Mattie Etha Emanuel Smith, of Niles
April 14, 1925 — June 11, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:00am Monday, June 16, 2014

Mattie Smith

Mattie Etha Emanuel Smith, 89, of Niles, died at 12:09 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on April 14, 1925, in Benton, Mississippi to the Rev. Orange Homer and Mrs. Viola (Holmes) Johnson. She was raised by her aunt, Etha Bennett in Chicago, where she was graduated from high school, and was employed in various offices of the United States government.

On Oct. 1, 1950, in Chicago she married James A. Emanuel, Ph.D. They moved as a family, with their son, James A. Emanuel, Jr. to New York City, where she continued federal employment with the U.S. Navy. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the Columbia University in the City of New York in 1968.

Dr. Emanuel received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach in Grenoble, France, to which she and their son followed him to live for a year, returning to New York in 1969. She continued her studies at the Teacher’s College of Columbia University, earning a master’s degree in government in 1971, and began a teaching career in the public schools of Yonkers, New York. She taught social studies and introduction to foreign languages, for which she studied briefly in Guadalajara, Mexico.

On June 28, 1980, in Mount Vernon, New York Etha married Almstead Nelson Smith, Ph.D. In January of 1983, her son, James Emanuel, Jr. died, and that same year in December Dr. Smith died.

Etha retired from the Yonkers Public Schools in 1987 and moved to South Bend, Indiana. In 1989 she settled in Niles to be near family.

Etha had been a longtime member of the Franklin African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niles, and more recently became a member of the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and internationally. She also enjoyed live theater and public discourse on politics, history and sports, much of which she was able to experience as a volunteer to the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She also volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

Mattie was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands and son, and by 10 siblings: brothers John W., Daniel W., Jennings Alvin, Sylvester, Joe Kelly, James D., and Leonard O. Johnson, and sisters Vera Henrietta Waugh, Velmarie Fouché, and Gertrude Johnson, who died in infancy.

Surviving family includes two sisters-in-law, Theresa (Mrs. John W.) Johnson of Saint Louis, Missouri and Wyvonne (Mrs. Joe K.) Johnson of Niles; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins of several generations including Etha Fouché, Bettie J. Walker, and Lenard E. Fouché, M.D., each of whom helped provide her care.

The funeral service for Mattie Etha Emanuel Smith will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Darrel le Roux of Niles Westside SDA Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Rebecca Mitchell of Franklin AME Church. Committal will follow at the 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 Mattie may be made to the Niles Westside SDA Church, Franklin AME Church, or the Berrien County Cancer Service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

BT1 George Marina, 73
United States Navy, retired
Feb. 21, 1939-June 24, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:35pm Tuesday, June 26, 2012

George E. Marina, 73, of Cassopolis, died at 3:16 a.m. Sunday, June 24, 2012, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, following an extended illness.

He was born Feb. 21, 1939, in Terre Haute, Ind., to George and Laura Marie (Johnson) Marina.

He enlisted in the United States Navy as a young man, and served 20 years prior to his retirement in 1977. His service included the entire Vietnam era, during which he served three tours in Vietnam. He also continued to serve in the reserves.

In retirement, George used his power plant training from the Navy to operated boilers at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for 17 years, retiring in 1996.

George enjoyed nature, watching wildlife in his backyard and hunting and fishing.

He also enjoyed leatherworking and woodworking in his home shop, and watching television shows about nature and history.

He had a great interest in basset hounds and always had at least one at home.
George was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers and two sisters: Jeanette Roberts, June Lewis, Jimmy Marina and Fred Marina.

Surviving family includes his children, George N. “Rocky” (Sandra) Marina, of Toledo, Ohio, Clint E. (Becky) Marina, of Toledo, Cal T. (Shawna) Marina, of Niles, and Tereza L. Marina, of Cassopolis; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; George’s sister, Susie Starzynski, of South Bend; sisters-in-law, Orie (Jim) Marina and Mille (Fred) Marina; brother-in-law, James Roberts; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for George E. Marina will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Apostolic Christian Tabernacle in Niles with Pastor M. Trent Avance, of the church, officiating.

The service will conclude with full military honors in the churchyard by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51, of Buchanan.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Edith Clymer, of Niles
June 28, 1918 — June 12, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:02pm Thursday, June 12, 2014

Edith Clymer, 95, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Keystone Assisted Living Facility where she had been lovingly cared for by Kathy, Mindy, Rhonda, Pam, Georgina and Andrea.

Edith Clymer

Edith was born in Marion, Illinois on June 28, 1918, to the late Alex and Marie (Kerney) Wheeler. Just before her second birthday Edith’s mother passed away and she was raised by her then 15-year-old sister, Blanche. She moved to Niles at a young age.

Edith worked at Simplicity Pattern Company and even played softball with her coworkers on their company-sponsored team called the “Hemi Girls.”

She loved Niles and was revered by her friends and family. She was very active throughout her life at Wesley United Methodist Church.

On June 12, 1937, Edith wed the love of her life, Greydon W. Clymer. Together they raised three wonderful children.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Marie; husband, Greydon; son, Larry; two sisters and five brothers.

She is survived by her children Cheryl (Jack) York of Niles and Greydon Clark of Las Vegas, Nevada; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 11 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, with a time of visitation one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made in Edith’s memory to the Salvation Army.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Donald Jacob Bays, of Niles
Feb. 4, 1952 — June 8, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Thursday, June 12, 2014

Donald Jacob Bays, 62, of Niles, died on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 4, 1952 in Niles to Jacob and Barbara (Pingel) Bays.

Donald Bays

Donald was a 1970 graduate of Niles High School where he participated in the school’s football and baseball teams. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and loved to fish. Donald followed Notre Dame sports and, although he may have complained about his Chicago Cubs, he was a loyal fan.

Surviving family includes son, Shane (Reneé) Bays of Edwardsburg; three grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jersey and Chase; Donald’s parents, Jacob and Barbara Bays of Niles and two sisters, Judith Brockway of Niles and Carol (Lee) Kurty of Niles.

Donald was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Antisdel.

A memorial service for Donald Jacob Bays will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2014, at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg and will be officiated by Rev. Joseph McCormick, O.S.A of the parish. Visitation will be held at the church one hour before services.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Riley Hospital for Children.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Barbara Young Rodebush, of Niles
Sept. 21, 1927 — June 7, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:24am Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Barbara Young Rodebush

Barbara Lou Adams Young Rodebush, 86, of Niles, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 7, 2014, after an extended illness.

She was born on Sept. 21, 1927, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to the late Floyd and Eva Adams. On Feb. 12, 1946, she married Mervin J. Young, who passed away on July 5, 1984. On Jan. 16, 1993, in Niles, she married Johnie A. Rodebush.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Johnie Rosebush, her children and their spouses, K. Joseph and Carol Young of Oxford, Michigan, Bob and Toy Young, Merva and Jim Zaleski, Donna and Ray Corum, Julie and Ray Hartman, all of Niles and Brad and Becky Young of Benton Harbor; daughter-in-law Judy Young, of Niles; stepchildren Vicky Rodebush and Diane Rodebush, both of Niles, and Rob and Susan Rodebush of Hamilton, Ohio.

She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Bill Lingerfelt and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband, Mervin, all of her siblings, Delbert Adams, Olive Line, Don Adams, Bonnie Brady, Kermit Adams, her twin brother Robert Adams, Damon Adams and Sharon Lingerfelt; her stepson, Dennis Young and her grandson, Ryan Hartman, who passed earlier this year.

Barb and Merv owned and operated the Rollaway Skating Rink in Niles. Barbara was a devoted mother and grandmother who deeply loved all of her “younguns.” She was a friend and support to many, especially her “adopted” children.

She loved babies, dogs and cats, cardinals, garage sales, red raspberries, watching birds, lilacs, and the color purple. Her love for the Lord, kind heart, selflessness and sense of humor have left a legacy that will be forever cherished.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at First Church of Christ Christian, 2240 Yankee St., Niles, where Barbara was a member. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Pastor David Szymczak of the church will officiate the funeral service which will take place on Thursday, June 12 at 11 a.m. with visitation prior to that starting at 10 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards at the church.

Memorial contributions in honor of Barbara may be made to the Ryan A. Hartman Memorial Scholarship at Southwestern Michigan College in care of SMC Foundation, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047-9726.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Cass County Medical Care Facility, and the Hanson Hospice Center.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Ellwin L. Coulston, 89, of Niles
Dec. 19, 1923 — Nov. 9, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16am Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Ellwin L. Coulston, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 12:50 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at his home following a brief illness.

Coulston

He was born on December 19, 1923 in Harbor Beach, Mich. to Neil M. and Marion (Ramsey) Coulston. He was graduated from Harbor Beach High School, and enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He served as a Second Lieutenant and Bomber Pilot in the European Theater, and was a Veteran of World War II. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State College (now University) in 1949, and continued with graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame.

He was employed at the former Niles office and the Atlanta, Georgia office of the Kawneer Company for forty years, retiring in 1989.

El served on the Brandywine School Board from 1962 until 1981. He later served on the Greater Niles Recreation Board and City of Niles Planning Commission, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Jaycees and the Lions club. He played tennis, golf and bridge, and enjoyed camping in northern Michigan when his kids were young. He was an artist and craftsman, working in pottery, stained glass, woodcarving and cabinetmaking. Most of the furniture in his house came from his hand in his shop, which also produced pieces for the homes of his children.

On Sept. 13, 1947 in Bad Axe, Mich. he married the former Rucilla Laird with whom he celebrated two months ago the sixty-sixth anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Rucilla Coulston, and their children, Marion (Jim) Maier of Stevensville, Mich., Neil (Trish) Coulston of Niles, Paul (Claire) Coulston of Edwardsburg, Mich., David (Susan) Coulston of Niles and Mark (Cari) Coulston of Eau Claire, Mich.; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

El was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Ann Coulston who died on June 10, 1977 and by a sister, Evelyn and brothers, Melvin, Russell, and Bruce.

The funeral service for Ellwin Coulston will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jan Van Lear of Buchanan officiating. The service will conclude with military honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Burial will be later, privately, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of El may be made to the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels, or to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com