Elva M. Bowman
April 4, 1914 - April 4, 1997

Elva M. Bowman, 83, of 1428 E. Main Street, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 8:05 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Silverbrook Manor, Niles.

Mrs. Bowman was born April 4, 1914, at Leonidas, Mich., to Silas Kline and Elsie M. Thomson, and had lived in Niles since 1953, coming from Edwardsburg, Mich.

She retired as president and bookkeeper for the Amerson Bowman Company in Niles. Mrs. Bowman was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles; the Niles Elks Auxiliary; was a life member of the Orchard Hills Country Club, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary.

On Nov. 14, 1934, in South Bend, Ind., she married Amerson Bowman, who preceded her in death on July 29, 1993.

She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Madden Bittle of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jean M. Stilwell of Niles; sons, David C. Bowman of Niles, Joseph B. Bowman of Mishawaka, Ind., and John S. Bowman of Niles; and by 12 grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. John Thompson, assistant to the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Bowman may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ossie B. Briggs
Oct. 17, 1933 - Oct. 20, 2005

Ossie B. Briggs, passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, Mich., of natural causes. He was born October 17, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., to the union of Erby and Lena Briggs, who both preceded him in death.

Ossie confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, Mich.

On November 4, 1956, Ossie was joined in holy matrimony to Willie Washington, who survives him.

Ossie retired from National Standard in 2001. He was a Niles City constable from 1989 to 1995. He was a member of the Berrien County Sheriff Reserves from 1968 to 1988 and worked at the Niles library as well as various other places in Niles.

Ossie leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Willie "Teda" Briggs; four sons, Tony (Elizabeth ) Briggs of Buchanan, Mich., Craig O. Briggs of Glenn Carlton, Ill., Ronald Briggs of New Orleans, La., and Michael Briggs of Las Vegas, Nev.; and a daughter, Gwen Briggs of Niles, Mich. He is also survived by two brothers, Carl Briggs of Niles, Mich., and Arton (Connie) Briggs of South Bend, Ind.; and a sister, Dessie Cobb of Niles, Mich.; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Briggs and one brother, Eddie Briggs.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

James D. Broach
May 8, 1927 -- Nov. 8, 2007

NILES -- James D. Broach, 80, of South Thirteenth Street, died at 5:55 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in Lakeland Community Hospital, following a brief illness.

Mr. Broach was born on May 8, 1927, in Florence, SC, to Robert and Rosie (Prosser) Broach. He lived in Niles and Buchanan most of his life. He retired in 1990 from the Home Improvement Company, Niles.

James was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Army. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post #1855 in Dowagiac, MI. He enjoyed playing cards, checkers, and working in the woodshop, especially making wooden puzzles.

Mr. Broach is survived by his daughter, Elouise Poston of Sumter, SC; companion of 24 years, Shirley Tebo of Niles; her children, Diane (Larry) Follmer of Niles, Corinne (Paul) Karkiewicz of South Bend, Sylvester (Sally) Tebo of Niles, Andrea Tebo of Raleigh, NC; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rosie Broach; foster parents, Lynn and Vinnie Poston, who raised him, Shirley's daughter, Cindy H. Strauss, Shirley's grandson, David Tebo; four brothers and five sisters.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Robert Hamilton of Saint Peter's Evangelical Church, Galien, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. A flag presentation and "Taps" will follow the services at the graveside by V.F.W. Post #1855, Dowagiac.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Henry Brodersen
Jan. 26, 1912 - April 9, 2002

Henry Brodersen, 90, of LaSalle Avenue, Niles, Michigan died Tuesday in his home of natural causes.

He was born January 26, 1912 in Niles to Paul and Bertha (Sierks) Brodersen and was a lifetime resident.

Mr. Brodersen retired from Garden City Fan Company in January 1977. Later he engaged in a hobby wood working business, "Hanks' Woodcraft" for nine years.

He was a member of Apostolic Christian Tabernacle of Niles and a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent in past years. He and Wanetta also conducted a nursing home ministry of ten-twelve homes a month. He played the musical saw at these services.

On June 19, 1947, in Niles he married the former Wanetta Marie Knauf, who survives.

Other surviving family includes four daughters, Kathy Graham of Niles, Sue Shelton of Jones, Michigan, Sharon Lovell of Denton, Texas and Karen Tolliver of Dowagiac, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and two spiritual daughters in the Lord, Janet Weathers of Niles and Tabitha Wonderly of Buchanan, Michigan.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Elder William J. Pollock of Apostolic Christian Tabernacle of Niles officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Henry Brodersen may be made to Apostolic Christian Tabernacle of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Melba D. Brooks
Sept. 4, 1924-March 25, 1996

NILES - Melba D. Brooks, 71, of 1009 Regent St., died at 6:05 p.m. Monday in her home after an illness. Mrs. Brooks was retired from Tony's Supermarket. She was born Sept. 4, 1924, in Caraway, Ark., and had resided in the Niles area since January 1955. On Feb. 5, 1945, in Lake City, Ark., she married Paul E. Brooks. He survives with a daughter, Dian Brooks of Dowagiac; a son, Bruce of Niles; a granddaughter, Melissa Brooks of Niles; and a brother, Shearl Eaves of Niles. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Cecelia J. Brothers
Oct. 31, 1904-Sept. 13, 1998

NILES -- Cecelia J. Brothers, 93, of 2407 Bond St., died Sunday in her home. Survivors include four daughters, Agnes Lindgren, Helen Minarik, Lucia Hendershott and Mary Ann Brothers, all of Niles. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary Catholic Church. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Halbritter Funeral Home, where a prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.