Ethel Hightower, formerly of Niles
Jan. 7, 1952 — April 15, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:20am Monday, April 21, 2014

Ethel Hightower

Ethel Hightower, 62, of South Bend, Ind. and formerly of Niles, Mich., died at 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

She was born on Jan. 7, 1952, in Jackson, Tenn. to Steven Bennett and Florene (Pearson) Bennett. She was graduated from Niles High School, and lived here until moving to South Bend in 1998. She had been employed by area manufacturing firms, and in the kitchens of area health care facilities.

Esther was a devout Christian and enjoyed worshipping with a great variety of congregations, although she most recently favored the Interfaith Christian Union Ministries Church, home to WUBS-FM 89.7. She also enjoyed singing at church, but her greatest joy was cooking for family and friends.

Surviving family includes her sons, Steven (Marla Jones) Bennett of Indianapolis, Ind. and James (Melissa) Bennett of South Bend; grandchildren Omni, Keziah, Jadyn “JJ”, Kathryn, Alexander, Dominique, and Ashlyn; Esther’s companion, Theopolis “Otis” Jones; her siblings, Forestine McCuin of Las Vegas, Almeda Kelly of Lansing, Mich., Gloria Darby of Niles, Christine Cherry of Kalamazoo, Ernestine Taylor, Eulah Adams, Nathaniel Bedford and Willie Cherry, all of Niles, Larry Pearson of Jackson, Tenn,, Patricia Bennett of Niles, Anita Bennett of Mississippi, Angie Bennett of Niles, Sherry Bennett of Buchanan, and Tim Bennett of Niles; many aunts and uncles including Cecil Bennett of Niles, and cousins; and Esther’s husband, Tyrone Hightower of Kalamazoo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by Joseph J. and Lillie (Bedford) Bennett who raised her.

The funeral service for Ethel Hightower will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Bryant Bacon officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Esther may be made to the Esther Hightower Memorial Fund c/o Facebook at gofundme.com.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Shirley M. Daly, of Niles
March 10, 1941 — April 10, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:01am Monday, April 14, 2014

Shirley M. Daly

Shirley M. Daly, 73, of Niles, Mich. died at 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. following a brief illness.

She was born on March 10, 1941, in Dowagiac, Mich. to Jesse R. and Maude May (Regenos) Lucas. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles all of her life. She was employed by the City of Niles, serving many years in the utilities office.

Shirley enjoyed crochet, reading — usually romance novels, and caring for her cats and her family.

On Nov. 28, 1964, in Niles she married Charles M. “Chuck” Daly, Sr. with whom she celebrated the 39th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Jan. 6, 2004. She was also preceded in death by two grandsons, William Michael Daly on Jan. 18, 2005, and Corey DeNardo on Aug. 24, 2013; and by a sister, Alice L. Craw and brother, G. Richard Lucas.

Surviving family includes her sons, Charles M. (Wendelyn) Daly, Jr. of North Liberty, Ind., and Richard R. (Teresa) Daly of Niles; grandsons, Aaron DeNardo, Matthew Charles Daly, and Liam Cedric Daly; Shirley’s sister, Doris (Clifford) Thomas of Niles; brother-in-law Samuel Craw of Buchanan and sister-in-law, Eloise Lucas of Lansing, Mich.; and Chuck’s brother, Martin (Mary) Daly of Niles and sister, Marcie (Larry) Kelly of Stevensville, Mich.; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Shirley Daly will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Tim Stewart of North Liberty Church of Christ officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at noon on Monday. Contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to the Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group in Mishawaka, Ind.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Louise C. Harner, of Niles
Aug. 28, 1920 — April 1, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:05am Thursday, April 3, 2014

Louise C. Harner, 93, of Niles, died with her daughters by her side at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on Aug. 28, 1920, in Paden, Okla. to Marvin and Lois (McMahan) Holt and was raised in Manchester, Tenn. She came to Niles in 1946 and was employed for many years at the former Electric Products Company in Niles.

Louise Harner

Louise was a charter member of the Church of Christ of Niles. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, shopping and reading fiction, especially the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Her greatest joy was spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

On Oct. 3, 1941, in Manchester, she married Fred Harner with whom she celebrated the 65th anniversary of their wedding the year before his death on Jan. 30, 2007. They had been preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Sable Kroner in 1988; and by Louise’s siblings, Pauline Gentry, George Holt, Harry Holt, Roberta Adams, and Evaline Gentry.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Joy Kathryn “Katie” (Donald) McAbee and Artie Ann (Kenneth) Harrell, both of Niles; ten grandchildren, Sarah (& Alan) Hinkle, Trisha (Bill) Kroner, Kimberly (Barry) Skalski, Linda (Chris) Lengle, Jennifer (Roger) Kirksey, Jacqueline Kirkdorfer, Matthew Harrell, Jason (Eva) Harrell, Donna McAbee, and Greg (Kathy) McAbee; twenty-one great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Louise Harner will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. David Thompson of the Church of Christ officiating. Committal will be private on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Harner may be made to the Church of Christ.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary Louise Martin, of Niles
Jan. 18, 1927 — April 3, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:40am Friday, April 4, 2014

Mary Louise Martin, 87, of Niles, Mich. died on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Cass County Medical Care Facility following an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 18, 1927, in Niles to Earl and Lillie Mae (Vail) Reed. On Jan. 20, 1945, in Niles she married Robert Martin. He preceded her in death on June 12, 1982.

Surviving family includes daughter Mary Diana (Jerry) Westfall, son Terry (Dorothy) Martin, all of Niles, granddaughters, Melissa Sayer and Maria Martin, grandson Terry Martin, Jr. and four great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by one sister, Lucille Reed Sharp of Frankfort, Ind. and one brother, Ed Reed of Niles.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert and brothers Elmer “Bud” Reed and Frank Reed.

Funeral services for Mary Louise Martin will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Chaplain Johnny Groda of Great Lakes Caring Hospice officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

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

Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the American Cancer Association of to Great Lakes Caring Hospice of Kalamazoo.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements. www.halbritterfunerals.com

John Wesley Marshall
July 9,1912-Aug. 6, 1968

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 6, 1968, page 1, col. 3-6. microfilm Niles District Library

Lone gunman slays city man

A Niles train engineer was shot and killed at about 5:30 a.m. today in the Robert R. Young Penn Central Railroad yard in Elkhart.

The victim was identified as John W. “Wes” Marshall, 51, of 1327 Sycamore St.

Authorities said Marshall had just completed a run from Chicago to Elkhart, and after going to the train house to  pick up a duffle bag, was shot in the back of the head and twice in the upper and lower back area.

Witnesses told investigating officer that the assailant then walked away, got in a white, foreign station wagon, and drove off on US-33 toward Elkhart. He has yet to be apprehended.

Authorities indicate they have very few clues. There is no suspect, no weapon has been found and it is not known what typed of firearm was used. No apparent motive for the shotting has been determined.

Because of the darkness, authorities said witnesses were unable  to get a complete description of the man. But it is believed that he was a short heavy set male, wearing a railroad hat and dark jacket.

Foot prints were found in the yard, indicating he wore shoes or boots with ribbed soles, the type worn by many railroad workers.

Sheriff's detective Kermit Rodgers declined to release further information until an autopsy had been completed.  

Marshall was born in Grand Rapids on July 9, 1917. He moved to Niles in 1929 and married the former Bessie M. Fay, of Niles, on Sept. 12, 1942.

Survivors include his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Gerald Pitcher and Mrs. Robert Ferry, both of Niles, a sister, Mrs. James Hocker, of Buchanan, and two grandchildren.

Marshall was a member of the brotherhood of Railway Engineers, the Niles Elks Lodge, the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 of the Free and Accepted masons, and the Plym Park Golf Course.

Friends may call at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home after noon Wednesday. The Rev. Arlan E. Schlundt will officiate the 2 p.m. funeral Thursday. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with graveside committal rites given by the St. Joseph Valley Lodge.

The family has requested that memorials be given to the Niles Elks Benefit Fund.

Mary Marsh
Feb. 28, 1888-Feb. 22, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 24, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary Marsh, 69, of rural route four, Elkhart, Ind., formerly of Niles, died at 3:20 p.m. Saturday in Lee Memorial Hospital at Dowagiac following an extended period of poor health.

Mrs. Marsh was born Feb. 28, 1888, in Mishawaka, Ind., for many years had lived in this community before moving to Elkhart.

Surviving are: her husband, Andrew; two sons, Edward L. and Evan H. Jones, both of Niles; three daughters, Mrs. John Liszewski, of Jackson, Mich., and Mrs. Leslie Zimmerman and Mrs. Mary Shaffer, both of Dowagiac; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and two brothers, William Dayhuff, of Riviera, Calif., and George Dayhuff, of Bitely, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home here with the Rev. Cletus Rose of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Niles, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.