Markus Hatcher, of Niles
Feb. 9, 1971-Feb. 14, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:50 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2023 

Markus Hatcher, 52, of Niles, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.  

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/02/15/markus-hatcher-of-niles/

Published on Brown Funeral Home website

Obituary of Markus Lee Hatcher

Markus Lee “Breed” Hatcher, 52, of Niles, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, following a lengthy illness that he fought till the end, with his family by his side.

Markus was born in Niles, Michigan on February 9, 1971, to Al Townsend and Opal Fay Hatcher.  He attended Howard Elementary School, Ring Lardner Middle School and Niles High School.  He played basketball, earned several certificates for making the Honor Roll and won first place in the school talent show, his famous Tic. 

Markus enjoyed fishing, laughing, being with friends and family, and listening to music.  Markus had a passion for Pit Bulls, Markus “Breed” was what they called him.  Back in the day he would ride around in a silver two door Buick, blasting MC Breed – that’s where the name comes from.  Markus was great at listening and giving advice, always motivating others and had a great sense of humor.  He loved making others laugh.  Above all, he loved his family and the Lord with all his heart.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Opal Hatcher and Harold Hatcher and his father, Al Townsend.

Markus will lovingly be remembered by his mother, Opal Faye Hatcher of Niles; his children, Mahoganie Hatcher (Daniel Torres) of Niles, Marquel Thompson of Indianapolis, and Marcus Hatcher of Niles; his granddaughter, Silver Hatcher; siblings, Dorian Hatcher of Niles, Damion Townsend, Mark McKinney, Stacey Hatcher of Niles, Sheryl Townsend, Hillary Townsend, and Al Townsend Jr.; Godchildren, Shalonda Burger, Dominique Murphy, Marissa Miller, Eric Humphries, and Dontazia Groves; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.  He will also be missed by a special friend, Shawnette (Cricket) Robinson. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church at 601 Ferry Street in Niles at 2:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and officiated by his uncle, Pastor Tracy Hatcher. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memories of Markus may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Bryce Phillips
August 31, 1978 ~ January 29, 2023 (age 44)

Published on Palmer Funeral Home website

Obituary

Bryce Phillips age 44 born August 31, 1978, in South Bend, Indiana. He transitioned from his life on January 29, 2023.

Bryce’s beloved parents are Eugene Phillips, who went to be with the Lord recently on 11/15/2022, and his mother Minerva B. Phillips who is here with us today. Bryce had one brother, Alan Phillips who he loved dearly.

If you knew Bryce you knew he was very unique, and talented, truly God’s creation he was. He was gifted in so many ways, there was pretty much nothing he couldn’t do. Many people in the community relied on Bryce. There wasn’t very much that Bryce couldn’t fix or build. From houses to buildings to cars, he could do it all! Bryce took a special interest in mechanics at an early age due to his Father and his Grandfather and it definitely stuck with him. Bryce had a 67 Chevelle that he adored. Bryce also loved his dog, Massive, that he lost a few years ago. He also loved fishing, playing video games and old school muscle cars. In his childhood, Bryce spent most of his time with his brother, Alan and his cousins, Chucha, Felipe and Macky.

Bryce leaves behind his mother Minerva B. Phillips, brother; Alan Phillips, nephews; Alan Phillips, Jr., and Samuel Phillips and one niece Ayrieana Phillips along with several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and a host of friends.

Services for Bryce will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home-West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will take place immediately following at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 E. Main Street, Niles, MI.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Susan Marie Smith
July 4, 1963-Feb. 11, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:58 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2023

 Miss Susan Marie Smith, age 59 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, daughter, sister, aunt, swimmer, singer, and proud Chippewa died at 9:46 a.m. on Saturday, Feb.11, 2023, with her brother at her side at Saint Joseph Plymouth Medical Center in Plymouth, Indiana following a brief illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor in Culver. She was born on the Fourth of July, 1963, at 10:14 p.m. — while the fireworks were exploding outside of Pawating Hospital in Niles — to John W. and Joann C. (Pomeroy) Smith. She began her education at the former Electric Light School of Niles Community Schools before transferring to the Blossomland Learning Center in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She was also employed at Gateway Services in Berrien Springs. Susan was an enrolled member of the Sault Saint Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She has always enjoyed singing, quickly learning and accurately — and often — reprising every song taught in school. Later, she became a fan of the late singer and songwriter known as John Denver from whom her favorite song was “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” She was also a fan of the television shows “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” She had a unique skill — shared with her mother — of completing jigsaw puzzles, being able to select a piece from the box and identify exactly where it fits in the big picture. Her favorite pastime was swimming, often at the YMCA, but also in area lakes and ponds, and anywhere that had a suitable body of water. And whether swimming, singing, or solving puzzles, she always had a great smile. She was sadly preceded in death by her beloved father, John Smith who died too young in 1979 at only 40 years old. Surviving family includes her mother, Joann C. Smith of Saint Ignace, Michigan; Susan’s siblings, Cheri Hartline of Dowagiac, Michigan, Steven Smith of Centreville, Michigan, and Rick (& Marsie) Smith and Timothy (& Maxine) Smith, both of Niles; and many nieces and nephews of several generations. The Catholic Liturgy for Susan Smith will be read at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, by Deacon Roger Gregorski of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Niles. Committal Rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Relatives and friends wishing to participate online may do so via the livestream on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com Susan clearly loved life in a manner that very few of us can truly understand, enjoying the activities in which she participated, and offering a genuine smile to everyone around her. That smile continues in our memory, and in that heaven which Jesus said ” . . . belongs to such as . . . Susan.”

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/02/15/susan-m-smith/

Myrtle Marie Bradford
Jan. 1, 1899-March 27, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, March 27, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs Myrtle Marie Bradford, 58, of 1107 North Eighth Street, native of Berrien County, died at 6 a.m. Today in her home following an illness of several years.

Mrs. Bradford, was born Jan. 1, 1899, in Niles Township and had lived her entire life in this community, where she was a member of Franklin AME Church.

Surviving are: her husband, Andrew; a daughter, Mrs. Genevieve James, of Buchanan; six grandchildren, a brother, Herman Griffin, of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Ina Coker, of Detroit.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home, where arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, March 28, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL RITES SET

Funeral rites for Mrs. Myrtle M. Bradford, 58, of 1107 North Eighth Street, who died Wednesday were set today for Saturday at 2 p.m., in the Franklin AME Church with Rev. M.F. Traylor officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body is at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home.

Helen M. Collins
Feb. 24, 1823-March 16, 1901

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, March 27, 1901, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED LAST NIGHT
Mrs. Benj. Y Collins Passed Away at Grand Rapids

Mrs. Ellen M. Collins, widow of the later Benjamin Y. Collins, died at 10 o'clock last night in Grand Rapids at the home of her son, Wm. B. Collins, of apoplexy, aged 78 years.

Mrs. Collins had made her home with her son in Grand Rapids since the death of her husband, which occurred fifteen months ago. She was one of the oldest residents of Niles having lived here continuously for 55 years during which time she endeared herself to many warm friends, who will greatly regret her death. She was a devout member of the Episcopal church.

The remains will be brought here tomorrow at 1 o'clock and will be conveyed at once to Silver Brook cemetery. Rev. C.J. DeCoux of Trinity church will conduct services at the grave.

Note: Michigan Death Certificate and cemetery records have name recorded as “Helen”.

Arabelle Cullom
Nov. 6, 1874-March 27, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, March 27, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SUMNERVILLE—Mrs. Arabelle Cullom, 82, of Sumnerville, died at 9:30 a.m. today on arrival . . .[illegible] . . .home. She had been in poor health for a number of years.

Mrs. Collum [sic] was born Nov. 6, 1874, in Warren County, Mo., and had lived in this community for the past 30 years. Surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Keith Elmore, of Sumnerville; a son, Wilson Cullom, of Niles; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Aurand, pastor of Wood Memorial Bible Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning Thursday.