Michael Briggs, of South Bend
May 28, 1992 — Feb. 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:52 am Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Michael W. Briggs, 24, of South Bend, Indiana, and formerly of Niles, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Michael was born May 28, 1992, in Niles, to Michael Briggs and Tara Jackson.

Michael had a charismatic personality and attracted people everywhere he went with his smile. He will be remembered as an outgoing and funny athlete who would go out of his way to make your day.

Michael Briggs

In school, Michael excelled at both sports and academics, scoring one of the highest Terra Nova rankings, earning a 97 percent. He was gifted at basketball, football and baseball. He checked in on his friends often and always tried to help out with anything they were going through. He will always be remembered for his signature line, which he ended every conversation with: “I love you.” Michael was the ultimate family man and loved his children. Michael had an incredible bond with his mother whom he loved so dearly and they were best friends from the day he entered her life. While attending Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with his grandmother, Michael received Christ at a young age.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ossie Briggs; his maternal grandparents, Juanita Jackson and Willie E. Davidson; a great-aunt, Evangelist Louise Weeks-Chandler; an uncle, Carl “Eclipse” Briggs; his cousins, Eugene Jackson Jr. and Tony Briggs.

Michael is survived by, and leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Tara Jackson and Michael Briggs; children Mi’unique Briggs, Zy’aire Briggs and Ky’rie Briggs; his beloved grandmother, Willie B. Briggs; siblings T’ara Harris, Sha’kyla Freeman, Mikeya Briggs and De’quan Briggs; his half-siblings, Stacia and Milyn Briggs, Regina Hackney, Dijonna Williams and Elijah Williams; his aunts, Felicia Jackson and Gwendolyn; uncles Eugene and Paris Jackson, Ronnie and Craig Briggs; the mother of his children, Chakari Palmore; special friend Dartisha McLin; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many extended family members and close friends like brothers including, BJ Murphy and Keyshawn Todd Jr.

A funeral service for Michael will be at noon Friday, March 3, 2017, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, with a time of visitation for an hour prior. He will be laid to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery. Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

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

David W. Sallee of Niles
March 2, 1966 — Nov. 20, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Tuesday, November 22, 2016

David W. Sallee, 50, of Niles, passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at home.

David was born March 2, 1966, to Robert and Iris Sallee.

David Sallee

Surviving are his father, Robert Sallee Sr. of Niles; siblings Robert Sallee Jr. of Oklahoma, John and Debbie Sallee of South Bend, Indiana, Laurie Mueller of Niles, Tom and Debbie Sallee of Niles, Kenny Sallee of Niles, Tracy and Debbie Sallee of Niles, and Gene Sallee of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

His mother, Iris Sallee, preceded David in death.

David was a wonderful brother and friend to many. He touched many lives in his time; all who encountered him, loved him.

A viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at Halbritter Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles.

William Hoover, of Niles
June 6, 1924-Feb. 25, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:42 am Wednesday, March 1, 2017

William T. Hoover, 92, of Niles, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017, with visitation for an hour prior at Brown Funeral Home in Niles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

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Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Tuesday, February 28, 2017

William Hoover, 92, of Niles, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles.

Flora Riddle, of Niles
March 26, 1928 — Feb. 3, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:21 am Monday, February 6, 2017

Flora Marie Riddle, 88, of Niles, died Friday Feb. 3, 2017, in Buchanan, at Buchanan Meadows.
Flora was born at home March 26, 1928, in Niles. She was a lifelong resident of Niles who lived her life in the house in which she was born.
She is survived by her sister, Lucia Thomas, and by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Harrison and Flora Bell (Lambert) Riddle, and brothers and sisters Marcius “Babe” Riddle, John Henry Riddle, Loren Riddle, Marguerite Logodny, Floyd Riddle and Virginia Repine.
Flora graduated Niles High School in 1946. She was employed as secretary for Green Giant, National Standard and Simplicity, and retired from the University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Library.
She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Berrien County Historical Society and the Cass County Historical Society, and she volunteered at Fort Saint Joseph Museum and Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland. She was also a member of the Women’s Business and Professional Alliance, Niles Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, Timberlane Bowling League and the Golfing League at Plym Park.
A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar St., Niles. Calling will be for an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery. Services for Flora are being arranged by Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Niles History Center, 508 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120. Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.

Michele Burkhead, of Niles
March 22, 1959 — Feb. 24, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:27 am Monday, February 27, 2017

Michele Ann Burkhead, 57, of Niles, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, surrounded by her family and friends.
Michele was born at Goshen (Indiana) General Hospital on March 22, 1959, to the late Chauncey and Leona (Penrose) Burkhead and grew up in Niles.

Michele Burkhead

Michele was fortunate enough to be loved by her guardians Don and Deanna Elrod. The Elrods loved her and treated her like she was their own daughter after the passing of her parents; they were devoted and loving parents until the time of her death. Michele will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Walter Burkhead, David Burkhead, Janet Aronson and Sandra Mahler.
Michele is survived by her siblings, Helen LeCount, Tommy Boles, Larry LeCount, Floyd LeCount and Ramona Burch, and her guardians, Don and Deanna Elrod.
A funeral service will be at noon Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home, with a time of visitation two hours prior.
Memorial donations may be made in Michele’s name to Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled, 300 Whitney St., Dowagiac, MI 49047. Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

Charles Henry Tautphaus
Oct. 24, 1859-June 22, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 23, 1936, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

RETRIED MERCHANT, C.H.TAUTPHAUS, IS DEATH VICTIM AT 76

Widely Known Grocer Dies at Home Following a Year of Failing Health

Charles Henry Tautphaus, 76, retired merchant and widely known here, died Monday night at 9 o'clock at his home, 10 South Tenth street.  His death followed more than a year of failing health.

Mr. Tautphaus had lived in Niles 23 years.  He was proprietor of the Tautphaus grocery and market for 15 years, until failing health made his retirement necessary. On May 8, 1935, he sold his store to Harold Laberteaux. The store will be closed Wednesday, the day of Mr. Tautphaus' funeral, from 2:30 to  4 o'clock in the afternoon , as a mark of respect to its former owner.

Wife Survives

 Surviving are his wife, Wilhelmina, and one daughter, Mrs. Stuart Green, Mt. Clemens, who has been in Niles for several days, called here by the serious condition of her father's health.  Two sons, Charles and George, served overseas during the World war. Charles died Nov. 22, 1934, and George died May 3, 1931.

He also leaves a sister, Mrs. James Sawyer, Fremont, Calif., and four grandchildren.

Mrs. Tautphaus was born Oct. 24, 1859, in San Jose, Calif.  He was married April 17,1894 in Niles, to Miss Wilhelmina Munz; who survives him.

He came to Niles 33 years ago from California.  Following his marriage, Mr. Tautphaus went to Gem, Idaho, where he was proprietor of a large hotel in one of the first silver mining towns. Later he moved to San Francisco, where he engaged in business.

Owned Store 15 Years

For the past 15 years, prior to disposing of his grocery and market here, he was proprietor of the store now known as the Laberteaux grocery and market.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rutherford chapel Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends of the family are asked to call at the Rutherford mortuary today and Wednesday before the hour of the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 24, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  PALLBEARERS CHOSEN

Pallbearers for the funeral of Charles Henry Tautphaus, who died at his home, 10 South Tenth street, Monday, were selected today. They are, Thos. Leonard, Roy Clark, Harold Laberteau, Milo Webster, James Madden and Herman Dittmer. The Rev. G.W. Simon will conduct the services at 3 o'clock Wednesday in the Rutherford mortuary.