, 1965-Sept. 6, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:34am Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Kirk Douglas Herrmann, 50, of Niles, died at 2:25 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, at the Hospice House in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

Kirk Douglas Herrmann

He was born on Feb. 8, 1965, in South Bend to Edwin John “Skip” and Sharon Ann (Warstler) Herrmann. He was graduated from Brandywine High School where he had a great record in wrestling and cross-country, and has lived here most of his life. He was employed for many years at Martin’s Super Markets.

Kirk enjoyed fishing at Stone Lake in Cassopolis, and weight training. His greatest interest was his pet dog — a West Highland Terrier for many years, and more recently a Pug — and walking them along the riverfront trail.

Surviving family includes his parents, Skip & Sharon Herrmann of Niles; a sister, Sherylan Herrmann of Three Oaks, Michigan, and brother, Kent Herrmann of Bushnell, Florida; and nephews Alex Hill and Ryan Hill.

The funeral service for Kirk Herrmann will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m.

Donations in memory of Kirk may be made to Hospice House in South Bend or to your local Humane Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

David Harold Mitchell
Feb. 26, 1929-Sept. 23, 2015

David Harold Mitchell, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan passed on to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. He was born February 26, 1929 in Hackleburg, Alabama to David Washington and Delia (Black), Mitchell.

Left to cherish his memories is a son, Gary (& Sandy) Mitchell, two daughters, Dottie (& James) Spencer and Cathy Echols; grandchildren, Lori Washburn, Jeremy (& Michelle) Mitchell, Nick (& Traci) Mitchell, David Prince, Elizabeth (& Mike) Reynold, Chad Prince, Jarret (& Rachelle) Mitchell, Jonathan Mitchell, Timothy Echols and Joshua Echols, along with 13 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by three brothers, Carl (& Leona) Mitchell, Olin (& Loraine) Mitchell and Bob (& Sharon) Mitchell and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Larry David Mitchell, two sisters, Leanard Whitlatch and Verlene Partlow and two brothers, James Arnold Mitchell and an infant brothers.

The family gathered privately for services and interment was at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. 

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

(From Halbritter Funeral Home website)

William ‘Bill’ Raymond Raabe, of Niles
March 3, 1936 — Sept. 2, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:10am Friday, September 4, 2015

William “Bill” Raymond Raabe, 79, of Niles, passed away at Riverridge Manor in Niles on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.

William “Bill” Raymond Raabe

Bill was born on March 3, 1936, to the late Donald and Esther (Burke) Raabe in South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from Niles High School Bill went on to earn his certification as a police officer and firefighter. On March 31, 1967, Bill wed the love of his life, Jane Marie Mastin at a ceremony in Berrien Center.

Bill was always active and enjoyed serving his community. After Bill completed police training in the 1960s he worked for Niles City Police, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the past Fire Chief of Morris Farms Volunteer Fire Department and previously had been with Niles Township Fire Department. Bill was also a 35-year member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and was a past officer, had served on the Berrien County Youth Fair Board for 50 years, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Jane Marie; children, Don (Jaye) Raabe of Niles, Dennis (Linda Martin) Raabe of Dowagiac, Diane (Ed) Muntz of Niles, Darla (Bill) McAllister of Niles and Debbie (Frank) DeLaTorre of Coloma; 12 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior at Hope Community Church located at 2390 Lake Street in Niles.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Bill may do so, on our website, at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

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

C. Virginia Schantz 
September 21, 1921 - September 12, 2015 

Warren H. Bell, Jr., of Niles
Jan. 1, 1939 — Aug. 11, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:48am Friday, August 14, 2015

Warren H. Bell, Jr., 76, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. He was born Jan. 1, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to Warren H. and Marie C. (Peters) Bell, Sr.

Warren was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist Church in Dowagiac where he sang in the choir. He was employed by York Title & Escrow Company in South Bend, retiring after 37 years of service.

Warren H. Bell, Jr.

Surviving family includes his sister-in-law, Margaret R. Bell of Romeo, Michigan; nieces and nephews, Michael (Terresa) Bell of Boca Raton, Florida, Theresa Montgomery of Southfield, Michigan, James (Kathleen) Bell, Jr. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Robin Bell of Boca Raton, Florida, Kristine (Frank) Leone of Troy, Michigan, Leeann (Brian) Rice of Oxford, Michigan; and many great nieces and nephews.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James A. Bell, Sr.

The funeral service for Warren H. Bell, Jr. will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Brenda Gordon of Pokagon United Methodist Church in Dowagiac. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Warren may be made to the Hanson Hospice Center.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Lois Jean Crocker, formerly of Niles
July 11, 1934 — Aug. 10, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:04am Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Lois Jean Crocker, 81, former longtime resident of Niles, Michigan died at 12:47 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at her home in Apache Junction, Arizona following an illness.

She was born on July 11, 1934, in Niles to Fred and Florence (Unley) Kater. She graduated from Niles High School, and attended Southwestern Michigan College. She was retired from the Niles Community Schools, having served for 12 years as a teacher’s aide. She and her husband moved to Apache Junction in 2004.

Lois Jean Crocker

Lois was a founding member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles. She was also a member and volunteer at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. She enjoyed arts and crafts, and was accomplished in various textile arts.

On Jan. 19, 1952, in Niles she married Thomas H. Crocker with whom she celebrated last January the remarkable 63rd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Tom Crocker and their children, Tammalia “Tammy” (Steve) Sapmaz of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Bridget Perry of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Brenda (Tom) Vokal of Nunica, Michigan; grandchildren Jennifer (Tyler) Young, Kimberly Kujawa, Brian Holmes, Jr., Sgt. Jason (Renee) Holmes, U. S. Army, and Andrew Sapmaz; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, by a grandson, Brian Kujawa, and her siblings, Alma Weaver and Fred, Bill, Walter, and Richard Kater.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Lois Crocker will be read at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of Saint Mark Catholic Church. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Lois may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church.