Rudolph H. Schultz, of Niles
Nov. 3, 1942-May 10, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:55 am Monday, May 14, 2018

Rudolph H. Schultz, 75, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Rudy was born on Nov. 3, 1942, in Dowagiac to the late Rosie Airney.

He is preceded in death by his mother, his wife, Diana; siblings, Chester and Walter Schultz.

On July 31, 1961, Rudy married Diana Dillavou. Together they celebrated 40 years of marriage before her passing in 2002.

Surviving are his children, Randy (Beth) Schultz, Brenda Krueger, Jacki (Brian) Stevenson, and Denny (Marinda) Schultz; his brother, Tim Airney; sisters, Norma Airney and Tina Schultz; grandchildren, Jocelyn Schultz, Janelle Sprow, Savannah Krueger, Hunter Krueger, Jena Stevenson, Rachel Stevenson, Devon Stantz, Tena Schultz, and Braylon Schultz; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was an employee at Niles Board of Public Works-Utilities, until retiring in 2003.

Rudy requested that there would be no services. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, MI, is handling arrangements. Rudy will be buried next to his late wife, Diana, in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, Michigan. Online condolences may be made at hovenfunerals.com.

Sylvia Marie Stiles
Nov. 10, 1931-Oct 6, 2016

 

Sylvia Marie Stiles

Sylvia Marie Stiles, 84, of Berrien Center died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor Darrel le Roux officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Niles Westside SDA Church School..

Sylvia was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Niles, the daughter of Carl and Emma (Villwock) Schadler. She married Gale Stiles on May 12, 1956, in Niles. Early in life she worked in the produce department of the A&P grocery store in Niles. She later was a teacher’s aide at Blossomland Learning Center, and she also was an Avon representative. Sylvia enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, and she loved family gatherings. She was always ready to take in a stray animal.

Survivors include her son, Mike (Gely) Stiles of Niles; two grandchildren, Michael and Christina Jackson; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Brinkley Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gale; daughter, Deborah Jackson; two brothers, Carl and Robert Schadler; and two sisters, Irene Hile and Gertrude Schadler.

Ruth Mary Vassor
April 1, 1925-June 15, 2018

Ruth Mary Vassar, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 with family gathered at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on April 1, 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee to Theoda and Sarah (Poston) Emmons, and was raised by her aunt, Alberta Emmons.  She graduated from The J. C. Cobin High School of the Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  She has lived in Niles since 1944, and was employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company for thirty-six years.

Ruth was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles.  She was very active since 1946 in the Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, Michigan Jurisdiction.  She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of Miriam Chapter #56 OES, PHA in Niles, Past Grand Worthy Matron for the State of Michigan, Past Illustrious Commandress of Alzabir Court #131, Daughters of Isis in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Past Loyal Lady Ruler of the Faith Assembly, Golden Circle of Kalamazoo.

She volunteered for twelve years with the United Way of Niles and also volunteered at the Niles Senior Center.  She enjoyed bowling on leagues in South Bend and Niles.

On July 3, 1945 in Niles she married Lucius Vassar, Jr. with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on January 7, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, her mother, Albert Emmons, and by siblings, Iretta Smith, Erma Davis, and Samuel Wilson.

Surviving family includes her children, Gwen (& Luther) Taylor, Sr. of South Bend, Indiana, Margaret (& Dennis) Thompson of Wichita, Kansas, Vernita “Tuffy” Vassar of Niles, Jacqueline (& Benjamin) Johnson of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Lucius Adam (& Rema) Vassar of Detroit, Michigan; a very special son, Levi (& Toni) Trotter; grandchildren, Luther (& Andrea) Taylor, Jr, Endesha (& Tashanda) Johnson, Sr., Jua (& Nefertari) Johnson, Sekou (& Sheniaka) Johnson, Lucius Addison Ali Vassar, Rahman (& Kelly) Johnson, Jenice (& Antwan) Myers, Kendal Vassar, Sloane Vassar, Cadence Vassar, Reva (& Carter) Tolbert, Robyn (& Robert) Warrick, and Raniyah Reynolds; great-grandchildren Zachary, Autumn, Braylon, Carson, Jayla, Payton, Morgan, Asia, Shania, Endesha, Jr., Ayanna, Janea, Elise, Nora, and Zuri; and Ruth’s brother, Ira Kelly, Jr. of Los Angeles, California, two Goddaughters,  several nieces and nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service for Ruth Vassar will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street in Niles with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon of the church officiating. The eulogy will be brought by The Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Presiding Elder of the Capitol District, Washington, D.C. Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The service will conclude with Committal Rites; and a private final farewell will be completed on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, with Eastern Star Rites offered at 7:30 p.m.; and from Noon until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.  Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church, http://mtcbcministries.net.  Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com

Joseph Ngoroi Karengo
JULY 17, 1952 - MAY 3, 2018 

Joseph Ngoroi Karengo, age 65 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2018 with family gathered around at his home, following a brief illness.

He was born on July 17, 1952 in Nairobi, Kenya to Solomon K. and Nelly W. Ngoroi.  He graduated from Kamagambo High School and Teachers Training College and earned a diploma in Music Education and Singing from the British Conservatory of Music in London, England.  He taught high school for many years including at the Kabare High School near Kerugoya, Kenya and at the Baraton International School near Kapsabet, Kenya.  He has lived in Niles since 2007.

Joseph was a member and Choir Director at the Michiana African Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan.  He loved music, played the piano and accordion, and was a talented arranger which enabled his choir to perform in many creative styles.  He shared that love of music with his students, in worship at church, and with his family.

His surviving family includes his children, Nelly Ngoroi of Niles and Handel (& Tabatha) Ngoroi and their son of Portsmouth, Virginia; Joseph’s mother, Nelly Karengo in Kenya; and Joseph’s siblings, Dedan (& Miriam) Karengo of Niles and  Hannah Keru, Sammy Karengo, Karen Muthoni, Ellen Kutii, and Robert Karengo, all in Kenya; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Joseph Karengo will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1105 Grant Street, Niles, Michigan  49120 with Pastor Farai A. Nhiwatiwa of the Michiana African Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Monday, beginning at Noon.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.  

https://www.halbritterfunerals.com/notices/Joseph-Karengo

Arcadia Ramirez
JUNE 3, 1939- MAY 17, 2018 

Arcadia Ramirez, 78 of Buchanan passed away peacefully after an extended illness.

Arcadia was born on June 3, 1939 in Juncos Puerto Rico to the late Arcadio and Carmen (Perez) Ramirez. She is also preceded in death by a son, Ricardo Sierra, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Virginia Martinez and Efrain Suarez, both of Buchanan, MI, Jacqueline Sierra of Berrien Springs, MI, and two daughters that live in Puerto Rico; a brother Jose Enrique and sister Lydia, both of Puerto Rico. Arcadia had 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Arcadia enjoyed shopping and going to garage sales.  She was also a wonderful cook.

Her daughter Virginia wanted to express her thanks and gratitude to God for allowing her to have 31 years with her mom.  She is thankful she was allowed to be her caregiver for the last eight years.  She will truly miss Arcadia’s sense of humor, her smile, and her beautiful blue eyes.  Even though it was hard sometimes, Arcadia told Virginia that she wouldn’t want anyone else taking care of her but Virginia. She will be deeply missed.

Visitation for Arcadia will be on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 4pm to 6pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. Niles.  A funeral will be celebrated Monday, May 21 at 11:00 am at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences may be directed to www.halbritterwickens.com

https://www.halbritterfunerals.com/notices/Arcadia-Ramirez

Marian J. Boehm, of Niles
Aug. 11, 1922 — Dec. 8, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:41 am Monday, December 11, 2017

Marian Josephine Boehm, 95, of Niles, died peacefully at 6:40 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1922, in Niles, to Floyd Benjamin and Eva Katherine (Wenzel) Higgins. On March 3, 1964, in Saint Joseph, she married Herbert (Herbie) H. Boehm, with whom she celebrated their 35th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Feb. 11, 2000.

As a lifelong resident of Niles, she graduated from Niles High School in 1940. She was employed by the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland Hospital of Niles) as the secretary in the surgical unit for 25 years. After retirement, she volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary in the surgical waiting room serving until she was 90 years old.

Marian was a member of the American Legion Post #85 Auxiliary in Berrien Springs. She was very active with the reunions of the Class of 1940. She enjoyed playing golf at Indian Lake with her husband Herbie, and was an avid reader of murder mysteries.

She was preceded in death by a son, Gordon Boehm; and by a sister, Barbara Kromer.

Surviving family includes her sons, Scott (Sharon) Boehm of Buchanan, Michigan and Mark (Linda) Boehm of Niles; daughter-in-law, Becky Boehm of Berrien Springs, Michigan; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces Sharon Gripshover and Robilynne Ritchey.

The family of Marian Boehm is gathering privately to share memories and honor her life. Committal will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Contributions in memory of Marian may be made to Lakeland Health Foundation, Niles. Online condolences may be left at halbritterwickens.com