Mary Jo Brown
Jan. 14, 1941 -- March 13, 2007

NILES -- Mary Jo Brown, 66, of Niles, Michigan, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in her home.

She was born January 14, 1941, to Roger Lawton and Mabel (Burton) Riley in Dayton, Kentucky.

On July 3, 1960, at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, she married Dr. Harold E. Brown, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Cedric (Carreen) Brown of Mishawaka, IN; and sisters, Ruth Ann (Graham) Dingman of Niles and Cappie (Buddy) Burke of Berrien Springs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a daughter, Abigail Brown.

Mary Jo was a high school graduate of Andrews Academy in Berrien Springs. She received her bachelor's degree from Indiana University of South Bend, IN, and her master's degree from Western Michigan University. She retired from a long career at Riverwood Mental Health Center where she was a Certified Master Social Worker. She loved flowers and was a former member of the Niles Garden Club. Mary Jo loved decorating, which showcased her affection for rabbits, as well as crafts and antiques.

The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 19, 2007, in the Buchanan Christian Church, 112 West Third Street, Buchanan. Pastor Sean Kidd will officiate. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI. Time to call on the family will be Sunday, March 18, 2007, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Swem Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Jo's name to the American Heart Association, Greater Midwest Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Mary M. Brown
March 17, 1909 -- Oct. 21, 2004

Mrs. Mary Marie Brown, 95, of Lawndale Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 9:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in West Woods of Niles.

She was born on March 17, 1909, in Madison County, Ind., to Wallace and Pearl (Lewark) Leonhard, and came to Niles in 1946 from Chicago, Ill.

Mrs. Brown and her husband owned and operated the former Brown's Bowling Lanes, Niles, (now White's), and the former Dog 'N Suds Drive-In restaurant on South Eleventh, near Fulkerson.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Niles Chapter #332, and enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and sewing clothing for her family.

On March 21, 1925, in St. Joseph, Mich., she was married to George E. Brown, who preceded her in death on Oct. 11, 1985. She was the last survivor of seven siblings, having been preceded in death by six sisters and brothers.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Dorothy Parson of Bloomfield, Ind., Patricia Medders of Niles and Nancy Lewis of Louisville, Ky.; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Mary M. Brown will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Carl L. Harrison of Trinity United Methodist Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home with Eastern Star rites at 7:30 p.m. by Niles Chapter #332.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Brown may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Niles District Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Walter A. Brown
Oct. 31, 1925 -- April 18, 2003

Walter Alexander Brown, 77, passed away on Friday, April 18, in the Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, Mich.

Walter was born on Oct. 31, 1925, in Port Maria, Jamaica, West Indies, to Allan Alexander Walter Brown and Whilminia (McFarland). He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Meria Young; and by two brothers, Lloyd and George Brown.

He moved to Niles, Mich.,in 1962 from Jamaica. He was employed by Garden City Fan, and was a member of the Anglican church.

He is survived by a son, Franklin George Brown of Niles; four daughters, Marilyn I. Hamilton of Niles, Heather M. Mitchell of Houston, Texas, Aldith E. Brown of South Bend, Ind., and Heidi E. Brown of Atlanta, Ga.; a foster brother, Barrington Roper of Florida; two sisters, Ivy M. Clever and Orenthia Neilson, both of England; six grandchildren, Michael D. Brown, Chinecia M. Brown, Kyala B. Stewart, Javian Mitchell, and James and Darnell Peake; a great-grandson, Jalyn M. Brown; and by a nephew, Canonero Walter-Alexander Brown.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, April 25, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Niles. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, Mich.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Johnnie M. Chadwell
July 17, 1930 - June 1, 2003

Johnnie Mabelene "Mabel" Chadwell, 72, of 2037 Lewis Drive, Niles, Mich., died of natural causes at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 1, in her home.

She was born on July 17, 1930, in Vardeman, Miss., to the late John and Dessie (Gatlin) Brasfield. On June 27, 1987, she married Francis W. Chadwell, who also preceded her in death on March 27, 1995.

She was owner operator of Mabel's Beauty Salon in Niles for 18 years.

She is survived by three daughters, Glenda Foster and Kathy Johnson-Sly, both of Niles, and Janice Boyer of Maryland; two sons, James Johnson of Niles and Larry Johnson of Buchanan, Mich.; and by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Area Agency of Aging, 2900 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI. 

 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ruth E. Chapman
Aug. 13, 1929 - Oct. 13, 2006

Mrs. Ruth Eleanor Chapman, 77, of Niles, Michigan, died at 3 a.m. Friday, October 13, 2006, in her home following a courageous battle with ALS.

She was born on August 13, 1929, in Niles to Charles J. and Effie (MacDonald) Welsh, and lived in Niles all of her life. She graduated from Niles High School in 1947, and was employed in the offices of Simplicity Pattern Company, Niles for 37 years, retiring in 1994.

Mrs. Chapman was a member of the Woman's Professional Club of Simplicity Pattern, and volunteered as a mentor for Junior Achievement. She enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Bahamas, and visiting Las Vegas.

She practiced handcrafts such as crochet, and liked to cook and bake for her family, but her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On March 1, 1957, in Niles, she married Donald G. Chapman, who survives. Also, surviving are three daughters, Christine Wilson of Lansing, Michigan, LuAnn (and Donald) Meyers of Niles, and Lynn (and Jeff) Culp of Muncie, Indiana; three grandchildren, Erin Wilson, Justin Wilson Sr., and Matt Kidwell; and three great-grandchildren, Annalise Wilson, Justin Wilson Jr., and Emily Morgan Kidwell.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Claire Welsh, Claude Welsh, Willis Welsh, Ernest Welsh, and Roger Welsh; and four sisters, Doris Jones, Alice Goodsell, Helen McConaghy, and Virginia Welsh.

The funeral service for Ruth E. Chapman will be at noon Tuesday, October 17, 2006, in Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, with the Rev. Emmett H. Kadwell Jr. of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Chapman may be made to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Martha R. Cheney
March 9, 1929-June 20, 1997

NILES -- Martha Ruth Cheney, 68, of 911 S. 3rd St., died Friday in Silverbrook Manor Nursing Home. Survivors include four daughters, Cora Lolmaugh, Jeanne Baldwin and Cheryl Noble, all of Niles and Debra Rosetto of Tucson, Ariz.; and five sons, Leonard Jr. of Minneapolis, Walter Sr., Michael and Patrick, all of Niles; and Kevin of Indiana. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown