Mrs. Cleola Boucree
Sept. 6, 1902-February 23, 1969

    NILES--Mrs. Cleola Boucree, 65, of 2846 Detroit Road, died at 9:30 p.m. Sunday in the South Bend Osteopathic Hospital.  She had been in ill health for the past three weeks.
    Mrs. Bourcree[sic] was born Sept. 6, 1902 in Muskogee, Okla. and had lived in Niles for the past 26 years coming from Chicago.
    In addition to her husband, Edward N., she is survived by a son, William Glover, Benton Harbor,; two brothers, Fred and Tom King, both of Chicago: two sisters, Della King, Chicago and Mrs. Fanny McIntoch, Muskeogee[sic] and one grandchild.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.  Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home with  Rev. R.B. Nabors, pastor of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Tuesday.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 24, 1969, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Louisa Bessemer
Died August 23, 1922


    Mrs. Louisa Bessemer, widow of George Bessemer, a well known and highly respected resident of the community  for many years, died this morning at 5 o'clock at the home of her son, William Bessemer, 713 Oak street, where she had made her home for the last 10 years.  Six weeks ago Mrs. Bessemer suffered a fall and broke her hip and was otherwise injured, and had since gradually failed until the end came this morning.
    Mrs. Bessemer was 78 years old.  She was born in Germany.  When she was 18 years old she came to Berrien county and soon after was united in marriage to George Bessemer, who died 14 years ago.  For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Bessemer resided southwest of Niles in Bertrand township  Mr. Bessemer being a successful farmer.  Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bessemer, five survive their mother.  They are Mrs. Mary Burbank of Morley, Mich.; John Bessemer, Niles; Charles of Elkhart; William of Niles and Lute of Crawfordsville, Ind.  The deceased children were George, Louisa and Rose.  Besides the children, Mrs. Bessemer is survived by one sister, Mrs. Chris Dittmar of Niles and by 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
    The funeral services will be held at the son's home Friday afternoon.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star/Sun, August 23, 1922, page 6, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Carolyn (McKnight) Tarwacki
December 16, 1970-Feb. 5, 2010

John F. Tarwacki Jr.
April 26, 1967 - Feb. 5, 2010

NILES - Carolyn M. Tarwacki, 39, and her husband, John F. Tarwacki Jr., 42, of Carberry Road, Niles, MI, died at their home in Niles on Friday, February 5, 2010.

John was born on April 26, 1967, in South Bend, IN, to John Francis and Dolores Else (Wolffram) Tarwacki Sr. He graduated from John Adams High School, South Bend, and had lived in this area most of his life.

Carolyn was born on December 16, 1970, in Niles, to Jackie Lee and Sharon Ann (Fretz) McKnight. She graduated from Niles High School, and had lived in Niles all of her life.

They were both employed by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company (formerly Blessing Music Company) where Carolyn was the regional representative to southwest Michigan. John had previously been employed by Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, and by the City of South Bend in a position which was featured in an article by the South Bend Tribune in 2007. John had served in the United States Navy as a nuclear-powered submarine engineer from 1987 through 1990. He has a great sense of humor and loved to have fun, especially with his family. He was skilled in Karaoke, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the University of Notre Dame, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. Carolyn enjoyed performing music, and was a talented player of the euphonium. She participated in several area music organizations including the Southwestern Michigan Brass Band, The Elkhart (Indiana) Municipal Band and the Saint Joseph (Michigan) Municipal Band.

They were both devout Christians, caring for people with the love of God, especially their close and extended family, and they were loved by all whose lives they had touched. On July 7, 2007, in Hope Community Church, Niles, they were married.

They are survived by John's children, John F. Tarwacki III and Zachary (Katrin) Tarwacki, all of West Point, Mississippi, Tea (Ryan) Koehn of Texas and Janna Tarwacki of Oklahoma; and a granddaughter, Ciersten Tarwacki. Also surviving are Carolyn's mother, Sharon A. McKnight of Niles; and John's parents, Dolores E. "Dollie" (Dean) Frick and John F. (Carol) Tarwacki Sr., all of South Bend, IN; Carolyn's sister, Katherine "Katie" (David) Weist of Niles; John's siblings, Sue (Tom) Michael of Cincinnati, OH, Kurt J. Tarwacki and Danielle Tarwacki, both of South Bend; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, including a nephew who was very special to them, Kelan McKnight. They were preceded in death by Carolyn's father, Jack McKnight, and their grandparents, including former Wakarusa (Indiana) Postmaster, Jerry (Ruth) Miller.

The funeral service for Carolyn and John Tarwacki will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010, in Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake Street, Niles, with the Rev. Cornelius Ryan, C.S.C., of Little Flower Catholic Church, South Bend, and the Rev. David Bartley of South Bend First Church of the Nazarene, and the Rev. Patricia Haas of Pokagon (Michigan) United Methodist Church all officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with he Veterans Flag Presentation and Taps in honor of John's military service. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Contributions in memory of Carolyn and John may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School, or Relay For Life . Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Judy R. Lorenzo
Feb. 22, 1949-Feb. 2, 2010

NILES — Judy R. Lorenzo, 60, of North Sixteenth Street, Niles, MI, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in her home following an extended illness.

Ms. Lorenzo was born on February 22, 1949, in White Oak, Missouri, to Bill Frank and Nadine Alma (Reed) Pugh. She graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles most of her life. Judy was previously employed at Mastic in South Bend, IN, and Suds Yer Duds in Niles.

She enjoyed reading, especially fiction, gardening in her yard and flower arranging.

Ms. Lorenzo is survived by her daughter, Angela Lorenzo of Niles; brothers, Bobby Pugh and Billy Don Pugh, both of Niles and Scott Pugh of Reno, Nevada; sisters, Dolores (Santiago) Arroyo of Puerto Rico, Candace Miller of Niles, Deborah Pugh of Los Angeles, California; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Alice Faye Brown who died in 2000.

Funeral services for Judy R. Lorenzo will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with The Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends form 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Paul Ray Chappel
January 14, 1955-November 20, 2009

Paul Ray Chappel, 54, of 1433 Terminal Road, died at 4:30 p.m. Friday November 20, 2009 in his home of natural causes.

He was born on January 15, 1955 in Salem, OH, to Russell and Dessie Chappel of Niles.

He was a member of the National Hot Rod Assoc., Auto Racing. He was also a mechanic and a truck driver.

Survivors include his parents, Russell and Dessie Chappel of Niles, MI; brothers, Steven (Marge) Chappel and Kenneth (Ruth Thornton) Chappel, both of Watervliet, MI; sister, Patricia (Michael) Herman of Niles, MI; nephews, Russell Chappel, David Chappel, and Thomas Herman; and nieces, Jennifer Dinges and Stephanie Herman.

Services will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2009 in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with Pastor Scott Labbe officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. until the time of services Tuesday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice, 211 Hilltop Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Richard W. Petro
Dec. 2, 1921-Nov. 29, 2009

Richard W. Petro, 87, of South Fourteenth Street in Niles, Michigan, died at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday, November 29, 2009, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

Mr. Petro was born on December 2, 1921, in Kaleva, Michigan, to Wilfred Rich and Vada Irene (Pollock) Petro. He graduated from Niles High School and had lived here most of his life. He earned his associate degree from Michiana College of Commerce. He retired in 1987 after 30 years of service from Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army Air Force.

Richard was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles where he was very active in the choir and was the treasurer. He loved his family and church camping vacations. He enjoyed vegetable gardening.

On November 17, 1951, in Goshen, Indiana, he married the former Dorothy Reiff, who survives. Surviving family also includes his children, Ron (Rhonda) Petro of Three Oaks, Michigan, Cynthia Jackson of Niles and Sherrie (Tim) Vermande of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandsons, Michael, Daniel and Steven Petro; half sister, Olive Petro of Chicago, Illinois; several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Petro was preceded in death by his brother, Robert W. Petro, who died on October 22, 2002.

The funeral service for Richard W. Petro will be held today, December 2, 2009, at 1 p.m. in Grace United Methodist Church in Niles, with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of the church and son-in-law, Mr. Tim Vermande officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, concluded by a Flag Presentation and "Taps" by American Legion Post #26 in Niles.

The family received relatives and friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Richard may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown