Mary L. Barkmann
March 22, 1912 -- Jan. 31, 2007

NILES -- Mary Lucille Barkmann, 94, of 1333 Wells Street, died of natural causes at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 31, in Riveridge Manor.

She was born March 22, 1912, in Oronoko Township, MI, to the late Frank and Leah Voit. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Leon, William, Fred and Frank Voit; and by a sister, Lillian Ahonen.

She was a lifetime area resident and a homemaker. She was a member of Buchanan Christian Church.

On July 30, 1945, in South Bend, she married Paul Albert Barkmann, who survives. Also surviving are a son, LeRoy (Starr) Barkmann of Niles; daughters, Grace (Jim) Cronin of Buchanan and Sally (Mike) Galaske of Niles; and a sister, Caroline Banish of Berrien Springs; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in Buchanan Christian Church, with Pastor Sean Kidd of the Buchanan Christian Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 2, in Hoven Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Michiana Christian Service Camp.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Paul A. Barkmann
March 25, 1914 -- May 19, 2007

NILES -- Paul Albert Barkmann, 93, of 1333 Wells Street, died at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, in Riveridge Manor.

He was born on March 25, 1914, in Chicago. He had lived in Niles for 55 years and in Buchanan for seven years. He retired from the City of Niles Board of Public Works.

On July 30, 1945, in South Bend, he married Mary Lucille (Voit), who preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 2007.

Survivors include a son, LeRoy (Starr) Barkmann of Niles; daughters, Grace (Jim) Cronin of Buchanan and Sally (Mike) Galaske of Niles; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Buchanan Christian Church, with Pastor Sean Kidd, minister of the Buchanan Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Memorials may be made to the Michiana Christian Service Camp.

Roger L. Barnes
Nov. 10, 1958 -- Aug. 17, 2005

NILES -- Roger Lee Barnes, 46, of Lewis Drive, died Wednesday in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, after an illness. Survivors include his wife, Kay M. (Smallwood); a daughter, Michelle L. Koch of Fort Campbell, Ky.; a son, Roger J. of Niles; a sister, Rhonda Glossinger of Fountain, Mich.; and a brother, Raymond of Niles. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today in Halbritter Funeral Home.

Asa L. Batchelor
June 29, 1856 – Feb. 23, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 24, 1939, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

A. L. Batchelor, 82, Former Rail Conductor, dies.

Asa L. Batchelor, a retired railroad conductor and a lifelong resident of Berrien County, died Thursday morning in the Berrien county hospital. He was 82 years old.

Mr. Batchelor who made his home at 628 South Lincoln Avenue, had been in ill health for several months. He entered the hospital Wednesday for treatment.

Mr. Batchelor was born in Buchanan township, a few miles south of Niles on June 29, 1856. He had spent his entire life in and around Niles. He was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge Nor 4 F and A.M.

Surviving is the widow, Minnie. There were no children.’

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the Turner and Pifer funeral home with the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating. Masons will have charge of committal services in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home

Ella (Blanchard) Batchelor
Sept. 5, 1856 – May 1, 1942

Ella Batchelor, 85, Stricken Friday in Howard Twp. Home

Mrs. Ella Eliza Bachelor, 85, died at 2:50 Friday afternoon in the home where she was born and lived her entire life in Howard Township on Route 2, one mile east of Niles. She was ill about two years.

Mrs. Batchelor was born Sept. 5, 1856, daughter of John Blanchard and was married to Levi Batchelor in 1896. Her husband preceded her in death.

Mrs. Batchelor leaves a daughter, Mrs. William Chapman, Route 2; a granddaughter, Wilma Chapman, Route 2; a niece and three nephews.

Services will be at 2 Monday afternoon in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 2, 1942, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Libary

Levi L. Batchelor
Nov. 5, 1857 – Nov. 1, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 1, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Levi L. Batchelor, 72, died this morning about 4 o’clock at his home east Niles in Howard township, after being sick for about five years.  Mr. Batchelor was born in Michigan on Nov. 5, 1857, and had spent practically his entire life in this vicinity.  He was a farmer until his health failed.  Mr. Batchelor is survived by a widow who was formerly Miss Ella Blanchard and it is on the old Blanchard homestead that Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor have made their home.  Besides the widow, Mr. Batchelor is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William Chapman, of Niles; one granddaughter and a brother, Lafayette Batchelor, of Toledo, Ohio. The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel.  The Rev. Stanley Collins, retired Baptist minister, will officiate.  Burial will be made at Silver Brook Cemetery.