Virginia Waters, of Niles
Sept. 17, 1918 — Oct. 29, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:51am Friday, October 31, 2014

Virginia Waters, formerly of Saginaw, died peacefully at her home in Frankenmuth on Oct. 29, 2014.

Born Martha Virginia Walton on Sept. 17, 1918, in Niles, Michigan, she was the daughter of Margaret Foster and Arthur Walton. She graduated from Niles High School in 1936. She attended Kalamazoo College, where she met her husband Spencer L. Waters. They graduated in 1940 and were married on March 7, 1942.

While Spencer was in the Navy during World War II she did graduate work in sociology at the University of Chicago. She and Spencer moved to Saginaw in 1950. He predeceased her in 1978. She moved to Frankenmuth in 1993.

In her professional life she was a social worker in Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo and later was owner and president of E.A. Boehm Company, wholesale picture framing supplies, in Saginaw. In retirement she was an active volunteer at Good Neighbors Mission, Underground Railroad women’s shelter and as a reading tutor with the Saginaw Public Schools. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Saginaw, serving as an Elder from 1990 to 1992.

Her survivors include her four sons, Spencer M. (Deborah) of Brooklyn, New York, Robert (Mary) of Saugatuck, David (Marie) of West Bloomfield, and John (Eric Nygren) of Chicago; six grandchildren, Carole (Tim Ayer) of Douglas, Alaska, Andrew of Chicago, Samuel (Tristan) of Maquoketa, Iowa, Patrick of Thornton County, Colorado and Kelli and Molly of West Bloomfield; as well as three great-granddaughters, Lily, Keelyn and Brinley.

Virginia’s family will receive visitors on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin Street, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Committal Services will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. In lieu of flowers gifts may be sent to Good Neighbors Mission, 1318 Cherry Street, Saginaw, or the charity of your choice.

Please sign our guest book or share an online condolence with the family.

Gleda Manchow, of Niles
Dec. 27, 1931 — Nov. 7, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:39am Monday, November 10, 2014

Gleda Manchow, 82, of Niles, Michigan died at 4:15 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on Dec. 27, 1931, in Morrison, Tennessee to Manley A. and Sarah (Hulett) Wilson and came to Niles in the 50’s. She was employed at Clark Credit and J.P. Morgan Chase for twenty years. During those years, she worked in the local offices and in Atlanta and Minneapolis. She retired in 1995.

Gleda was a member of the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Preserve. She had a great appreciation for the Disabled American Veterans and supported their causes. She enjoyed the daily radio broadcast of “Turning Point” by Dr. David Jeremiah.

Surviving family includes her son, Vincent Manchow of Niles, a sister, Naomi Wilson Smith of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kristy Lynne Manchow on August 26, 1995, a daughter-in-law, Linda Manchow on September 2, 2012; and by her brothers, Zeb Wilson, Earl Wilson, Paris Wilson, and B.F. Wilson and sisters Frances Asmus, Nola Hulett, and Claytie Wilson

The funeral service for Gleda Manchow will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of First Baptist Church of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Gleda may be made to First Baptist Church.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Evelyn M. Geideman, of Niles
April 4, 1924 — Nov. 2, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:26am Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Evelyn M. Geideman, 90, of Niles, Michigan died at 3:55 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at West Woods of Niles of natural causes.

She was born on April 4, 1924, in Niles to Paul and Blanche (Heckathorn) Schaber. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here all of her life. She was employed for many years at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company, retiring in 1985.

Evelyn M. Geideman

Evelyn was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322. She was an avid bowler on the local leagues with several “High Roller” nights. She enjoyed playing bingo at the Elks, flower gardening, and baking – especially pies and cookies.

She was first married to Richard E. Carey. Later, on Feb. 1, 1967 in Niles she married John W. Geideman who preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 1984. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Lowe and brothers, Bruce Schaber and Don Schaber.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Katherine Carter of Niles, Judith (Jerry) Pierson of Branch, Michigan, and Patricia Reed of Niles; five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; John’s children, JoEllyn (Jack) Perdue of Niles, Jay (Nicole) Geideman of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and Jim Geideman of Buchanan, Michigan and their families; Evelyn’s sister, Janette McCullum of New Carlisle, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Evelyn Geideman will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Evelyn may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Terry Lee Harrell, of Niles
Dec. 18, 1948 — Dec. 1, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published Friday, December 5, 2014, Niles Daily Star, Niles, Berrien, Michigan

Mr. Terry Lee Harrell, Sr., age 65 years of Niles, Michigan died at 7:45 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at Hospice House in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

He was born on Dec. 18, 1948 in South Bend to Roy T. and Virginia (London) Harrell. He attended Niles Community Schools, and has lived in this area most of his life. He served in the U.S. Air Force for a brief period during the Viet Nam Era, and was employed for twenty-five years on the Conrail railroad system. In retirement, he moved to Kingman, Arizona which he really enjoyed, especially the sunshine. As his final illness progressed, he returned to Niles.

Terry was associated with the Abundant Life Fellowship of South Bend. He enjoyed watching collegiate football on Saturdays — especially the University of Michigan — and watching Chicago’s Bears and Cubs. His spare time was spent rebuilding cars to make them go faster, with a special interest in the Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaros and Chevelles. He then proved that they were faster on any empty straight two lanes that were available.

He was preceded in death by twin infant sons, Terry and Larry Harrell who were stillborn in 1966, a granddaughter, Taylor Jamie Harrell who was stillborn in 1997; and by a brother, John Harrell and sister, Virginia Annable.

Surviving family includes his children, Terry Lee (and Juanita Hernandez) Harrell, Jr. of Niles, Jeffrey (and Christina) Harrell of Dowagiac, Michigan, and Breanna (and Chris) Shores and Kaylie Harrell, both of Kingman, Arizona; grandchildren, Terry L. Harrell III, Brooke Harrell, Brenton Harrell, Selena Harrell, Bryant Harrell, Jennica Harrell, Vonn Anderson, Christopher Shores, and Chelsea Shores; and Terry’s brother, Roy Harrell of South Bend and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Terry Harrell, Sr. will gather privately on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles for services with the Rev. David A. Spurlock of Abundant Life Fellowship officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Terry L. Harrell, Sr. may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Marilyn Jean Fowler, of Niles
April 16, 1955 — Nov. 11, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:09am Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Marilyn Jean Fowler, 59, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014.

Marilyn was born on April 26, 1955 in Niles, Michigan to Ernest and Dorothy Fowler. She spent her formative years in the Niles school district and graduated from Niles High School in 1973. Upon graduation she attended George Williams College in Illinois but after a year decided to enlist in the United States Navy. Much of her navy years were spent in Millington, Tennessee and Orlando, Florida. When she completed her navy duties she relocated back to Niles and began working at several industrial companies and Holiday Inn Express hotel. In 2006 she became an employee of WSMK radio station as an office manager and had recently been promoted to news and weather announcer for a newly acquired division of WSMK.

Marilyn Jean Fowler

Marilyn loved reading, especially science fiction novels and listening to music. Her favorite times were spent with her family laughing and joking. Marilyn was also civic minded, enjoyed a good debate from time to time and in 2002 she went back to school to earn her associates degree in paralegal services.

Marilyn served as an Advisory Board Member for the Ferry Street Resource Center for several years and was a member of the Niles Citizen Committee.

Marilyn was an active member of New Beginnings Church where she spent time volunteering in the bookstore and fellowshipping in Women of Worship (W.O.W.)

Marilyn leaves to cherish her memory her father, Ernest Fowler Sr.; one sister, Ruby Smith of South Bend, Indiana; two brothers, Ernest (Debra) Fowler of South Bend and Leonard Fowler of Marietta, Georgia; two aunts Clara (Donald) Terry of East St. Louis, Illinois and Lasaundria Fordson of St. Louis, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Fowler; sister, Emma Kelly; and two brothers, Bruce and James Odell Fowler.

Services for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at Michiana Christian Embassy located at 1922 East Main St. in Niles at 1 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at noon.

Services have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Gail M. Deibler, of Niles
Jan. 31, 1937 — Nov. 10, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:28am Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Gail M. Deibler

Gail Marie Deibler, 77, of Niles, Michigan died on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, at the Hospice House in South Bend, Indiana following an illness.

She was born on Jan. 31, 1937, in Jackson, Michigan to Howard Henry and Marion (Jones) Rausch. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here most of her life. On July 7, 1956, in Niles she married Donald Eugene Deibler. She was employed in the high school office of Niles Community Schools for 25 years, retiring in 1997.

Gail was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles and its Ladies Aid Society. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority since 1955, and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital, usually at the information desk.

The Deibler family enjoyed camping and boating. Gail and her husband had toured all 50 of the United States, and had traveled in Europe. They owned two vintage Chevrolet Corvettes – 1958 and 1963 models – which they enjoyed showing at car shows throughout the region.

Don and Gail celebrated the forty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 6, 1999. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Rausch in 2004.

Surviving family includes a son, Donald (Brenda) Deibler of Richland, Michigan and daughter, Mary Lynn (Randy) Krichbaum of Adrian, Michigan; grandchildren Michelle Krichbaum, Kyle Krichbaum, Ryan Deibler and Adam Deibler; great-grandchildren, Bryanna Deibler and Adryanna Deibler; and Gail’s brother, Richard Rausch of Meridian, Idaho and sister, Patricia Leet of Niles; and several cousins in Cheboygan and Lansing, Michigan.

The funeral service for Gail Deibler will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating assisted by the Associate Pastor Joseph Liss. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the church. Contributions in memory of Gail may be made to the Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church Building Fund. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com