Obituaries

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.

Louis Dick Elwood Thurston, of Niles
Died October 25, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:45 am Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Ella A. Tibbetts
Dec. 16, 1850-Nov. 22, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 23, 1936, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS ELLA TIBBETTS, LAST OF PROMINENT PIONEER FAMILY, DIES
Former Teacher and Active Church Worker Will Be Buried Tuesday

Miss Ella A. Tibbetts, who was born in Niles 85 years ago, and who, before her retirement from the profession was a widely known teacher, died Sunday morning at 12:45 in Pawating hospital.

Complications resulting from a broken arm which she suffered in a fall at the residence of Mrs. B.D. Giddings, November 9 caused her death. Miss Tibbetts had closed her home on Sycamore street and had been planning to spend the winter at the Giddings home.
Miss Tibbetts had long been prominent in the Presbyterian church here. She had a wide acquaintance through out the state, having taught school in Niles, Dowagiac, Decatur, Ypsilanti and St. Paul, Minn., before her retirement a number of years ago.
She was the youngest and last member of a family of seven daughters. Had she lived until Dec. 16, she would have celebrated her 86th birthday.

A grandniece, Miss Mildred Wood, Joliet, Ill. Has been here since last Thursday, called to Niles by the serious condition of Miss Tibbetts. Mrs. W.L. Hoatson, a niece, arrived Sunday noon from her home in Milwaukee. Both are staying with Mrs. Giddings.
Other relatives who survive are three nephews, Coe Weed, Hammond, Ind.; John Shafer, San Antonio, Texas, and [Illegible] Thomas, Battle Creek.

The Rev. Dr. G.W. Simon will officiate at funeral services to be held in the Presbyterian church, of which she was a lifelong member, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends are asked to call at the Rutherford funeral home until noon Tuesday. The body will lie in state at the Presbyterian church from noon until the hour of the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 24, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: TIBBETTS RITES HELD

Funeral services for Miss Ella A. Tibbetts, who died Sunday morning in Pawating Hospital, were conducted at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon in the Presbyterian church by the Rev. Guy W. Simon. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. E.B. Storms, Charles Silsbee, V.N. Taggett, Ray Chappel, Henry Hinkle, and Walter Wood served as pallbearers.