Odie B. Evans
Sept. 8, 1935-April 16, 1995

Services for Odie B. Evans, 59, of 1213 Queen St., South Bend, who died at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, April 16, 1995,  in St. Joseph's Medical Center, will be at noon Thursday in St. Paul Gospel Mission Church of God in Christ., Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. ,Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Alford's Mortuary.

Mrs. Evans was born Sept. 8, 1935, in Prescott, Ark., and lived in South Bend for 20 years.  On April 18, 1975, in Niles, she married Columbus Evans.  He survives with six daughters, Ollie Martin, Ora Jean Scott, Mary Evans, Sharon Lynn Evans and Elizabeth Miller, all of South Bend, and Thelma MaGee of Royal Oak; three sons, Columbus Jr. and Alvin, both of South Bend, and Anthony of Niles; two stepsons, Patrick Bush of Indianapolis and Eddie Bush of Hawaii; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Annie Bell Allen of Dallas and Genevieve Gill of Arkansas; and two brothers, Chester Lee Gill and Roy Gill, both of Prescott.  She was a member of the church Mother's board.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Jessie Mae Ellison
Nov. 10, 1940-Sept. 30, 1994

Jessie Mae Ellison, 53, of 1645 Michigan St., died at 3:42 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 1994,  in Pawating Hospital of natural causes. Mrs. Ellison was a cook for eight years at the former Portofinos Restaurant in Niles.  She was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Jackson, Tenn.  In August, 1957, in Jackson, Tenn., she married Howard L. Ellison.  He survives, with two daughters, Mary Louise Ellison and Barbara Fay Ellison, both of Niles; a son, Howard Lee Scott of Niles; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Hunt and Mildred Bray, both of Niles.  She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call one hour before services Monday in the church. Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Gladys E. "Wanda" (Metzger) Eliason
December 15, 1915-March 4, 2006

Mrs. Gladys Edwanda "Wanda" Eliason, 90, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and formerly of Niles, Michigan, died at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2006, in Hospice House, Roseland, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on December 10, 1915, in Galien, Michigan, to Ben and Gladys (Reese) Metzger.

With her husband, Carlyle R. Eliason, they founded the Eliason Corporation of Kalamazoo, in which they remained active throughout their lives. She was greatly devoted to the company and its employees, who will remember her high principles and compassion.

Wanda remained young at heart, with an exuberant spirit. She enjoyed nature, especially the shores of Lake Michigan, but her greatest joy was her family.

She was former member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles.

She was preceded in death by her husband on November 5, 1982; and by her brothers, Vernon, Keith and Robert Metzger.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Diane (& Harry) Ogasian, and son, David (& Linda) Eliason; grandsons, Carl, Matt, Scott and Steve, and granddaughters, Rebecca, Jennifer and Allie; ten cherished great-grandchildren; nephews and niece, Vernon, Richard and Michon; and several special friends who helped provide her care, Jean Miles, Peggy and Joe Bush, Anita Culp and Caryl Lane.

The funeral service for Wanda Eliason will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Eliason may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to the donor's choice.

Howard E. Eisele
May 10, 1904-Oct. 23, 1991

Funeral services for Howard E. Eisele, 87, of 911 S. Third St., Niles will be 11 a.m. Friday as Pifer-Smith Funeral Home by the Rev. Lou Schweppe, Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Eisele died at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, 1991, in Pawating Hospital, following a lengthy illness.  He was born May 10, 1904 in South Bend, Ind., and lived in this area all of his life.  Mr. Eisele retired from the maintenance dept. at Kawneer Corp.  He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Niles, and a 50 year member of the Fraternal order Eagles Lodge No 2094, Niles.  On March 11, 1929 in South Bend, Ind., he married Myrtle J. Leggett, who preceded him in death.  Survivors include two daughters, Joan Emmons of Niles and Mary Williams of Buchanan; a sister, Edna Gillen of Niles; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a son, Harold Eisele. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ. 

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Gertrude E. Eisele
Feb. 7, 1896-April 15, 1984

Gertrude E. Thomas Eisele, 88, 3710 Chicago Road, died at 6:35 p.m. Sunday April 15, 1984, in her home after a sudden illness.  The homemaker was a charter member of the First Church of Christ-Christian and the Bertrand Homemakers club.  Born Feb. 7, 1896 in Petoskey, she lived in the area for 68 years coming form South Bend.  She was married to Will Thomas Feb. 11, 1914 in Allegan.  He died in October 1956.  She was married to Arthur Eisele. Dec. 21, 1957 in South Bend. He died Nov. 4, 1978.

Surviving are two daughters, Nydia Masten of Galveston, Texas and Mrs. Amy Jean Fletcher of Niles, 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.  Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First church of Christ-Christian with Rev. Russell Hoss of the church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday.  Memorials may be made to the First Church of Christ-Christian and the church’s camp fund. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

George P. Eisele
Oct. 31, 1881-July 31, 1953

George P. Eisele, 435 South Fifth Street, died at his home at 6:50 p.m. Friday, July 31, 1953. He had been in poor health for a year. 

Surviving are his wife, Eva (Hattenback); a sister, Mrs. Anna Forrest, Niles.  He was born on Oct. 31, 1881, in Buchanan and came to Niles from there.  He had lived here most of his life, and was a machinist for the National Standard company.  He was a member of Modern Woodmen of American. 

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday. The Rev. H. A. Meussling, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.