Geneva Davis, of Niles
Jan. 29, 1928 — Jan. 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:27 am Monday, January 23, 2017

Geneva Davis, 88, of Niles, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at West Woods of Niles.
She was born in South Bend, Indiana, on Jan. 29, 1928, to Julius and Delia Hamilton.
On Nov. 21, 1952, she married Isaac E. Davis. He preceded her in death in November 1963.
She worked at Memorial Hospital of South Bend for more than 35 years, retiring from her O.B. technician position in 1996. Always known as an excellent baker, she started catering weddings in 1983 and eventually had to stop due to deteriorating health. Her last wedding cake was for the Rev. and Mrs. Bacon in 2008. Also prior to her decline in health, she was considered a “snow bird,” spending the winter months in Florida.

Geneva Davis

She was a faithful member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Geneva’s faith was important to her, and she gave of herself in various capacities, including as a pastor’s aide and as a supervisor of the kitchen, and she had been the Woman’s Day Queen for several years.
Geneva is survived by her children: Terry (Michael) Nicholson of Inglewood, California, Gina (Arthur) Haywood of Weeki Wachee, Florida, Belinda Wooden, Valray (Reginald) Croom and Tracy Davis, all of Niles. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives and close friends.
Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Charles B., Horace, Garfield “Willie” and Eddie Hamilton; sisters Beulah Green and Annabelle Hamilton; granddaughter Jenny Croom; and grandson Sylvester Williams III.
A time of visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home. A celebration of Geneva’s life will be at noon

Geneva Davis

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St., Niles, with a time of visitation beginning at 11 a.m. An interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to her daughter, Valray Croom, as her family plans to do something special in her memory.
Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

Beverly Mattiford, 76
April 25, 1935 — Nov. 27, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:25 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Beverly Ann Mattiford, of Wells Street and formerly of Baldwin Drive in Niles, died at 8:10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011

at Riveridge Manor in Niles of an extended illness.

Mrs. Mattiford was born April 25, 1935, in Davenport, Iowa, to Earl and Leona (Utterback) Franzen. She moved from Davenport to Niles in 1961. She retired from Blossomland Learning Center.

Beverly was former Westminster Presbyterian Church and a current member of First Presbyterian Church, both of Niles. She was active with Special Olympics Area 17 and enjoyed bowling, bingo and being with family.

On May 12, 1962, in Niles she married Walter Roy Mattiford, who preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 1994. She is survived by their sons, Jeffrey (Chris) Mattiford and David (Nicole) Mattiford, both of Niles; grandchildren, Taylor, Nicholas, Collin, Katie, Chloe and Jackson Mattiford; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Louise Kress, and brother, Norwood Franzen.

Funeral services for Beverly Ann Mattiford will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Ron Smothermon, nephew, officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Beverly may be made to Special Olympics Area 17, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Kay Mattiford, of Buchanan
Nov. 23, 1933 — Jan. 14, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:22 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Kay D. Mattiford, 83, passed away at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at Riveridge Rehab and Health Center.
Kay was born Nov. 23, 1933, in Buchanan, to the late James and Lillias (Armstrong) Peacock.
On July 11, 1964, in Buchanan, Kay married Frank W. Mattiford. He passed away Dec. 27, 2001.
She was also preceded in death by a son, James C. Boht; and sisters Lillias (Louie) Poplar, Mary (Duane) Allen, and Delores Peacock.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Fred) Harkrider; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Kay repaired electronics at Electro-Voice for more than 38 years before retiring. She enjoyed being at the cabin “up north,” where she could fish and spend time with her husband and family. She loved her grandchildren dearly.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.

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.