Cleo L. Lowery
Dec. 3, 1899-April 12, 1976

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, April 13, 1976, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Cleo L. Lowery, 76, 1711 S. 15th St., died at 9:35 a.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.

She was born Dec. 3, 1899, in Parkersburg, W. Va., and has lived in Niles since 1912. Her husband Corbett died Jan. 10, 1974.

Surviving is her son, Henry L. Jones of Niles, eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where she as a member, by the Rev. W.L. Daniel, pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at Halbritter Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Virginia Wilson
Oct. 16, 1916-August 11,1975

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, August 11, 1961, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

VANDALIA—Mrs. Virginia Wilson, 58, of Vandalia died at 6:45 a.m. Today at the Cass County Medical Care Facility after an extended illness.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Connelly Funeral Home in Cassopolis.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, August 12, 1961, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

CASSOPOLIS—Mrs. Virginia Wilson, 58, of Vandalia, died at 6:45 a.m. Monday in the Cass County Medical Care Facility.

A member of the People's Protestant Church of Cassopolis, she was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Niles. She was a lifetime resident of the area. Her husband, Thurlo Wilson, died in 1949.

She is survived by her parents, Cleeta Adams and Henry Jones of Niles, a son, Ladell Wilson, and a daughter, Marilyn Wilson; both of Cassopolis; a brother, Henry Jones of Niles and grandchildren and one great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday in the Connelly Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Evans officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home , where a wake will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Sally Moody
June 1865-Oct. 22, 1927

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 24, 1927, page 1, col. 8

AGED HOUSEMAID LEAVES BEQUEST TO NILES LIBRARY
Sally Moody, Born in Slave Days, Dies at Pawating Hospital
HAD SAVED HER WAGES
Property Valued at Several Thousand Dollars Covered by Will

Sally Moody is dead. She died at Pawating Hospital at 3:15 Saturday afternoon.

This simple announcement conveys very little to the minds of those who were not numbered with the elect of Sally's limited circle of acquaintances, but those who knew Sally and something of the story of her life are reminded that in the passing of this plain unpretentious human soul, a life of faithful services to others, has come to an end, with no one near of her own kin to shed a tear.

But although she lived in obscurity, Sally's memory will be perpetuated for she had acquired considerable means, it is understood, through her careful saving of her wages and through practicing economies, and when her will is read after the funeral services on Wednesday. It is expected an announcement will be made of a bequest to the Niles public library, an institution in which she was deeply interested.

Sally Moody had no known relatives in the north. Little positive information about Sally's early life is known here, aside from the fact that she was born in Tennessee near Memphis about the time that (continue on Page 8) the north and south were preparing to engage in the might struggle that ended in the abolition of slavery. Whether Sally was born in slavery is not positively known but it is presumed that she was. A vague rumor has been current among among those who were more or less interested in Sally that the paternal side of her ancestry could be traced back to one of the proudest and most prominent families of Tennessee. However, that may be the inexorable laws of fate and of the social standards of the white race, aligned her irrevocably with the colored race of her mother. But Sally rebelled in spirit against the unwritten decree with the result that such friends as she made were confined almost exclusively to the white families that she faithfully served.

Sally was brought to Niles from Memphis by the J.D. Milburn family, none of whom now reside here. She came here as a comely young woman of the Octoroon type. She remained here in the service of various Niles families until two years ago when she went to similar service in South Bend. She was taken sick at her lat place of employment early last week. Expressing a wish to be brought back to Niles, which she considered her home, arrangements were made for her at Pawating hospital.

Sally allied herself with the Niles First Methodist church a number of years ago, and the pastor of that church will officiate at the simple service to be held at the Rutherford Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock with interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Sally was a great reader of newspapers. She possessed a remarkable memory. She took a general interest in the important current events of the world, but displayed a special fondness for stories about royalty and about prominent American families. She knew much about their family relationship, the deaths, the notable weddings, even the names of the children.

Stephen Moore
Nov. 7, 1946-Dec. 11, 2023

Niles Daily Start, Published 11:36 am Thursday, December 14, 2023 

Stephen Moore was born in November of 1946 in South Bend, Indiana, and spent his early childhood in Jackson, Michigan before the family relocated to reside in Niles, Michigan in 1950. Steve attended Central Elementary and Junior High Schools before graduating from Niles Senior High School in 1964. From 1964 to 1968 he was a student at the University of Michigan, working summers at Hunziker’s Landscape Nursery in Niles. After receiving his BA degree and teaching certificate, he joined the faculty of Orchard View High School in Muskegon, Michigan.

Steve served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. Upon completion of Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal for the display of outstanding qualities of leadership best expressing the American spirit — honor, initiative, loyalty, and high example to comrades in arms. He received Advanced Individual Training at the Military Police School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, and proceeded to his permanent duty station with the 110th MP Platoon at Kelley Barracks, 7th Corps Headquarters, near Mohringen, Germany. He returned to teaching in Muskegon, receiving his Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University during that tenure. While at OVHS he taught Latin and U.S. History, managed day-to-day operation of the library media center and audio-video services, was advisor to students enrolled in Individualized Study Projects, and participated in formal & informal school improvement initiatives. In 1995 Steve retired to do care-giving for family members.

A direct descendant of Orin D. Snow, one of Berrien County’s early settlers, Steve maintained an interest in genealogical pursuits and was able to generate a detailed history of the Moore family back to 1840. He also undertook special research projects and eventually became sole custodian of a singular archive of private and public papers regarding the early 20th century concert pianist, Della Thal.

Steve had a great love for the out-of-doors, enjoying hiking, camping, canoeing, road trips to rural destinations, and he kept close the memories of growing up at the family’s cottage on Birch Lake near Vandalia, Michigan.

Other interests included reading; antique and classic automobiles of the 1940s and 1950s: open-air markets for antiques & collectibles; keyboard music; landscape design; architecture; foreign languages; and small home construction. Steve always tried to maintain a generosity of spirit in deeds and in sharing of treasure. He hoped he was viewed as an earnest student, a person of strong work ethic, honesty, and truthfulness; one who kept a level head in difficult circumstances and made thoughtful decisions; an individual who would lend a helping hand as he was able; a person of patience, perseverance; a lover of nature & of animals,; a neighbor who maintained an orderly household; a fellow who made effort to be healthy in mind & body; and someone with a great sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence E. (Dinty) and Lorna C. Moore; by his esteemed workplace associate, Alberta Heath, of Muskegon, Michigan, and by life-long friend, Tom Brown. Surviving relatives include brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Helen Damon Moore; a niece, Laura Damon-Moore and husband James Burling; a niece, Stephanie Damon-Moore; cousins Karen (& Edward) Thompson; Kent (& Barb) Hunziker; Anne (& John) Assiff; Mike (& Gail) McBride. Surviving as well are Tom’s wife, Lynda Brown of Clare, Michigan; professional colleague and special friend, Jan Agard Saxe; and Char Fredrickson (John), of Norton Shores, whose contributions and support at Orchard View High School rendered Steve’s efforts more effective and successful.

The family of Steve Moore will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. The Visitation will conclude at 4 p.m., with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard. Committal will be private at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Contributions in memory of Steve may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. www.halbritterfunerals.com  

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/12/14/stephen-moore/

Carrie L. Burns
August 2, 1969 — December 11, 2023

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Carrie Lou Burns, age 54 years of Niles, Michigan; wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister died Monday evening, December 11, 2023 at Corewell Health – Lakeland Hospitals – Niles following prolonged illnesses.

She was born on August 2, 1969 in Sturgis, Michigan to Frederick W. Wolf and Peggy (Halferty) Wolf, and attended schools in White Pigeon and other area school districts.  She continued her education at Southwestern Michigan College, and began a long career as a project manager at North American Signs in South Bend, Indiana.

Carrie and her family are well-known for celebrating Halloween with amazing decorations in their yard in Fulkerson Park, but she also enjoyed celebrating Christmas, even if they didn’t have time to get the Halloween decorations out of the way.  She was an avid crocheter, and an accomplished seamstress, tailoring clothing for her family, and making her own wedding gown.  She read books often, usually historical novels, and as her eyesight declined she learned how to use a computer tablet on which she could enlarge the print to the size that was legible to her.

As a young student, she began playing the clarinet in the school band, and became so proficient that she was honored to be invited to play with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  She continued with music as an adult, becoming a keyboard artist, and regularly performed with the rock band, Erroneous Life.  She always had pets at home – dogs, cats, and a flock of chickens – but her greatest joy was her family.

On May 31, 2003 at Madelin Bertrand County Park in Niles she married Matthew J. Burns, with whom she celebrated earlier this year the twentieth anniversary of their wedding.  They were sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Ashley Roblero who died on April 9, 2018; an infant daughter, Angel McMillan; Carrie’s father, Frederick W. Wolf on December 22, 2018; and Carrie’s brother, Tate J. Switzer on November 3, 1997.

Surviving family includes her husband, Matt Burns and their children, Dannielle (& Jesse Jaynes) McMillan of South Bend, Matthew (& Nikki Skinner) McMillan of Alabama, Raven Wolf of Niles, Alicia McMillan of Niles, and son-in-law, Lusman Roblero of South Bend; grandchildren Hailey Lintz, Stephen Dunifin, Hunter Jaynes, Chloe McMillan, Kate Skinner, and Tate McMillan; Carrie’s mother, Peggy Davis of Dowagiac; Matt’s parents, Jim and Merva Zaleski of Niles; and Carrie’s siblings, Shuree (& Chante) Wolf of Arizona, Bill (& Danielle) Davis of Georgia, Frederick S. Wolf of Constantine, Michigan,  and Kimberly Davis-Ott of Dowagiac, along with many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Carrie Burns will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Chuck Zook of Summit Church in Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, at the funeral home, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Contributions in memory of Carrie may be made to the Greater Niles Senior Center, 1109 Bell Road, Niles, Michigan, 49120, http://www.nilesseniorcenter.org/; or to the Yeager Family Pet Center of the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://humanesocietyswm.org/ .  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Carrie clearly loved life, celebrating holidays and family events; and she used life well, as a longtime employee, doing both music and sewing very well; but most importantly she loved the pets and people in her life, especially her children and grandchildren, and above all, Matt.

Brenda Joy Lingle, 63
Jan. 22, 1960-Dec. 18, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:25 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2023 

Brenda Joy Lingle, 63, passed away on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to and are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services: