Carole Gurney
July 21, 1945 — November 30, 2023

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Carole Ann Gurney, age 78 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 6:22 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 with her family gathered at her bedside at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka, Indiana following an extended illness.

She was born on July 21, 1945 in Niles to Charles W. and Dorothy I. (Kennish) Rudduck, and  graduated from Niles High School.  She began her career at Pawating Hospital in Niles, Michigan and worked at a few local companies including in the HR office at the former Femco, LLC in South Bend.  She retired from the Human Resources office of Southfield Village in South Bend.  She has lived in South Bend since 1990.

A part of Carole’s responsibilities at Southfield included planning bus trips for the residents, and she enjoyed traveling with them.  At home, she enjoyed flower gardening, and her yard was a little piece of paradise. She loved shopping for flowers with family. She was an avid reader, usually romance novels and history, and absolutely loved The Hallmark Channel.  She shared her home and heart for many years with her pet dogs, Catie and Callie.

Surviving family includes her children, Angela (& Phillip) Armstrong of Indianapolis, Indiana, Steve (& Kim) Gurney of Paw Paw, Michigan, and Jeff (& Shelly) Gurney of Lakeville, Indiana; grandchildren Adam (& Rachel) Armstrong, Timothy (& Brittany) Armstrong, Timothy Gurney, and Ashley Gurney; great-grandchildren Luke Armstrong, Jaxon Gurney, and Rowyn Gurney; Carole’s brother, Charles W. (& Nancy) Rudduck of Deckerville, Michigan, and several nieces & nephews.

She was sadly preceded in death by a 3-year old great-grandson, Peyton Armstrong in 2019; her sister, Charlene Redwine in 2012; and by her parents, Charles Rudduck in 1982, and Dorothy Rudduck in 2006.

The family of Carole Gurney will gather privately on Monday, December 4, 2023 at her graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for Committal Services.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  There will be a small gathering afterwards for friends and family, if you would like to attend, please contact Angie, Steve or Jeff for directions. Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Carole’s life was clearly devoted to caring: caring for employees through her human resources efforts, caring for the residents of Southfield, caring about her yard, caring for pets, and - most importantly – caring for her family.

Deborah Denise Hart, 62
Sept. 19, 1961-Jan. 5, 2024

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:10 am Sunday, January 7, 2024

Deborah Denise Hart, 62, passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 in Niles, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to and are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

Edward Alan Harwood
May 12, 1950 — January 5, 2024

Published on website for Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Edward Alan Harwood, age 73 years of Edwardsburg, Michigan, father, brother, uncle, drag racing fan, mechanic, and honorable veteran died peacefully at 3:59 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 with his family gathered around his bedside at Elkhart General Hospital following an extended illness.

He was born on May 12, 1950 in Niles, Michigan to Carl A. and Virginia M. (Thompson) Harwood, and attended Brandywine Community Schools.  He joined the United States Army, and shared memories of his deployment to a U.S. military base in Okinawa, in support of the action in Vietnam.  He returned to the Michiana area, and was employed as a welder in several area manufacturing firms.  He has lived in Niles, South Bend, Indiana, and Edwardsburg all of his life.

Ed was a great fan of drag racing, attending National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events at Joliet, Illinois and the US 131 Motor Sports Park at Martin, Michigan, often taking family and friends who were very patient as he toured the pits to take-in all of the action.  At home he enjoyed helping family and friends with automotive repair, and usually had a car in some state of repair in the garage or the backyard.

He had that great personality mix of being strong-willed – some say stubborn or hard-headed – but also had a soft heart, and was always willing to provide a helping hand.

He was sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Laurie Ann Williams in 2012, and by his parents.

Surviving family includes his children, Eddie Harwood, Jr. of Elkhart, Joddie Lynn Harwood of Detroit, Michigan, Tony (& Shauntaka) Harwood of North Carolina, and Jamie Scott of Niles; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Ed’s siblings, Linda Lou (& Bruce) Swanson of Pensacola, Florida, Jesse James Harwood of Niles, Diana L. Washington of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Patricia Wroblewski of South Bend, and Frank J. Harwood of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services for Edward Harwood will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Ed used his seventy-three years well, in military service, and in civilian life, as a hard-working and productive member of our community.  He also worked hard a home, but also enjoyed good times at the races, and loved the people in his life.

Cynthia Ann Boyer, 56, of Niles
April 17, 1957-Sept. 9, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:27 pm Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Cynthia’s life began on April 17, 1957 in Niles, Mich., the daughter of Robert Henry Sr. and Elaine Faye (Rutherford), Ristau.  She graduated from Niles High School in 1975 and graduated from Southwest Michigan College as a Register Nurse.  She was united in marriage to her former husband Kevin Boyer on Oct. 4, 1985 at 1420 Broadway, Niles, Mich.

She always had dogs she adopted from shelters and they were her life. She was a NASCAR Sprint Cup fan of No. 14, loved watching birds (especially hummingbirds), gardening, collecting lighthouses and everything about promoting Peace.  

Her loving family includes her sister Katherine (Raymond Jr.) Chandler of South Bend, Ind., her brother Robert Jr. (Valerie) Ristau of Benton Harbor, Mich., a half sister Becky (Glen) Siezmore or Marrow, Ohio, two nieces, Shelley (David) Wilkinson of Benton Harbor  and Stacy McFadden of Racine, Wisc., a nephew Andrew (Mary) Fosdick of Wyo, and numerous grand nieces and nephews.  

Cynthia passed away at home on Monday, Sept. 9. She was preceded in death by her parents and great grandparents.

A Celebration of Life and A Time of Sharing will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at 3 p.m. at 840 W. Park Ave., Niles, Mich.  Cremation rites have been entrusted to Cremation Services of Southwest Michigan. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Cass County Animal Shelter.  Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Cynthia for the family at www.yazel-clark.com.

Robert “Bob” Ristau, Jr
April 1st, 1953 - January 21st, 2024

Published on website of Starks Family Funeral Home:

Bob's Obituary

Mary Ann Snyder
May 6, 1946 — January 23, 2024

Published on website for Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

Obituary for Mary Ann Snyder

Mary Ann Snyder, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan; mother, grandmother, sister, teacher’s aide, flower gardener, and pet parent died peacefully at 2:43 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 with her family gathered around her bedside at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. 

She was born on May 6, 1946 in Niles to Leonard J. and Virginia A. (Stick) Dombrowski, and was graduated from Niles High School.  She continued her education at Southwestern Michigan College, earning an Associates Degree in Paraprofessional Education.  She was employed by Berrien Springs (Michigan) Public Schools as a teacher’s aide, serving more than twenty years prior to retirement.  She has always lived in Niles and Berrien Springs.

Mary was well-known for her flower gardening, especially her butterfly bushes and hollyhocks, and she enjoyed the hummingbirds that would call at her feeder.  She had a great affinity for animals, always having pet dogs in the house, but her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren, and the greats.  Family was her life.

She is survived by her children, Christopher Snyder of Berrien Springs, Mark (& Lea) Snyder of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Kimberly (& Paul) Pearison of Niles; grandchildren Kaitlin (& Zach) Ott, MaKenna Snyder, Gabrielle Snyder, Tyler (& Meara) Pearison, Alicia Mena, Craig Pearison, Camaron Pearison, and Gage Pearison (& fiancée, Valentine); great-grandchildren Carter, Mailee, Kinsley, Fayah, Rosilea, Avyana, Trey, Lexus, Darla, and Theon; Mary’s siblings, Sandy Duncan of Niles and Karen (& Charlie) Fox of Three Oaks, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mary Snyder will be at Noon on Monday, January 29, 2024 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to the Yeager Family Pet Shelter at the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://humanesocietyswm.org/.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Mary clearly enjoyed life, tending her flowers, watching the butterflies and hummingbirds, and caring for her pets; but her greatest joy was the people in her life, years of caring for the youngest students at school, and a lifetime devoted to loving her family.