Arelia Hodges, 87
July 11, 1923 — Aug. 1, 2010

The Rev. Michael Graham, 65
June 13, 1945 — Aug. 1, 2010

The Rev. Michael “Wayne” Graham, 65, of Chicago Road, Niles died at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Mich. following a brief illness.

The Rev. Graham was born June 13, 1945 in Niles to Joseph and Martha Graham. He lived here all his life, graduated from Niles High School and attended Ferris State University. He retired from Buchanan Community Schools and previously served as an officer of the Michigan State Police at the post in New Buffalo, Mich.

The Rev. Graham was the pastor at Abundant Life Fellowship in South Bend. He was also involved in syndicated radio ministries including “One on One” and “Gospel Classics,” some of which were broadcast from the WNIL radio studio in Niles. These shows broadcast across the country and Europe, and won national awards. He was also able to promote independent artists through the shows.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles and walking at Madeline Bertrand Park, where he knew all the staff. He loved his old-time radio programs collection.

On April 9, 1977 in Niles, he married the former Kathy Lou Brodersen, who survives. He is also survived by Kathy’s sisters, Sue (Gary) Shelton, of Jones, Mich., Sharon (Pastor Larry) Lovell, of Vernon, Texas and Karen Tolliver, of Dowagiac; three nieces; three nephews; nine great-nephews; and three great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Wally Bowerman and great-nephew, Jamie Deuel, who died in 1975.

Funeral services for the Rev. Michael “Wayne” Graham will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Assistant Pastor Dave Spurlock of Abundant Life Fellowship officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at noon Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of the Rev. Graham may be made to Madeline Bertrand Park or Lakeland Hospice, St. Joseph.

Iona Fein, 91
June 9, 1919 — Aug. 1, 2010

Iona Irene Fein, 91, of Niles died at 2:55 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 at Silverbrook Manor, Niles of natural causes.

She was born June 9, 1919 in Munsing, Mich. She lived here 74 years.

Iona enjoyed being with her family, going out to eat, going for rides and she enjoyed deer hunting when she was younger.

She married Ralph Fein, who preceded her in death in 1977.

Iona is survived by her daughter-in-law, Dawn Fein, of Niles; brother, Don (Gloria) Peterson in Little Lake, Mich.; sister, Dorothy (Kenneth) Grenquist, of Marshall, Mich.; six grandchildren, Teresa Latislaw, Timothy (Janie) Fein, Trent (Lori) Fein, Tracey (John) Simpson, Lori (John) Watson and Darren Parker; 10 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Fein, on Aug. 2, 2006.

A Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Niles with Father Thomas King of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Edward Curtis, 68
June 23, 1942 — Aug. 7, 2010

Edward Manley “Uncle Honey” Curtis, 68, of Carberry Road in Niles, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010 at 5:05 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

Edward Curtis

Mr. Curtis was born June 23, 1942 in South Bend to Manley Howard and Virginia Katherine (Forbes) Curtis. He was a lifetime resident of Niles. He retired in 2001 after 25 years of service from Honeywell in South Bend. He also had been employed at Allied Speciality Precision in Mishawaka.
Edward was a veteran of the Vietnam Era, having served in the United States Navy on both the U.S.S. Vulcan and U.S.S. Nantahala.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 2094, Niles. He enjoyed gardening, bird watching, music and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.
Mr. Curtis is survived by his daughters, Judy Curtis of Niles and Diane (Gary) Dreher of Buchanan; grandchildren, Tony (Bethany) Angelero of Buchanan, Samantha Curtis of Niles, Sarah Elizabeth Dreher and Paul Dreher, both of Buchanan; great-granddaughter, Emma Gene Comer of Niles; mother, Virginia Katherine Curtis of Saint Petersburg, Fla.; brothers and sisters, Stephen (Peggy) Curtis of South Bend, Mark Curtis of Niles, Mary (Lynn) Speck of Clearwater, Fla., Nan (Ken) Olney of Wayland, Mich., Diane (Tom) Filstrup of Port Charlotte, Fla., Andrea (Bob) Wetmore and Lorraine (Dave) Casey, both of Saint Petersburg and Beth (Tim) Winquist of Niles; brother-in-law, Jim Litty of Crown Point, Ind.; and 20 nieces and nephews.
Edward was preceded in death by his father, Manley Howard Curtis, and sister, Margaret Litty.
Funeral services for Edward Manley Curtis will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles with the Rev. James Slack of the church officiating. The service will conclude with full military honors by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Edward may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:24pm Monday, August 9, 2010

Mary Arnett, 83
Feb. 3, 1927 — Aug. 6, 2010

     Mary K. Arnett, 83, of Carrol Street in Buchanan and formerly of South Fifth Street in Niles, died at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 at Buchanan Meadows Living Center, Buchanan.
     She was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Lenoir City, Tenn. to William Frank Hensley and Minnie Mae (Stout) Hensley.
     She grew up in Benton Harbor and moved to Niles in 1970. She was previously employed at Michigan Fruit Canners.
     She married Thello Ray Arnett in February 1959. He died in 1975. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward “Mitch” Hensley, who died Nov. 27, 2002.
     Mary is survived by her daughter, Linda J. (Estes R.) Bazor of Wheatland, Calif.; grandsons, Logan A. Boydell of Sacramento, Calif., Noah G. Boydell of Sacramento and Daniel E. Bazor of Citrus Heights, Calif.; granddaughter, Josselyn K. Bazor of Wheatland; and sister-in-law, Sigrid A. Hensley of Bloomington, Minn.
     Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010 at the graveside in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.
     Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
     There will be no visitation.
     Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Rachel Hatfield, 86
Aug. 3, 1924 — Aug. 22, 2010

Rachel Hatfield, 86, of Cass Street in Niles, died at 5:19 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Hatfield was born Aug. 3, 1924 in Michigan City, Ind. to James S. and Katie E. (Love) Painter. Rachel lived in Niles most of her life and retired from Electro-Voice in Buchanan.

She attended the Methodist church. She enjoyed snowmobiling at Irons, Mich. and gardening.

In September 1945 at the Methodist church, she married John A. Hatfield, who preceded her in death Dec. 21, 2006. Their son, Jerry A. Hatfield, also preceded her in death Nov. 29, 1999.

Mrs. Hatfield is survived by their grandson, Jeffrey A. Hatfield, and granddaughter, Jennifer A. Hatfield, both of Niles; great-grandson, Brandon Michael Jerry Hatfield; great-granddaughter, Mya Ray Matlock; and sister, Ruth Nowlin, of Austin, Texas.

Graveside services for Rachel Hatfield will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Rachel may be made to the American Cancer Society.