Norma Poznanski, of Niles
Dec. 7, 1944 — June 21, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:26 am Friday, June 23, 2017

Norma Jean Poznanski, RN, 72, of Niles, died peacefully at 2:42 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at home.

She was born Dec. 7, 1944, in Niles, to Joseph Norman and Ruth Elaine (Ferguson) Ross.

Norma Poznanski

She graduated from Niles High School, and earned her associate’s degree and nurses’ credentials at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana. She lived in Portage, Indiana, for 30 years, where she was employed by area home health care agencies.

Norma enjoyed reading novels and mysteries, and watching television shows about home improvement. Her family remembers her fascination with shopping at local discount stores, which resulted in “Charlie” having closets full of last minute birthday gifts and other supplies.

On Aug. 29, 1964, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles, she married William C. Poznanski, with whom she celebrated, last year, the remarkable 52nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, William Poznanski, and their children, Pastor Eric Sean (Kristin) Poznanski of Granger, Indiana, William Todd (Roberta) Poznanski of Portage and Daniel Kencade (Christine) Poznanski of Columbus, Georgia; grandchildren Anna, Joel, Mandy, Derek, Allison, Tia and Madison; Norma’s sister, Ruth Ross of Missoula, Montana; several nieces and nephews of two generations; and a wonderful circle of great friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ruth Ross, and a brother, Joseph Leon Ross.

A funeral service for Norma Poznanski will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, with her son, Pastor Eric Poznanski of the Universal Life Monastery, officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Norma may be made to the Niles District Library. halbritterfunerals.com

Dessie Lee Cobb
May 17, 1928-Dec. 22, 2010

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:26 pm Sunday, December 26, 2010

NILES — Dessie Lee Cobb, 82, of Niles, born in Tyronza, Ark., May 17, 1928, passed on Dec. 22, 2010.

Before Dessie became ill she was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Niles, where she served as a missionary, choir member, deaconess, pastor’s aide, vocational Bible school teacher and on the mother’s board.

Services will be at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at noon.

A time of visitation will be held one hour prior.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Michael Meyer, of Niles
April 13, 1975 — Jan. 11, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:58 am Friday, January 13, 2017

Michael “Mike” John Meyer, 41, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at home.
Mike was born April 13, 1975, in Niles, to John and Diane (Holloway) Meyer.
On Aug. 27, 2005, Mike married Angie (Peck) Meyer.
She survives and lives in Niles with their children: Aubrey Pearl and Lola Marie. Also surviving are his brother, Steve (Lisa) Meyer; nieces Malena and Ava; and nephew Brayden.

Mike Meyer

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Beatrice Holloway.
Mike worked for the street department for the City of Buchanan. He was an avid Michigan State fan and looked forward to family time every Sunday. Mike was the best husband, father and son. He enjoyed family get-togethers, where he would display his skills on the smoker.
Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. A remembrance service will begin at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.

Christopher Messner, of Cassopolis
Dec. 28, 1951 — May 19, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:26 am Monday, May 22, 2017

Christopher “Chris” Louis Messner, 65, of Cassopolis, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Friends may visit with family from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. A private family graveside service will be hosted in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with Pastor Linda Van Dyke officiating.

Christopher Messner

Memorial contributions may be made to Luvability Ministries, P.O. Box 46, Niles, MI 49120. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at swemchapel.com.

Chris was born Dec. 28, 1951, to Louis and Francis (Owen) Messner in Niles.

He attended Niles High School, where he excelled in football and was a wrestling champion.

Chris worked as a machine operator at Tyler Operations, from where he retired after 38 years of service.

On Dec. 23, 1992, he married Cathy Barnes at their home in Niles.

Chris was a member of the Old Timers Fishing Club, where he was able to share in his passion for fishing and hunting. He was also a member of the Beagle Club. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Chris is survived by his wife, Cathy; children Jeff Barnes of Jones, Holly Gross of Niles and Chandra (David) Stafford of Niles; grandchildren Nicole (Steve) Smith, Daniel Stafford, Jacob Barnes, Martina Gross, Johnathon Gross, Charlie Stafford, Susie Stafford and Abigail Barnes; sisters-in-law Judy (Garry) Bachman of Niles and Colleen (Ed) Siedenstrang of Benton Harbor; nephew Nicholas Siedenstrang; and niece Brooke Siedenstrang.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark Messner.

Laurana Belle ‘Rana’ Steiner, of Niles 
November 26, 1919-April 7, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:23 pm Monday, April 11, 2016

Laurana Belle “Rana” Steiner, 96, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:20 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2016, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

Laurana Belle “Rana” Steiner

She was born on Nov. 26, 1919, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Harvey Orville and Flossie Mildred (Daughtery) Smith. She attended school in Mishawaka, and has lived in the Michiana area all of her life. She was a fashion buyer for several former women’s stores in Niles including the Betsy Ross Shop, Parmalee’s, and Worth’s Town Country Shop.

Rana attended the National Beauty College in Benton Harbor, Michigan and opened her first beauty salon — the original “Rana’s” — at Fifth Ferry Street in Niles in 1957. That shop moved and became one of the original tenants of the former Eastgate Mall on Oak Street in Niles. Rana opened additional locations, and at one time had ten “Rana’s” salons throughout Michiana. The original salon continues at 525 North Seventeenth Street, and is still owned and operated by Rana’s family.

Rana was formerly a member of the Hairdressers Association of Indiana, and of the Morris Park Country Club. She attended the Bertrand Bible Church in Niles, and enjoyed traveling, and wintering in Texas and Florida. She always enjoyed the fellowship and competition of table games including Skip Bo and Rummikub, and especially the creative and evolving “Rana’s Designer Rummy”.

She was formerly married to Mr. Deane A. White.

On Oct. 18, 1963, in Niles, she married William Steiner who preceded her in death on Oct. 30, 1978. She was also preceded in death by a son, Donald D. White on July 5, 2009; a daughter, Leslie L. Cook on Nov. 4, 1994; and by brothers Robert Smith, Richard Smith, and Donald Smith.

Surviving family includes her son, Patrick (Gail) White of Niles, daughters Jami (Craig) Vanden Bossche of North Liberty, Indiana, and Marilyn “Jami” (Jerry) Chapman of Plano, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Janice (Mrs. Donald) White; grandchildren Janice (John) Hensel, Juli (Brian) Donohue, William (Jennifer) White, Sarah (Brad) Moggenberg, Tracee Cook, Kate Kobatch, Jamié (Jeff) Roberge, James (Michelle) Chapman, Heather (Kevin) Garrard, and Dean DePree; great-grandchildren Drew, Alexia, Briana, Cole, Nikki, Maxwell, Madeline, Evelyn, Russell, Payton, Nolan, Emerson, Claire, Zachary, Madison, and Mackenzie; great-great-grandchildren Mia, Reece, Zoe, Owen, Hadley, and Jade; and Rana’s sister, Sally (Richard) Kesler of South Bend, Indiana, sister-in-law Ada Goodhand of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Rana Steiner will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Bertrand Bible Church in Niles with Pastor Tony Slagle officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday at the church, beginning at 3 p.m. Interment will be private at Mission Hills.

Contributions in memory of Rana may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or to Grace Hospice. , 2725 Airview Blvd., #101, Portage, MI 49002. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Note:  Although obituary says burial would be at Mission Hills, Mrs. Steiner was interred at Silverbrook on May 15, 2017.

Merri Bagwell, of Buchanan
April 16, 1955 — May 1, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:30 am Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Merri Bagwell, 62, of Buchanan, passed away Monday, May 1, 2017, at her home while surrounded by her family.

Merri was born April 16, 1955, to the late Kenneth and Marian (Dempsey) VanLue in Niles.

Merri Bagwell

She graduated from Niles High School in 1973. She became a lifelong waitress at many restaurants in the Niles area, including Dougan’s Pit Stop/Viking Grill, where she worked as a server for more than 20 years. Merri was a people person in every sense of the word. She loved socializing and interacting with everyone she met.

On June 20, 1989, Merri wed Johnny Bagwell at a ceremony in Las Vegas. The two were inseparable. They epitomized the definition of love. There were never two people who were more committed to caring for one another.

Merri always saw the good in every situation; if it was raining it meant the flowers were going to grow, if it snowed it meant the grandchildren could go sledding, and when she was diagnosed with cancer at age 30 it meant: “at least I won’t have to shave the hair on my legs!” She also saw the good in all those around her. She was a lover of all things, especially nature, music, simplicity, people, children and her family.

Merri enjoyed traveling with her husband; it didn’t matter if it was in the backyard making up a song about potatoes on the way to their vegetable garden, taking a two-week train trip to Yosemite National Park or one of their many cruises. Merri always saw the positive in every situation. As long as Johnny was by her side she was happy in the adventure they were on called life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth VanLue and Marian VanLue-Gilbert; son Samuel Reagan; brother Kenneth VanLue Jr. and grandson Parker Williams.

Merri is survived by her husband of nearly 28 years, Johnny; their children, Julie (Mark) Williams of Niles and Melissa Bagwell of Niles; grandchildren Alexis (PJ) Pollock, Anthony Parris, Abby Parris, Garrett Williams, Carter Williams, DJ Bagwell and Delainey Reagan; great-grandson Remington Pollock; siblings Linda (Steve) Kujawa of Edwardsburg and Dan (Pam) VanLue of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services to honor Merri’s amazing life will be hosted at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2017, at Pokagon United Methodist Church.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles.