Marilyn A. Wagner, of Niles
Aug. 24, 1930 — March 10, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:29am Friday, March 13, 2015

Marilyn A. Wagner, 84, of Niles, Michigan died at 8:12 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital – South in Riverview, Florida following a brief illness.

Marilyn A. Wagner

She was born on Aug. 24, 1930, in Niles to Carlton and Mildred A. (Milner) Keen. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1948, and has lived here all of her life. She was employed for many years in the business office of the Niles Daily Star, and was retired from the office of the Niles Township Utilities Department.

Marilyn was a life-long member of the Bertrand Bible Church in Niles. She participated in area bowling leagues, and enjoyed shopping at flea markets and antique shops; but her greatest joy was her family.

She was formerly married to Philip G. Hoelcher.

On December 28, 1972 in South Bend, Indiana she married Leonard C. Wagner with whom she celebrated the 26th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Oct. 27, 1999. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Carlton Keene.

Surviving family includes her children, Karen Keen of Cumming, Georgia, Linda Lono of Lexington, South Carolina, Sherry Graddy of Apollo Beach, Florida, and David (Kally) Hoelcher of Niles; grandchildren Lt. Col. Bryan (Jessie) Graddy, USAF, Justin (Chrissy) Graddy, Lori (Chuck) Rey, Jeremy (Danielle) Wibert, and Brenden Hoelcher; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Eleanor, Jack, Olivia, Grace, Zoe, Mackenzie, and Bailey.

The funeral service for Marilyn Wagner will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015, at the Bertrand Bible Church with the Rev. Tony Slagle of the church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to the Bertrand Bible Church.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

David B. Witham, of Niles
May 27, 1958 — March 22, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:43am Wednesday, March 25, 2015

David B. Witham, 56, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at his home, unexpectedly.

David B. Witham

He was born on May 27, 1958, in Niles to Allan Dale and Wanda L. (Woods) Witham. He was graduated from Niles High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from William James College at Grand Valley State Colleges. He was a professional instrumental musician in both sacred music and more contemporary styles. He was also a photographer, working for several years at the South Bend Tribune before going freelance to pitch photos of breaking news and athletic events to various newspapers and wire services. He eventually narrated his photographs, successfully pitching complete packages with story and photograph.

David was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles where he also served as Organist. He had formerly volunteered with the Niles City Fire Department and collected “old school” rotating beacon emergency lights. He was a licensed amateur radio operator with the call sign KC8KXZ. He had a special affinity for pets, especially his two Cocker Spaniels: Schatzie and Schafer.

On Aug. 27, 1994, at Saint Mary Catholic Church he married the former Rhonda Sue Grady with whom he celebrated last year the 20th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Rhonda Witham; his mother, Wanda L. Graham of Niles; brother Richard (Kris) Witham of Spring Lake, Michigan and their daughter Morgan Witham; and Rhonda’s mother, Loretta Mattocks, grandmother, Evelyn Moneysmith; and sister Pam (Mike) Malisa and their daughters, Kimberly Johnson, Megan Malisa, and Stephanie Allen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Dale Witham in 1977; and by a step-father, Ross Graham in 2014.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for David Witham will be read at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. Committal Rites will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of David may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Charles L. Rettich
Oct. 9, 1923-April 26, 2003

Rettich, Charles L. age 79, April 26, 2003, beloved husband of Mary Ellen, father of Kathleen (Anthony) Bullard and Kevin (JeanneMarie), dearest grandfather of Christopher and Ashley. Visitation Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., from McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd. Funeral Friday, instate 10:30 a.m., service 11 a.m., from St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 26431 W. Chicago, Redford. Donations may be made to surviving spouse. Visit Guest Book at www.suntimes.com

- See more at: http://legacy.suntimes.com/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/obituary.aspx?n=charles-l-rettich&pid=976569&fhid=2779#sthash.8AANLh1W.dpuf

Mary Ellen Rettich
October 20, 1924 - March 8, 2015

RETTICH, Mary Ellen, Age 90, March 8, 2015.  Beloved wife of the late Charles.  Loving mother of Kathleen (Anthony) Bullard & Kevin (JeanneMarie) Rettich.  Dearest grandmother of Christopher & Ashley.  She will be missed by Max, Mandy & Molly, the family pets.  Visitation Thursday 4-8 pm.  Funeral Service Friday 10 am at McCabe Funeral Homne Canton Chapel, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Interment Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. 

www.mccabefuneralhome.com

Thomas Forsgren, of Niles
February 7, 1942 - March 5, 2015

Published 8:23am Monday, March 9, 2015

Thomas Forsgren, 73, of Niles, died Thursday, March 5, 2015. A private family burial service will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements are being handled by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Leon W. ‘Lonnie’ Fisher, of Niles
Jan. 21, 1931 — March 2, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:46am Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Leon W. Fisher, 84, of Niles, Michigan died at 3:15 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, with his family gathered around his bedside at Lakeland Hospital – Niles. His death was unexpected, but of natural causes.

He was born on Jan. 21, 1931, in Niles to Leo A. and Wilma R. (Vogelsang) Fisher. He was graduated from Niles High School, and enlisted in the United States Army. After a year of service, he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and served in the Michigan National Guard 246th Armored Division for over ten years. In Niles, he served the Niles City Fire Department for 28 years, retiring as a Captain, and served the Niles Community Schools as a bus driver for 25 years.

Lonnie was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, where he also served as an usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #708, B. P. O. of Niles Elks #1322, a member and past president of the Niles Lions Club, and a former member of the American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan. He volunteered with the local Habitat for Humanity and had served on its board, and volunteered with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile.

He could often be seen at Niles High School Athletic events, serving as the scorekeeper for twenty-four years for the girls basketball and boys basketball teams, and the girls softball team, including the 2009 State Champion team. He enjoyed gardening and fishing, bowling and golfing on area leagues, and all things related to the University of Notre Dame.

On Oct. 17, 1953, in Niles he married the former Eleanor D. Smith with whom he celebrated last year the Sixty-first anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Eleanor Fisher and their children, Thomas L. (Carrie) Fisher, David L. Fisher, and Cynthia K. Fisher, all of Niles; grandchildren Fawn Fisher, Cricket (Josh) Nelson, Lea (Tad) Germann, Tyler Fisher, Echo Fisher, Connor Fisher, and Marc Fisher; great-grandchildren Ben, Cal and Noelle; and Lonnie’s sister, Virginia Fisher of Niles and several nieces and nephews of three generations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sisters, Dorothy Hicks and Mary Magin and brothers Robert Fisher and Paul Fisher.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Leon Fisher will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of the parish. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with an Honor Guard of the Niles Fire Department, and recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Lonnie may be made to the Niles High School Athletic Department.

www.halbritterfunerals.com