Obituaries

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.

Duane Hellwig, of Niles
Sept. 7, 1928 — June 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:33 am Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Duane C. Hellwig, 88, passed away at 4 a.m. Sunday, June 18, 2107, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Duane was born Sept. 7, 1928, in St. Joseph, to the late Clarence and Georgia (Slavicek) Hellwig.

Duane Hellwig

Duane was preceded in death by a daughter, Toni Barbee, and a sister, Bonnie (Bruce) Fletcher.

On Oct. 17, 1960, in Piggott, Arkansas, Duane married Elizabeth (Ward).

She survives along with children, Teresa (Courtney) Glover, Trica (Ralph) Ojeda, Duane Jr. (Hope) Hellwig, Doreen (Jeff) Whittaker and Steven (Cheryl) Hellwig; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sisters Donna (Carl) Newsom, Sally Newman and Nancy Atkinson.

Duane was a tool and die maker and retired from Clark Equipment Company in 1982. He later he worked at Sears, Michiana Christian Embassy and Meijer. He Enjoyed making golf clubs, traveling with his wife and family gatherings. He was the oldest registered freshman at Southwestern Michigan College.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St., Niles, where family and friends may gather for an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

Mary Holt Richardson Beers, of Rushford, MN
Sept. 9, 1844 – Oct 16, 1893

Niles Weekly Mirror, Published October 25, 1893, page 5, col. 2, submitted by family member

Mrs. W. [Walter] W. Beers of Rushford, Minn., formerly Mary [Holt] Richardson, of this city, died yesterday and the remains arrived here today noon.  Interment took place at Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. J. G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, offered prayer.  Deceased was an aunt of Mrs. L. J. Morgan.

Anna Fedore, of Niles
Nov. 24, 1925 — April 22, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:03 am Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Anna Irene Fedore, 91, of Niles, died peacefully following an extended illness at 3:47 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, with her family gathered around in her house.

She was born Nov. 24, 1925, in Niles, to Hugh Jay and Madeline Pearl (Bruce) Willard.

Anna Fedore

She graduated from Niles High School and moved to Kalamazoo to work in the original Gibson Guitar manufacturing plant. In 1975, she returned to Niles and was employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company. She was also a partner with her sister, Ruth, at the former Melt N Mold candy shop located at 303 E. Main St. in Niles.

Anna was a member of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles. She volunteered as a grandmother for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She enjoyed camping — often at Potato Creek State Park — and annual vacations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

On Nov. 20, 1975, she married William M. Fedore. He preceded her in death Jan. 7, 1982.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann Johnson on Jan. 8, 1975, and by her siblings, George Jay Willard, Mary C. Bolinger, Ruth Edna Kuehn, Helen Jane Huntly and Edwin F. Willard.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Marcia Marie Briggs of Niles; her grandchildren, Andrew T. Johnson and Jalen Rose Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Anna Fedore will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, with the Rev. Ronald Smith of Hope Community Church officiating. Committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Anna may be made to Huntly Memorial Baptist Church. halbritterfunerals.com