John T. Demos
July 4, 1923-July 28, 1996

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 29, 1996, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

John T. Demos
1923-1996
Decorated Purple Heart Army veteran

A mass of Christian burial for John T. Demos, 73, of 1410 Barron Lake Road, Niles will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Niles, by the Rev. Joseph W. Koma, C.S.C., of the church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Demos died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born July 4, 1923 in Niles, and was a lifetime resident.

He was married to the former Dorothy M. Gross in Niles on April 9, 1945; she survives.

Mr. Demos retired from Tyler Refrigeration in 1971, where he had been employed as an inspector.

He was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 27th Infantry Division in the South Pacific during World War II, belonged to the Michigan chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors’ Association, the American Legion Post 26 of Niles and the D.A.V. Chapter 55 of Niles.

He received the Bronze Star at Pearl Harbor in 1942, and received the Purple Heart Award Nov. 12, 1981.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Tom Demos of Niles; two daughters, Shirlee Wakkinen of Hurley, Wisc. And Margaret C. Clubb-Piszker of Niles; three granddaughters, Kellie, Bella, Keri Burtzlaff and Amber Clubb, all of Niles; a grandson, Nicholas Bella of Niles.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. A rosary will be said at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and full military honors will be given at graveside by American Legion Cmdr. John McLaughlin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Barbara Bell Foster
October 20, 1854-December 14, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 15, 1927, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. JOHN FOSTER DIES AT FARM HOMESTEAD
Wife of Well Known Niles Township Farmer Claimed by Death

Mrs. Barbara Foster, 73, wife of John Foster, a well known and highly respected lady and pioneer school teach, died at her home in Niles township, December 14.  A few months ago she fell and broke her arm, injuring her hip as well.  She was taken to Pawating where she partially recovered before being removed again to her home.  She was unable to walk, however, up to the time of her death.

Barbara Livengood was born October 20, 1854, in Elkhart, Ind., the daughter of John and Catherine Livengood.  She was educated in the schools of Elkhart and at the seminary in Roanoke, Ind.  She took a teacher’s training course at Hillsdale college and later became a teacher in Cass and Berrien counties. On her arrival in Michigan she made her home with her cousin, Mrs. C.B. Groat.  She became the wife of John Foster, of Niles township, on November 9, 1880.  She was the mother of three children, Fred L., who resides near the old home, Ray and Miss Zoe at home. Besides her husband and three children, two brothers, Willard, of South Bend, and Henry Livengood, of Elkhart, Ind., survive her.  A large circle of Friends and neighbors also deeply mourn her loss.  Rev. Larsen will conduct strictly private funeral services at the home on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, December 20, 1927, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NEWS in Brief: PLACE BODY IN MAUSOLEUM

The body of Mrs. Barbara Foster, wife of John Foster, was placed in the mausoleum at Silver Brook cemetery after the funeral services held at the home north of the city.  The services were conducted by Rev. Larsen, pastor of the Pokagon circuit.

G. Ray Foster
February 29, 1892-November 28, 1966

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, November 29, 1966, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

G. Ray Foster, 74, of 3233 M-140 N, died unexpectedly at 9:45 p.m., Monday in Pawating Hospital.

Mr. Foster, a farmer, was born Feb. 29, 1892, in Niles Township, and lived his lifetime in this area. He married Millie Radewald Oct. 21, 1933, in Lansing. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, George, Hawthorne, Calif.; and two daughters, Mrs. Montgomery Cook, Columbus, Ohio, and Margaret Foster, at home.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Young People’s Social Club of North Niles, in addition to life memberships in the Niles Commandery 12, Knights Templar and St. Jospeh Valley Lodge 4 Free and Accepted Masons.

Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in his church.  The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today.

Zoe B. Foster
August 23, 1888-August 13, 1965

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, August 13. 1965, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Zoe B. Foster, 76, of 3233 M-40, died at 8 a.m. this morning at home after an illness lasting two months.

Surviving is her brother G. Foster, with whom she made her home.

Miss Foster was born Aug. 23, 1888, in Niles Township, and spent her life time in the area.  She was a member of the First Methodist Church and the North Niles Study Group.

The Rev. William A. Hertel of the First Methodist Church will conduct services at 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon Saturday.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, August 14, 1965, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

WRONG ADDRESS

Miss Zoe B. Foster, 76, who died Friday morning, had lived at 3233 M-140. It had been reported that she lived on M-40. 

She is survived by her brother, G. Ray Foster.

Franklin T. Grimes
March 20, 1916-December 15, 1980

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, December 17, 1980, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Franklin T. Grimes, 64, of 976 Jean Ann Drive, St. Joseph, died 2 p.m. Monday, in Cape Coral, Florida.

Grimes was born March 20, 1916, in Chicago, and came to Niles at the age of seven months.  He attended Niles schools, and graduated in 1934. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, and had retired from Whirlpool.

He married Nadine Chapman July 24, 1937, in South Bend.  She survives him.

Also surviving are a son, Michael, of Littleton, Colorado; and three daughters, Mrs. Peggy Shepherdson, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Mrs. Philip (Patty) Damice, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Judy Nicklo, of Bradenton, Florida.

A brother and four sisters also surviving are Thomas R., of South Bend; Mrs. Ruth C. Cook, of Niles; Mrs. Gwendolyn McDade, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Charles (Carolyn) Baldwin, of Irvine, California, and Mrs. Jack (Betty) Barry, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, December 19, at St. Joseph’ Catholic Church, in St Joseph. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at Dey-Florin Funeral Chapel, 2506 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 9 Thursday evening. Liturgy and prayers will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Heart Fund.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 18, 1980, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Father Leroy White, of St. John’s Catholic Church, Benton Harbor, will officiate at services, 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19, at St. John’s.

Nadine Virginia Grimes
November 19, 1917-March 13, 2003

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, March 17, 2003, page 7, col. 6

ST. JOSEPH—Nadine Virgina Grimes, 85, of St. Joseph passed away peacefully into the arms of her loving Saviour at 6 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2003, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph in St. Joseph, after a short illness. She had spent the last nine years of her life at the Country Manor Care Center in Bridgman, where she was card for with great love and compassion by Debbie and Richard Ruff, their children and their staff.

Nadine (nee Chapman) was born to John and Maude (Carroll) Chapman in Baroda, on Nov. 29, 1917.  On July 24, 1937, she married Frank “Burleigh” Grimes at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Niles.  Nadine and Frank had a busy, wonderful life together for 43 years.  They traveled all over the U.S. and to several foreign countries, until Frank’s passing on Dec. 15, 1980.

They moved to Fairplain in July of 1954.  Nadine worked for Totzke Realtors.  She also had a large clientele as an Avon lady for several years.  She and Frank and children joined St. Joseph Catholic Church, where Nadine belonged to the Marian Guild Auxiliary. Nadine and Frank loved to golf and were members of the Berrien Hills Country Club.  Nadine won several 9-hole club championships.  She and Frank were also members of the St. Joseph Elks Lodge.  Nadine was a former member of the Maccabee Ladies in Niles, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Memorial Hospital volunteer in the coffee shop.  In earlier years, she liked to play bingo, was an avid reader, and loved and enjoyed all kinds of animals.

Nadine is survived by four children, Patty (Philip) Damico, of St. Joseph, Peggy Shepherdson of China, Judy Nicklo of Fresno, Calif., and Mike Grimes of Stevensville; grandchildren Tom Damico of Stevensville, and Mike and John Damico of St. Joseph, Gary Shepherdson of Berrien Springs, Shari Smallwood of Florida and Mary Linn of Niles, Chris Nicklo of California and Angie Nicklo of Kentucky.  Nadine is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren.

Besides her beloved “Burleigh” Nadine was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers and three sisters; and her granddaughter Deborah Marie Damico, in 1960.

We all loved you very much Mom and will miss you, but you are with Daddy now and we can rejoice that you are together in Heaven.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Entombment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Animal Aid or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.  Friends wishing to send condolences may do so at the family guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com.