Lewis F. Brown
March 6, 1861-Aug. 4, 1919

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1919, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for the late L.F. Brown were held this morning at 10 o’clock from the Brown residence.  Rev. Harold Holt of the Trinity church officiated.  Many floral tributes were in evidence and a large crowd paid their last respects.  At the cemetery the Masons held ritualistic rites.

Anna Walter
1858-Aug. 2, 1919

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, August 4, 1919, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Aura[sic] Walter, wife of Henry Walter, is dead at her home in South Bend, following an illness of three days.  Death resulted from complication of illnesses.  She was married to Henry Walter in this city on March 11, 1877.  Funeral will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon at 1 o’clock. Burial will take place in Niles.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, August 5, 1919, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of Anna Walter was brought to Niles this afternoon from South Bend. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

Dean R. DePoy
July 27, 1936-June 11, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:59 am Saturday, June 27, 2020

July 27, 1936 — June 11, 2020

Dean R. DePoy, 83, passed June 11, 2020, in Winter Haven, Florida, after a long illness. He was a resident of Winter Haven, Florida, where he had lived for nearly 22 years.

Dean was born in Niles, on July 27, 1936.

He is survived by his sisters, Judy DePoy Atwood, of Vero Beach, Florida, and Sue DePoy Conner, of Walton, Kentucky; his sons, Erik DePoy, of Moscow, Russia, and Kurt DePoy, of Celina, Texas; and Kristen DePoy Blaeser, of Boxford, Massachusetts.

Dean graduated from Niles High School in 1954 and studied music education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a BA in 1958 and an MA in instrumental music education in 1959.

Dean was a lifelong Wolverine stemming from his days at the University of Michigan, where he met his former wife, Judith. His sister, Judy and son, Erik also studied in Ann Arbor. 

His career as a band director began at Cassopolis High School from 1960 to 1963. He subsequently moved on to become director of bands at Wheeling High School from 1964 to 1969, and moved on to the collegiate level at Ball State University 1969 from 1971. After teaching briefly at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut from 1971 to 1972, and Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, from 1972 to 1973, he moved to East Setauket, New York to begin 25 years teaching at Brentwood High School in Brentwood, New York.

During his 22 years in Winter Haven, Dean was a regular player in the Over 55 Show Band, which showcased his lifelong love for playing the clarinet and saxophone.

Under his direction, the Brentwood High School marching band (the “Green Machine”) was a regular winner of awards at local and state marching band championships. The reputation for excellence that his bands earned led to invitations to perform at professional sporting events, including at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium. 

Dean will be sorely missed by his family and the many students he taught over the years. May he rest in peace.

His urn will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetary in Niles on July 27, 2020, which would have been his 84th birthday.

D. Richard Harger, of Niles
Dec. 14, 1939-Jan. 8, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:05 am Monday, January 13, 2020

Dec. 14, 1939 — Jan. 8, 2020

D. Richard Harger, 80, of Niles, passed away on Monday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Buchanan Meadows.

Dick was born on Dec. 14, 1939, in Niles to the late Donald E. and Dorothy (Crippen) Harger. He is also preceded in death by a grandson, Toby Stephens.

Dick was a lifelong Niles resident. On Aug. 12, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart.

Dick is survived by his wife, Sue; and children, Chris, of Punta Gorda, Florida, Todd (Becky) Harger, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Tamara Newcomer, of South Bend, and Craig (Amy) Harger, of Westfield, Indiana; grandchildren, Janice, Jason, Amy, Bob, Tyler (Vanessa) Stephens, Cameron Newcomer, Austin, Evan and Jared Harger, Chole Harger, Ellie, Eden and Max; great-grandchildren, Owen, Tess, Tristen, Alyssa, Terrance and Taylor. He is also survived by his sister, Luann (Roger) Hargreaves, of South Bend.

Dick was a second-generation accountant. He started his career working with his father at Harger Accounting and Tax Service in Buchanan. He later purchased the firm from his father and was the owner for 40 years.

Dick was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and was for a time a Deacon at the church. He was also active in the Independent Accountant Association, Rotary Club and held several officer positions. Dick was also a member of the Lion’s club, Moose and the Chamber of Commerce in Buchanan and Niles. He enjoyed golfing and held memberships at Orchard Hills Country Club and Four Lakes Country Club. Dick also enjoyed bowling.

Family was very important to Dick. No matter how busy he was (especially during tax season), he made time to be at his children’s school activity.

Even though there will not be a funeral service. Dick’s family and friends gathered together on his birthday in December and celebrated Dick and his life.

In keeping with Dick’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials in Dick’s name may be made to Buchanan Meadows, Caring Circle Hospice or to Meals on Wheels.

Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Shirley Ann Glynn, of Sebring, Florida
Nov. 3, 1936-July 28, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:15 am Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Helen Johnson, of Niles
Oct. 10, 1939-July 8, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:23 am Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Oct. 10, 1939 — July 8, 2020

Helen M. Johnson, 80, of Niles, received her eternal reward on July 8, 2020, at Select Specialty Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek.

She was born on Oct. 10, 1939, in Osceola, Arkansas, to the late Booker T. and Helen D (Davis) Washington.

Helen, a homemaker most of her life, enjoyed cooking for holidays, special events and church events; she could cook anything from ham hocks to peach cobbler with no recipe, always from her heart. Helen enjoyed watching Lifetime movies and westerns. She was a faithful member of New Vision Apostolic Church, where she has served as the custodian for more than 40 years, retiring last year. Helen will also be remembered as a kind soul, always providing a place for someone to sleep who was in need.

Helen married OC Johnson at a very early age, in Niles, where they started a family, giving birth to little OC Jr. and losing a baby girl through the journey. However, she gained a daughter on July 4, 2004, after the late OC passed. Helen found comfort in giving her daughter, Tytiana Johnson, a home, adopting her and raising her as her own. Helen moved from super-mom to super-grandma, giving love to three grand-babies. Josiah, being her favorite, brought her immense joy. She cherished every moment she could get with her loved ones.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, O.C. Johnson; three brothers, Oscar Lee Washington, Booker T. Washington Jr. and Robert Washington; daughter, Pamela Smoot-Moon; and her best friend, Ruby Reed.

She leaves to remember her sons, O.C. Johnson Jr., of South Bend, Premail (Patricia) Freeman, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Cornell (Alberta) Grayer, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Orlando Johnson, of San Francisco, California; daughters, Tytiana Johnson, of Niles, Marvita Fleming, of Lake In The Hills, Illinois, Theresa (Daniel) Graves, of Lakewood, California, Darlene (Cyril) Quinn, of South Bend, Rochele (Jerry) Hubbard, of South Bend; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.

A homegoing celebration will be at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Interment will follow the service at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to the church she loved so much, New Vision Apostolic Church at 819 Lake St., Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences and memories may be shared with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.