James S. Doolittle
June 14, 1928 - Sept. 9, 2007

South Bend Tribune, September 13, 2007

NILES - James S. Doolittle, 79, of Regent Street, died following a brief illness at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, in West Woods of Niles. Mr. Doolittle was born on June 14, 1928, in Peoria, IL, to Rev. Charles T. and Ruth L. (Schermerhorn) Doolittle. He had lived in Niles since 1959, coming from Grand Rapids, MI. James attended the University of Michigan for four years and played in the University's Marching Band. He retired in 1989 after 30 years of service from Chase Clark Credit in Buchanan, MI. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he was an elder, Sunday school teacher, trustee and member of the foundation board. James volunteered as a board member for several city civic organizations. He enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and playing his trumpet. He enjoyed gathering with family and friends. On October 11, 1952, in Grand Rapids, James married the former Marilyn J. West, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Sharon R. (Mark Bedrosian) Doolittle of North Providence, RI, and Linda A. (Mark) Thomsen of Brookline, MA; a grandson, Max Thomsen of Brookline; and a sister, Lois Winchester of Cathedral City, CA. Mr. Doolittle was preceded in death by a son, David J. Doolittle, who died on May 15, 1969, and by a brother who died in infancy. The funeral service for James S. Doolittle will be at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 13, in the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with Rev. Stephen Kaszar of United Presbyterian Church, Cassopolis, MI, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning one hour prior to the services in the Tyler Chapel at the church. Contributions in memory of James S. Doolittle may be made to the University of Michigan Band Scholarship Fund, Attn: Matt Burrows, Revelli Band Hall, 350 E. Hoover Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

John E. Raven, 71, of Niles
Feb. 22, 1947 — Nov. 8, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:25 am Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Feb. 22, 1947 — Nov. 8, 2018

John E. Raven, 71, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly, at his home, while doing what he loved, taking care of his family, on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

John was born on Feb. 22, 1947, to the late Leigh and Pauline (Mitch) Raven in Niles. After graduating from Buchanan High School in 1965, John went on to join the United States Navy. After returning home he began his career as a Tool and Die Designer. He was employed at Clark Equipment for 14 years before he became an instructor for Acme Institute of Technology, then went on to work at Modineer for the last 28 years

John E. Raven

On June 15, 1985, John wed his one true love and his best friend, Colleen Payne Dillenbeck, at a ceremony in Buchanan. Together they raised a family of six children.

John was a hard worker and was always the person who set the bar. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, motorcycle and boat rides, watching the news, going on walks, and bringing diet coke home for his wife every single day. Everyone who knew John Raven, knew his heart was his family, and that he was a man after God’s own heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leigh and Pauline Raven.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Colleen Raven; children, Michael (Molly) Raven, of Niles, Jason (Kelly) Dillenbeck, of Elkhart, Miranda (Michael Smith) Daniel, of Granger, Jamie (John) Coulston, of Niles, Tad (Abby) Raven, of Niles, and Joanna (Jeff) Pugh, of Niles; grandchildren, Stacy, Nicholas, Jade, Lily, Sadie, Paisley, Alexa, Aiden, Camille, Edward, Elijah, Deacon, Cooper, Ryker, Paxton, Ava, Delanee, Grace, Lena, Emmy, Finley, Eloise, Carson, Brady, and Owen; siblings, Fran (Lee) Avers of Nashville, and Vickie (Mike) Kitchell of Buchanan; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will take place Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at Summit Church in Niles beginning at 11 a.m.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Memorial donations may be made to his family, in care of his wife Colleen.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home.

Emerson ‘Bud’ Emmons, of Niles
Sept. 24, 1929 – Nov. 18, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:08 am Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Sept. 24, 1929 – Nov. 18, 2018

Emerson “Bud” Emmons, 89, of Niles, passed into God’s loving arms on Nov. 18, 2018, at home after a brief illness.

He was born in Dowagiac on Sept. 24, 1929, to the late Herman and Virginia (Smith) Emmons. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his wife of 68 years who he celebrated their anniversary on the same day as his birthday. Some of his other pleasures were riding his bike, puzzles, playing endless hours of card games, and tending to his yard and flower gardens.

Emerson “Bud” Emmons

At the age of 60, Bud retired from the railroad and officially became a snowbird. He and Joan spent their next 26 winters in Ft. Myers, Florida. He loved his 12 orange trees, the beach, and the warm sunshine that he could never get enough of. His Sunday’s in Michigan were spent at St. John’s United Church of Christ where he was a lifelong member and one of the oldest members of the church where he married his sweetheart on September 24, 1950.

Bud will be forever remembered by his church family as the man they all loved for his quick wit and sense of humor.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a great-grandson, Samuel.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan; children, Karen White, Harold (Kathy) Emmons, and Linda (David) Gaul; grandchildren, Adam (Melissa) Hover, Bradley (Nichole) Hover, Jason Emmons, Taryn Coleman, Bryce Coleman and Landon (Courtney) Coleman; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Stella, Nyla, Finn and Mena.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018, at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Noon with a time of visitation beginning one hour prior; interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ located at 601 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.

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

Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Phillip D. Mather, formerly of Niles
Jan. 6, 1945 — Nov. 21, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:29 am Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Phillip D. Mather, 73, formerly of Niles, died unexpectedly at 7:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, at the Jellico (Tennessee) Community Hospital following a medical emergency while traveling to Florida.

He was born on Jan. 6, 1945, in Niles, to Jake J. and Jean (Moneysmith) Mather, and was graduated from Niles High School in the class of 1963. He began a career in machine repair at Clark Equipment in Buchanan, Michigan, but was called in 1965 to serve in the United States Army. He was a Medical Corpsman serving with the 12th Field Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, and was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Vietnam Era. He returned to Clark Equipment where he completed 20 years before the plant was closed. He was then employed at the South Bend plant of Federal-Mogul for twenty-seven years prior to retirement.

After living in Niles all of his life, he and Rose moved to Dorr, Michigan to be near their daughter and her family.

Phil enjoyed camping with his family at Michigan State Parks, and was taking his travel trailer to Florida last week. His interest in machinery repair continued at home where he helped friends and neighbors with small engine repair, and was near the end of a years-long project of building a personal hovercraft. He also enjoyed carpentry including home repair and building decks. He always had a pet companion nearby, but his greatest joy was his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Jean Mather, and by a brother, Kevin Mather.

On July 5, 1969, in Buchanan, he married the former Rosalee Shelby with whom he celebrated this year the 49 anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Rosalee Mather and their daughter, Heather (David) Leszczynski, of Dorr; grandchildren, Kathryn Leszczynski and David “DJ” Leszczynski; and Phil’s siblings, Jeanette Frazier, Charles (Angie) Mather, Jeffrey (Robin) Mather, and Penny (Jared) Baker, all of Niles, Jennifer Goldsburg, of Vandalia; a sister-in-law, Lori Mather, of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Phillip Mather will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.

A sharing of memories and words of comfort will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

Contributions in memory of Phil may be made to the American Heart Association, heart.org/en/affiliates/michigan/western-michigan; or to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan Yeager Family Pet Shelter, humanesocietyswm.org/. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr.
May 26, 1936-Oct. 21, 2018

Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr., age 82 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at his home following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the compassionate and professional care offered by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on May 26, 1936 in Niles to Bud and Florence (Dash) Johnson, and was graduated from Niles High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the guided missile cruiser USS Boston. He was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Back in Niles, he began a career as a truck driver, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union local #364 in South Bend, Indiana, and drove for many years for Jordan’s Mishawaka Transfer, a Mayflower agency, now Jordan-Huys Moving and Storage.

Fay enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad and his brothers, and spent much time taking care of his yard. But his greatest interest was his family.

On March 15, 1958 in Cassopolis, Michigan he married the former JoAnn Barrett with whom he celebrated the forty-first anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 1 of 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, Bud, Jr. and John Johnson.

Surviving family includes his children, LuAnn (& Gene) Solloway of Elkhart, Indiana, Teresa (& Rodney, Sr.) Solloway and Fay Johnson, Jr., both of Niles, David (& Heather) Johnson of Leesburg, Florida, and Shelley Johnson, Rita Johnson, Joseph (& Peggy) Johnson, and Richard (& Jamey) Johnson, all of Niles; 51 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and Fay’s sister, Patricia Tittle of Statesville, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Fay Alvin Johnson, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Jonathan Rose, Chaplain of Hospice at Home officiating.  Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Fay may be made to the Caring Circle Hospice at Home, https://www.lakelandhealth.org/caring-circle/hospice-at-home-cares. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com