Edward Alan Wurz, of Niles
July 15, 1953 — Aug. 28, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:51 am Friday, August 31, 2018

Edward Alan Wurz, 65, of Niles, died peacefully at 8:26 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, with family gathered around at the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana, following an extended illness.

He was born on July 15, 1953, in Niles, to C. Richard and Marilyn M. (Hubble) Wurz. He graduated from Niles High School in 1971 and earned an associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac. He served in the U.S. Navy, and was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Vietnam era. He has been employed in the engineering office of the former Bendix Aerospace — now Honeywell International — for 28 years.

Edward Alan Wurz

Ed’s interest in engineering and technology was evident at home with creative and inventive solutions to various needs, home construction projects and automobile repair. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and skeet shooting — usually at the Back Forty Sporting Clays in Bourbon, Indiana.

As a young man, he played baseball, and later played softball, and most recently has enjoyed watching televised broadcasts of major league baseball games. His greatest joy was his family, taking his young children on day trips in the station wagon, going camping, and then loving his grandsons.

On July 21, 1973, in Niles, he married the former Pamela Sue Inman with whom he celebrated last month the 45th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Pam Wurz and their children, Jenny (Daniel) Aykroyd, of Elgin, Illinois, Timothy A. Wurz, of Niles and Anna (Keith Matthews) Wurz, of Cassopolis, grandsons, Lucas Wurz, D. Alexander Aykroyd, Benjamin Wurz, and Brendan Aykroyd; Ed’s father, Richard Wurz, of Niles; Ed’s siblings, Kay (Jordan) Camenker, of Winter Springs, Florida, Fay (Richard) Appleget, of Niles, W. Quinn (Jayne) Wurzm of South Bend, Indiana, Ava (Rev. Martin, D.C.) Schmaltzm of Florissant, Missouri, Tia (Mike) Otman, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Wurz on March 4, 2005.

The funeral service for Ed Wurz will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, in Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Committal will be private, later at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Ed may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney.org. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Genevieve R. Abair, of South Bend
July 19, 1920 — Jan. 17, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:21 am Monday, January 22, 2018

July 19, 1920 — Jan. 17, 2018

Genevieve R. Abair, 97, passed away at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Wellbrooke of South Bend on what would have been her mother’s 125 birthday.

Geni was born on July 19, 1920, in Niles to the late Asa and Matilda (Fisher) Hamilton. On Oct. 30, 1938, Geni married Calvin Abair and he passed away on Feb. 26, 1973. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Mary Hill, Shirley Sarratore and Lucille Hand.

Genevieve R. Abair

Geni retired from Michigan Bell Telephone in April 1981 and was a member of the Coronado Chapter of Telephone Pioneers of America. She was also a former member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles and a former member of the City of Niles Planning Committee. Geni will always be remembered by her family and friends as a loving and generous spirit who was an inspiration to all that were blessed to know and love her.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no services at this time. Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery at a later date. Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles is assisting the family.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Kenneth Davis, of South Bend
Feb. 24, 1950-July 4, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:17 am Friday, July 6, 2018

Kenneth Davis, 68, of South Bend, died Wednesday, July 4, 2018. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. brownfuneralhomeniles.com

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From Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Kenneth Davis

Kenneth R. Davis Sr., 68, of South Bend, passed away on July 4, 2018, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.

He was born on February 24, 1950, in Niles, Michigan to the late Russell H. and Marian I (Miltonberger) Davis.

Kenneth married Blanche M. Fain on May 22, 1971, in Niles. He was a firefighter with the Niles Fire Department for several years, where he was instrumental in establishing the Southwestern Michigan Ambulance Service (SMCAS), he then transferred to the Clay Fire Department in South Bend where he retired after 35 years of service. Kenneth enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with his wife, sons and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Boggs.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Blanche of South Bend; sons, Kenneth R. (Ann) Davis Jr., Robert (AJ) Davis and Herman (Melissa) Robinson all of South Bend; several nieces and nephews and a host of close friends and fellow firefighters.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home at 4:00 pm, with a time of visitation beginning at 3:00 PM. Burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles on Monday, July 9 at 10:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to his wife, Blanche.  

https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/2210/Kenneth-Davis/obituary.html

Celestino Feliciano ‘Tino’ Echevarria, of Niles
April 18, 1933 — June 24, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:01 am Wednesday, June 27, 2018

April 18, 1933 — June 24, 2018

Celestino Feliciano “Tino” Echevarria, 85, of Niles, died peacefully at 11:25 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2018, with family gathered around at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on April 18, 1933, in Anasco, Puerto Rico, to Jose Feliciano and Severiana Echavarria, and attended school in Puerto Rico.

Celestino Feliciano “Tino” Echevarria

He came to Niles in 1956, and retired after 28 years of service from the Niles Community Schools.

Tino has been attending Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to Puerto Rico, took several cruises to the Caribbean, toured South America, and visited Las Vegas.

He also enjoyed the produce of his garden, his flock of chickens, and his goats.

On Oct. 25, 1958, in Buchanan, he married the former Geraldine Carter with whom he celebrated the 57 anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Jan. 19, 2016.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by several siblings including his sister, Agueda Rodriguez.

Surviving family includes his children, Patricia (Philip) Bianchini, David (Tonia) Echevarria, and Steven Echevarria, all of Niles, and Robert (Patricia) Echevarria of Katy, Texas, grandchildren Shawn Echevarria, Christopher (Karina) Dunnem, Michael (Bekah) Echevarria, Amanda Echevarria, Brian Echevarria, Dena Dunnem, Denise (Nathan) Ford, Kc Dunnem, Haley Echevarria, and Joey Echevarria; 10 great-grandchildren, and Tino’s siblings, Isabel Echevarria of South Bend, Indiana, Primitiva Rodriguez and Jose Rodriguez, both of Anasco, and Amado Rodriguez of Phoenix, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Celestino Echevarria will be read at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, in Niles, by the Rev. Christian Johnston of Saint Mary Catholic Church. Committal Rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com

Janet M. Hendershott, of Niles
March 29, 1951-July 19, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:20 am Monday, July 23, 2018

Janet M. Hendershott, 67, of Niles, passed away at 12:11 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Lakeland Health, St. Joseph.

Janet was born on March 29, 1951, in South Bend to Ralph W. and Lucia J. (Brothers) Hendershott, Sr. Janet was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Sr.

Janet is survived by her mother, Lucia; brother, Ralph W. (Suzette) Hendershott Jr.; nephew, Levi (Monica) Hendershott; niece, Carisa (Randy) Simpson; great-nephew, Devon Simpson; and great-nieces, Esma Simpson, and Ginger Hendershott. A special thank you from the family goes to cousins Colleen and Mike Klindworth for all their help.

Janet graduated from Brandywine High School and attended Lake Michigan College for two years. She worked as a sales representative for Simplicity Pattern for 38 years. She loved flowers but enjoyed traveling even more. Her travel destinations included Ireland and almost all 50 States including Alaska.

Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles, where a rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Dovie Marie Nelson, of Niles
May 7, 1923 – December 21, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:23 am Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Dovie Marie Nelson, 94, of Niles, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Private services are being held and handled by Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home.

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From Halbritter-Wickens website:

Dovie Marie Nelson
May 7, 1923 – December 21, 2017

Dovie Marie Nelson, 94, of Niles passed away on Thursday, December 21 in the Chalet of Niles.

Marie was born on May 7, 1923 in Tennessee to the late Samuel and Mary Ellen Lowe.

On August 18, 1945 she married Lucian who passed away on January 30, 2010.  She is also preceded by her sons, Kenneth and Mitch.

Marie is survived by her sons, Rick(Debbie) Nelson of Edwardsburg, Greg (Penny)Nelson and Jim Nelson, both of Niles; her daughters, Judy (Glen) Peck and Deb (Bob) Hames of Niles.  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Marie was a member of 1st Church of Christ Christian.  She loved to quilt and was an amazing seamstress.  She was a master at playing checkers and she also enjoyed playing Zelda.

Cremation has taken place and private services will be at a later date.

Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles is assisting the family with arrangements.