Michael Kenneth Thomas, of Niles
Nov. 25, 1960 – July 30, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:43 am Monday, August 7, 2017

Michael Kenneth Thomas, 56, of Niles, died peacefully on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at West Woods of Niles,  following an extended illness.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1960, in Fort Myers, Florida, to Henry J. and Lucille (Thomas) Thomas. He was graduated from Niles High School, and served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army.

Michael Thomas

He was self-employed as a handyman to many of the homes in Niles. He was able to repair anything from machines to houses, and recycled most of the community’s outdated and unrepairable appliances.

Big Mike was a man of God, and often worshipped at the Victory Church in Buchanan. He was also the life of every party, with a seemingly endless collection of jokes and good humor. More than all of that, he was a family man, caring for his family as his greatest priority.

That family includes his companion of 26 years, Susan Kaye Carroll; and his children, Torie Smith of Niles, Kesonia (Jermaine) Thomas-Walker of South Bend, Indiana, Michael Jerome Thomas of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kenneth Thomas, Rochele Thomas, Michael Carroll, and Tamisha Carroll, all of Niles, and Johnnell King of Texas; 21 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren;  Mike’s siblings, Barbara (Conyers) Ingram of Jackson, Tennessee, Brenda (Robert) Williams of Tampa, Florida, Beverly (James) Hosea of South Bend, Mary (Lennie) Gills of South Bend, Willie Sirmons of Naples, Florida, Jimmy (Darlene) Thomas of Fort Myers, Johnny Thomas of Niles, Harrison (Regina) Thomas of Fort Myers, and Manuel (Alicia) Thomas of Chesapeake, Virginia; two aunts; two uncles; 42 nieces and nephews; 25 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral service for Michael Thomas will be at noon on Friday, Aug. 11, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles, with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon Sr. officiating. Committal rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. to noon at the church.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, halbritterfunerals.com.

Robert R. Geik
September 27, 1934 – August 9 2017

Niles – Robert R. Geik, 82, passed away at 11:59am on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

Bob was born on September 27, 1934 in Three Oaks, MI to the late Gustave and Bertha (Schmidt) Geik. Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Henry Geik, Lena Strefling, Edward Geik, Arthur Geik, Mildred Strefling, Ruth Ott, and William Geik.

On October 17, 1959 in New Troy, MI, Bob married Carolyn A. (Freeze). She survives along with daughters, Pamela (Thomas) Scheibelhut, and Traci (John) Griesinger; grandchildren, Cory Scheibelhut, and Matthew and Ryan Griesinger; sister, Evelyn (Emmit) Kempton; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob honorably served his country in the United States Navy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and listening to music. He spent many days at the family farm in Three Oaks caring for his garden and enjoying all of nature.

Visitation is 4-6pm Sunday, August 13, 2017 in HALBRITTER WICKENS FUNERAL HOME 615 E. Main St., Niles. Family and Friends may gather at 10am on Monday, August 14, 2017 for a Funeral Service in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore St., Niles with visitation one-hour prior in the Family Center. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Wee-Chik American Legion Post 518 and the United States Navy Honor Guard.

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

Menthia L. Jackson 
December 7, 1934 - July 27, 2017

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Margaret J. PeGan, of Niles
July 31, 1926 – Aug. 3, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:52 am Friday, August 4, 2017

Margaret J. PeGan, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:25 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on July 31, 1926 in Bremen, Indiana to Raymond and Thelma (Emmons) Pfefferle. She came to Niles from Ohio in 1949, and was employed for many years at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.

Marge was a member of the First Church of God in Niles. She was an accomplished baker, including many wedding cakes. She enjoyed providing a clean and tidy home for her family.

She was first married to Lonnie Scarbary. Later, on July 14, 1972 in South Bend, Indiana she married Raymond L. PeGan with whom she celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on April 8, 1977. She was also preceded in death by Ray’s son, John PeGan.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Diane Keihn and Linda Palmer, both of Niles; Ray’s children, Terry Hamilton, Jim PeGan, Fred PeGan, and Tom PeGan, all of Niles and Linda Ambrozewski of Nevada, Missouri; grandchildren Angela Hinderliter, Brian Jackson, Michael Jurek, Christopher Jurek, and Vanessa Clarke; seven great-grandchildren; and several step-grand and step-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Margaret PeGan will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Robert Jackson of the First Church of God officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Marge may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Great Lakes, 564 South Main Street, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary Boettcher
Dec. 2, 1921 — June 21, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:56 am Monday, June 26, 2017

Mary Elizabeth (Harrold) Boettcher, 95, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Lakeside Nursing Home in Naples, Florida, with her sons present.

Mary was born Dec. 2, 1921, in Niles, to the late Russel and Edith Harrold.

Mary Boettcher

On Jan. 11, 1941, Mary married Richard W. Boettcher Sr. He passed away May 26, 2004.

Mary was also preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Wenger, who passed away in 2016, and a niece, Peggy.

Mary is survived by her sons, Richard W. Boettcher Jr. and William R. Boettcher; grandson Gary Boettcher; great-grandchildren Allison and twins Cara and Dana; brother Don Harrold; nephews (Kathleen’s sons) John, Richard and Danny; niece (Kathleen’s daughter) Kathy; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Mary retired from working at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles after more than 20 years. She loved to bowl, and she played golf well into her 90s at Plym Park Golf Course. She was driving her car back in Niles up to the age of 94. Mary danced in a variety show put on by the Imperial Bonita Estates park. She did that for more than 20 years, up until she turned 90.

She was loved by all who came into contact with her at NCH hospital, and all of the staff at Lakeside Nursing Home in Naples. They all made mention as to how sweet a lady she was. And that she was.

The family requests no flowers or donation.

A living memory service will be scheduled at a later date. Cremation took place in Florida, and Mary will be laid to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Timothy Dean Scrader, of Niles
Dec. 7, 1942 — July 13, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:44 am Monday, July 17, 2017

Timothy Dean Schrader, 74, of Niles, died peacefully at 10:10 a.m.  Thursday, July 13, at Wellbrooke of South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on Dec. 7, 1942 in Niles to Theodore D. and June Clara (Keck) Schrader. He graduated from Niles High School and earned bachelors, masters and specialist degrees in music education from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He taught instrumental music in the Niles Community Schools for his entire career, and has lived in Niles all of his life.

Tim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles where he served on the worship team. He was a member of the local and state teachers’ associations and of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. In addition to band directing, he also played the saxophone and directed choirs, including the Youth for Christ at Winona Lake, Indiana. He enjoyed hunting and fishing around Niles and summers with his family at Drummond Island, Michigan.

Surviving family includes his siblings, Lila (Richard) Coates of Huntington Beach, California, T. David (Phyllis) Schrader of Niles, and Karen (Steve) Parker of Smyrna, Tennessee; nieces and nephews Claudia (John) Herrara, Jennifer Coates, Julia Coates, Richard (Cherri) Coates, Ted (Lindsey) Schrader, Talli (Carmelo) Pratico, Trisha Schrader, and Angela (Zack) Davis; and their children Katie, Ellie, Lila, Richie, Kenton, Clayton, Makenna, Megan, and Asher; and a wonderful circle of friends and former students.

The funeral service for Tim Schrader will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18, at the First Baptist Church in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Tim may be made to the First Baptist Church, or to Gideon’s International.

halbritterfunerals.com