William A. Best
Oct. 15, 1930 -- Dec. 24, 2004

William A. "Red" Best, age 74 years, of Miller Drive, Niles, Michigan, died at 3:10 a.m. Friday at Lakeland Hospital-Niles, following an extended illness.

William retired in 1952 from Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan. He was also employed by Kawneer, and owned and operated "Buddy's Place," a convenience store in Tunis, North Carolina.

He was born on October 15, 1930, in Rolton, North Carolina, to John Wesley and Frances L. (Little) Best. William has lived in Niles since 1952, coming from Franklin, Virginia.

On August 9, 1951, in Franklin, Virginia, he married Dorothy May (Green) Best, who preceded him in death on October 6, 1994. Also preceding William in death are four sisters, Juanita Davey, Ruby Corban, Ruth Russell, and Bessie Noble.

William is survived by two nephews, Gene (Cheri) Davey of Roberts, Montana, and Richard (Sandy) Corban of Niles; four nieces, Christine (Dave) Mitchell of Niles, Darlene (Warren) Watson of Niles, Janice (Walt) Breske of South Bend, Indiana, and Jean Leake of Niles. Several additional nieces and nephews also survive William. His companion, Linda Stenger of Niles and Special friend "Jake".

A time of sharing and remembrance will conclude the visitation at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, at 2 p.m. Tuesday December 28, 2004. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery Niles. Friends may call Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Pet Refuge.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Donna Mae Bickel
Oct. 16, 1924 - Nov. 20, 2006

Donna Mae Bickel, 82, of Huntly Road in Niles, passed away in Westwood Nursing Home early on Monday, November 20, 2006.

Donna was born on October 16, 1924, to the late Clarence and Viola (Wolford) Smith in Edwardsburg.

Donna was married to Burt Brown in 1945 and together they had two children; after their divorce, Donna wed Don Bickel at a ceremony in Niles.

Donna was a member of St. Peter's Lodge #106 F&AM Eastern Stars. She also loved fishing on Barron Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; son, Phillip Brown; one great-great-grandson; brother, Wolford "Boy" Smith; and sisters, Shirley Haney and Nancy Huven.

Donna is survived by her son, Gary (Loni) Brown; ex-husband, Burt Brown; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2006, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Brown Funeral Home in Niles where the service will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Donna will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Eastern Star of Edwardsburg.

To leave a message for the family, please visit www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been made to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles (formerly Pifer~Smith).

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Virginia Lee Biggs
April 30, 1920 - Dec. 6, 2003

Virginia Lee Biggs, 83, of Silverbrook Manor Nursing Home, formerly of 1805 Ferry St., Niles, Mich., died of natural causes at 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Lakeland Medical Center.

She was born on April 30, 1920, in Hayti, Mo., to the late Bunk Anderson and Mini Mae (Creasy) Meek. On Aug. 22, 1935, in Pemiscott County, Mo., she married Walter Eles Biggs, who preceded her in death on April 18, 2002. She was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Nadine Minton; a stepson, Harvel Biggs; two sisters, Iceie Wilson and Hazel Bingle; and by a brother, James Meek.

She was a housewife and a member of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Buchanan, Mich.

She is survived by three daughters, Joann (Bill) Hunter of Phoenix, Ariz., Barbara (Fred) Bailey and Valda Skinner, both of Niles; three sons, Walter Lee (Doris) Biggs of Niles, Larry (Carol) Biggs of Indiana and Michael Biggs of South Bend, Ind.; a sister, Leatha Bell of Niles; three half sisters, Bonnie Coppock of California, Shirley Morgan and Brenda Glass, both of Hayti; and two half brothers, Bob Meek of Niles and Denver Meek of Tennessee; and by 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in Seventh-day Adventist Church, Niles-Buchanan Road, Buchanan, with Elder Sheldon Seltzer and Pastor David Tenold officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

The Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Walter E. Biggs
June 5, 1908 - April 18, 2002

Walter Eles Biggs, 93, of 1229 Thompson Road, Niles, Mich., formerly of 1805 Ferry Street, Niles, died of natural causes at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, April 18, in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born on June 5, 1908, in Leachville, Ark., to the late James Ranson and Nancy Lee (Valentine) Biggs. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Nadine Minton in 2000; a son, Harvel E. Biggs in 1991; and by two brothers, Arthur and Oscar Biggs.

He worked for Clark Equipment Company for 25 years, and was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Buchanan, Mich.

On Aug. 22, 1935, in Pemiscott County, Hayti, Mo., he married Virginia Lee Meek, who survives. He is also survived by three daughters, Joanne (Bill) Hunter of Phoenix, Ariz., Barbara (Fred) Bailey and Velda Skinner, both of Niles; three sons, Michael (Kathy) Biggs of South Bend, Walter L. (Doris) Biggs of Niles and Larry Biggs of Indiana; a brother, Lee Biggs of Colorado; and by 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. (Mich. time) Tuesday in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles, where Pastor Tony Rodriguez will officiate. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

John M. Birt
May 29, 1914 - April 27, 2007

Mr. John M. Birt, 92, of South Third Street, Niles, died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, April 27 in West Woods of Niles, following an extended illness.

He was born on May 29, 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Thomas D. and Gertrude L. (Hobbs) Birt. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy, and was a veteran of World War II. He came from Chicago, IL, to Niles in 1954, living for many years on Walton Road. He was retired from NAPCO Graphic Arts of Milwaukee, WI.

Mr. Birt was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, where he served on the Vestry and as an usher. He volunteered as an adult councilman to the White Beaver District of the Boy Scouts of America, and had served 17 years as president of the Senior Center of Niles. He had also volunteered with Meals-on-Wheels, and was a member of Orchard Hills County Club where he enjoyed playing golf. He was an avid player of Bridge, and had maintained a large garden.

On June 8, 1940, in Chicago, he married the former Winifred Mary "Peg" Pullen, who preceded him in death on January 31, 1996. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Pullen and Phyllis Woods.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Gayle (Barry) Borst of Niles; and a son, John P. (Nancy) Birt of Cary, IL; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom Birt of Minneapolis, MN; a sister, Marjorie Davies of Vancouver, British Columbia; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Connie Blackmond of Niles.

The funeral services for John M. Birt will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3 in Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, with The Reverend Steven L. Schuneman of Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church, Griffith, IN, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contribution in memory of Mr. Birt may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Organ Fund.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Erma M. Bisby
Aug. 30, 1912-July 4, 1994

NILES - Erma Magdalen Bisby, 81, of 418 W. Main St., died at 3:12 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital. Mrs. Bisby was born on Aug. 30, 1912, in Logansport, Ind. On Nov. 23, 1930, in Niles, she married Joseph Willard Bisby. He died on Nov. 3, 1987. She is survived by four daughters, Erma Jo Burnham of Kalamazoo, Marilyn J. Tate of Port Huron, Mich., Judith Bisby of Niles and Claudia Williams of Mishawaka; two sons, Robert of Menasha, Wis., and Joseph D. of Fairfield, Calif; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Willard Lowery of St. Joseph and Robert Lowery of Hollywood, Fla. Mrs. Bisby was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church and The Macabees.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Berrien County Asthma or Tuberculosis & Emphysema associations.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown