Robert ‘Bob’ Coons, of Niles
Nov. 17, 1933-Nov. 4, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:32 am Thursday, November 7, 2019

Robert Coons

Nov. 17, 1933 — Nov. 4, 2019

Robert “Bob” D. Coons, 85, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 5, 2019, at Woodland Terrace in Niles.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1933, in Valley Falls, Kansas, to the late Mason D. and Mable (Lassiter) Coons.

Bob was a 1952 graduate of Niles High School. On Aug. 1, 1955, he married Patricia Ann Norbut at a ceremony in Angola, Indiana. He retired from Davis Products in Dowagiac after 38 years of service.

Robert “Bob” D. Coons

Bob enjoyed collecting House of David artifacts, watching the History and Discovery channels’ programs, including “American Pickers,” “Antique Roadshow” and “The Curse of Oak Island.” Bob was also an avid sports fan, watching both the Detroit Lions and Notre Dame football and basketball.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William D. Coons.

Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia Ann Coon, of Niles; a son, Mark (Sandra) Coons, of Benton Harbor; a niece, Mary Jane Burns, of Valley Falls, Kansas; nephews, William Coons, of Texas, and Daniel Coons, of Washington; as well as many cousins.

He will also be remembered by his “adopted family,” Jerry and Julie Koch, of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Eric (Katia) Koch, of Chicago; Jill (Jason) Mast, of Hudsonville, Michigan; and one great-grandson, Jacob Mast.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation one hour prior with Reverend Carl Bassett officiating. The committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Bob’s memory may do so to The Salvation Army, 424 N. 15th St., Niles, MI 49120. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Memories of Bob may be shared with his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

The family of Robert Coons is being cared for by Brown Funeral Home.

Dorothy Lee Hart
June 2, 1934 – November 1, 2019

Niles – Dorothy Lee Hart, 85 passed away at 6:08 am on Friday, November 1, 2019 in her home.

Dorothy was born on June 2, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Edward and Lottie (Banicki) Okonski. On June 2, 1951, Dorothy married William Frank Hart and he passed away on June 16, 1994. She was also preceded in death by 5 sisters and 6 brothers.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Shirley (Ron) Corbit of Arkansas, Gloria Stilwell of Niles, Leon (Denise) Hart of Illinois, and David Hart of Niles; 7 grandkids; 17 great grandkids; and 10 great-great grandkids.

Dorothy attended Coulters Chapel Church of God. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmothers, and great-great grandmother. She enjoyed drives with her late husband. She was an avid hummingbird watcher. She was a great crafter and enjoyed playing bingo.

The family will gather at her graveside at 1pm on Monday, November 4, 2019 in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Halbritter Wickens Funeral 615 E. Main St. Niles is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com.

Source: https://www.halbritterwickens.com/notices/Dorothy-Hart

Norma Z. (Finley) Taylor
July 4, 1919-Aug. 2, 2005

Niles Daily Star, Published 1:28 pm Friday, August 5, 2005

Norma Z. (Finley) Taylor was born July 4, 1919, in Niles, to Clarence and Ada Belle (Mitchell) Finley. On Aug. 2, 2005, at 8:58 a.m., she passed away peacefully at Hospice House in South Bend, Ind.
A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, at 4 p.m. at Franklin A.M.E. Church, 815 Sycamore Street, Niles.
Visitation for family will be from 3-4 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Franklin A.M.E. Church, Nile-Buchanan Senior Center, 1109 Bell Road, Niles or the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Ind. 46637.
Arrangements are by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Leon P. Taylor, of Niles
April 12, 1916-Oct. 25, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:00 am Thursday, October 31, 2019

April 12, 1916 — Oct. 25, 2019

Leon Parker Taylor, 103, of Niles, passed away on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at his home.

Leon Parker Taylor was born on April 12, 1916, to Caroline ‘Carrie’ Parker and John Granville Taylor in Lafayette, Indiana.

In 1929, they came to Niles and rented a house on Barron Lake. While the rest of the family lived in Niles, Parker continued his education in Chicago.

In January 1932, Parker graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago at the age of 16. He was a sexton for Calvin Center. Parker became a permanent resident of Niles in 1940, when he married Norma Finley. To this union, a daughter, A. Carol Taylor-Fowler was born. In 1972, an exchange student, Esther Quaroopome, from Ghana came to live with them. They considered her a part of their extended family.

In 1942, Parker was hired as a garage attendant for Clark Equipment Company. Shortly afterward, he was promoted to one of Clark’s executive chauffeurs. He retired from there after 32 years.

Parker was very involved in community activities. He was president of the Niles NAACP Chapter for 25 years. He also served on the Niles City Planning Commission. After his retirement, Parker started to bowl. He and his wife organized a Tuesday Senior Bowling League. He enjoyed bowling, and he continued bowling until he was a hundred and one. Prior to his death, Parker was able to roll the first ball in the city tournament named in his and his wife’s honor.

Until his health began to fail, Parker was very active at the Franklin AME Church serving in many different capacities.

Parker leaves to continue his legacy, a daughter, A. Carol Taylor-Fowler; five grandchildren, Denise R. Taylor-Fowler, Linda M. (Terry) See; Lisa (Michael) Busby; Andrea L Gammage; and Earnest L. (Kathy) Fowler; 17 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Parker was preceded in death by his parents, Carrie and John G. Taylor; his wife, Norma; sisters, Dora L. Taylor, Alice L. White, Martha Bass, and Kathleen Taylor; brothers, John Taylor and Austin Taylor.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at the Franklin AME Church in Niles, with a time of visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions in Parker’s memory may be made to the Carrie Parker Scholarship, Attn: Dina M. Kellams, Indiana University Archives, 1320 E. 10th Street, Wells Library E460, Bloomington, IN 47405-7000.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Floyd Dixon Sr., of Cassopolis
Dec. 20, 1957-Oct. 24, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:36 am Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Kenny Ray
April 20, 1970-Sept. 8, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:31 pm Monday, September 9, 2019

 Reserve police sergeant killed in motorcycle accident

NILES — A reserve officer of the Niles Police Department died in a motorcycle accident around 6:50 p.m. Sunday.

Kenneth Ray was operating a motorcycle with a 44-year-old passenger on 17th Street near Broadway Street in Niles when he attempted to avoid a cat that ran across the road in front of him, according to Niles Police Department officials.

Ray lost control of the vehicle and it tipped on its side. No helmets were worn.

He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained from the crash, according to police. Ray’s passenger was transported to a hospital by ambulance, where she was treated and released.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Niles Mayor Nick Shelton addressed Ray’s death in a Facebook post Monday.

“The community is mourning the loss of Reserve Sergeant Kenny Ray, who passed away yesterday after a motorcycle accident,” Shelton wrote. “I send my deepest sympathies to Kenny’s wife, Randi, to their family, and to everyone who knew and worked with Sgt. Ray.”

Ray had served with the city for 24 years.

https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/2537/Kenneth-Ray/obituary.html

Obituary of Kenneth Robert Ray

Kenneth R. “Kenny” Ray, 49, of Niles, passed away on this Sunday, September 8, 2019 from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. 

He was born on April 22, 1970 in Niles to Ken and Vickie (Wallace) Key. Kenny would later be adopted and raised by Kim D. Ray and Vickie.

Kenny was a graduate of Decatur High School, class of 1989. Kenny married Randi K. Tweedy at a ceremony in Niles on September 8, 2007. Kenny was currently employed at Rose Pest Solutions and was a twenty-four year member of the Niles Police Reserves, where he obtained the rank of Sergeant. He was currently serving as the commander of the sons of the Niles Amvets, Post 1978. He was also a member of the Niles Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P. 95).  Kenny loved riding on his motorcycle- especially family trips to Ludington, the Niles Burn Run as well as the Amvets riders, where he is currently serving as first vice-president.

Kenny enjoyed sports and coached and umpired baseball games for many years. He also spent many nights with family and friends playing darts and shooting pool. Kenny was also a jokester and relished in dancing, any time or place. Many will remember Kenny for his ability to talk to anyone, his generosity in giving to others and his dedication to serving people in the community. Kenny had a passion for animals, especially his three dogs. Kenny’s greatest love was for his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by all of his grandparents and his step-mother, Marla Ray.  

Kenny is survived by his wife of exactly twelve years, Randi K. Ray of Niles; his mother, Vickie Tighe of Niles; his father, Kim D. Ray of Tennessee; his biological father, Ken Key of South Carolina; his children, Carllie (Anthony) Bice of Niles, Paula Tweedy of Niles, Josh Fedeli of Buchanan and Kelvin Tweedy of Niles; three grandchildren, Syles Hodge, Addilyn and Clarke Bice; his sisters, Brandie Jo Ray of Newport, Kentucky and Rochelle (Matthew) Andruszkiewicz of LaPorte, Indiana; his mother-in-law, Pamela Hawkins of Niles. Kenny will also be missed by aunts, uncles, cousins and countless lives he has touched.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. An interment will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kenny’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

Memories of Kenny may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

To send flowers to the family of Kenneth Ray, please visit Tribute Store