Richard James “Dick” Dunham, of Niles
Oct. 28, 1935-Aug. 23, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38 am Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Oct. 28, 1935 — Aug. 23, 2015

Richard James “Dick” Dunham, 79, of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at Buchanan Meadows following an extended illness. Dick was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Cassopolis, Michigan to Lyle Luman and Edna Mae (Carroll) Dunham.

Richard James “Dick” Dunham

Dick was a 1953 graduate of Niles High School where he was a remarkable athlete, lettering in football, baseball and wrestling. He was a United States Navy Veteran, having served from 1953-1956. He then attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1961. Dick was employed by Travelers Insurance for over 30 years, retiring in 1990.

On June 24, 1961, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles, Dick married Georgina “Gina” Barron, who survives in Niles with their sons, Sean (Jennifer) Dunham of Bemidji, Minnesota, Daniel (Hahn) Dunham of Rigby, Idaho and James Dunham of Three Rivers, Michigan, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dick is also survived by one sister, Jayne Dunham of Niles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joyce Dunham, and his brother Ronald Dunham.

The funeral service for Dick Dunham will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Trinity Episcopal Church with The Rev. Pamela V. Sten officiating. The service will conclude with the Veterans Flag Presentation and TAPS by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at a later date.

Donations in memory of Dick may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Everett (Buddy) Robbins Jr., of South Bend
July 19, 1943-Aug. 13, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:51 pm Wednesday, August 18, 2021

July 19, 1943 — Aug. 13, 2021

Everett Laverne (Buddy) Robbins Jr., 78, of South Bend, Indiana, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Aug. 13, 2021, in his home surrounded by family.

Buddy was born on July 19, 1943, to Everett Laverne Robbins Sr. and Betty Noreen Robbins in Springfield, Illinois and was the oldest of four children. He was a graduate from Niles High School in Niles, and served in the Navy from 1961 to 1967, being honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Buddy was a retired Machinist Supervisor and enjoyed working part-time at his church, Grace Church of Granger, Indiana, where he enjoyed many friendships.

On July 20, 1964, in Niles, he married the love of his life, Sandra Jean (Rhoads) Robbins, with whom he recently celebrated the 57th anniversary of their wedding. Buddy loved his two sons, and especially loved camping, hiking, biking and roughhousing with his grandchildren where he lovingly endured many scrapes, bumps, and bruises while trying to keep up. It was rare for Buddy to miss any kind of event for any of his grandchildren, whether far or near. In fact, Buddy’s last venture out of his home was to be at his granddaughter’s birthday celebration on Aug. 3. His family meant the world to him.

Surviving family includes his wife of 57 years, Sandy Robbins; son, Wesley (Scott) and Julia Robbins; son, Jeffrey (Wayne) and Sheri Robbins; his beloved sister, Diana Miller; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his sisters, Wanda and Teresa.

The family will receive relatives and friends from Noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. A funeral service for Buddy Robbins will be at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home in Niles on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at 1 p.m., with Rick Wood of Awaken Chicago Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Naval Military Honors.

Contributions in memory of Buddy will be used to erect a new American flag in his honor at Clay Township Park where Buddy worked part-time maintenance and spent many hours walking with his wife and his best four-legged friend, Mocha. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clay Township Park, Buddy Robbins Memorial Flag, 18355 Auten Road, South Bend, IN 46637.

Diane Backus, of Niles
May 13, 1952-Aug. 9, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:59 pm Monday, August 9, 2021

Diane Backus, 69, of Niles, passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at her home. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Published on Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Diane Lee Backus

Diane Backus, 69, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, August 9, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 13, 1952 in Niles to the late LeRoy and Marjorie (Everman) Hydorn. On November 22, 1969 Diane wed Richard A. Backus, Sr. at a ceremony in Niles. A homemaker most of her life, Diane enjoyed crafting, spending time with her family and will also be remembered for always helping others. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard Backus, Sr. and two sisters, Judith Ann Wall and Darlene Myers. Diane will be missed greatly by her children, Shelly (Jeff) Thompson and Richard Jr. (Becky) Backus, all of Niles; five grandchildren and a sister, Mary (Floyd) Ostrander of Niles. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and a special neighbor and friend, Rich Perez. A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Silverbrook Cemetery at Noon. Memorial contributions may be made in Diane’s memory to Vietnam Veterans of America – Agent Orange at 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Memories of Diane may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Greta Darlene Hoisington
Dec. 12, 1931-Aug. 3, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:03 pm Monday, August 9, 2021

Dec. 12, 1931 — Aug. 3, 2021

Greta Darlene Hoisington, 89, passed away peacefully Aug. 3, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived with her daughter Lori and son-in-law Chico.

Greta was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Arthur Benjamin and Eva Lenora (Wescott) Olson, and lived her early years in Clearwater, Minnesota. Greta told many stories about her beloved Clearwater, and of her great grandmother, great Aunt Blanche Bowles, and great Grandpa Cotton. One of her favorite childhood pastimes was tagging along to work with her Daddy, an engineer at the theatre.

Greta shared her love and faith in God with those around her. She is a devout Christian, and the Lord is woven into her being. She shared with us that God is faithful and perfect. She counseled us to pray for our needs and always trust in the Lord. In her final days, as she lay in her hospital bed smiling and singing, she said, “Jesus is here with me.”

Greta helped build airplanes at Bendix during the Korean war. During the 1970s, she worked in the Emergency Room at Pawating Hospital. She later worked for a doctor’s office after earning her degree as a medical assistant from IUSB. Greta finished her career as Administrative Assistant at the University of Notre Dame and retired in 1997.

Greta is survived by her children: Mark Hoisington of Niles, Marcia Hoisington (Laurence Karsh), of Chicago, Lori Hoisington (Chico Villarruel), of Jacksonville, Florida, and Nancy (Brad) Hall, of Chicago; her grandson, Nicholas Askew, of Indianapolis, Indiana; two step-grandchildren, Justin Griffiths and Bridgette Avila; and a sister, Phyllis Marilyn Olson. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Arthur David and Myron Keith, and her sister Yvonne “Bonnie” Claire Olson.

Visitation for Greta will be on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. Niles, MI from 2 to 6 p.m. On Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, noon, there will be a procession from Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home to Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for a Graveside service.

Ricky Jackson, of Niles
June 27, 1961-Aug. 8, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:20 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Mark Gulbranson, of South Bend
September 28, 1960-July 31, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:23 pm Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Mark Gulbranson, 60, of South Bend, died Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Memorial Hospital; Arrangements are in progress at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Mark Charles Gulbranson, age 60 years of South Bend, Indiana, father, grandfather, brother, Notre Dame fan, outdoorsman, and seeker of solitude died a bit unexpectedly on Saturday morning, July 31, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness.  He was quietly grateful for those who provided his care including his sister, Trudy whose daily care of Mark was recognized as “Caregiver of the Year” on April 25, 2017 by REAL Services and the Area 2 Agency on Aging.

He was born on September 28, 1960 in Niles, Michigan to James Leon and Lois (Cunningham) Gulbranson, and attended the South Bend Clay High School.  He took-on the hard career of furniture moving, working for several local firms, and then for many years for the local operator of Mayflower Moving and Storage.  He has lived in the Michiana area most of his life.

Mark was raised in the Baptist church, and was a great fan of all of the athletic teams at the University of Notre Dame.  In addition to watching televised sports, he also watched crime shows, especially the Sunday evening “Columbo” drama series.

He was an outdoorsman, enjoying walking, and fishing – often near the Darden Bridge, and watching and counting hummingbirds.  He appreciated the peace and quiet of a solitary life, choosing to leave permanent shelter to live in the woods for long periods of time, using remarkable skills to provide food and shelter and remain self-sufficient.  When he was at home he would retreat to the privacy of a less-traveled railroad overpass to find temporary solitude.  And whether sitting on the riverbank with a fishing pole, or out in the woods, or in the shadows, he was just a bit more comfortable with a beer in his hand.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and by a grandson, Michael, Jr., and Mark’s siblings, Tammie Mize on May 18, 2020, and his twin-sister, Toni Kay Underwood on June 3, 2010.

Surviving family includes his children, Michael (& Chandra) Rogers of South Bend, Justin (& Lauren) Gulbranson of Watervliet, Michigan, and Mandy (& Chris) Osborn of Bristol, Indiana; grandchildren Caitlin, Max, Brett, Ryan, Nathan, Mason, Payton, and Aaron; and Mark’s siblings, Tina (& William) Joy of Granger, Indiana, Trudy Gulbranson of South Bend and her twin, Terrie Gulbranson of Mishawaka, Indiana, Tara Huffman of Mishawaka, and Eric Gulbranson of South Bend, step-sisters Pamela and Sherry; and a long-time best friend, Brian Stephens.

The funeral service for Mark Gulbranson will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The service will be livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

While Mark clearly had a great desire for privacy, even greater was his love for his family.  Mandy fondly remembers a trip to Kentucky when her father bought her a fishing pole and taught her how to use it alongside him.  Justin has wonderful childhood memories of his dad taking him on daily walks along the edge of the Blossom Trails Golf Club, collecting stray and abandoned golf balls.  And Michael’s favorite memory is the smile on his father’s face when he first met his granddaughter, Caitlin.