Aaron James Sanders, formerly of Buchanan
July 28, 1993-Aug. 27, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:31 am Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Aaron James Sanders, 24, formerly of Buchanan, died unexpectedly at 7:21 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017 at his home in Bristol, Indiana.

He was born on July 28, 1993, in Niles to Christopher Wayne Sanders and Mary Ann (Williams) Sanders. He was graduated from Marcellus High School, and enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard. He was currently employed at Coachman Industries in Middlebury, Indiana.

Aaron enjoyed fishing, was a fan of the University of Michigan football team and the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, and of Chevy Trucks. He loved his pet dogs, and – even more – loved his family.

On Feb. 14, 2017, at his mother’s house, he married Nicole E. Wilkins who survives. Also surviving are his mother, Mary (& Ray Ott) Sanders of South Bend, father, Christopher (& Linda) Sanders of West Virginia, step-father, Lee Erdman of Saint Joseph, Michigan, grandmother, Mable Sanders of West Virginia, and Aaron’s brothers, Christopher Williams and Andrew Sanders, both of South Bend; and nieces and nephews, Isiah and Noah Reyes, Gage Shuler, and Dakota Kinser.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Kayla Miller on July 16, 2016.

The funeral service for Aaron Sanders will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at Noon on Friday at the funeral home.

halbritterfunerals.com

John Lewellen, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Sept. 13, 1950 — June 9, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:26 am Friday, June 30, 2017

John Andrew “Captain John” Lewellen, 66, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away Friday, June 9, 2017, at Hilton Head Hospital.

John was born Sept. 13, 1950, in Niles, to James H. and Florence Ranft Lewellen.

He attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Niles High School in 1968. He earned his Michigan captain’s license in 1975 while living in Michigan.  He worked in property management with Harbourside III during his years on Hilton Head Island.

He loved fishing and being near the water, before and after moving to Hilton Head Island in 1979. He lived near the Atlantic Ocean and the beach for almost all of his years at Hilton Head Island. The fisherman’s adage, “any day on the water is a good day,” epitomized John perfectly. He knew many, many people and had many friends on Hilton Head Island. He was uniquely talented at bringing people together. Once a person became a friend of John, he or she would soon have many friends that were met through John.

John is survived by his brothers, Jim L. (Laura) Lewellen of Niles and Jerry E. (Charona) Lewellen of Medina, Ohio; his uncle, Captain Robert L. (Jane) Lewellen, USN (Ret.) of Contoocook, New Hampshire; his nephews, Jim S. (Tamee) Lewellen of Niles, J.A. (Melissa) Lewellen of Medina; nieces Laura (Kerry) Payne of Niles, Rachel C. Lewellen of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kathryn (Jeffrey) Lewellen of Cary, North Carolina; and great-nieces and great-nephews Adam Payne and Aaron Payne of Niles, Abby Payne of Grand Rapids, Alex Lewellen of Austin, Texas, and Chris Lewellen of Lemont, Illinois.

Friends of John are invited to a celebration of life at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017, on the beach at the end of the Firethorn Lane beach-walk on South Forest Beach. There, John’s ashes will be committed to the Atlantic Ocean that he loved so much.

Irene Bradford Willis, of Niles
Feb. 12, 1925-Sept. 7, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38 am Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Irene Bradford Willis, 92, of Niles, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. She was surrounded by family.

She was born on Feb. 12, 1925, in Enid, Mississippi to John Robert and Mandy (Buckley) Bradford. She attended school in Enid, and lived in Charleston, Mississippi before coming to Niles in 1950.

Irene kept an immaculate home and was an avid gardener, and she found great joy in the kitchen. Everything that came out of her kitchen was enjoyed by all, especially her dinner rolls, fried corn, dressing, and peach cobbler.

Irene Bradford Willis

Friends and family quickly learned that she could fill everyone’s plate, no matter how many stopped by. Irene was very active until she was called home to be with the Lord. Just last week, she was canning pickled pears (the old-fashioned way) and making fried pies. Her greatest joy was caring for her family, to whom she devoted her life. Homemaking was secondary to the importance of raising nine children to be respectful, responsible, and successful, a labor of love that she faithfully completed.

On May 15, 1946, in Charleston, she married Willie Lee Willis, Sr. Willie preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 1997. They were also sadly preceded in death by a son, Robert, and by Irene’s siblings, Ora Johnson, Henry Buckley, Willie Hoskins, Wardell Bradford, Sr., and Robert Bradford; and two special sisters, Nannie Redding and Asie Lee Laws.

Surviving family includes her children, Willie Lee Willis, Jr. (Yolanda) of Goshen, Indiana, Barbara Gamble of Bristol, Indiana, Lorraine (Roger) Outlaw of Niles, Clara (Paul) Taylor of Elkhart, Indiana, Rosie Willis of Niles, Kathy Willis of Freemont, California, Vivian (Bruce) Wilson of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Gloria (Real) Daniels of Rahway, New Jersey; eighteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren; and the many who considered her mom or grandma; special sisters, Virginia Brown and Betty Perry; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles beginning at noon on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. The funeral service will commence at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Kisha Jones officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Irene Bradford Willis may be made to The Salvation Army of Niles.

halbritterfunerals.com

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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