Lester Young, of Niles
May 6, 1945-March 18, 2020

Lester Young, of Niles

Dick Conrad, formerly of Niles
April 7, 1935 — Nov. 13, 2019

Niles Daiy Star, Published 8:58 am Friday, November 15, 2019

April 7, 1935 — Nov. 13, 2019

Richard Dale Conrad, 84, formerly of Niles, father, grandfather, brother, banker and baseball player died peacefully but unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at this home in South Bend.

He was born on April 7, 1935, on the Conrad farm in rural Buchanan to Ward Emmanuel and Esther (Thompson) Conrad.

He graduated from Niles High School and attended Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) playing baseball at both schools.

He entered the U.S. Army during a period of peacetime, but traded the uniform of a soldier for that of the Army’s baseball team and won the most valuable player award at the 1959 Armed Forces World Series hosted in Germany. Returning to civilian life, he played on the minor league teams of the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox.

Dick was first employed in the offices of the First National Bank of Southwest Michigan, then at the Clark Credit Corporation and finally at the Niles branch of the LaSalle Bank.

In retirement, he worked in the transportation center of the University of Notre Dame, often driving sedans for very important passengers.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Niles. He was an MHSAA Certified Official, working area baseball, basketball, and football games, and played and umpired fast pitch softball.

At home, he had a passion for cooking, maintaining a remarkable collection of herbs and spices and leaving a fresh crockpot of his famous chili on the counter.

He had been married to the former Lila Jean Uselton, who has preceded him in death; as have his parents, Ward and Esther Conrad; and a sister, Beverly Gessinger.

Surviving family includes his children, Brett (Caitlin) Conrad, of Richmond, Texas, and Bethany (Jeff) Hubbard, of North Stonington, Connecticut; grandchildren, Brett Peter Conrad, Kyle Richard Conrad, Kayla Nicole Conrad and Brooke Elizabeth Conrad; Dick’s sister, Connie (David) Knapp, of Niles; three nephews, David Knapp, Joe Knapp and Chris Gessinger; and a niece, Cheri Legus; and more generations of nieces and nephews and many cousins.

The family of Dick Conrad will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., in Niles.

A celebration of his life is in the works for a season when the weather is more conducive to golfing.

Committal will be private, at a later date, at Silverbrook Cemtery, in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Dick may be made to the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 Days Ave., Buchanan, Michigan 49107; mgcf.org to establish a Dick Conrad Memorial Baseball Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

While Dick was clearly a competitive and successful athlete, he had an equally winning warmth and personality that made him welcome walking into businesses and offices, driving for Notre Dame’s best and — most importantly — visiting the homes of friends and family.

Francis L. Nichols
Dec. 12, 1920-Aug. 17, 2001

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, August 18, 2001, page 2, col. 1

Francis L. “Nick” Nichols
1920-2001

Funeral services for Francis L. “Nick” Nichols, 80, of 203 Carberry Road, Niles, are Monday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral home, Niles, by the Rev. Fred T. Smith, pastor of South Niles Community Church.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Nichols died Friday at 5 am. at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.

He was born Dec. 12, 1920, in Niles and lived here all his life.

On Dec. 16, 1941, in Niles, he was married to the former Dorothy Ann Frederick, who preceded him in death on Nov. 9, 1986.

Nichols was retired from Hunziker's Inc. of Niles after 41 years of service.

At Hunziker's, Nichols was proud of helping with some of the landscaping at the University of Notre Dame and several other prominent projects.

In retirement, he maintained a private nursery at his home, including some rare species of flowers, trees and shrubs, as well as vegetables, which he shared with family and friends.

Nichols also enjoyed building and painting bird houses, which he gave away, and was always pleased to answer landscaping and horticultural questions.

Survivors include a daughter, Rosalie Baker, of Silver City, New Mexico; step-son, Leroy Frederick of Tampa, Fla.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Siekman of Buchanan and Phyllis Ballard of Niles; a brother, Norman Nichols; and several nieces and nephews, including Mary Ellen Ickes, who has provided his care.

Friends may call on Monday beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Janet M. Barr, of Niles
March 10, 1940 — April 20, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:32 am Saturday, April 25, 2020

Janet M. Barr, 80, of Niles, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020, at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital Niles.

Janet was born on March 10, 1940, in Niles, to the late Lloyd and Evelyn (Price) Carpenter.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Donald Carpenter; and sisters, Carmen Mitchell and Norma Fruehauf.

On Feb. 14, 1958, she married Larry Barr who survives.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Larry; and their children, Melody Bowers, of Niles and Lisa (Gary) Butler, of Niles; grandchildren, Derek Dykema, Daniel (Amber) Dykema, Bradley (Krystal) Oswald, Amanda Oswald, David (Brittany) Dykema, Nichole Butler, Gary A.Butler, Shannon (Tony) Korolis and Michael (Michelle) Bowers; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Bryce, Kyra, Matthew, Jax, Lola, Avery, Devin, Laytin, Taylin, Ariana and Rorrian. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Janice) Carpenter; and her sister, Lynette (John) Miller.

Janet enjoyed travel out to the west. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing word searches and adult coloring books. Janet also loved playing solitaire and going out to eat.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, private family services will be on Friday, April 24, 2020, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., in Niles.

Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences, messages and stories may be shared with the family at halbritterwickens.com.

Glen Burchfield, of Niles
April 1, 1958 — April 7, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:12 am Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Glen Burchfield, 62, of Niles passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

He was born on April 1, 1958, in Niles, to Ralph and Wanda (Long) Burchfield.

Glen graduated from Niles High school.

In his younger days, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. Glen had a big heart and was always willing to help others in need if he thought you needed something he would do anything in his power to make sure you had it. Glen was always quick with a joke, just hoping to make you smile. His most treasured moments were spent with his daughter and grand-daughter. He valued his family, especially his life-long relationship with his brothers and sister.

Glen is survived by his father, Ralph (Sheri) Burchfield; mother, Wanda E Ellis; daughter, Amanda Ford; granddaughter, Bridget Batton; sisters, Debbie (Burchfield) Johnson, Tina Burchfield and April Brannon; brothers, Richard Burchfield, Alan Burchfield, Vance Burchfield and James Ellis; special cousin, Teresa; several nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; along with an extended family.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to the Hope Food Pantry in Niles.

A graveside memorial service will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

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.

Wilburta J. DeVries, of Niles
April 25, 1925 — March 29, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16 am Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Wilburta J. DeVries, 94, a lifelong resident of Niles, passed from this life, and entered eternal life in Heaven, free from pain and suffering, on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, with her two children at her bedside.

Wilburta was born April 25, 1925, at home, in Niles, to Wilbur and Mabel (Longenecker) Carpenter.

She graduated from Niles High School in 1943 and immediately went to work for the former Kawneer Company in Niles, to help support the war effort.

Through a chance viewing of a photo on her brother Clark’s locker at Fort Bliss, Texas, she met the love of her life, Donald DeVries, from Coopersville, Michigan. They were married on July 6, 1946, in Niles. A marriage that lasted 38 years and only ended with the death of Donald in 1985.

To that union two children were born, Nancy and Timothy. Wilburta was a loving, devoted wife and mother, homemaker. She was known as being “Mrs. Clean.” Her greatest joy was taking care of her family and home. She will be remembered as a wonderful mom, grandmother, and friend.

Wilburta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; and her two brothers, Clark and Bernie Carpenter.

She is survived by her devoted children, Timothy DeVries, of Niles, and Nancy (Ted) Boone, of Tinley Park, Illinois; grandsons, Christopher Boone, of Austin, Texas and Gary (Deirdre) Boone, of Downers Grove, Illinois; great-grandsons, T.J and Evan Boone; along with many nieces and nephews.

Wilburta had been on renal dialysis for more than four and a half years, her children would like to say thank you to the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care Center in Niles, for the wonderful and compassionate care through it all. You all were truly loved as family.

Due to current circumstances, a celebration of life will be at a later date.

A family graveside service will be on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with Pastor Rob Snodgrass of New Journey UMC officiating.

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.