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.

Jean E. Murphy, formerly of Niles
March 6, 1920-June 25, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:05 am Saturday, July 11, 2020

Miller Jean Forrest, of Niles,
Jan. 28, 1954-June 28, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:55 am Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Miller Jean Forrest, 66, of Niles, died Sunday, June 28, 2020. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home, of Niles. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. Please be mindful of social distancing and gathering limits when visiting arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

The following appeared on the Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Miller Jean Forrest

Miller Jean Forrest, 66, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Sunday, June 28, 2020, after a short battle with cancer. Miller Jean was born on January 28, 1954, to William and Willie Mae (Myles) Forrest in Niles. Miller Jean was a lifelong resident of the Niles area and graduated from Niles High School.

Miller Jean enjoyed the quiet and peaceful things in life; she enjoyed collecting antiques, ceramics, and loved listening to old R & B music. The only thing that Miller Jean loved more than her peace and quiet were her two children. She was a very proud mother to Russell and Tiffeny. She was preceded in death by her mother, Willie Mae Forrest.

Miller Jean is survived by her father, William Forrest of South Bend; children, Russell Downs and his wife Erin Downs of Jersey City, New Jersey and Tiffeny Forrest-Senkyire and her husband Kenneth Senkyire of Englewood, New Jersey; grandson, Myles Senkyire; siblings, Judy Forrest of Atlanta, Georgia, Dorothy Forrest of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Emily Briggs of Niles; and many extended family members and friends.

A time of viewing will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The family is opening this time up for friends to respectfully come and pay their last respects to Miller Jean one last time before she is laid to rest. The family wishes to remind everyone to please be mindful of social distancing and gathering limits when visiting so all that wish to say their goodbyes may do so. Miller Jean will be laid to rest at a private burial at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Brown Funeral Home website: https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/2832/Miller-Jean-Forrest/obituary.html

Albert S. Conover, of Niles
May 6, 1928-May 28, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:06 am Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Albert S. Conover, 92, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at Brentwood Memory Care, Niles.

He was born on May 6, 1928, in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, to Edward and Frances (Grumer) Conover. He came to Niles at the age of 6 months and lived the majority of his entire life there. He graduated from Niles High School in May of 1946.

On June 22, 1947, he married Cecelia Libey and they happily shared the next 72 plus years together until her death on Feb. 5, 2020.

He is survived by his son, Gary (Linda) Conover, of Niles, daughter, Diane (Brad) Pearson, of Shelbyville, Illinois; grandchildren, Angie Stevens, Zach Ruot, Brian Conover, Keith Conover, Katie (Steve) Kichka and Kellie (Brian) Welch; nine great grand-children; brother-in-law, Ernest (Dorothy) Libey, of Niles, sister-in-law, Latricia Libey, of California; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward; mother, Frances; step-father, George Mochour, two uncles, Joe and Herman Burrows, brother-in-law, Lester Libey; and sister-in-law, Alice Libey.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles, where he had served as an usher, youth group leader and choir member.

In his boyhood and teen years, he delivered papers and worked in John Marks Grocery Store. After graduation from High School, he worked for the Original Cabinet Company, Simplicity Pattern and then became an apprentice carpenter with Harrison Andrews.

In 1950, he went to work for Kawneer factory; and in 1960, he began work for National Standard as a tool and die maker, where he retired in 1985 with 25 years of service. He stated when he retired that he planned to remain living in Niles, but may travel “south for the winter” and that he did — as he and his wife were fortunate to winter in Texas for 16 years where they made many friends. That was a special time for him — he loved it and when they were not able to travel anymore, he always talked about “going back to Texas.”

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing pool, woodworking, carving, caning chairs, smoking his pipe and eating Wheaties.

One of the things he was most proud of was the fact that, with the help of extended family and friends, he built a house for his family in the mid-1950s. He was a hard worker who always made sure his family was provided for, was strong in his faith and loyal to his country. He was a gentle man and loved to laugh.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1340 Sycamore St. Niles, with funeral services to follow at noon. Internment will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, 2725 Airview Blvd. #101 Portage, MI 49002.

Online condolences may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Arrangements have been made at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles.