Nancy Green, 78
April 29, 1932 — Oct. 17, 2010

Nancy L. Green, 78, of South Third Street, Niles, died at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born April 29, 1932 in South Bend to Charles Joseph and Irene M. (Ostrander) Parks and lived in this area her whole life, graduating from Niles High School in 1950. She was employed fro 25 years at the former National Tea Co. and the former A&P grocery stores in Niles.

Nancy enjoyed playing bingo and visiting the Blue Chip Casino and Las Vegas. She also enjoyed working in her yard and caring for her daughters and their families.

On Feb. 1, 1958 in South Bend, she married Robert L. Green. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary before Bob’s death July 5, 2003.

Nancy was also preceded in death by two sisters, Willadean Arata and Phyllis Parks.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Carmen (Michael) Burks of Niles and Missy (Scott) DeLay of Parker, Colo.; grandson, Jake DeLay; step-grandchildren, Corey (Kristina) Burks, Christopher Burks and Michelle Pence; seven step-great-grandchildren; a brother and sister, Charles Parks and Melba Bestle, both of Niles; several sisters- and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Nancy L. Green will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home with Pastor David Mitchell of Faith Victory Fellowship in Buchanan officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 p.m. until the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to Niles-Buchanan Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:44am Tuesday, October 19, 2010

John Allen, 86
April 24, 1924 — Oct. 18, 2010

John Lee Allen, 86, of Niles, died at 7:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph of natural causes.

He was born April 24, 1924 in Amite County, Miss. He had lived in the Niles area since 1969.

John was a saw mill technician and a member of Spiritual Vision Church of God in Christ in Niles.

He married Eula Mae Allen on Nov. 25, 1944 in Liberty, Miss. She preceded him in death June 15, 1997.

John was also preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Georgia (Morton) Allen, and a daughter, Camel Lee Allen, on June 7, 2008.

John is survived by his sons, Charles (Geneva) Allen, Johnnie (Regina) Allen, JL Allen, Willie (Mary) Allen, Leroy Carl Allen and Ronnie (April) Allen; daughters, Georgia Mae Allen, Jessie Mae Allen, Jeanette (Rochell) Foster and Ola Mae Rose; brothers, Jack Allen of Amite County, Miss. and Bennie Allen of Amite County, Miss.; 40 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and special friends, Mrs. Heron, Ms. Rosetta Lowery and Mr. Jack.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2010 at Spiritual Vision Church of God in Christ, Niles, with Pastor Elijah Thompson III of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25 at the church.

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:36am Friday, October 22, 2010

Mary Jacobs, 94
April 2, 1916 — Oct. 21 2010

Mary Ann Jacobs, 94, of North Fifth Street, Niles, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born April 2, 1916 in Kosiosko County, Ind. to Artie Merl Fisher and Mary Lucille (Cripe) Fisher. She lived most of her life in Niles.

She enjoyed raising a large family and being involved in their lives.

She married Jack J. Jacobs on June 19, 1932 in St. Joseph. He died Nov. 14, 1999.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Jack L. Jacobs, who died in 1982, and several brothers and sisters.

Mary is survived by her sons, George D. Jacobs of New Orleans, La., Robert J. Jacobs of Niles, James A. Jacobs of Niles, Michael R. Jacobs of Niles and Daryl D. Jacobs of Niles; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family will gather privately for services at a later date.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

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

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:36am Friday, October 22, 2010

Lisa Webb, 34
Jan. 5, 1976 — Oct. 19, 2010

Lisa Webb, of Hendricks Lane in Niles, died at 11:12 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Lakeland Community Hospital following an extended illness. She was 34.

She was born on Jan. 5, 1976 in Niles to Harlan Webb and Stacey Miller.

Webb

She attended Niles Community Schools and lived here all of her life. She was a member of Ontwa Baptist Church. She loved her children, her sister Jennifer and doing for others.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Dave and Joan Miller and grandfather Otis Lintz.

She is survived by Ted (Tamilla) Lintz; mother Stacey Lintz of Niles; father Harlan Webb of Delphi, Ind.; her sons Steven, Jonathon and Donald Webb all of Niles, sister Jennifer Webb of Niles; grandmother Dolores Goldman of Niles; grandparents Dorothy and Bill Webb of Buchanan and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services for Lisa Webb will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Elsey of Ontwa Baptist Church officiating.

Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:53pm Sunday, October 24, 2010

Bessie M. Marshall
June 21, 1924 — Oct. 22, 2010

Bessie M. Marshall, 86, of Sycamore Street in Niles, died at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on June 21, 1924 in Niles to William H. and Frieda Louise (Wadel) Fay and has lived in Niles all of her life. In her teens, she was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company from which she retired following 35 years of service.

She returned to school to complete her last semester and graduated from Niles High School in 1986.

She was a lifelong member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ. She enjoyed golfing at Plym Park and other area courses and was a proficient golfer until her final round at age 82.

Her family remembers her as a wonderful homemaker, mother and grandmother.

On Sept. 12, 1942 in Niles she married J. Wesley “Wes” Marshall who died on Aug. 6, 1968. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister, Betty Jones on March 4, 2007 and by two other sisters, Bernadine Bolle and Irene Hambly.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Nora S. (Jerry) Pitcher and Karen (Terry) Malling, both of Niles; grandchildren Sean (Michelle) Bryant, Kristine Groves, Julie (Jim) Young and Jennifer (Daniel) Moore; great-grandchildren Nichole Price, Brian Connors, Bradley Connors, Katelyn Connors, Hannah Moore and Casey Moore;  great-great-grandchild Mackenna and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Bessie M. Marshall will be held at 11 a.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Harry L. Clark of Saint John’s United Church of Christ officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Bessie Marshall may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ.

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:56am Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Erna Johnson, 82
July 8, 1928 — Oct. 6, 2010

Erna K. Johnson, 82, of Apache Junction, Ariz.,  passed away at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Ariz. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 after battling recurring infections and complications for nearly a year.

She was born July 8, 1928 in Hallein, Austria and was raised by her beloved foster-mother “O’Mommy.” She graduated high school and became fluent in English, and it was then she met the love of her life and future husband, Robert E. Johnson. He was stationed in Austria shortly after World War II, and re-enlisted twice to make sure the Army would allow him to bring his beautiful bride back to the United States.

They were married in Salzburg, Austria on Nov. 17, 1948, and settled in Niles soon after.

Together they raised two sons and one daughter: Henry, Dwain and Teresa.

“Mammaw,” as her family called her, led an active life including living and working on the farm while the kids were growing up. There were also many trips back to Austria to visit family. One of her favorite pastimes was square dancing with her husband Bob, and she enjoyed many fun filled occasions at the German Dank Club in St. Joseph. Her wonderful Austrian recipes where always a hit at gatherings, and will be passed down through the family for future generations to enjoy.

In her later years, Erna and Bob kept very busy with their turquoise jewelry business, setting up at many of the arts and crafts festivals locally.

They traveled in their motorhome out west for the winters, and took their jewelry business on the road with them, making many new friends at festivals and flea markets along the way.

While out west, Erna always looked forward to their trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev. to enjoy the wonderful buffets and try their luck at the tables.

Erna and Bob lived in Niles for more than 40 years. She worked at Simplicity Pattern Co. before retiring, and moved to Apache Junction, Ariz. in 1992.

She will always be remembered for her “happy to see you smile,” and her love for her family.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Charlotte Höllbacher of Austria; brothers, Franz Voggenberger, Fritz Moosmann, Helmut Moosmann, all of Austria; daughter, Teresa Johnson-Cole of Niles; and infant daughter, Angela Sue Johnson.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert E. Johnson of Apache Junction, Ariz.; sons, Albert Henry “Hank” Johnson and wife, Maureen, of Niles, Dwain A. Johnson and wife, Julie, of Gilbert, Ariz.; grandchildren, Dean Johnson of Niles, Heidi Johnson of Apache Junction, Ariz.,  Jenny Pendley of Naperville, Ill, Todd Johnson of Niles, Kacey Cole of Niles, Dominic Johnson of Gilbert, Ariz., Courtney Johnson of Gilbert, Ariz.

A memorial service will be held at  Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St., Niles at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.

The processional is a short drive to Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, where family and friends will commit her ashes to her final resting place.

A lunch reception will be provided by Hope Community Church after the burial for family and friends to gather and share memories.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 2:57am Tuesday, October 26, 2010