David Housh Zimmer
Sept. 18. 1935-Dec. 15, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 16, 1935, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Heart Attack Is Fatal to Zimmer Infant Sunday

A sudden heart attack proved fatal late Sunday afternoon to David Housh Zimmer, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Zimmer, 710 Chicago road. The baby was taking its customary nap in its cab on the porch. At 4:30 o'clock when the family went to the porch to waken him they discovered that the child had succumbed to a heart ailment.

The baby was the youngest of the three Zimmer children. He was born at Pawating hospital Sept. 18. 1935, and would have been three months old Wednesday. Beside his parents, he leaves his two brothers, Henry Tedrick and John Wensel. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Rutherford-Phillips mortuary, the Rev. Dr. G.W. Simon officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Quintin Sharon Thompson, of Niles
Nov. 18, 1927 — May 21, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:41am Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Mr. Quintin Sharon Thompson, 87, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

Quintin Sharon Thompson

He was born on Nov. 18, 1927, in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania to Ellwood C. and Edna (Baker) Thompson. He was graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, California and enlisted in the United States Navy. His entire tour of duty was with the Hospital Corps, and he was discharged as a Veteran of World War II. He then attended Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, served on the U.S. Forestry Service, and came to Chicago, Illinois to attend Moody Bible Institute and work at Scripture Press.

On June 27, 1959, at the First Baptist Church of Niles he married the former Melvina Marie “Mort” Ort. They served as Christian medical missionaries to Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for many years before returning to Niles. Quint was then employed at the South Bend Medical Clinic for 16 years prior to his retirement in 1992.

Quint was a member of the First Baptist Church in Niles. He enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, often camping overnight, and visiting relatives and friends along the way. He also enjoyed genealogy, and had self-published the book “Historical Charles blancher Thompson and History”.

On Dec. 29, 1997, his wife of 38 years, Mort Thompson preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his parents and siblings Russell Thompson, and Wilda Silverman, and half-siblings Martha Williams, Jacqueline Desper, Carrie Kurczh, and Raymond Wanzel.

Surviving family includes his children, Gail (Walter) Bliss, Kenneth (Mindy) Thompson, Larry Thompson, and Michael Thompson, all of Niles; grandchildren Ashley (Grant) Hageman, Caleb, Elisha, and Josiah Bliss, and Christopher, Kaylee, Kierstyn, Chelsea, and Mariah Thompson; and Quintin’s siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Miller of Jackson Mississippi, John Wanzel of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Alice Nastasi of Delaware; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Quintin Thompson will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Wing of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Quint Thompson may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in honor of the treatment and cure of Quint and Mort’s son, Michael; or to the mission program of the donor’s church in honor of Quint and Mort Thompson’s mission service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Rosie Marie Moore, of Niles
Jan. 24, 1942 — May 18, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:30am Friday, May 22, 2015

Rosie Marie Moore, 73, of Niles, Michigan, died with her family gathered around at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015, at her home following a brief illness.

Rosie Marie Moore

She was born on Jan. 24, 1942, in Hayti, Missouri to Roosevelt and Etha G. (Black) West, Sr. She was graduated from Niles High School and has lived here most of her life. She was employed for many years at the former Niles Service Center of AT&T.

Rosie was a member of God’s Mercy Seat Ministries, where she also led the Women’s Training as an inspired teacher of The Word. She had a New Testament gift of hospitality, enjoying hosting everyone who came to her door, and is well remembered for her cooking skills.

On July 5, 1986, in Niles she married John Moore with whom she celebrated last year the 28th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, John Moore and children, Regina (Carl) Lucas of Portage, Indiana, Carla (Marvin Hill of Dowagiac, Michigan, Pastor Duane West of Niles, Debra (Isaac) Pigee of South Bend, Indiana, Felicia (Robert) Anderson of South Bend, Estelle Plummer of Niles, Melissa (Seth) Hipscomb of Niles, David Moss of Niles, Yolanda Moss of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Tinita Moore of Niles; step-daughters Augustine Kyles and Darlene Macon, both of South Bend; 28 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and Rosie’s siblings, Goldean West of Niles, Ruby (Percy) Coleman of South Bend, Doris Brown of South Bend, Loretta Owens of Detroit, Michigan, Marcia West of Niles, and Henry West of Detroit; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roosevelt and Etha West, Sr.; a step-son, Dwight Moss; and Rosie’s siblings, Maxine Smith and Roosevelt West, Jr.

The funeral service for Rosie Moore will be at noon on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Hope Community Church in Niles with Pastor Mark N. Saylor of Liberty Chapel in Dowagiac officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 until 6 p.m. on Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Ronnie Harpole, 52
Aug. 4, 1958 — Oct. 28, 2010

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:16pm Thursday, November 4, 2010

Ronnie Gale Harpole, 52, of 1202 South Third St., Niles, died at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 at his home in Niles of natural causes.

He was born Aug. 4, 1958 in Niles, where he was a lifetime resident.

His son, Johnathan, was the light of his life. He loved fishing, hunting and cooking on his grill. He was a factory worker.

He is survived by his son, Johnathan Harpole of Niles; brothers, Doyle (Debbie) Harpole of Niles, James (Vera) Harpole of Niles, Ralph (Cheryl) Harpole of Niles; a sister, Teresa (Ron) Earl of Niles; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Myrtle Harpole; and two brothers, Oliver Harpole and Gary Harpole.

Funeral visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan.

A celebration of life dinner will be held at the Buchanan Moose Lodge immediately following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Ralph and Cheryl Harpole for Ronnie’s son, Johnathan.

Debra Pucheu, 58
Dec. 1, 1952-Oct. 7, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:13pm Monday, October 10, 2011

Debra Louise (Mills) Pucheu, 58, of Berrien Springs, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, following a brief illness.

“Aunt Debby” will always be remembered in our hearts as a loving friend, daughter, wife, aunt, sister and “other mother” to all who knew and loved her. She worked at Pawating Hospital, Girl Scouts of Singing Sands Council and Garden City Fan, with multiple responsibilities at all. Her other blessings were her skills as an artist, floral arranger, engineering assistant, seamstress, hairstylist, gourmet cook, gardener, and musician.
You could always rely on her ability to solve problems, overcome obstacles and deal with any catastrophe. Everyone always said “Debby will do it” or “Debby might have that,” and she did! She took pride in being frugal and saving everything for a rainy day.
Although childless, she often helped to raise her extended families’ children as her own. Her strong connection with her pets was apparent as she plodded through the Michigan winter snow, deeper than her petite stature could bear, to feed them daily.
She was an avid historian and passionate about current events.
We will sorely miss her superior wit, her creative spirit and compassion for us all.
She is survived by her mother, Patricia (Mills) DeLancy; husband, Scott Pucheu; brother, Douglas Mills; nephews, Derek, Dustin, Aaron Mills; nieces, Wendy Mills and Sara (Mills) Schmidt; and grand-nephews, Dane and Dalton Mills.
A private memorial service will be held at her home that she dearly loved.
Donations in her name may be made to woundedwarriorproject.org.
Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, is assisting the family, and online messages may be left at www.allredfuneralhome.com.

Note: DOB from Social Security Death Index

Martha Jane Andrews, formerly of Niles
Jan. 27, 1962 — July 8, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:16am Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Martha Jane Andrews, 52, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Niles, Michigan, died on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at her home unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

Martha Jane Andrews

She was born Jan. 27, 1962, in Niles to George William and Shirley Ann (Freiberg) Andrews, Jr. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1980, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major of biology and physical education from Albion College in 1984, earned a Master of Arts Degree in physical education and exercise science from Michigan State University in 1986. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, pursuing a Business Administration Masters, and Biochemistry Doctoral, eventually completing her doctorate in physical therapy in 2011 at the A. T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, Missouri.

Martha enlisted in the United States Navy and served for seven years as an aerospace physiologist.

She then was employed by the Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan and later at Fort Knox, Kentucky. She was currently employed at the Warriors Transition Unit at Fort Carson, Colorado where she had earned several awards and a recent rating of “Highly Successful.”

She has been published in the Healthy & Fit Magazine.

Martha began playing softball in the second grade and enjoyed playing any game involving a ball, running, and, most recently, mountain biking.

Martha volunteered at the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She was – by the evidence of her life and the testimony of her family – a strong independent woman; kind, caring, and thoughtful.

Surviving family includes Martha’s mother, Shirley Andrews of Edwardsburg, Michigan; a brother, Mike (Linda) Andrews of Niles; a sister, Mary Bourgeois of Battle Creek, Michigan; an uncle, Ron (Mary) Freiberg of Greenbush, Michigan as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her father, George Andrews, Jr.; grandparents, Joyce and George Andrews and Ed and Lela Freiberg; and a niece, Rikki Ball.

Services for Martha Jane Andrews will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jeff Reese of Hope United Methodist Church of Edwardsburg, Michigan officiating, and will conclude with the Veteran’s flag presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Entombment will be private next week in the Silverbrook Abbey in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday at the funeral home one hour prior to services.

Donations in memory of Martha may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

www.halbritterfunerals.com