Obituaries

Christopher Mark Wagner, of Niles
Sept. 30, 1967 — Oct. 20, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:13 am Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Christopher Mark Wagner, 49, of Niles, died unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in his home.
He was born Sept. 30, 1967, in Niles, to Walter William and Linda Mae (Settle) Wagner.
He graduated from Niles High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in building construction management from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He was a member and master carpenter at Local 413, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
He had been employed at Gibson-Lewis Construction, Gough Construction and Verkler Construction, and worked on several major projects including AM General, Schmucker Middle School and Lakeland Hospital – Niles. The project which gave him the greatest satisfaction was his house, which he built with the help of his father, Walt, and friends, Reynold, Curt Cricket, Joe, Tom and Brian.

Christopher Wagner

Recently, he earned certification as an arborist, and was first employed at Super Tree of Niles.
Chris enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and the beaches of South Carolina. He also enjoyed the fellowship of friends, usually sharing time, food, beverage and stories in his garage.
Surviving family includes his children, Olivia Christine Wagner and Ian Joseph Wagner, both of Union; his sisters, Lorry Wagner of Brighton and Angela Joy Wagner of Westminster, Colorado, and their children, twins Nick and Aiden Wagner and Malia Wagner; several aunts and cousins; his life companion, Karla Coar; and a great circle of wonderful neighbors and friends.
The family of Chris Wagner will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The family will gather privately for committal rites at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, which will be read by the Rev. Christian Johnston of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Chris may be made to Habitat for Humanity.
www.halbritterfunerals.com

Eugene Stephenson Flint, of Niles
Oct. 9, 1941 — Oct. 20, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:22 am Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Mr. Eugene Stephenson Flint, 75, formerly of Niles, died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Centre, Alabama, following a long battle with cancer.
He was born Oct. 9, 1941, in Niles, to Walter and Velma (Harris) Flint.
He graduated from Niles High School in 1960, and enlisted in the U.S. Army from which he was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam era.
After his discharge, he was employed by the Michigan Department of Transportation for 18 years inspecting new concrete road construction. He then moved to Atlanta, where he was employed for 24 years by the Federal Aviation Administration as a regional civil engineer overseeing the construction of airport control towers. When retirement finally seemed right, he settled in Centre, where he lived the rest of his life with more time for deer hunting and fishing.

Eugene Flint

He was first married to the former Maxine Johnson.
Later, he married the former Lois (Washington) Sly, who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Jayson (Nancy) Flint, Tonja (Zacharia) Rumph and Kurt (Brandy) Hankerson; stepchildren Jason Sly and Angelique Gastonia; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; Eugene’s siblings, Jerry Flint and Beverly Austin, both of Niles, and Sharon Hill of Sturgis; and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cynthia Fox-Giddens; and his siblings, including a 3-year-old brother, and Bill, Joe, Duane, Richard, Shirley and Catherine.
The family of Eugene Flint will receive relatives and friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, as read by the Rev. Rebecca R. Mitchell of Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles. The ceremony will conclude with a veteran’s flag presentation and the playing of taps by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
www.halbritterfunerals.com

Joseph F. Karstens
May 28, 1963 - Dec. 4, 2008

South Bend Tribune, December 08, 2008

SOUTH BEND - Joseph Frederick Karstens, 45, died Dec. 4th in his residence. He is survived by his mother, Susanna M. Lee of South Bend; his grandmother, Majorie Lee of Niles; uncles, John J. (Jannine) Lee of Niles and Frederick G. Karstens of Denver, CO; and an aunt, Mary Jane (Jerry) Clifton of Sun City, FL. The family will receive friends and share memories of Joe from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11th, in the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood at Jefferson.

Judith L. McLean, of Niles
Oct. 3, 1942 — July 28, 2016

NIles Daily Star, Published 5:23 pm Thursday, July 28, 2016

Judith L. McLean, 73, of Niles, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016, at Westwoods of Niles.

In Niles, Michigan on Oct. 3, 1942, Joseph and Evelyn (Day) Barrett welcomed a new daughter in to their home.

Judith L. McLean

As Judith grew older she married William Jann and to this union was born five children.

Those who knew Judith remember her as a woman fiercely strong and independent and perhaps even a little set in her ways. She enjoyed the outdoors, hummingbirds and monkeys, and was very talented when it came to woodworking; her love of these could be seen in her handcrafted wishing wells and birdhouses that she fashioned herself. While Judith enjoyed these things, she was passionate about her family and adored spending time with them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Sherry Northrop; her grandson, Joseph Worrell; her great-grandson, Christopher Northrop; and her two sisters, Jean Wolfinger and Joann Johnson.

Judith will be missed by her children; Vicki Orrick , Brenda (Roger) Lintz, William “Junior” Jann, and Bryan (Brenda) Jann and her beloved dog, Pooch. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren and her sister Claire Pierce of Grand Haven, Michigan.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the American Cancer Society.

Services celebrating Judith’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, with visitation one hour prior. An interment will follow Judith’s service at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Jane Marie Raabe, of Niles
April 2, 1943 — July 26, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:32 am Monday, August 1, 2016

Jane Marie Raabe, 73, of Niles, passed away at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, with her family by her side.

Jane was born on April 2, 1943, to the late Fay and June (Ellis) Mastin in Mizpah, Minnesota as the sixth of 11 children. After graduating from high school Jane went on to attend airline school. After completing her training she became a reservation agent for several years. On March 31, 1967 Jane wed the love of her life, Bill Raabe, at a ceremony in Berrien Center. She was a bank teller until her third child came along. After all her children were in school she began working at Hook’s Pharmacy and retired from Hook’s/CVS in the early 2000s.

Raabe

Jane served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Eagle’s Auxiliary for more than 30 years. She was a sweet, compassionate, quiet woman who adored her family. She also enjoyed planting flowers and dog sitting for her daughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fay and June; husband, Bill Raabe; and siblings, Steven Mastin, Reta Mastin, Ralph Nelson, Jack Nelson, Elaine Luton, and Paul Eugene Nelson.

Jane is survived by her children, Diane (Ed) Muntz of Niles, Darla (Bill) McAllister of Niles, Debbie (Frank) DeLaTorre of Coloma, Don (Jaye) Raabe of Niles, and Dennis (Linda Martin) Raabe of Dowagiac; 12 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; siblings, Sally Smith of Coloma, Linda Hoadley of Niles, Maxine (Don) Sjelin of Deluth, Minnesota, and Dean (Rose) Mastin of Berrien Springs; and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, at Brown Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, at Hope Community Church located at 2390 Lake St. in Niles.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Jane may do so, on our website, at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Jerry G. Baughman 
April 19, 1937 - August 7, 2016

Jerry G. Baughman, 79, of South Bend, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 surrounded by his family. Jerry was born on April 19, 1937 to the late Myron Baughman and Margaret Burnett (Gyberson) in Mishawaka, IN. He was a United States Marine and Korean War Veteran. On April 21, 1959 he married Norma Snyder at a ceremony in Niles, MI. Jerry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma Baughman; son, Brad (Mary) Baughman; daughter, Amy (Robert) Nowicki; fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. A time of visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 IN-933, South Bend. Funeral Mass for Jerry will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 also at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Stephen Lacroix officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with full military honors, rendered by the Buchanan American Legion Post 51. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

http://www.hovenfunerals.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3834630&fh_id=13894