Allen H. Batton of Niles
Sept. 5, 1951 — Nov. 29, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:28 am Thursday, December 1, 2016

Allen Hugh Batton, 65, of Niles died peacefully Tuesday morning, Nov. 29, 2016, at home following an extended illness.

He was born Sept. 5, 1951, in Niles to Byphel Veston and Betty Glee (Crowell) Batton.
He graduated from Niles High School, where he played football and competed in track, and attended Southwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University.

He was employed in retail automobile sales most of his life, and sold at many area dealers. He also owned and operated the Niles and Mishawaka, Indiana, Mr. Axle rebuilding shop. More recently, he was employed at Greenscapes and at MAAC Property Services. He also served as the property manager for the Howard Township Conservation Club.

Al enjoyed sports all of his life, played some semi-professional football, was a volunteer coach for the teams his children played on and followed sports on television. He also continued his interest in automobile sales by buying, detailing and reselling individual cars in his retirement. Al loved to barbecue and cook-out for his family and friends. He was a friend of Bill W., and enjoyed the fellowship of the local Yana House.

Allen Batton

His parents and a sister, Linda Liss, preceded him in death.

He was previously married to the former Patty Magdalinski.

Surviving family includes his long-time partner, Chandra Thomas of Niles; his daughters, Shelly (Joseph) Messenger of Osceola, Indiana, Stacy Batton of South Bend, Indiana, Ashley Batton of Niles and Kalee Antisdel of Niles; grandchildren Brooklyn, Alyssa, Braeden and Nacom; Al’s brothers, Roger Batton of Three Oaks and Tim (Jackie) Batton of California; and many nieces and nephews, including Linda’s sons, to whom he remained close, Jimmy and Kelly Crabtree.

The family will receive relatives andA friends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. The funeral service for Allen Batton will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home, with one of Allen’s best friends, Mr. Robert Kinney, officiating. Family and friends will gather at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at the funeral home to process to a 10 a.m. committal service in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Allen may be made to the Yana Club, 514 Eagle Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Dawn M. Vaughn of Niles
Nov. 15, 1972 — Nov. 27, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Dawn Marie (Gross) Vaughn, 44, of Niles, passed away in her residence, surrounded by her family, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.

She was born Nov. 15, 1972, in Niles to Fred C. Jr. and Valda Jean (Biggs) Gross.

A 1990 graduate of Brandywine High School, Dawn went on to further her education at Michiana Business College, receiving her associate’s degree in accounting and business. On Nov. 22, 1997, she married the love of her life, Trent S. Vaughn, at a ceremony in Las Vegas.

Dawn loved to shop, travel and visit foreign destinations. Her greatest passion was her love for her family and friends. She was her children’s biggest cheerleader, attending hundreds of sporting events. She had no greater love than that for her grandchildren. Dawn will always be remembered for her kindness towards others and her infectious laugh.

Dawn Vaughn

Dawn is survived by her husband, Trent Vaughn of Niles; children Kristen (Justin) Lamirand of Niles, Samantha Vaughn of Mishawaka and Matthew Vaughn of Niles; and her mother, Valda Jean Skinner of Niles and Mawmaw to Carson Cooper and Emma Lamirand. She is also survived by her siblings, Tammy (Donald) Dennison of Niles, Scott (Pamela) Gross of South Bend, Indiana, David (Marie) Gross of Niles, Fred Gross III of Niles, Farrah Gross of South Bend, Brandi Gross of South Bend and Brittany Gross of South Bend. She also leaves countless families and friends whose lives she touched.

Her father, Fred C. Gross Jr, preceded her in death.

A time of visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Brown Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dawn’s memory to Caring Circle, formerly Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or to Relay for Life.

Dawn lived a short but beautiful life. We encourage you to leave your memories for her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.

Sarah J. Owens
Jan. 14, 1834-April 4, 1892

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 4, 1892, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

Mrs. Sarah J., wife of Garrett Owens, died this morning at 2 o'clock, after a lingering illness of consumption.

Deceased was born Jan. 14, 1834, in Kent county, Delaware, and came to Michigan in 1854.  She was the mother of six children, of whom, two sons, with their father, are left to mourn her death. She also leaves three sisters in this city and one sister and a brother in Delaware.

Funeral announcement will be made tomorrow.

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, April 6, 1892, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services of the late Mrs. Garrett Owens were held at the family residence, on 14th street, this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Thos. Cox officiated. The services were very impressive and deeply affecting to the many friends and relatives of the deceased. The interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

Garret Owens
April 1830*-April 1, 1914

GARRET OWENS FOUND DEAD

Aged man had long been sick and Coroner attributes death to natural causes

Garret Owens, aged about 86 years, was found dead this morning about 7 o'clock at his home, 1428 Broadway by Charles Earl, a neighbor who was in the habit of calling daily and giving the aged man the care he required.

The body was lying in the corner and Mr. Owens was almost completely dressed. The disarrangement of the furniture indicted that Mr. Own had evidently staggered about the room and then fallen dead.

Undertaker Price was called and he in turn summoned Coroner Skalla. The latter decided that Mr. Owens came to his death by natural causes and issued a burial permit without empanelling the jury.

Mr. Owens has been a sufferer for years with cancer of a most malignant type and his death has long been expected at any time.  Since of the death of his wife about 15 years ago, Mr. Owens has been more or less dependent upon the kindness of friends for care and his son, who lives in Mountain View, Oklahoma, is also said to have contributed to his support.  Besides the son, William McLain Owens in Oklahoma, two daughters, Bessie and Dorothy Owens of South Bend, of a deceased son, Allen Owens, are among the only known surviving relatives.

The body was removed to Price's store.  Mr. Owens had expressed a desire to Rev. R.A. Wright for a church funeral, and in accordance with the wish the funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock form the Methodist church of which he was a member but later joined the Salvation Army.

Mr. Owens owned the little house and lot on which he resided, free of encumbrance so that his funeral expenses are more than provided for.  In his pocket this morning, $15.75, probably gifts of different old friends, was found by Coroner Skalla.

Published Thursday, April 2, 1914

Note:  DOB from 1900 Census

George H. Vetter
Jan. 28, 1892-Oct. 6, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 3, 1918, page 1

NAME OF GEORGE VETTER IN TODAY'S CASUALTY LISTS

Today's morning papers report the unkind information that Private George Vetter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will H. Vetter, residing east of the city, has been killed in action.

A few days ago the parents were informed by the war department that their son was missing in action since October 6.

Mr. Vetter entered military service last May and went overseas from Camp Custer with the 85th division.

Yesterday the distracted parents were made hopeful when a Benton Harbor soldier, who has just returned from France, sent them word he visited George in a hospital a few eeks ago.  A letter was immediately sent to Washington asking for details. 

Private Vetter was 24 years of age.  Another brother is now with our forces “somewhere over there.”

Henry H. Green
May 10, 1893-Aug. 6, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 6, 1960.

Henry H. Green, 67, of 1403 Cedar St., retired New York Central Railroad Engineer, died at 1:05 a.m. , today in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient for six days. He had been in failing health for several months.

Mr. Green was born May 10, 1893, in Viola, Ill., and came to Niles 39 years ago from Michigan City, Ind. He retired from the railroad in 1958 after having compeleted[sic] 45 years of service. He was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers.

Surviving are: his widow, Elizabeth; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Collum, Niles; two sons, Eugene Green, Sea Side, Calif., and Arthur Green, Darby, Pa.; seven grandchildren; s a sister, Mrs. C.L. Whitmore, Peoria, Ill., and two brothers, Emmitt and Harry Green, both Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Paul's Church with the pastor, the Rev. Theodore Laesch, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Frends[sic[ are being received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home.