Carol K. Workman, of Niles
June 19, 1937-March 28, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Wednesday, April 1, 2020

June 19, 1937 — March 28, 2020

Carol K. Worman, 82, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at her home, with her family by her side.

Carol was born on June 19, 1937, to the late Frederick A. and Alice M. (Lannoo) Percy in Cheboygan, Michigan.

On Dec. 21, 1996, she wed Anthony M. Workman. After 23 years together, they still enjoyed a fancy night out. Carol was very active; she stayed in shape and loved dressing to the nines and looking like a million bucks. She loved spending time with her girlfriends, getting manicures, pedicures or even shopping. She was passionate about her grandchildren, and had a soft spot for cats. In her later years, she began gardening. She loved spending time with her family; she had a very special relationship with her brother Calvin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Calvin Percy.

Carol is survived by her husband, Anthony M. Workman, of Niles; daughter, Sherri; step-son, Rodney; grandchildren, Heather, August and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Legna, Savannah, Kyle and Jacob; nieces and nephews, Jean, Debbie, David, Fred, Kim and Toby.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. She will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Bernath "Cork" Alvin Dean Thurston
June 6, 1964 ~ April 17, 2020 (age 55)

Obituary

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/BernathCork-Thurston

Bernath “Cork” Alvin Dean Thurston, 55, of South Bend passed away Friday, April 17, 2020.  He was born June 6, 1964 in Niles, MI to the late Louis and Bonnie (Bush) Thurston.  On July 12, 2011 in South Bend, he married Chrystal (Kizer) Thurston, who survives.

Also surviving are his sister, Sunday (Peter) Simpson; brothers, Jeffrey Thurston and Timothy (Connie) Thurston; stepdaughter, Tori Taylor; stepson, Michael Kizer; step-grandchildren, Konnor and Ayden; sister-in-law, Michelle Thurston; two nieces; five nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his fur babies, Miri and Eliot.

Cork worked as a janitor at Molded Acoustical Products in Granger.  He was a hard worker and a devoted husband.  Cork was a big kid at heart and enjoyed taking the scenic route.  He never met a stranger or an animal he didn't love.  His fur babies will miss him the most. He was always there offering a hand.  Cork was a very generous person who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service for Cork will be held at a later date.  Palmer Funeral Homes-Guisinger Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Cork may be made to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

John W. Harrison
1820-June 13, 1892

Buchanan Record (Buchanan, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, June 16, 1892, page 2, col. 2

JOHN W. HARRISON, a prominent character among the colored people of Michigan, dropped dead of apoplexy, at his home in this place, Monday morning. Mr. Harrison was born in Kentucky, and while he was never a slave, saw enough of that institution to cause him to work early and late against it. For a number of years he was one of the engineers on the famous “underground railroad,” so well known to those who remember the old slave-hunting times. He had charge of the section leading from Niles to Edwardsburg, and has helped many a fleeing slave that far on his way to freedom in Canada. He was 72 years of age. The remains were taken to Niles, yesterday afternoon, for burial.

Also

“In the year 1857, M.W. 1857, John G. Britton, Grand Master of the State of Indiana granted a dispensation to his Deputy Grand Master, John W. Harrison and a group of masons residing in the City of Niles, Michigan to open the first lodge of colored masons in this State, To be known as Harrison Lodge, U.D. which was granted a charter January 13, 1859;” From “A Condensed Hisotry of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan”, by Past Grand Master Elmer W. Wallace.

Kenneth ‘Gramps’ Duncan, of Niles
Nov 24, 1939-May 6, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:42 am Saturday, May 9, 2020

Nov. 24, 1939 — May 6, 2020

Kenneth W. “Gramps” Duncan, 80, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in the loving arms of his wife.

He was born on Nov. 24, 1939, in Manchester, Tennessee, to the late John L. and Ruby Mae (Hudson) Duncan.

On Jan. 23, 1960, Kenny married the love of his, Mary Virginia Farley, at a ceremony in Niles.

Gramps worked for Coachman Company in Elkhart for many years, retiring as a supervisor. Gramps and Mary (Granny) have owned and operated Duncan’s Kozy Kitchen for more than 28 years. He always looked forward to spending time with customers and had a big heart for children. Gramps enjoyed trips to the casino, gardening and in years past spent time fishing and hunting. Gramps loved his family more than anything and was always glad when the family was together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his four great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Liam, Lyle III and Carrie; his siblings, Shirley Erwin, Sherman Duncan, Lynn Duncan, Lloyd Duncan, Naomi Harpole and Hubert Duncan.

Kenny leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, Mary Duncan; his children, Teresa Duncan, Sheila (Jerry) Varner and Rodney Duncan, all of Niles. He also will be missed by his four grandchildren; Justin and Jason (Jackie) Duncan, Jennifer (Lyle II) Unger, Autumn (David) Hughes; and six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Greyson, Lyle IV, Bella, Krystal and Shayde; his siblings, Thelma (Mark) Rogers, of Manchester, Tennessee, Barbara (Bill) Neely, of Hillsborough, Tennessee, Sandra (Kerry) Meyers, of Manchester, Boyd (Theresa) Duncan, of Manchester, Tennessee, Chuck (Kathy) Duncan, of Manchester, Tennessee; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Due to the current, unprecedented guidelines limiting public gatherings because of the COVID-19 virus, there will be a private family funeral at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home.

Kenny’s family will have a brief visitation prior to the private gathering from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at Brown Funeral Home.

Due to the current restrictions, those wishing to attend the visitation will be asked to abide by the no more than 10 people visiting at a time, abiding by state restrictions, with social distancing radius.

Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering, and limit your time during visitation to allow for others to attend and express their condolences to the family as well.

Memorial contributions may be made to Granny’s Angels, a local non profit, founded by “Gramps and Granny” assisting families with a loss of a child.

Gifts may be mailed in care of Brown Funeral Home 521 E. Main Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Kenny’s funeral will be available for a live webcast by viewing Kenny’s page on our website.

Condolence, photos, and memories can be left for Kenny’s family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Herman Frederick Hafer Jr
December 03, 1925 - May 08, 2020

Published at https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/herman-hafer-jr

Herman Frederick Hafer Jr., 94, formerly of Niles, MI, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, MI.

He was born December 3, 1925 in Benton Harbor, MI to the late Annetta and Herman Hafer Sr. Herman was an Army veteran. He served time in United Kingdom, Germany, and France during World War II. On May 15, 1948, he married Lydia Hauch in Glendora, MI. Over the years, Herman has worked at Ross Carrier, Clark Equipment, River Valley School System, Anheuser-Busch, and Glendora Church

Herman is survived by his daughters, Rebecca LaVanway, Kathleen (Richard) McGrath; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Annetta and Herman Sr; wife, Lydia; brothers, Carl, Clarence, Harold; and 3 sisters, Clara, Bea, and Eleanor.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

John David Stanley
August 3, 1956 — March 2, 2020

Obituary for John David Stanley, published on website Demoss-Durdan Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon

https://www.demossdurdan.com/obituaries/John-Stanley-14/#!/Obituary