Wanetta Marie Brodersen
February 2, 1917-December 5, 2007

NILES - Wanetta Marie Brodersen, 90, of LaSalle Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles.

Mrs. Brodersen was born on February 2, 1917, in Kimmell, Indiana, to Frank and Edna (Huff) Knauf. She had lived in Niles since 1954, coming from Berrien Springs, Michigan.

She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle in Niles. Wanetta and her husband, Henry, were active in a nursing home ministry, serving area nursing homes, and a prison outreach ministry, writing to over 70 prisoners monthly.

Wanetta loved flowers, indoor plants and birds. She was known for her baking skills, especially cookies.

On June 29, 1947, in Niles, she married Henry Brodersen, who preceded her in death on April 9, 2002.

Mrs. Brodersen is survived by their four daughters, Kathy (Rev. Wayne) Graham of Niles, Susan (Gary) Shelton of Jones, Michigan, Sharon (Larry) Lovell of Vernon, Texas, and Karen Tolliver of Dowagiac, Michigan; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Wanetta Marie Brodersen will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor William J. Pollock of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

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

Contributions in memory of Wanetta may be made to the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle or to Riley Children's Hospital.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Orlo D. McNitt
Dec. 19, 1912-Nov. 20, 2007

THREE RIVERS - Orlo "Mac" Dell McNitt, 94, of Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

Mac was born on December 19, 1912, to the late William and Wavia (Palmer) McNitt, in Keeler, Michigan. He was one of three boys.

On December 19, 1934, Mac wed the love of his life, Lois McBain, at a ceremony in South Bend. She passed away in 2002.

Mac worked for National Standard until his retirement after 38 dedicated years of service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, grandson Randy DeJonge, and brother James R. McNitt.

Mac is survived by his two daughters, Lois (Bruce) DeJonge of Niles and Shirley (Chuck) Cottrill of Three Rivers; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and a brother, Gail (Joanne) McNitt of Coldwater, MI.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2007, in Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles from noon to 1 p.m., with Mac's funeral service immediately following at 1 p.m. Mac will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Pastor Emmett Caldwell will be officiating.

Memorial donations may be made in Mac's memory to Hospice at Home, Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Condolences may left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles.

Homer J. Baird
Nov. 17, 1925 -- March 8, 2005

Homer J. "Jerry" Baird, 79, of Lake Shore Drive, Niles, Michigan, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles, Michigan, following an extended illness.

Mr. Baird was born November 17, 1925, in Cadillac, Michigan, to Homer V. and Julietta (Maples) Baird. He had lived in Niles since 1934, coming from Cadillac, Michigan.

Mr. Baird was the former owner/operator of Baird Motors in South Bend, Indiana.  He also owned and operated Baird Realty of South Bend as a real estate broker. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Homer liked to play golf and spend time on the water, especially pontoon boating. Homer was loved by everyone who knew him, especially his family.

On August 14, 1948, in South Bend, Indiana, he married Dolores M. Fritz, who survives. Also surviving are two children, a daughter, Janet S. Craig, and a son, Thomas W. Baird, both of Niles; a grandson, Jeff (Michelle) Craig, and a great-granddaughter, Jillian Craig; a brother, Rev. John Baird of St. Joseph, Michigan; four sisters, Gloria Jackson, Leola Sheldon and Shirley Rudlaff, all of Niles, and Mary Jo Deitrich of St. Joseph, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman L. Baird, who died May 14, 1973; and two sisters, Madeline Keltz, who died April 8, 2001, and Violet Cronin, who died December 11, 1988.

Funeral services for Homer J. Baird will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2005, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Robert E. Jackson of First Church of God officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour to the funeral services in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Calista Amelia Baker
Dec. 31, 1851-Aug. 10, 1937

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 11, 1937, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Berrien Resident 62 years is dead

Mrs. Calista A. Baker, 86, stricken after brief illness.

Mrs. Calista Amelia Baker, 86, prominent Niles resident, died at 10:20 o’clock Tuesday night at her home, 815 Main Street. She had been ill since Sunday when she suffered a stroke of paralysis.

Mrs. Baker had lived in Niles since February 1905, having moved her with her husband, M.D. Baker, from Galien. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles.

Last of 8 sisters

The daughter of the late Daniel and Martha Smith, Mrs. Baker is the last of a family of eight children. She was born in Akron, O. December 31, 1851.

She was married to Mr. Baker in North Manchester, Ind., June 15, 1875. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Galien to live. Mr. Baker died in Niles in 1925.

Mrs. Baker leaves four daughters, Phena Baker, an instructor in State Teachers college, Milwaukee, Wis, Mrs. Lillian Walton and Mrs. Georgia Campbell, both of Niles and Mrs. Lynn Nack, Three Rivers, a son, Paul, Niles, also nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon at the Baker home followed by burial in Silverbrook Cemetery.

The body will be at the Price and Kiger Funeral Home where friends may call until Friday morning.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 12, 1937, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Friday for Member of Pioneer Family

Final rites for Mrs. Calista Amelia Baker, 85, will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Baker home, 315 Main street, with the Rev. Wanser Brunella, of the First Presbyterian church, Buchanan, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Relatives who will serve as pallbearers are: Robert and Lynn Mack, Theodore Wienke, Burdette Palmer, and Ray and Orville Smith.

Mrs. Baker, a prominent Niles resident, died at her home Tueesday night following a brief illness.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until Friday morning when the body will be removed to the Baker home.

Moses D. Baker
April 5, 1852 – Nov. 12, 1925

M. D. Baker, 73 passes away

Complication of Diseases takes veteran contractor.

Moses D. Baker, 73, died this afternoon at 1:20 o’clock at his home, 815 Main Street, after three weeks of illness with a complication of diseases. His condition had not been considered alarming until this morning. 

The death of Mr. Baker removes a well known citizen of Niles. He brought his family to Niles from a farm near Buchanan about 20 years ago, and had since continued to reside here, making many friends by his excellent qualities. He engaged in business of mason contractor, and several of Niles’ best homes and business buildings were erected by him.

Mr. Baker was born in Koscioski County, Indiana. April 6, 1853. He was married at North Manchester, Ind., in 1875 to Miss Calista A Smith who survives him. Of the six children born to them five survive their father. They are Miss Phena Baker, Mrs. Lillian Walton, Paul Baker, Mrs. Georgia Kinston and Mrs. Lynn Mack, the latter of Three Rivers. Besides the widow and children, eight grandchildren survive; a great-grandchildren and a sister, The latter is Mrs. C.C. Beyer of Kendallville, Ind.

The deceased was a member of the Modern Woodmen of American lodge. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. The funeral places will be announced tomorrow.

Miss Phene Baker and Miss Georgianna Kingston, daughter and teacher and student respectively at the Milwaukee State Normal College are expected in Niles this evening. Mrs. Mack is ill and may be unable to come to Niles until the time for the funeral.

Published Niles Daily Star

Virginia M. Baldwin
June 10, 1941-Feb. 27, 1995

NILES - Virginia Margaret Baldwin, 53, of 903 Silverbrook St., died at 1:55 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, of natural causes. She was a former cook at JD's Truck Stop. Mrs. Baldwin was born June 10, 1941, in Battle Creek, Mich. In November 1989, in Niles, she married Thomas Baldwin. He survives with two stepdaughters, Mary Jo Otto of Waxahachie, Texas, and Sally A. Tebo of Berrien Springs; five stepsons, Paul and Mark Baldwin, both of Niles, Robert and Daniel Baldwin of Waxahachie, and Gary Baldwin of Niles; eight step-grandchildren; and five sisters, Sandy Bowman and Roxanne Bralick, both of Niles, Donna Dayson of Dowagiac, Gloria Stephenson of Elkhart and Sharon McCuddy of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home of Berrien County.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown