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

Elfriede Spadafora of Niles
Sept. 25, 1935 — Nov. 25, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Elfriede Spadafora, 81, of Niles, passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.

She was born Sept. 25, 1935, to the late Karl and Marie (Zeigler) Velten in Friedberg, Germany.

Elfriede is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gerard “Jerry” Spadafora of Niles; sons Steven (Dena) and Joe (Chris); three grandchildren, Sasha, Steve and Nick; and sisters Margot and Heidi.

In keeping with Elfriede’s wishes, she has been cremated. Her family will be remembering her privately.

Memorial donations may be made in Elfriede’s name to a charity of one’s choice.

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.

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.