May June Darnell, 87
Dec. 30, 1922 – April 17, 2010

May is preceded in death by a son, Louis “Jack” Darnell, who died in 2005.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda Vain, of Charlotte, N.C. and a son, Thomas Darnell, of Mumford, Tenn.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the graveside. The family will lead some readings and share some memories.

Burial will be a Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

No public visitation will be offered.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

Ethel C. Carmichael, 98
Nov. 17, 1911 – April 16, 2010

Ethel C. Carmichael, 98, of Hickory Street, Niles died at 11:20 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2010 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

Mrs. Carmichael was born Nov. 17, 1911 in Oronoko Township, Mich. to George A. and Millie A. (Ewalt) VanPatten. She graduated from Berrien Springs High School and attended Ypsilanti Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) in Ypsilanti, Mich. She was employed at the former Funk Insurance Agency.

Ethel was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Pawating Hospital Auxiliary (now Lakeland Community Hospital) in Niles.

On Sept. 21, 1935 in Berrien Springs, she married Donald F. Carmichael, who preceded her in death on Oct. 23, 1996.

Mrs. Carmichael was also preceded in death by her brothers, Richard and Ben Warren, and a sister, Helen A. Welsh.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Services for Ethel C. Carmichael will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Niles with Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating.

Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ethel may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Berrien County Cancer Service.

Rev. Lloyd Austin Phillips
March 19, 1928 – May 1, 2010

The Rev. Lloyd Austin Phillips, 82, of Niles, died Saturday morning, May 1, 2010 unexpectedly but of natural causes at his daughter’s home in Buchanan.

The Rev. Phillips was born on March 28, 1928 in Utica, N.Y. to Harold H. and Margaret P. (Jenkins) Phillips. He graduated from high school in Ilion, N.Y. in 1946 and received his bachelor of arts degree from Houghton College in Houghton New York in 1951.

Graduating from Calvary Seminary in Grand Rapids in 1958, Phillips continued his education in philosophical theology in 1978 as well as numerous summer schools and workshops throughout his ministry.

Phillips was pastor at United Methodist churches in East Otto, N.Y. From 1950-53; Grand Rapids from 1953-61; Bronson, Mich. from 1961-69; Stevensville from 1969-79, Lansing from 1979-84; and retired from Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles, having served from 1984-1991.

During his ministry, Phillips served on countless committees, boards and held numerous offices and positions, most recently with the Optimist Club where he was chief founder of the Decatur Optimist Club and was the distinguished president of the Noon Optimist Club of Niles from 1991-92.

After his retirement he published four books and has received numerous distinguished honors including a special resolution from the Ingham County Board of Commissioners for help in making Ingham County a better place to live and work among ethnic people.

On June 19, 1948 in Washington Penn., he married his beloved mate, Jean Scott, who preceded him in death on Feb. 21, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his son, David L. Phillips, who died July 15, 1997.

The Rev. Phillips is survived by his children, Dr. John Lloyd (Linda) Phillips, of Fayetteville, N.C. and Linda M. (Jim) Baker, of Buchanan; four grandchildren, Jeffery, Andrew, Matt, Chelsea; five step-grandchildren, Jimmy, Jody, Donna, Frank and Paul; and six step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate officiating.

Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Contributions in memory of the Rev. Phillips may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church Missions, the Noon Optimist Club of Niles or donor’s choice.

Lynette Hamilton, 81
April 11, 1929 – May 1, 2010

Lynette I. Hamilton, 81, of Portage, Mich. and formerly of Niles, died at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

Mrs. Hamilton was born April 11, 1929 in Niles to Frank and Treva (Weed) Smith. She graduated from Niles High School in 1947, and moved to Jackson, Mich. in 1948, where she lived most of her life.

In 2004, she moved to Portage to be closer to family. She retired in 1991 after 20 years of service from Ameritech. Lynette was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Jackson.

On Jan. 18, 1948 she married Ralph Hamilton Jr., who preceded her in death on March 18, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alfreda Steinbauer.
Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her daughters, Diana Chappel, of Alabama and Denise (Tom) Thomas, of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Joshua (Amy) Hamilton, of St. Leonard, Md. and Elisa (James) Oulch, of Jackson; five great-grandchildren; sister, Fran Farver, of Mishawaka; and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Lynette I. Hamilton will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Nile with the Rev. Edwards H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave., Portage and beginning one hour prior to services at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lynette may be made to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

Lester J. Villwock, 86
March 26, 1924 – May 16, 2010

Lester J. Villwock, 86, of M-140 Niles, died at 4:25 a.m. Sunday May, 16, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on March 26, 1924 in Berrien Springs to Emil Villwock and Minnie Priebe. He was a lifetime area resident.

A farmer all his life, he enjoyed hunting in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, fishing and ice fishing.

On Nov. 12, 1949 he married Betty M. (Kiger) Villwock, who survives.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Max and Albert Villwock, and a sister, Laura Gold.

He is survived by his sister, Martha Villwock, of Berrien Springs; two sons, Dale (Marlene) Villwock, of Buchanan and Dennis Villwock, of Niles; daughter Patricia Villwock, also of Niles; and grandsons, Adam (Brandy) Villwock and Brian Villwock.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and will gather privately for services. Don Fleischman of Fairland Christian Church will be officiating and burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeland Specialty Hospital Auxiliary in Berrien Center, Mich.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 11:08pm Monday, May 17, 2010

Edna Lindsley, 83
Dec. 29, 1926 – May 14, 2010

Edna Lindsley, 83, of Almaugus Drive, Niles died at 2:50 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010 at her home following an extended illness.

She was born Dec. 29, 1926 in Goshen, Ind. to Fred Lehman and Eva Plake. She was raised in South Bend and moved to Niles in 1956.

Edna had been employed at Duke Harrah Aviation. She enjoyed camping at Mini Mountain in New Carlisle; going to the casino; playing bingo at the senior center; playing cards at home with family and friends; but most of all, caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She married Raymond R. Lindsley on March 29, 1942 in South Bend. He died Oct. 1, 1989.

She is survived by her sons, Raymond Lindsley Jr., of Myrtle Beach, Fla., Ronald (Shirley) Lindsley, of Niles, Richard (Shirley) Lindsley, of Roseland, Ind. and James (Boots Baker) Lindsley, of Niles; daughters, Pat (Junior) Larrew, of Walkerton, Ind. and Eva Hamilton, of Niles; 28 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughters, Betty Hickey and Jean Bybee; brothers, Glen Lehman, Donald Lehman, Floyd Lehman and Lloyd Lehman; and sister, Sophie Lehman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with John Young of Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.