Obituaries

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.

Billy Roach, of Dowagiac
Feb. 15, 1943 — May 1, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:57 am Thursday, May 4, 2017

Billy G. Roach, 74, of Dowagiac and formerly of Niles, passed away, Monday, May 1, 2017, at Elkhart (Indiana) General Hospital.

A celebration of life service will be hosted at 1 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2017, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Stacey Wilder officiating. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from noon until 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation. Those wishing to sign Billy’s guestbook may do so online at clarkch.com.

Billy Roach

Billy was born Feb. 15, 1943, in Saint Louis, to William and Norma (McNabb) Roach.

He attended Dowagiac Union High School.

Billy married the love of his life, Sara Holy, on Aug. 13, 1966, in Niles.

He retired as a baker at Nickles Bakery in Elkhart. Billy enjoyed fishing and listening to country or gospel music.

Billy is survived by his siblings, Shirley (Glenn) Stewart of Dowagiac, Donald (Colleen) Roach of Dowagiac, Phyllis (John) Valdes of Dowagiac and Steve (Debra) Roach of Eufaula, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Marie Roach of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sara, and his brother, Charles.

Kenneth Wayne Strope, of Niles
Aug. 28, 1952-April 28, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:17 am Monday, May 1, 2017

Kenneth Wayne Strope, 64, of Niles, died following a brief illness at 1:39 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, with his wife at his bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.

He was born Aug. 28, 1952, in Chicago, to Willard Henry and Florence Marie (Pugesek) Strope.

He graduated from New Prairie High School in New Carlisle, Indiana, and has lived in Niles most of his life. He retired from A.M. General in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he worked for 31 years producing the military HMMWV “Humvee.”

Ken was an avid fan of the University of Notre Dame football team, attending every home game, several away games, and one national championship. He also enjoyed fishing in local lakes and rivers. But his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, amongst whom he was commonly known as “Fat Boy.” He was always proud and honored to be building vehicles to assist those who are serving in the military.

On Nov. 15, 1986, in Niles, he married the former Shelley Shaler, with whom he celebrated last November the 30th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Shelley Shaler Strope; his brother, James (Michelle) Strope of Cape Coral, Florida; sisters Carol (Tony) Garcia of Glendale, Arizona, and Josie Emry of Galien; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, Joan Stankiewicz, Jack Strope, Charlotte Fraid, Rose Bellegante and Betty Hicks.

The family and friends of Ken Strope will gather to honor his life and share memories at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2094, 24 Sycamore St., Niles. Interment will be private in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ken may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or to the Niles Veterans Memorial, c/o City Hall, 333 N. Second St., Niles, MI 49120.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. halbritterfunerals.com

Jerry Stowe, of Rochester, Indiana
Nov. 19, 1954 — May 30, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:58 am Monday, June 26, 2017

Jerry P. Stowe, 62, of Rochester, Indiana, and formerly of Niles, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jerry was born Nov. 19, 1954, to the late Robert Jr. and Jean (Peters) Stowe.

Jerry is survived by his brothers, Michael (Avaline) Stowe of Niles and Stephen (Sandra) Stowe of Greenville, Michigan; stepbrothers Richard, Donald and David Barnes; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry graduated from Niles High School in 1973. He loved music, and while in high school he composed music and choreography for several songs that are still played by the Niles band today.

He honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1977. Jerry worked in research and development and I.T. for Modern Materials in Rochester.

A memorial service for Jerry will be hosted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles.

Memorials for Jerry may be directed to the Niles High School marching band. Condolences for Jerry’s family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.