Edward H. Mark
Sept. 23, 1926-April 23, 2008

Edward H. Mark, 81, of Buchanan, MI, and a longtime Niles, MI, businessman, died following a brief illness on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Inwood Hills Estates, South Bend, IN.

Mr. Mark was born on September 23, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, to Louis and Julia (Klein) Mark. He graduated from high school in Newark and then from Newark College of Engineering. He had lived in this area since 1961.

Mr. Mark managed several manufacturing firms before founding his own business, Packard Industries in Niles in 1966. His business principles included excellence in engineering and quality in production, the same as the Packard automobile company which he had admired. In 1996, Ed passed Packard Industries on to the next generation.

Mr. Mark also collected Packard vehicles. At his retirement, the collection represented the entire history and variety of Packards, and was remarkable for the number of vehicles and the "showroom condition" in which they were maintained.

On April 26, 1952, in Newark, he married the former Donna M. Tiemann, who survives. Mr. Mark is also survived by their 10 children, Catherine (Alfredo Torano) Mark of Spain, Mary Mark-Herbach and Louis Mark, both of Michigan, Steve Mark of Illinois, Julie Mark of Colorado, John (Vera) Mark of Illinois, Karen Mark of Indiana, Daniel (Carole) Mark of Wyoming, Jacob (Jill) Mark of Indiana and Thomas Mark of Colorado; nine grandchildren, Raquel, Francisco, Michael, Lane, Elias, Angelina, Sarah, Sophie and Samuel.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin Mark.

The funeral services for Edward H. Mark will be at 11 a.m. today, April 28, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Monsignor Eugene Sear of Saint Joseph, Michigan, officiating, followed by committal at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family received relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Edward H. Mark may be made to the Mayo Clinic Simulation Center, Rochester, MN

Lillie Mae (Bedford) Bennett
August 9, 1916-April 20, 2008

NILES - Lillie Mae Bennett, 91, of North Tenth Street, died at 10:48 a.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008, in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, MI, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Bennett was born on August 9, 1916, in Hernando, MS, to Charlie and Mary (Tate) Bedford. She had lived in Niles since 1945. Lillie helped many Niles families with housekeeping services. Lillie accepted Christ at Union Grove Baptist Church, Hernando, MS, through the pastorate of the Rev. Hezekiah Gooch. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles. She invested unusual amounts of time and effort caring for her family, and will be remembered as a respected and loved mother of a very successful family.

She was married to Joseph James "Joe B" Bennett, who died on Jan. 20, 2004.

Mrs. Bennett is survived by her children, Ethel Hightower of South Bend, Christine (Randolph Williams) Cherry of Kalamazoo, Ernestine (Donald) Taylor and Eulah (Cartier Shields) Adams, both of Niles, Nathaniel (Evette) Bedford of Niles and Willie Cherry of Niles; 11 grandchildren, including Staff Sergeant Jesse Adams, U.S. Air Force, and Donald Taylor II; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including nieces, Forestine (Charles) McCuin of Las Vegas, NV, and Gloria (James) Darby of Milwaukee, WI; and friends, Lonnie and Terry.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Willie, Jessie, Charlie, Louis and James Bedford; and by sisters, Laura Wilson, Sallie Boston, Dorothy Bedford, Mildred Howard and Alma Cherry.

The funeral services for Lillie Mae Bennett will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, in the New Vision - An Apostolic Faith Assembly in Niles, with District Elder Carlton D. Burrel of New Vision and Rev. Horace G. Howard Jr. of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Blytheville, AR, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the church beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.

Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Bennett may be made to the Patient Activities Fund at Lakeland Specialty Hospital.

Adolph H. A. Lindstaedt
April 17, 1918-April 10, 2008

NEW CARLISLE - Adolph H. "A" Lindstaedt, 89, of Chicago Trail and formerly of Niles, MI, died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Hamilton Grove Retirement Communities, New Carlisle, following an extended illness.

Mr. Lindstaedt was born on April 17, 1918, in Detroit, Michigan to John and Martha (Holke) Lindstaedt. He was a life-long resident of Niles. Adolph retired after 35 years of service from National-Standard Company in Niles.

Adolph was a lifetime member of New Apostolic church, Niles, where he was a deacon. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 775th Tank Battalion in the United States Army. Adolph was an avid sports fan, enjoyed Niles sports and supporting his grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandfather.

On June 29, 1946, in South Bend, he married Ruth Ann (Schadler) Lindstaedt, who preceded him in death on August 30, 2000.

Mr. Lindstaedt is survived by his daughters, Katherine Johnson of Valparaiso, IN and Marti Rumpf of Niles; a son, David Lindstaedt of Middlebury, IN; six grandchildren, Jill Ann, Timothy, Emily, Matthew, McKenzie and C.J.; three great-grandchildren, Alex, Jordyn, Bly; and a sister, Betty Hochmuth of Kalamazoo, MI.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Irma Lindstaedt and Margaret Perry; and two brothers, John Lindstaedt and Ernest Lindstaedt.

The funeral services for Adolph H. "A" Lindstaedt will be at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, in the New Apostolic Church, Niles with Rev. Dale Nelson of New Apostolic Church, South Bend, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation.

Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles is handling arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Adolph H. "A" Lindstaedt may be made to the New Apostolic Church, Niles.

Donna Fout
Feb. 8, 1919-April 9, 2008

NILES - Donna Fout, 89, of East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Niles, died at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, in Porter Hills Health Center in Grand Rapids following an extended illness.

Mrs. Fout was born on February 8, 1919, in Niles, to Earl and Blanche (Pirnie) Clark. She was a lifelong resident of Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1937.

Donna served the City of Niles as Deputy City Clerk and then 10 years as City Clerk, for a total of 31 years at City Hall. As City Clerk, she was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Mobile Homes. From 1987-1995 she served as Berrien County Commissioner representing the City of Niles. She represented the Mental Health Board from '87- '97.

Donna was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, The Order of the Eastern Star Niles Chapter #332, Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, Niles Historical Society, Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club where she was elected as the first female club president, and DeColores Ministry of Southwest Michigan.

On October 19, 1938 in LaPorte, Indiana, she married Donal J. Fout, who survives. They would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of their marriage this year.

Mrs. Fout is also survived by her daughter, Judith D. Schmitt of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Donal E. Schmitt of Chicago, Illinois, and Christina A. Hankins of Rockford, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Emily, Chase, Gavin and Jenna Hankins.

Donna was preceded in death by two brothers, Merlin Horace Clark, who died August 19, 1994, and Leo Clark, who died October 14, 1969.

The funeral service for Donna Fout will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 14, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with Rev. Janet Van Lear of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Eastern Star rites at 7:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Donna Fout may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church in Niles or Porter Hills Health Center, 3600 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Larry L. Bachman
Dec. 1, 1931 – June 18, 2002

Larry Lyle Bachman, 70, of 1514 Bond St., Niles, died Tuesday in Ben Taub Hospital, Houston. Survivors include his mother, Maxine Bachman of Niles. Private services will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Maxine Bachman
Oct. 3, 1908 – April 29, 2003

Maxine Bachman, 95 of Bond Street, died Tuesday in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, following a brief illness. Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call one hour before services.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown