Dean Anders
April 15, 1931-Nov. 17, 2017

Dean L. Anders, 86, of Niles, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN.

He was born on April 15, 1931, in Mishawaka, IN to the late Melroy and Gladys M. (Powell) Anders.

Dean graduated from Plymouth High School in 1949, he went on to enlist in the United States Air Force where he trained as an Air Traffic Controller.

Dean married the love of his life Doris E. Baumann on April 4, 1953,in Plymouth, IN. He enjoyed being able to travel all around the United States as part of his work. Dean retired from South Bend Regional Airport, formerly Bendix Field, after twenty-four years. He truly loved his job. He was a faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles. Dean was the manager of the Niles Babe Ruth Little League Team for many years; they won the World Series Championship in 1974. He enjoyed watching sports of all types.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Melroy and Gladys Anders; brothers, Robert and Dale Anders.

Dean leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Doris Anders of Niles; daughter, Deborah (Michael) VanTornhout of Edwardsburg; son, Daniel Anders of Niles; two grandchildren, Timothy (Trisha) VanTornhout of Valparaiso, IN and Racheal (Billy) McNulty of Norfolk, VA; two great-grandchildren, Brynn and Brady VanTornhout; two sisters, Vivian Garbak and Wanda (Raymond) Zentz.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Noon at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St. in Niles with visitation beginning at 11:00 am. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church of Niles.

http://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/1413/Dean-Anders/obituary.html#tribute-start

Edward E.W. Kelly
March 1, 1937-Oct. 12, 2017

Edward E.W. Kelly, 80, of Niles, went to his eternal rest on Thursday, October 12, 2017, at his home.

He was born on March 1, 1937, to Coleman and Laura (Sylvester) Kelly in Pulaski, Illinois.

Edward wed Emma Gene Fowler on November 29, 1959, in Buchanan, Michigan. The couple enjoyed almost 60 years together before her passing in 2014.

After graduating high school, Edward worked for several local companies but retired after many years at Clark Equipment Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Emma G. Kelly; a daughter, Angela Kelly, two brothers, Floyd Kelly and T.C. Horton as well as two sisters, Rosalee Brown and Annie Marshall.

Edward leaves to cherish his memory his children, Deborah Kelly of Niles, Brian A. Kelly of Niles, Jheri (Marcus) White of South Bend, Vernita Kelly of South Bend, Edward "Donell" Kelly of Chicago, Spring Taylor of South Bend and Paul Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ophia Bledsoe of Berrien Springs, Lillian Fowler of Stevensville, Melvin Kelly of Lansing, Andrew Kelly of Benton Harbor and Vernice Jefferson of Benton Harbor.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. A private interment will be held at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery.

https://brownfuneral.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/details/1767/Edward-Kelly/obituary.html#tribute-start

Michael Charles Thomas, of Niles
Jan. 19, 1947-Nov. 8, 2017 

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18 am Monday, November 13, 2017

Michael Charles Thomas, 70, of Niles, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, 2017, while completing some repair work at his mother’s house in Niles.

He was born on Jan. 19, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Doris Marion (Stoerkel) Thomas. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1965, and attended Southwestern Michigan College.

Michael Thomas

He served in the United States Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam-era.

He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association laborer’s union local #20 in South Bend, and had been employed in a variety of area shops.

Mike was a founding member of Saint Boniface Evangelical Lutheran Church in Niles. He was a great cook with specialties that included Chop Suey and potato pancakes. He was also a talented amateur photographer, enjoyed reading, especially history and politics, and loved animals.

He was first married on March 15, 1974, to the former Susan Ann Hirsch, with whom he celebrated 23 years of marriage prior to her death on March 26, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his father, Charles Thomas, on July 24, 1963; his mother, Doris M. Hartman, on August 1, 2013; and his step-father, Sgt. Maj. James Hartman, USMC, Retired, on Sept. 1, 2003.

On June 16, 2001, in Niles, he married the former Linda Suzan Zink, with whom he celebrated the 16th anniversary of their marriage earlier this year.

Surviving family includes his wife, Linda Thomas; and his daughters, Cassandra (David Head) Thomas of Niles and Melissa Sue Thomas of South Bend, Indiana.

The funeral service for Michael Thomas will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, with the Rev. John Rutowicz, of Saint Boniface Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full military honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

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

Lorrie J. Whitaker, of Niles
Aug. 21, 1969-Nov. 8, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18 am Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Lorrie J. Whitaker, 48, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly at her home.

Lorrie was born on Aug. 21, 1969, in Elkhart, to Larrie and Betty (Christner) Whitaker.

She is preceded in death by her father Larrie and a grandson Timothy Sandeen.

Lorrie J. Whitaker

Lorrie is survived by her mother Betty Jackson of Elkhart, her fiancée Sheth Ruminer of Niles, her daughters, Anna, Ashley and Amber Whitaker all of Niles, grandchildren, Taylor Sandeen, Rylee Whitaker and Sylis Luthringer, step-son, Brandon George of Constantine and step-daughter Shasta Watton of Elkhart. She is also survived by her sisters, Sharrie Southern of Elkhart and Nicole Evans of South Bend, her half-sister, Kelly Whitaker of Arkansas and numerous other friends and extended family.

Lorrie worked at Global Composites as a Fiberglass Roller. She enjoyed watching movies, music, gardening and singing. Lorrie also enjoyed gardening, coloring and painting her fingernails and toes. She cherished the times she was able to be with her grandchildren. She loved riding with Sheth on his motorcycle. Lorrie also loved her dogs, Elmo and Lucy.

Visitation for Lorrie will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles. A funeral service will begin at noon. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com

Doris L. Hammarlund
July 23, 1920-Sept. 6, 2015

SOUTH BEND - Doris L. Hammarlund, 95, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, September 6, 2015, at the Sanctuary at St. Paul. She was born on July 23, 1920, in Niles, MI, to the late Germaine and Nina Pearl (Yergin) Hassinger. In May 1942, she was united in marriage to Sidney Hammarlund, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Hammarlund is survived by her daughter, Debrah (William) Zobach of Lovelock, NV; daughter-in-law, Sharon Hammarlund of Bellevue, NE; and two grandchildren, Beth Hammarlund and Jack Zobach. She was preceded in death by two sons, Thomas Michael Hammarlund and Craig Edward Hammarlund. Mrs. Hammarlund was a lifelong area resident. She was a member of the Sunnyside Presbyterian Church. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, and Southlawn Crematory, South Bend, is assisting the family. Contributions in memory of Doris L. Hammarlund may be offered to Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, 115 S. Frances Street, South Bend, IN 46617. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Publication details unknown; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152235177

DeVonne G. Turner, of Granger
Dec. 10, 1941 — Oct. 24, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 30, 2017

DeVonne G. Turner, 75, of Granger, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, in her home, following an illness.

She was born on Dec. 10, 1941, to the late Raymond and Ruth Anne (Burris) Marble in Niles, and was a lifelong area resident.

DeVonne graduated in 1959 from Niles High School. She received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Indiana University, where she also received her E.D.S. (Education Specialist in School Administration).

She retired in 2008 from the South Bend Community School Corporation, where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 44 years.

DeVonne is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Wendy) Turner, DDS, of Cassopolis; two grandchildren, Kyle and Matthew Turner; and her best friend, Richard Boettcher of Granger.

DeVonne was a member of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend, Indiana, the Schuyler Colfax Chapter-National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, American Association of University Women, School Men’s Wives Club, Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. She loved to line dance, play bridge and learning how to play Mahjong.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

DeVonne’s family would like to thank Dr. Rafat Ansari and Brandee Flagg from Michiana Hematology Oncology for their outstanding care; and also would like to thank her Florida cancer doctor, Dr. Andrew Lipman.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.

To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.