Dorothy C. Zimmerman
July 10, 1925-Sept. 13, 2009

Dorothy C. Zimmerman, 84, of Niles died at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.  She was born on July 10, 1925, in North Brunswick, NJ., to the late Joseph and Lottie Smetts.  She was a retired RN from Lakeland Hospital, Niles.  She was married on June 8, 1947, in Niles, to Billy A. Zimmerman who preceded her in death on Dec. 28, 1973. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Smetts. Survivors include daughters, Penny Dorogi of South Bend and Cathy Kluwe of Carlsbad, CA; brother, Arthur Smetts of Benton Harbor and 2 grandchildren.  Memorial services will be at noon Friday in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, where friends may call one hour before services.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Thomas G. Montague-Tompkins
Nov. 29, 1946-Sept. 10, 2009

Thomas Gene Montague-Tompkins, 62, of 1054 Bame Avenue, Niles, died a 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, in his home of natural causes.

He was born on November 29, 1946, in South Bend to the late Richard and Sylvia Tompkins.

He was a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran. He worked as a custodian at St. Mary's College for 10 years and at Dodge Metal Refinery. He had lived in Niles for 23 years, coming from South Bend.

On July 21, 1990 in Niles, he married Sandra Weiser who survives. Also surviving are daughters, Yolonda Tompkins and Yvette Linback, both of Niles and Yvonne Mad of Lyons, CO; a brother, James Montague of Elkhart; sister, Debra Sult of South Bend; and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. today, Sept. 12 in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, where friends may call one hour before services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorials may be made to Berrien County Humane Society.

Raymond L. Marble
Oct. 17, 1915-Sept. 8, 2009

GRANGER — Raymond Leonard Marble, 93, of Hunting Ridge Trail, Granger, IN, and formerly of Niles, MI, died at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 in the Sanctuary at Holy Cross, South Bend, IN, following a brief illness.

He was born October 17,1915 in Buchanan, MI, to Leonard Oscar and Mary Francis (Mulholland) Marble. He graduated from Niles High School, and moved to Granger in 1989. He retired in 1977 after 35 years of service from Clark Equipment Company, where he was Fire Chief for five years.

Raymond was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army and was stationed in Europe.

He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge #1322 and American Legion Post #26, Niles.

Raymond and his wife were world travelers. However, they liked spending time with their family and friends the best.

On October 6, 1940 in Niles he married the former Ruth Anne Burris, who preceded him in death on February 9, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Leonora Spansail, Dorothea Antonine and Mary Genevieve Modory; and brother, Gerald Marble who died at birth.

He is survived by his daughter, DeVonne G. Turner of Granger; son, Donavon Ray (Janet) Marble of Redwood Shores, CA; grandchildren, Dr. Jeffrey (Wendy) Turner of Granger, Darren (Dara) Marble and Travis Marble, both of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandson, Kyle and Matthew Turner of Granger; sister-in-law, Bonnie Stainbrook of South Bend, IN; brothers-in-law, John (Tharen) Burris of Jasonville, IN, and William (Carmon) Burris of Fort Branch, IN; nephews, Kevin Fisher of Niles, Christopher (Tracey) Fries of Elkhart, IN, Marc (Sylvia) Tjaden of Fort Wayne, IN, and Anthony (Carolyn) Modory of Mission Viejo, CA; and cousin, Elaine Williams of Glendale, CA.

Services for Raymond L. Marble will be held at 11 a.m. Monday Sept. 14 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist church officiating.

Committal will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan.

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

Contributions in Memory of Raymond May be made to the Donor's Choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Josephine K. Clark
November 10, 1919-September 7, 2009

Josephine Kathryn Clark, 89, of Bluff Street, Niles, MI, died at 6:30 p.m. Monday September 7, 2009, in West Woods of Niles, following an illness.

She was born on November 10, 1919, in Lowell, IN, to Guy G. and Ingrid Marie (Sorensen) McCoy. The family moved to LaPorte, IN, in 1925, and Josephine moved to Niles in 1945. She was employed as executive secretary of the Niles Utilities Department (now the Board of Public Works), from which she retired in 1984.

"Jo" was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles where she served as a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, served two terms on the Vestry, and edited the church's newsletter, The Trinity Tribune for several years. She was also a member of the church's Episcopal Church Women and of the Saint Veronica's Chapter of Daughters of the King.

On April 29, 1945 in LaPorte she married James H. Clark, who preceded her in death on February 17, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Alfred Clayton McCoy and sister, Gyneth Mosher.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Kimberly Ann (Carl) McBride of Tecumseh, MI; grandchildren, Carl James (Susan) McBride and Jennifer A. (John) Kandik; great-grandchildren, Serena Lopez and Breana Kandik; a brother-in-law, Glen Mosher and sister-in-law, Kate Shafer.

The funeral service for Josephine K. Clark will be at 2 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 in Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles with The Reverend James Slack of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

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

Billy W. Burney
April 18, 1930-Sept. 6, 2009

Billy W. Burney, 79, of Mobile Boulevard, Niles, and formerly of LaPorte, IN, died at 9:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 in his home following an extended illness.

He was born on April 18, 1930, in Trumann, Arkansas, to Dick and Lelia May (Weatherall) Burney. He moved to LaPorte, and then in 1976 came to Niles. He retired in 1995 from Allied Van Lines Woodworth.

Billy enjoyed fishing in area lakes, and visiting casinos, especially to play blackjack.

On June 3, 1996 in Marion, Arkansas, he married the former Phyllis Webber, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Donna (Tom Wegier) Burney of LaPorte; stepdaughters, Linda Fauver of Chesterton, IN, and Sandra Zarych of Valparaiso, IN; grandsons, Robert Wayne Bunton and Nicholas James Bunton; and several step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Eva Sharp, Lorrine Cates, David Burney and L.M. Burney.

The funeral service for Billy W. Burney will be at 2 p.m. today, September 9, 2009 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Daniel miler of First Missionary Church, Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family of Billy Burney will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. today.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Burney may be made to The Leukemia Society.