Ruth Mildred (Gilmore) Earl
March 10, 1923-April 17, 2021

Online at Flanner Funeral Home website: OBITUARY

Ruth Mildred Earl, 98, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on April 17, 2021.  Ruth was born in Chicago, IL on March 10, 1923 to parents, Marvin E. and Kathryn (Brennan) Gilmore.  Ruth was devoted to her family.  She loved crafts and attending craft shows and was a fabulous cook.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Theodore R. Earl.  She is survived by her children: Kathy Delporte (Reed), Patricia Thompson, Thomas Earl (Janet), Carolyn E. Gentner, and Kenneth Earl (Andrea); 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Friends may gather from 2-6pm, Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Flanner Buchanan-Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis.  Burial will be at 1pm, Monday, April 26, 2021 at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI.

Cheryl Hickman, of Niles
March 7, 1952-April 4, 2021 (age 69)

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:05 pm Monday, April 5, 2021

Cheryl Hickman, 69, of Niles, died Sunday, April 4, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, of Niles.

Online at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home: 

Obituary

Cheryl Lee Hickman, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, avid reader, and devout Christian died peacefully at 12:15 p.m. on Easter Sunday, 2021 (April 4) at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a long battle against cancer.

She was born on March 7, 1952 in Saint Clair, Michigan to John W. and Beatrice N. (Bachand) McLeod, and was graduated from Saint Clair High School.  She came to Niles in 1978, and continued her education at Southwestern Michigan College, earning an Associates degree in Computer Science.  She was employed in the offices of the former Niles plant of Tyler Refrigeration, beginning in the data processing days of keypunch cards.  She maintained her proficiency in each new phase of information technology until the plant closed.  She continued to work in data entry from home, and was employed at the Granger, Indiana Target store through most of 2020.

Cheryl attended Hope Community Church in Niles where she volunteered in the Children’s Ministries and assisted her grandson as he installed the playground for an Eagle Scout project.  She was an avid reader of fiction (romance novels), and enjoyed various arts and crafts, completing many ceramics projects.  She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, often with family, and had visited many national landmarks including Times Square in New York City, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Mackinac Island, and the former Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park on U.S.12.  Her greatest interest was her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving family includes her son, Kevin Nowicki of Niles; grandchildren Talon Nowicki and Trey Nowicki; Cheryl’s mother, Beatrice “Bea” McLeod of East China, Michigan; Cheryl’s siblings, Vicki (& Ned) Zimmer of Saint Clair, Michigan, John (& Carla) McLeod of Marysville, Michigan, and Nancy (& Robert) Yelencich of Columbus, Michigan; and seven nieces and nephews and twenty-one great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, John McLeod on May 6, 1999.

The funeral service for Cheryl Hickman will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Sheryl Blake, Ministry Teams Pastor of Hope Community Church officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  Attendance is limited, masks required, and social distancing practiced. Others may witness the events via the livestreamed broadcast on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home beginning at Noon.  Contributions in memory of Cheryl may be made to the American Cancer Society, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, https://www.cancer.org/.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Relationships were important to Cheryl, growing-up with her siblings, raising her son, interacting with co-workers at Tyler’s, following characters in novels, fellowship with adults and children at church, and enjoying her wonderful grandchildren; all evidence of her greatest relationship in Christ and his command to love God and love people.

Larry Paul Johnson, of Buchanan
Jan. 12, 1954-March 27, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:59 pm Monday, April 5, 2021

Jan. 12, 1954 — March 27, 2021

Larry Paul Johnson, 67, of Buchanan, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Larry was born on Jan. 12, 1954, to the late Cecil and Johnnie Mabelene (Brassfield) Johnson in Niles. After high school, Larry worked as a machinist and started in a tool and die apprenticeship. He worked as a tool and die maker for many years until he retired from Modineer Company in 2018. On Dec. 16, 1977, he married Linda Straw in a candlelight ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Together, they raised their three children.

Larry loved his family. From coaching different sporting teams that his children and grandchildren played, to helping fix up his children’s houses, he was a devoted and very involved father. Anyone that knew Larry, knew that he would lend a helping hand to anyone and there wasn’t a project he couldn’t figure out. He was the true definition of a handyman. He loved hunting, golfing, fishing, traveling to warmer climates, and spending time at Hemlock Lake sitting around the campfire with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Johnson and Mabelene Chadwell; brother, James Johnson; and grandson, Anthony “AJ” Johnson.

Larry is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Linda Johnson; daughters, Jamie (Arūnas) Balčiauskas, of Galien, and Lindsey Johnson, of Niles; son, Adam Johnson, of Niles; grandchildren, Adeline, Lily and Lucas Gill, of Niles, Kairo and Kody Johnson, of Niles, and Meilė Balčiauskas, of Galien; sisters, Glenda Foster, of Niles, Janice Boyer, of Yipsilanti, and Kathy (Craig) Sly, of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends.

In keeping with Larry’s wishes, he has been cremated. Due to the ongoing pandemic, his family will be hosting an outdoor celebration of life this summer. In a private ceremony, Larry will be laid to rest on April 14 at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, next to his grandson.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Larry’s name may do so to the family in care of Brown Funeral Home by calling (269) 683-1155.

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.

Adele S. Dresden
Oct. 24, 1852-Jan. 22, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, January 22, 1915, page 1, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

GOOD DEEDS WILL LIVE AFTER HER

Mrs. W.W. Dresden, One of Niles' Prominent and Most Public Spirited Women, Called by Death This Morning

HER CHARITIES AND ACTIVITIES ARE MANY

Her Generosity Made Island Park Possible, a Lasting Monument to her Public Spirit and Enterprise.

The announcement of the death of Mrs. William Wallace Dresden, of Castle Rest, which occurred at 6:40 this morning, though not unexpected by those who have watched patiently at her bedside for several days, was still most unwelcome and sad news to host of friends of the deceased and her family, who had hoped for a change for the better.

Mrs. Dresden has been in poor health for about two years and has been confined much of the time to her own rooms. It became apparent to her most intimate friends several days ago that her condition was very grave and that recovery was improbable.  Yesterday she lapsed into unconsciousness and steadily failed until death relieved her this morning.

Mrs. Dresden was born at Wrightsville, Pa., Oct. 24, 1852. Her mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, who has made her home with her daughter for many years, survives.  Her father died many years ago and lies buried in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.  Before coming to Niles the family lived for many years at Onarga, Ill., and later in Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace Dresden came to Niles from Chicago in 1902, purchasing the estate on St. Joseph avenue and Grant street which they improved and beautified until it became one of the show places of the locality, and a delightful and hospitable home as well.

Mrs. Dresden, through her charities, her generous impulses and her social and public activities has always occupied a commanding position in the life of this community.  Those in need or distress had but to open their heart to Mrs. Dresden and they would be sure that both she and her husband would relieve them as far as possible if the case was found to be worthy.  In addition to her charitable and generous impulses Mrs. Dresden possessed strong humanitarian attributes that prompted her to contribute of her means generously, as well of of her time, to the alleviation of the sufferings of dumb animals. For several years she was the president of the Berrien County Humane society, and she contributed generously to the humane work of that society, as well as giving personal attention often times to specific cases of cruelty to animals and birds.

After her retirement from the presidency of the County  Humane society Mrs. Dresden organized a similar society more  local in its character and she was its moving spirit for several years.

She was Worthy Matron for two years of Niles Chapter 332 Order of the Eastern Star and was one of its most active members in the infancy of the local chapter.

Mrs. Dresden was the first president of the Woman's Progressive league, and in this as in everything else that she undertook she entered upon the work in hand with all her soul and strength.  A lasting monument to the civic pride of the deceased is the pretty little Island park, which was a Progressive league project, Mrs. Dresden contributing largely from her own means to the purchase of the real estate and the expenses incidental to beautifying this property for the free use of the public.

In club work Mrs. Dresden was also active. She belonged to the Ladies' Historical society and was at one time its president and always a much esteemed member while health permitted her to take an active part in club work. Before coming to Niles she took an active part in Chicago club work.

In church work she affiliated with the Episcopal society and was ever helpful in the various organizations that were open to her activities and her purse.

Mrs. Dresden possessed a large estate, to the details of which she gave her personal attention. She possessed a large capacity for work and did not delegate to others the responsibilities in connection with the administration of her business interests.

She was a woman of great public spirit and enterprise and as such she will be missed deeply as well as in social life, for she left the stamp of a strong and generous personality upon everything with which she had to do.

She is survived by her aged mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, her husband, William Wallace Dresden, her daughter, Mrs. John  Allen Grier, Jr., the latter now a resident of Detroit.

The funeral services will be held Monday at the residence, and will be private. The interment will take place in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.

Marie G. Keefe
April 24, 1922-Jan. 24, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 26, 1993, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

A memorial service for Marie G. Keefe, 70, 1630 Sheridan Ave., Niles, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles.

Keefe died Jan. 24.

Visitation for Mrs. Keefe is today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.

A private graveside committal service is scheduled for Wednesday with the Rev. Donald G. Lester, interim pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, February 25, 1993, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Maria G. Keefe
1922-1993
Retired Eastside teacher

Funeral services for Maria G. Keefe, 70, 1630 Sheridan Ave., are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James A. Goodbow, of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Keefe died Jan. 24, at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Born April 24, 1922, in Belvidere, Ill., she had lived in Niles since 1956, coming from Park Forest, Ill.

On July 17, 1946, in Chicago, she married the late Wilbur Harper Keefe, who preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 1980.

She was a first-grade teacher at Eastside Elementary School, retiring in 1985 after 20 years.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Fort St. Joseph Museum, Fort St. Joseph Historical Society, the Seepewa Reading Club and the advisory committee to the Southwestern Michigan College Museum.

She is survived by two daughters, Katherine Keefe Howski of Chicago and Lisa Keefe Scott of Chicago; two sons, Kevin Peter Kefe[sic] of Milwaukee and Barry Harper Keefe of Roselle, Ill.; five grandchildren and a sister, Rita Macintosh of Philadelphia.

Arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chrisitian[sic] Children's Fund or Berrien County Cancer Service.

Charles Frederick Knott
Dec. 5, 1868-Feb. 9, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 10, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles Frederick Knott, 92, 1014 N. 6th St., died at 1 p.m. Thursday in Pawating hospital where he had been a patient since Dec. 4. He had been in failing health for the past four months.

Mr. Knott was born Dec. 5, 1868, in Niles and had spent his entire lifetime here. He worked for 35 years for the water department of the Michigan Central Railroad, and for 25 years at the Kawneer Co., before retiring. He was the oldest living member of St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed), and was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and the Maccabees.

His wife, Maria Louise Knott, preceded him in death in January, 1936.

Surviving are: a son, Ervin F. Knott, Niles; four daughters, Miss Lydia Knott, Dalton, Mass., Miss Alice Knott, Kalamazoo, and Mrs. Lucille Hosler and Mrs. Byron Vallance, both of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Harry Blake, Niles; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard J. Fraser, pastor of St. John's Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with graveside rites by the Elks Lodge.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.