Linda Davidson Herring
March 11, 1940-Oct. 15, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14 am Tuesday, March 10, 2020

March 11, 1940 — Oct. 15, 2019

Linda leaves behind her loving husband Ernie Herring, of Zephryhills, Florida; daughter, April (Bruce) Houg, of Tampa, Florida; son, Ray Gardiner, of Zephryhills, Florida; brothers, Lonnie Davidson, of Plant City, Florida; Charles (Patsy) Davidson, of Three Way, Tennessee, Dave (Mary Ann) Davidson, of San Juan Capistrano, California; sisters, Gladys (Ken) Keith, of Niles, Betty Lillie, of Winter Haven, Florida, Shirley (Don) Snyder, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

A memorial service for Linda will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Silverbrook Cemetery in the mausoleum.

Eunice M. Hurlbutt, of Niles
Sept. 13, 1926 — March 10, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:00 am Friday, March 13, 2020

Eunice Mae Hurlbutt, 93, of Niles, passed away in Wellbrooke of South Bend.

Eunice was born on Sept. 13, 1926, in Niles, to the late Phillip and Esther (Mongomery) Tuesley.

On May 1, 1945, she married Melvin Hurlbutt, who passed away in 2004.

Eunice is survived by her sons, Jerry (Linda) Hurlbutt and Bruce Hurlbutt, both of Niles; grandchildren, Kimberly (Chad) Poole and Jason (Christine) Hurlbutt; great grandchildren, Owen, Lainey, Braiden and Avery. She is also survived by her sister Carolyn Reid, of Niles.

Eunice worked at Tyler Refrigeration as a secretary retiring in 1989. She was a member of New Journey United Methodist Church (formerly Wesley United Methodist).

Visitation for Eunice will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020, in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorials in Eunice’s name may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 W. Edison Road #122, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

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

Mary McKee
Aug. 16, 1932- Feb. 10, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16 am Thursday, February 13, 2020

Mary Cary McKee, 87, wife, mother and grandmother died peacefully at 8:35 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, with her daughters at her side at Emmet County Medical Care Facility in Harbor Shores, Michigan following an extended illness.

She was born on Aug. 16, 1932, in Niles, to Jack F. and Carribel (Schmidt) Young. She was graduated from Niles High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She was employed as a teacher in the Niles Community Schools for a few years before moving with her family to Flint, Michigan. Following the retirement of her husband, they moved to Harbor Springs, Michigan, where he built a new house and lived the rest of their lives.

Mary had been raised in the Episcopal Church, had been active in the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), and continued in that faith throughout her life. When her children were in school, she continued her interest in education by participating the local Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She also enjoyed reading and loved flowers. She suffered a medical crisis that created challenges in her daily routine, but she persevered to provide a home for her family.

On Jan. 21, 1956, she married Claire McKee, Jr. who died — sadly — on Jan. 21, 2015, the remarkable 59th anniversary of their wedding. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, John F. “Jack”Young on Feb. 27, 2018, and Frederick G. Young on Sept. 13, 2017.

Surviving family includes her children, Cary Graham and Mary Conley, both of Franklin, Tennessee, and Heath (Diane) McKee of Annandale, Virginia; grandchildren Claire Conley, Matthew (Ashley) Graham, Ashlie (Matthew) West, Lydia McKee, and Daniel McKee; great-grandchildren Malory West, Elliott West and Rylie Graham; Mary’s sisters-in-law Judy (Mrs. Jack Young) and Suzanne McKee; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mary McKee will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles with The Reverend James Slack, retired officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Mary was a woman of faith and family who nurtured those blessings in a manner that will now continue as a testimony to a life well-lived.

Peggy Lou Patterson
July 3, 1937 — Feb. 19, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:57 am Friday, February 21, 2020

Peggy Lou Patterson, 82, wife, mother, grandmother and “Miss Peggy,” to many died peacefully at 4:37 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, with family gathered around at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an illness of just one week.

She was born on July 3, 1937, in Tyronza, Arkansas to Clarence B. and Annie M. (Childers) Timbs and was graduated from Marked Tree (Arkansas) High School. She moved to Niles in 1956 and earned an associate’s degree through the continuing education required of her employment. She was employed as a laboratory technician by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at its Biological Control Station in Niles. She was later employed by the Brandywine Community Schools as an aide in the elementary schools.

Peggy has been a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Niles since 1956, serving on many of the church’s boards, committees, and activities. When not at church or work, she was caring for her family at home. Grandchildren — and now, great-grandchildren — are frequent guests, and some have found a home with grandma.

On April 9, 1956, in Marked Tree, she married Patrick Kelton Patterson with whom she celebrated the forty-ninth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on June 3, 2005. She was also preceded in death by four siblings, Hubert Timbs, Earl Travis Timbs, and Charles Thurly Timbs.

Surviving family includes her children, Patty Lou (Jack) Britton of Parchment, Michigan, Ken (Yolanda) Patterson, of Niles, and Patrick Jonathan “John” (Terry) Patterson, of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina; grandchildren Joshua (Becky) Patterson, Kristie (Peter) Margules, Steven Navarro, Christie Navarro, Brittney Patterson, Tonette (Dan Shefka) Arnold, Brandon Patterson, Patrick Patterson, and Tara Patterson; great-grandchildren Sophia, Alexander, Nicholas, Ariana, Mariah, Phillip, Jr., Ezra, Tyler, and Dan, Jr.; and Peggy’s siblings, Lillian Timbs, Voader Hancock, and Cloys (Jean) Timbs; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Peggy Patterson will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at the Bethel Baptist Church, 1605 Silverbrook Ave. in Niles, with Pastor Randy Pearman of the church officiating. Committal will be private on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday at the church beginning at 2 p.m. Contributions in memory of Peggy may be made to Bethel Baptist Church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Peggy loved caring for people, whether co-workers at the USDA, fellow church members, the children at Brandywine’s playground and lunchroom, and especially at home. Most importantly, Miss Peggy knew The Source of the love that she shared.

Lucille Slater, of Niles
Jan. 18, 1920- Feb. 2, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:43 am Thursday, February 6, 2020

Lucille Slater, 100, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020.

Lucille was born on Jan. 18, 1920, to the late Daniel and Christina (Urso) Frosolone in Chicago.

Lucille went on to become a beautician and later went to work for the Leader Publications, where she stayed until her retirement in 1987.

On Oct. 17, 1941, Lucille wed Electus M. Slater at a ceremony in Benton Harbor.

In her free time, Lucille loved dancing and playing bingo. She was an animal lover and had a special place in her heart for cats. More than anything, Lucille found her joy in her family and especially being a wonderful grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Christina Frosolone; husband, Electus Slater; four brothers; and two sisters.

Lucille is survived by her children, Christine (Richard) Conte, of Union, Michigan, Pete Slater, of Buchanan, and Mark (Debra) Slater, of Itasca, Illinois; grandchildren, Tracey (Craig) Worvey, of Niles, Tina Lutz, of Buchanan, Darcie (Blain) Cronn, of Grand Rapids, Lisa Garritano, of South Bend, Todd Slater, of Jacksonville, Florida, Parker Slater, of Austin, Texas, Jamie Slater, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Christopher (Jennifer) Oberbeck, of Batavia, Illinois; 15 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild.

Lucille will be cremated and a memorial visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles, with a time of sharing memories at 6:30 p.m. Lucille will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery with her husband, Electus.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Lucille’s name may do so to the Niles Senior Center at 1109 Bell Road, Niles, Michigan 49120.

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.

Osceola Skinner, of Niles
Dec. 30, 1924-March 3, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:02 am Thursday, March 5, 2020

Dec. 30, 1924 — March 3, 2020

Former Niles City Councilman Osceola Wilson “Osie” Skinner, 95, of Niles, husband, father, grandfather, World War II veteran, chemist, optimist — both the club and the attitude and friend to all died peacefully at 6:59 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, with his family gathered around him at his home following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care offered by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on Dec. 30, 1924, in Norfolk, Virginia, to James and Mary (Wilson) Skinner.

He was graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk and continued his education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and later at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

He entered the U.S. Army, where he served as a surgical technician at the invasion of Normandy and was honorably discharged as a veteran of World War II. He came to Niles in 1945, but sadly — in spite of his education, experience and military service — was denied an open position in a local laboratory due to his race. He took his wife and young family to California, and was employed at the Harbor General Hospital (now Harbor-UCLA Medical Center) in Torrance. Later, he took a position at the former Elkhart, Indiana, plant of Miles Laboratories and returned his family to Niles.

Osie was a member of the Franklin African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niles where he also served as a Trustee and Steward, and was a member and first black president of the Berrien County Association of Churches. He was a member of the Niles Noon Club of Optimist International, again serving as the first black president and the first black District Lieutenant Governor. He had a great interest in youth with special needs, and served the boards of the Niles Association of Exceptional Citizens, Gateway Incorporated, and the Fresh Start Program, initiating black leadership at those organizations, too.

He was appointed to the City of Niles Zoning Board of Appeals in 1980, serving for three years and was elected as the first black chairman. He was appointed to the Board of Public Safety in 1981 where he served for four years. He was elected to the Niles City Council in 1985 as the first black councilman from the Second Ward, and served as the first black chairman of the Finance Committee. He won consecutive re-elections in 1989 and 1993 before resigning in 1994. He also volunteered with the Niles Riverfest.

On Nov. 23, 1951, in Chicago,  he married the former Mary J. Gay with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable 68th anniversary of their wedding. He was tragically preceded in death by a son, U. S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Phillip C. Skinner, who died in action in 1967 in Vietnam, earning the Purple Heart; and sadly, by two grandsons, Kyle Singer in 1998 and Chauncey Benjamin Tyler in 2018.

Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Skinner; and their daughters, Leslie Skinner, of Niles, and Cynthia Edwards, of Niles; and grandson, Christopher Tyler, of Mishawaka.

The funeral service for Osceola Skinner will be at noon on Monday, March 9, 2020, at the Franklin AME Church, 811 Sycamore St. in Niles with the Rev. Millard F. Southern III of the church officiating assisted by the retired Rev. Rebecca Mitchell. Committal rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Monday beginning at 10 a.m. Contributions in memory of Osie may be made to the Franklin AME Church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Osie lived by the scriptural golden rule to love God and love others and by the Optimist Creed — much longer, but a worthy read. He overcame the unimaginable challenges of battle to serve his country. He overcame the unthinkable challenges of discrimination to provide for his family. And helped some of the most challenged youth to achieve success. All with remarkable humility, a ready smile and a great laugh.