Sarah Annette French, of Niles
Oct. 14, 1937 — Jan. 1, 2017

Niles Dailiy Star, Published 11:09 am Friday, January 20, 2017

Sarah Annette French, 79, of Niles, died peacefully at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, at home following an illness.
She was born Oct. 14, 1937, in Centerville, Tennessee, to William and Elizabeth (Riley) Binkley.
After graduation from high school, she joined the All American Red Heads women’s professional exhibition basketball team. They toured the U.S. and many foreign countries playing against local amateur men’s teams — always using men’s basketball rules. They used the same types of skills and entertaining pranks as the Harlem

Sarah Annette French

Globetrotters, against whom they occasionally played.
The All American Red Heads were enshrined as a team in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, and in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Known as both “Sarah” and “Annette,” she came to Niles in 1985. She enjoyed yardwork at her home here, and wintering in Florida. She also owned and operated a healthcare apparel store — mostly scrubs — in South Bend, Indiana, for many years.
Surviving family includes her son, William Gregory Imboden of Granger, Indiana; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sarah Annette French

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Theresa Gustafson, LaVerne McCawley, Jim Binkley, Lemoyne Hutchinson and Carolyn Stemm.
Family, friends and caregivers gathered privately at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Graveside services were in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with the Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles officiating.
Contributions in memory of Sarah Annette French may be made to The Salvation Army of Niles Building Fund, 424 N. 15th St., Niles, MI 49120, or to the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. halbritterfunerals.com

Patsy J. Bankston, of Niles
July 15, 1937 — Dec. 25, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Patsy J. Bankston, 79, of Niles passed away Dec. 25, 2016, at her home, with the love of her life at her side.

She was born July 15, 1937, in Wabash, Indiana, to the late Wayne and Opal (Sopher) Barlow.

On Oct. 18, 1984, Patsy and Gary were united in marriage in Niles.

Patsy Bankston

Patsy enjoyed working at Martin’s Supermarket in South Bend, Indiana, for more than 23 years. When time allowed, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing, working in her flower gardens and enjoying nature; she mostly loved time spent with her family and her beloved pets. Patsy loved caring for others and found great joy in doing what she could to make life easier for them. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.

Patsy was preceded in passing by her parents and two sisters, Janice Mahan and Betty Scheffer.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Bankston of Niles, and her children: Debbie (Brad) Wiltse of Fremont, Ohio, Jerry Sisk of Reading, Michigan, Sherrie (Dennis) Reinking of Osceola, Indiana, Greg (Debbie) Bankston of Niles, and David Bankston of Niles. She will be greatly missed by her 11 grandchildren and her 16 great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Patsy may do so to St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St., Niles, MI 49120.

Visitation for Patsy will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles, with a committal service to follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memories of Patsy may be shared with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Jack W. Davis, of Niles
March 31, 1930 — Dec. 21, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Jack W. Davis, 86, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in Riveridge Manor in Niles.

Jack was born March 31, 1930, in Niles, to the late James M. and Goldie Fern Davis.

On Sept. 18, 1954, in Angola, Indiana, Jack married Janice J. (Forbes). She preceded him in death on Dec. 18, 2011.

Jack was also preceded in death by his daughter, Stacy R. Jasper, who passed away on Oct. 10, 2009.

Jack is survived by his children, James L. Davis, Jack W. Davis II and Shelly L. Davis, all of Niles; granddaughter Shannon F. Guyott; and grandsons Michael James Engdahl and Brandon James Witherow.

Jack was a truck driver and retired from Scott Brass.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 915 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

Kenneth Grubbs, of Niles
April 7, 1936 — Dec. 11, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:18 am Thursday, December 15, 2016

Kenneth Grubbs, 80, of Niles, died peacefully at 2:52 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, following an extended illness.

He was born April 7, 1936, in South Bend, to Kenneth and Irene M. (Barts) Grubbs. He graduated from Niles High School in 1954 and earned a business certificate from Southwestern Michigan College.

He served a required tour of duty in the U.S. Army during peacetime, mostly in Missouri and Wisconsin. He returned to Niles, and was first employed in the offices of the former Buchanan plant of the Clark Equipment Company, and later retired from the former Tyler Refrigeration Corporation in Niles.

Kenneth Grubbs

Ken was a member of Church of Christ in Niles where he was pleased to serve as the song leader. He also sang in the former men’s chorus, the “Tyler Blue Notes.” He formerly served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and volunteered with the FOP and Babe Ruth Baseball Leagues when his son was an active player. He enjoyed boating, water skiing and hunting, and has more recently been an avid fisherman, answering every invitation to go fishing on area rivers and lakes.

On April 13, 1963, at Church of Christ he married the former Linda Gail McAbee, with whom he celebrated last April the 53rd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Linda Grubbs, and their children, Scott Grubbs of Alvaton, Kentucky, and Lisa Hemphill of Sumter, South Carolina; grandchildren Courtney (Tim) Stueber, Ashley (Matt) Knight, Jacob Hemphill and Alexandria Grubbs; and great-grandchildren Tahlon Stueber, Tate Stueber, Ella Knight, Gabrielle Knight, Sawyer Knight and Faith Stueber.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Grubbs, and stepfather Kenneth Grubbs.

The funeral service for Kenneth Grubbs will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at Church of Christ in Niles, with Mr. David Thompson of the church officiating. Committal will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and playing of taps by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Ken may be made to Church of Christ. halbritterfunerals.com

Michael Franks, of Niles
April 12, 1958 — Nov. 29, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:29 am Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Michael Franks Sr., 58, of Niles, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016.

He was born to the late Herschel and Mattie (Lay) Franks.

Mike was a hard worker who enjoyed fishing, spending time at Sumnerville Park with family, cookouts, NASCAR, and mushroom hunting.

Michael Frank

Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donna Franks; daughter Melissa Franks; son Michael Franks II; grandchildren Courtney Franks, Seira Smith, Damein and Jesse Worl and Mariah Lynn; brothers Jerry (Julie), Ricki, Rex, Carl, David, Ronnie, Donnie and James (Bonnie) Franks, all of Tennessee; and sisters Barbara (Paul) Lard, Jean (Wallace) Oldham and Emma Franks, all of Tennessee.

His brother, Daniel Franks, and sister Debbie Kiddy preceded Mike in death.

Viewing will be for two hours prior to the 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, funeral service at Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front St., Buchanan. A dinner will follow services at the Eagles Lodge, 34 Sycamore St., Niles. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Jacqueline A. “Jan” Smith of Niles
Jan. 6, 1927 — Nov. 8, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Monday, November 14, 2016

Jacqueline Ann Smith, 89, of Niles, died peacefully at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, with family gathered around at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles, following an extended illness.

Her family is grateful for the kind and gentle care of the staff at Woodland Terrace, and the special care provided by Hospice at Home.

She was born Jan 6, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Othello Judson and Lois (Brace) Norris.

She graduated from West Lafayette (Indiana) High School, and continued her education at the former Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, and at Indiana University Bloomington.

She has lived in Niles since 1952, and was employed in the office of the late John Bruni, M.D., and at the former women’s dress shop, The Peacock, both in Niles.

Jacqueline “Jan” Smith

Jan was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and volunteered at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve. She played in tennis leagues at Niles Racquet Club, played in several area bridge clubs, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2094 in Niles and the B.P.O. of Niles Elks 1322. She enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally.

She was first married to Richard B. Malone.

On July 12, 1969, she married Ralph C. “Mike” Smith, who preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 1980.

Surviving family includes her children, the Rev. Michael (Barbara) Malone of Memphis, Tennessee, and Kathleen Ann Malone of Niles; grandchildren Kathryn (Brent) Webster, Leslie (Brandt) Sykes and Annie (Dylan) Terney; five great-grandchildren; Ralph’s children, Shelley (Bob) Smith Julius of Perrysburg, Ohio, Victoria Smith of Boston, Massachusetts, Peter W. (Susan) Smith of Niles and Jan Smith of Niles; and his grandchildren, Alex, Christopher, Kristen, Laurie, Tara and Gretchen.

Services for Jan are pending, and will be announced by Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Jan may be made to Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120.

halbritterfunerals.com

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:18 am Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Jacqueline “Jan” Smith of Niles

Jacqueline “Jan” Smith, 89, of Niles, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. Services for Jacqueline will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Arrangements were made at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. halbritterfunerals.com