Richard Deibler
January 20, 1926-June 9, 2001

Mr. Richard Deibler, 75, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and formerly of Yankee Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 5:48 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1926 in Niles, to Richard C. and Lucille (McLean) Deibler. He served in World War Ii in the U.S. Army’s 42nd Division, and was then employed by the Studebaker Company of South Bend, Ind. After the closing of Studebaker he was employed by Niles Steel Tank Company from where he retired in 1988 after 32 years of services.

Mr. Deibler was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of North Palm Beach, Fla. and volunteered at the VA Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Home Delivered Meals of North Palm Beach. He was formerly active in DANK of Benton Harbor, Mich., and was a charter member of the 42nd Rainbow Division National Association.  He also enjoyed membership in the National Studebaker club, owning and showing a 1941 Studebaker Champion business coupe.

On March 25, 1950, in Niles, he was married to the former Elloise Charlotte Lute, with whom he celebrated the 50th anniversary of marriage last year.  He is survived by Mrs. Deibler; their children, Shelley (Tom) Swartzloff of Portage, Mich., and Dane (Kathy) Deibler of Palm Beach Gardens; their grandchildren, Katie and Heidi Swartzloff of Portage; his sister, Betty Farmer and sister-in-law, Gail Deibler, both of Niles.

Mr. Deibler was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald E. Deibler Sr. on March 6, 1999, and Orin M. “Mike” Cain on April 13, 1993.

Funeral services for Mr. Richard Deibler will be at 11 a.m. Thursday June 14 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Robert M. Zagore and Assistant Pastor Rev. John Ruthowicz of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with a veteran’s flag presentation by Mr. Harry Roberts of American Legion Post #25, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Deibler may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles, or to faith Lutheran Church Elder Care, North Palm Beach.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Donald E. Deibler, Sr.
October 1, 1934-March 6, 1999

Donald E. Deibler Sr., 64, of 23 N. 15th St., died Saturday March 6, 1999,  in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes.  He was born Oct. 1, 1934.  Survivors include his wife, Gail M. (Rausch); a daughter, Mary L. Krichbaum of Adrian, Mich.; a son, Donald E. Jr. of Richland, Mich.; a sister, Betty Farmer of Niles; and a brother, Richard of West Palm Beach, Fla. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Harry G. Dehring
April 2, 1915-June 23, 1995

Harry G. Dehring, 80, of 2230 E. Main St., died at 10:12 p.m. Friday June 23, 1995,  in Mercy Memorial Medical Center, St. Joseph, after an illness. Mr. Dehring retired in 1977 from the former Bendix Corp., South Bend. He was born April 2, 1915, in St. Joseph, and lived in this area most of his life. On July 31, 1943, in Buchanan, he married Marjorie J. Mitchell. She died May 31, 1988. Surviving are a daughter, Shirley Caron of Sarasota, Fla.; two sons, Dan and Duane, both of Niles; three grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Wallquist of Buchanan and Ruth Plangger of St. Joseph; and a brother, Karl of Buchanan. A son, George, died in 1955. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Thelma L. DeForest
October 30,1914-July 13, 1995

Services for Thelma L. DeForest, 80, of Berrien Springs, formerly of 141 Owens St., Niles, who died at 7:55 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 1995, in Pawating Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Mrs. DeForest was employed at State Line Dairy for 25 years and had been a cook at Bertrand and Brandywine schools. She was born Oct. 30, 1914, in Plymouth and had lived in Niles since 1941, coming from South Bend. On Oct. 29, 1932, in South Bend, she married Garold O. DeForest. He died July 6, 1966. Surviving are two daughters, Sharon Holmes of Berrien Springs, with whom she resided, and Jackie Hess of Niles; twin sons, Richard L. and Thomas O., both of Niles; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Anthony Roy DeForest
July 20, 2003

Anthony Roy DeForest, son of Melanie Ferriby and Thomas O. DeForest III of 214 1/2 S. Lincoln Ave., was dead at birth Sunday July 20, 2003, in Lakeland Medical Center. Private graveside services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Mark L. Deditch
February 8, 1952-January 26, 2005

Mark L. Deditch, 52, of Gene's Circle, Niles, Michigan, died suddenly at 4 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 26, 2005, in his home of natural causes.

Mr. Deditch was born February 8, 1952, in Crestline, Ohio, to Dale L. and Vera L (Asmus) Deditch Sr. He moved to Niles soon after birth and remained a resident of Niles.

Mark was employed for 28 years at R & M Manufacturing in Niles, Michigan.

Mark loved northern Michigan, and enjoyed vacationing in the Mackinac area.

He is survived by his father, Dale L. Deditch Sr. of Carp Lake, Michigan; brother, Dale (Mary) Deditch Jr. of Niles; and niece, Nichole (Andrew) Dohm of Edwardsburg, Michigan.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Vera L. Deditch, who died in 1995; and nephew, Jonathan Deditch, who died in 1994.

Funeral services will be at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles at 11 a.m. Monday, January 31, 2005, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cass County, 321 1/2 West Delaware Street, Decatur, MI 49045-1106.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown