Joseph Newkirk Low
July 10, 1923 - April 15, 2013

Joseph Newkirk Low, 89, of Niles, passed away in Hospice House of South Bend of natural causes.

He was born July 10, 1923 in West Lafayette, Indiana to Willis and Mary (Healey) Low. Joseph was a WWII US Army Air Corp. veteran and attended Wesley United Methodist Church. He was a lifetime area resident and a retired attorney in Niles. He was a graduate of Niles High School and obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from Notre Dame University. He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Niles American Legion Post #26, Niles Elks, Niles Lions Club and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Preceding Joseph in death are his parents and his first wife, Wilma Low.

Surviving family include his wife Rosemary Low and two sons, Joseph C. Low of South Bend and John (Barbara) Low of Park Ridge, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30am, Saturday, April 20, 2013 in Hoven Funeral Home, Inc. of Buchanan, with visitation from 10:30am – 11:30am, also in the funeral home. Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles.

After the Clouds, the Sunshine, After the Winter, the Spring, After the Shower, the Rainbow, For life is a changeable thing; After the Night, the Morning, Bidding all darkness cease, After life’s Cares and Troubles, The Comfort and Sweetness of Peace.

http://hovenfunerals.com/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=2066990&fh_id=13894

Richard Duis
May 24, 1924 – Oct. 9, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:24pm Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Richard John Duis, loving husband of Marilyn Geneva Duis for 60 years,  passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday Oct. 9, 2011.

Born in Chicago May 24, 1924, to the late Richard John Duis Sr. and Mary Duis,  Richard moved with his parents and older brother Verdan to the Niles area in 1936.  World War II led to an early graduation from Niles High School, and Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army where his mechanical talents placed him as a radar repairman. Richard was honorably discharged at the end of the conflict.

“Dick” Duis was an independent and resourceful man who was well known for his skills as a master plumber and pipefitter while a member of Local 172, South Bend for more than 55 years. Buildings he assisted in constructing still stand throughout Michiana.

A man of many interests, Richard enjoyed blacksmithing, artistic painting, writing poetry, treasure hunting with his metal detector, gem and mineral collecting, firearms restoration, playing the piano, practicing the Russian and Spanish languages and most of all, scrapping and “Dumpster diving.”

A spiritual man, he was active throughout much of his adult life in the Niles Seventh Day Adventist Church where he could be found most Saturdays conducting Bible studies and singing anthems with his wife, Marilyn, his children and many close friends.

Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn Geneva Duis, his daughter Gail Cheeseman, his sons David (Shirley) Duis, Daniel (Theresa) Duis, Randall (Lina) Duis and Andrew (Kimberley) Duis.  He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Oct.  23, at 1 p.m. at the Westside Adventist Church at Fairview and Niles-Buchanan Road.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westside Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Marilyn Geneva Duis (Womack), 92
Oct. 14, 1920-April 11, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:42pm Monday, April 15, 2013

Marilyn Geneva Duis (Womack) passed away peacefully in her home Thursday, April 11 in Niles surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was born Oct. 14, 1920 in Manchester, Tenn., but relocated with her family to Niles where her father Rendle Burt Womack was a well-known local barber, and her mother Margaret Agnes Womack worked in the downtown Niles restaurants.  Mother attended the Niles schools and then the Chicago Secretarial School where she found employment with the Bendix Corporation after World War II. She met and married Richard John Duis, and was a dedicated mother of six children, Sherry (Wright), Gail (Cheeseman), David, Daniel, Randall and Andrew. Marilyn was also the proud grandmother to 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.  Marilyn knew all the birthdays, took care of all the holiday planning and inspired her children with her constant cheerfulness, kindness and patience.

She enjoyed traveling and loved to garden in her senior years. Marilyn and her husband Richard, who preceded her in meeting our Savior, were members of the Niles Westside Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

A church memorial service at 1105 Grant Street is planned for Friday at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Hospice at Home” in Buchanan or the Niles Westside Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Doris Irene Balos, 90
July 8, 1922-April 14, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:03pm Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Doris Irene Balos, age 90, of Niles, Michigan died Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  She was born July 8, 1922 in Niles to Clarence William & Alta Jenny (Westerhouse) Grieger.  On November 27, 1946, Doris married Francis Michael Balos, who preceded her in death on May 3, 1990.

Balos

Doris was a lifetime resident of the Niles and Buchanan area.  She graduated from Niles High School where she was voted ‘Athlete of the Year’ in 1940.  She worked at the Niles High School for seven years after graduation and retired from Chemical Bank after 30 years of service. Doris was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.

Doris was an avid college basketball and football fan; especially the teams of the Big 10.  She also loved animals and loved her daughters’ dogs and cats as her own.

Surviving family includes daughters; Linda Donohoe of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and Patricia (and James) Mansfield of Niles, step-son F. Michael (and Evelyn) Balos of Buchanan, Michigan, two step-grandchildren, 10 great-step-grandchildren and one brother; Donald (and Louise) Grieger of Batavia, New York.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents and sister

Funeral services for Doris Irene Balos will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2103 at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Harry Clark of Saint John’s United Church of Christ officiating.  Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning an hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday.

Donations in memory of Doris may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ, Niles or to Pet Refuge, Mishawaka.

Ruth Faye Gouldman, 76
Sept. 30, 1936-March 6, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:50pm Thursday, March 7, 2013

Ruth Gouldman, 76, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, following an extended illness.

Gouldman

Ruth was born on Sept. 30, 1936 in Stoddard County, Missouri to the late Alfred and Mary (House) Gouldman.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters; Marjorie Jarman and Norma Jarman, and two brothers; Cletius Gouldman and John Gouldman, four nephews; Rex and Jeff Jarman, Ted Gill and John Gouldman and a niece Christie Gouldman.

Ruth is survived by her twin brother Buford “Ray” (Jean) Gouldman of Niles, her nieces and nephews; Mattie (Bernie) Beaudoin, Duane Gouldman, Terry Oxender, Travis Jarman, Robin (John) Doonan, Julie (Bob) Russell, Tammie Gouldman, David (Gloria) Gouldman, Eddy Bell (Darrel) Chappl.

Ruth was very passionate about animals and enjoyed spending time outdoors.  She had a tender heart and was always there for her nieces and nephews.  Everyone always said she had a kind heart.

In keeping with Ruth’s wishes cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial service held at home of her niece Mattie Beaudoin a later time.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to Mattie Beaudoin at 1382 Airport Rd. in Niles.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page www.Facebook\BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Margaret Anna (Conrad) Beardslee, 103
March 10, 1910-April 2, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:53pm Thursday, April 4, 2013

Margaret Anna (Conrad) Beardslee, 103, of Apple Valley, Minn., and previously of Niles, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

Margaret was born on March 10, 1910 to the late William J. and Margaret (Nieb) Conrad in Buchanan, Mich.

After completing high school Margaret went on to work for Simplicity Pattern Company as a secretary in their corporate offices. On May 9, 1937 Margaret wed the love of her life, Howard E. Beardslee. Together they raised two daughters.  She was a lifelong member of the Community Grange in Niles where she played the piano for over 70 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Margaret, her husband Howard and her sister Mabel Sumption.

Margaret is survived by her two daughters Mary (Art) Gilmore of Cool Valley, Ill., and Kathryn (Arnold) Proff of Apple Valley, Minn., six grandchildren Phil Gilmore, Ruth Ann (Tom Burke) Gilmore, Jennifer Gilmore, Tom Gilmore, Mark (Anne Marie) Proff and Cynthia (Jeff) Wood and several great grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles where her funeral service will also be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one-hour prior.  Margaret will be laid to rest next to her husband at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Niles.