Lydia Goens, 77
July 8, 1933 — March 4, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:44 pm Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Lydia Jeffries Goens, 77, former longtime resident of South Fourth Street, Niles, died at 4:40 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2011 at Riveridge Manor, Niles following an extended illness.

She was born July 8, 1933 in Niles to Irving and Pearl (Jones) Jeffries, and lived in Niles most of her life.

She attended the University of Detroit (Mich.) and Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind. and graduated from the University of Chicago School of Inhalation Therapy. She began her career at the former Pawating Hospital in Niles, where she served 20 years as director of respiratory therapy. She continued her career as a social worker and financial counselor, eventually retiring from what is now known as Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.

Lydia was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles and of the Psi Iota Xi sorority and the professional division of the Michigan Lung Association.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Anne Mary Goens, who died in infancy in 1954, and Lydia Anne Goens, who died Dec. 21, 1987. She was also preceded in death by her sisters and brothers: Josephine Wharton, Charlene Wilson, Lewis Jeffries, Kensel Jeffries and Elwyn Jeffries.

Surviving family includes her son, David Lewis Goens of Niles; her grandson (Lydia Anne’s son), Levi Nicholas (Amber) Goens, whom Lydia adopted at his mother’s death; great-grandchildren, Olevia Goens and Levi Nicholia Goens, Aydin Kyles and Naiya Kyles; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Lydia Goens will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, March 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church with the Rev. David Otto of the parish officiating.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Lydia may be made to the Niles District Library.

Albert Eugene and Patricia Bivins, both of Niles

Albert Eugene Bivins
Aug. 14, 1936-Dec. 2017

Patricia Bivins
Nov. 5, 1952-Dec. 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:22 am Monday, February 26, 2018

Albert Eugene Bivins, 81, and his daughter, Patricia Bivins, 55, both of Niles, died together at their home during the last week of Dec. 2017. Their deaths were unexpected and remain under investigation.

Albert was born on Aug. 14, 1936, in Chicago, and became the son of Essie and Ed Canon.

He was graduated from high school in Chicago and attended the Malcolm X College in Chicago. He was married in 1956 to Ruby Lee Frazier.

Albert Eugene Bivins

Patricia Bivins

Patricia was born on Nov. 5, 1962, to Albert and Ruby. Patricia was a very special child who was nourished and blossomed under the homeschooling of her parents.

Albert served a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy during peacetime, and returned to Chicago where he established two neighborhood restaurants which featured home cooking of everything from fried food to soul food. He was also employed for many years at the Pillsbury Company in Chicago.

Sadly, Ruby died far too young in 1979.

Albert always enjoyed the outdoors, and taught Patricia that same appreciation. They found their way to Michigan, settling in Niles where they fished in the Saint Joseph River and attended Friday Night Movies at Riverfront Park, shown on the outside wall of the Ready Theater. They became an important part of a wonderful neighborhood, worshipped at the Baptist Church, and Albert continued to cook fried chicken and barbeque short ribs. Patricia enjoyed shopping in the locally owned stores, and rarely missed a daily episode of the classic television show “I Dream Of Jeannie.”

Surviving family includes the other children of Al and Ruby, Cynthia Bivins of East Dundee, Illinois who traveled to visit Al and Pat, and Timmothy Bivins, Sr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ruby’s other children, Berdine Frazier, Rosie Kizer, Roberta Walter, and Lillie Howell; Cynthia’s children, Shanell Hall, Kareef Leachman, Kareem Leachman, Sharnice Leachman, and Sharnae Leachman; and their children, Nakiyah, Anessa, Ta’Liyah, Ja’Niyah, Ka’Miyah, and Kaiden; and Timmothy’s children, Marie, Maria, Timmothy, Jr., Michael, Da’Shawn, Tanisha, T’ianna, Shanta, Kadisha, Capri, and Jas’Min; and a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Albert was preceded in death by his wife, and by a grandchild, Timothy Rayshawane.

In addition to her mother, Patricia was also preceded in death by siblings Albert Kizer, Ruby Bea, and Louis Kizer III.

Joint services for Albert and Patricia Bivins will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Anthony Layne Johnson-Patrick, of Buchanan
Nov. 16, 2017 — Feb. 27, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:14 am Monday, March 5, 2018

Anthony Layne Johnson-Patrick, 3 months, of Buchanan, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

He was born on Nov. 16, 2017, to his loving parents, Patrick Kingori and Lindsey Johnson.

Anthony Layne Johnson-Patrick

In addition to his parents, Anthony is survived by his maternal grandparents, Larry and Linda Johnson; an aunt, Jamie (Runi) Balciauskas; uncle, Adam (Katie Clark) Johnson; siblings, Adeline, Lily and Lucas Gill as well as Michelle and Kate Patrick.

Anthony will also be remembered by all of his family in Kenya.

His family will host a private funeral at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with interment to follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be left for his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

How very softly you tiptoed into our world. Almost silently; Only a moment you stayed. But what an imprint. Your footprints have left on our hearts.

Julio C. Sanchez, of Niles,
May 22, 1947 – Feb. 20, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:30 am Thursday, March 1, 2018

Julio C. Sanchez, 70, of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Julio was born on May 22, 1947, in Puerto Rico to the late Pasquale and Lisa Concepcion Romero Sanchez.

Julio C. Sanchez

Julio is survived by his children, Benjamin, Miguel, Michael, Adrian, Emilio and Julio, all from the Michiana area. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Olga Sanchez Concepcion, Margarita Sanchez Concepcion; brother, Eligio Sanchez Concepcion as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.

Julio was a supervisor for Miles Labs in Elkhart. He was very social and enjoyed rebuilding cars and bartering.

Visitation for Julio will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles.

Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences to the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com

Lawrence “Larry” E. Anderson, of Niles
Jan. 31, 1943 — March 10, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:20 am Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Lawrence “Larry” E. Anderson, 75, of Niles, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

Larry was born on Jan. 31, 1943, to the late Ralph and Maxine Anderson.

Lawrence “Larry” E. Anderson, 75, of Niles

After graduating from high school Larry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. When he returned home he began to work for National Standard. On June 18, 1966, Larry wed the love of his life, Sue Palmer, at a ceremony in Niles. The two went on to raise their two sons and, after 34 years of employment at National Standard, Larry retired when the plant was bought out. Not being one to sit idle Larry went and got a job at Buchanan Respiratory Home Care and later to FabCo where he retired a second time after serving several years as a Quality Control Supervisor.

Larry was known for his generosity. He always helped out others. He helped others not out of obligation but out of care. Seeing others succeed made him happy. Larry was also an avid fisherman, a hobby he took pleasure in sharing with his grandchildren. When Larry’s grandchildren came into his life he was thrilled to be able to teach them everything he knew. Larry and Sue often took their grandchildren camping. Being an outdoorsman Larry also had over 15 birdfeeders at his home so even when he was indoors he could enjoy nature.

As a member of Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church, Larry helped run the food pantry. He was so wonderful with the public that it was inevitable that he worked as the Intake Coordinator and met with many of the families coming in; he thoroughly enjoyed this.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Anderson and Maxine Jacobs.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sue Anderson; children, Mark Anderson and Matthew (Laurie Breneman) Anderson, both of Niles; grandchildren, Robert Anderson and Caitlyn Anderson, both of Niles; siblings, Kevin (Dorothy) Jacobs of Tyner, Indiana, Nancy (Jim) Hollis of Mayo, Florida, Rebecca (Tim) Boyle of Vero Beach, Florida; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral service to honor Larry’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church, located at 68961 Lake St., Edwardsburg. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

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.

John F. “Jack” Young, Jr., of Niles
Sept. 19, 1930 – Feb. 27, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:27 am Thursday, March 1, 2018 

John F. “Jack” Young, Jr., after a long illness, died at his home in Niles on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, at the age of 87 years.

John F. “Jack” Young, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Judy (Pritchard) Young; his daughter, Margaret Susan and her husband, Tom of Tucson, Arizona; his granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth of Dallas, Texas; and his sister, Mary McKee of Harbor Springs, Michigan. Jack also has several nieces and nephews. His brother’s children include Cary, Fred, John, Robert, and Bonnie. His sister’s children include Cary, Mary Helen, and Heath.

Jack was preceded in death by his father, Jack F. Young; his mother, Carribel (Schmidt) Young Henderson; and his brother, Frederick G. Young.

Jack was born on Sept. 19, 1930. He graduated from Niles High School in 1949. His college education included Western Michigan University and the University of Notre Dame. When he returned from the Korean War, he was employed by the Berrien County Road Commission. After marriage in October of 1959, he went back to school to obtain his master’s degree and began teaching history in Buchanan High School. He retired from teaching history at Niles High School in 1992.

Jack’s service will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Daniel R. Stenberg, Ph.D. conducting the services. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service. Burial will be private, on Monday, at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com