Susan Curtis
Oct. 22, 1922-Jan. 7, 2009

NILES - Susan A. Carpenter Curtis, 86, of Ontario Road, Niles, Michigan, died at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2009, in Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, due to a brief illness.

She was born on October 22, 1922 in Niles, to Edward and Cora (Lundy) Aldrich, and continued to live in Niles her whole life.

She graduated from the old Central High School in Niles in 1941. She worked at the old A & P formerly on Front and Second Streets, Westside Super on Chicago Road and Prince's Market on Wayne Street.

She attended the Church of God in Cassopolis for many years before joining St. John's United Church of Christ in Niles in 2006.

She enjoyed her involvement at the Cass County Council on the Aging in Cassopolis and the Niles Senior Center.

Susan enjoyed traveling. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

On May 1, 1971 in Edwardsburg, she married Lloyd Starr Carpenter, who preceded her in death on May 26, 2001.

On September 30, 2006 in Niles, she married Edwin Curtis, who survives.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Dale (Cindy) Vernon of Niles; daughters, Shirley (Chuck) Starks of Searcy, Arkansas and Lynda (Dale) Miller of South Bend; brothers, Dick (Margie) Aldrich and Bobby (Judy) Aldrich, both of Niles, Jim (Mildred) Aldrich of Mishawaka, IN; sisters, June Williams of Wayne, Michigan and Jule Eakins of Mishawaka; a sister-in-law, Florence Aldrich of Osceola, Indiana; her grandchildren, Bobby Starks and Ruby Wolford, both of Searcy, Robert Vernon and Genny Seward, both of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Chris Miller of Sunfield Michigan, Heather Estes of South Bend and Shelby Vernon of Niles; 14 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Norma Fruehauf of Portage, MI, Don Carpenter of Elkhart, Dennis Carpenter of Dowagiac, Michigan, Lynette Miller and Janet Barr, both of Niles; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also beloved by many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Laurence Vernon; a grandson, Chuckie Starks; a brother, Edward Aldrich; and a stepdaughter, Carmen Mitchell.

Funeral services for Susan will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John's United Church of Christ, with Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Internment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Susan may be made to Cass County Council on the Aging.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Linda S. Brooks
August 18, 1946-December 6, 2009

Linda S. Brooks, 62, of Michigan Street, Niles, Michigan, passed away at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on August 18, 1946, in Judsonia, Arkansas, to Raymond Winter and Beatrice Odell (Walls) Allen. She graduated from Niles High School and had lived here most of her life. She was a longtime employee of the Federal Mogul Corporation, South Bend.

Linda was baptized at the Church of Christ of Niles. She enjoyed flower gardening, completing crossword puzzles, and traveling to the Four Winds and the Blue Chip casinos, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

On August 22, 1964, at the Church of Christ of Niles, she married Daniel S. Brooks, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Kimberly (Mick) Ferrell of Niles, Kelly Sue (Neal) Thompson of Buchanan, Michigan, and Daniel S. "Spinner" Brooks II of Niles; their grandchildren, Michael, Keri, Malinda, Rikki and Donaven; and great-grandchildren, Kaylynn, Drake, Kaylee and Colt. She is also survived by her mother, Beatrice O. Allen of Niles; brothers, Merrial Allen and Jerry Allen; a sister, Theresa Warrick, all of Niles; several nieces and nephews.

Linda's father, Raymond W. Allen, preceded her in death on February 20, 2003.

The funeral service for Linda S. Brooks will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. David Thompson of the Church of Christ of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, December 9, 2008, in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Linda may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Richard Wayne Bernth
September 23, 1942-October 30, 2008

Richard Wayne Bernth, 66, of 1231 South 14th Street, died at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, of natural causes.

He was born on Sept. 23, 1942 in Chicago to the late Christian and Myrtle Bernth. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Christian Bernth; and a grandchild, Ryan DeLand.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, and a brake operator at Tyler Refrigeration in Niles. He has lived in Niles for 39 years.

On April 19, 1969 in Niles he married Mary Luon who survives. Also surviving are a son, Brian (Cindy) Hart of Niles; daughter, Christine (Carl) DeLand of Niles; brothers, Phillip (Mable) Bernth of Granger and Felix Bernth of South Bend; sisters, Linda Gourley of Dowagiac and Charlene (Ed) Arelt of North Liberty; grandchildren, Joseph Hart, Terra Morrow, Alex Nemethy, Tanner Hart, Ashley DeLand and Aaron DeLand; and great-grandchildren, William and Danny Riggs.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, with Rev. Carl Bassett of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday Nov. 2 in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Ronald E. Marrs
July 21, 1953-Oct. 21, 2008

 Mr. Ronald E. Marrs, 55, of Howard Street, Niles, Michigan, died at 1:23 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2008, in Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, while recovering from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident six weeks ago.

He was born on July 21, 1953, in Niles to William C. and Elizabeth (Keck) Marrs. Ron graduated from Niles High School, and had lived in Niles all of his life. He was a land surveyor, employed by Wightman & Associates, Inc.

Ron was an active and devoted member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, where he served in many areas including ushering. He was also a great fan of the University of Michigan football team. But his greatest joy was caring for his family, and especially being "Poppa" to his granddaughter.

On June 23, 1973, in Niles, he married Dana L. Steinbauer, with whom he celebrated the 35 anniversary of that wedding this year.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, William C. "Chuck" Marrs, on December 18, 1990.

Surviving family include his wife, Dana Mars; their son, Aaron (Meredith) Marrs of Niles; granddaughter, Audrey Marrs; Ron's mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Marrs of Niles; and Ron's fraternal grandmother, Irene Stackhouse of Niles.

The funeral service for Ronald E. Marrs will be at 11 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2008, in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, with the Reverend Carl W. Bassett officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ron Marrs may be made to Saint Paul's Lutheran Church.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Albert L. Lundgren
Feb. 166, 1930-Oct. 6, 2008

Mr. Albert Ludwig Lundgren, 78, former longtime resident of Brown Street, Niles, died at 6:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 in Oceana Medical Center, Hart, MI, following a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Lundgren was born on February 16, 1930, in Niles, to Aaron Ludwig and Emma Estelle (Peterson) Lundgren, and graduated from Niles High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in the Signal Corps, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He also attended Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti), and Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Al was a design engineer, and retired in 1994 from Weldun International. He was also a licensed pilot and a member of the Seaplane Pilots' Association. He served the City of Niles as a past president of the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport Board.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, of American Legion Post #26, Niles, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094, Niles. He was an avid and accomplished hunter and fisherman, and will be well-remembered for his large fruit and vegetable garden.

On September 9, 1958, in Niles, he married the former Estella May Jones, who preceded him in death on November 10, 1990. Later, on April 4, 1992, in Niles, he married the former Carolyn Marie (Gieser) Allen, who survives at their home in Pentwater, MI.

Also surviving are his children, Abby Gale Lundgren of Pacifica, Missouri, Holly Kay Lundgren of Niles and Daniel Albert (Andrea) Lundgren of Canton, Michigan; his grandchildren, Rachel Jacobs and Ryan Jacobs; his sister, Arlene Brown, and brother, Nels "Ted" Lundgren, both of Niles; and Carolyn's children, Cynthia Callog Mikulyuk of Pentwater, Charles Allen of Coopersville, Michigan, and Corey Allen of Petoskey, Michigan.

The services for Albert L. Lundgren will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Janet VanLear officiating. Full military honors will be presented by American Legion Post #26 in the church yard following the services. Committal rites will be private at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. Friday in the church.

Contributions in memory of Al Lundgren may be made to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, or to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Mary Ellen Siedleberg
Jan. 5, 1931-Sept. 26, 2008

Mary Ellen "Meg" Siedelberg, 77, of Niles, Michigan, died following a one-year illness at 3:45 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008, in the home of her daughter.

Through that year, Meg's friends turned her treatment appointments into anticipated social events, and her family is grateful to those friends as well as Pastor Jan VanLear and the staff of Hospice at Home for their support and care.

She was born on January 5, 1931, in Archbold, OH, to Floyd Henry and Virginia Mae (Rupp) Gautsche, and graduated from Archbold High School.

She had lived in Niles since 1964, coming from Kalamazoo, MI. She was first employed at the Rifenberg Insurance Agency, and then retired from the Selge Construction Company.

Meg was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where she served as a deacon, session committee person, and enjoyed playing in the handbell choir and quartet. She was also a member of the Berrien County Civitan and volunteered with the Lakeland Berrien General Auxiliary. She held various offices in both of those organizations and enjoyed traveling to area, state and regional meetings. Meg was also a past member of the board of Gateway.

On June 12, 1954, in Archbold, she married Harry F. Siedelberg Jr., who preceded her in death on December 27, 1992. She was also preceded in death by their son Mark in 2005, and their infant daughter, Kristina Marie, in 1968.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Vicki (Richard) Priest; a son, Scott Siedelberg; and daughter-in-law, Johnna "Jo" (Mrs. Mark) Siedelberg, all of Niles; grandchildren, Kristofer, Jay, Travis, Toby, Rick and Sara (Dave); great-grandchildren, Kiley, Kaden, KelliAnn, Austin and Abbie; Meg's sister, Carol Budreau of Fort Wayne, IN; a niece, Kim, and a nephew, Mike; many great-nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Meg Siedelberg will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1st, in First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Janet VanLear officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Contributions in memory of Meg may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church for its music program or to Berrien County Civitan.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.