Obituaries

Greg Allen Challis
July 6, 1948-July 12, 2016

Passed away Thursday, July 12, 2016. Greg was born July 6, 1948 in South Bend, IN to the late Bertram and Patricia (Bonfoey) Challis. Greg graduated from Kalamazoo Central HS and attended Ferris State College. He was employed with Graphic Packaging for nearly 37 years until he retired in 2011. Greg played HS and college football and was active in rugby. He was a boxer in the semifinals in the Toughman contests in Kalamazoo. He was a union steward and continued to fight for worker’s rights even after his retirement. Greg loved his dogs. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Greg is survived by his siblings Kathryn Barnes, Rita Challis and Mark (Patricia Kajdan) Challis, and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 18th, 1:00pm at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Greg’s name may be directed to one of Greg’s favorite charities. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave. 

http://www.langelands.com/obituaries/Greg-Challis/#!/Obituary

Mr. Jesse James Russell, of Niles
Aug. 27, 1929 — July 8, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:44 am Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Mr. Jesse James Russell, 86, of Niles, Michigan died of natural causes Friday evening, July 8, 2016, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 27, 1929, in Decatur, Alabama to Leon and Myrtle (Verner) Russell. He was raised and schooled in Alabama, and came to Niles in 1949 where he lived the rest of his life. He was employed at Robinson’s Cabinet Shop in Elkhart, Indiana and later as a Concrete Finisher on the original construction of the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Generating Station in Brigdman, Michigan.

Russell

Jesse was active at the Victory Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of God in Dowagiac, Michigan. He enjoyed maintaining and sharing the produce of his vegetable garden. In the past he has enjoyed ice fishing in several area lakes.

On Oct. 17, 1956 in Iuka, Mississippi he married the former Marjorie J. “Jean” Williams with whom he celebrated the Fifty-fifth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 4, 2012. He was also preceded in death by a son, John Russell and a daughter, Gloria Scott.

Surviving family includes a son, Charlie Van James (LaNae) Russell of Bradenton, Florida; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, four sisters, two brothers, many nieces and nephews; and a great circle of wonderful friends and neighbors including Amy Jo.

The funeral service for Jesse Russell will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Charles Moore of Victory Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of God officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Jesse may be made to the Victory Tabernacle PCOG, 33440 Middle Crossing Road, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Vera Elaine Holy, of Niles
Aug. 14, 1931 — July 9, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:37 am Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Vera Elaine Holy, 84, of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2016 with her family gathered by her side at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on Aug. 14, 1931, in Baroda Township, Michigan to Theadore and Agnes (Till) Hauch. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in this area all of her life. As a young woman, she was employed at the former Niles plants of Simplicity Pattern Company and General Cable, and at the former Niles J. C. Penney and Montgomery Wards department stores before she began a career with the former Old Kent Bank (now 5/3).

Vera Elaine Holy

Vera was a member of the Portage Road General Baptist Church in Niles. She was also a member of the Four Flags Snowmobile Club, and volunteered with the Women’s Auxiliary to the Niles Township Fire Department. She enjoyed travelling, having visited much of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, and was at home both on cruise ships and at campgrounds. She also enjoyed golfing, and spending summers at Bitely, Michigan and winters in Frostproof, Florida. Her family was always her greatest joy, and she always made time for the grandchildren’s sporting events.

On July 30, 1949 in the parsonage of the First Methodist Church she married Robert A. Holy with whom she celebrated the 57th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on April 23, 2007. They were also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lisa Hessey on Dec. 10, 1996, a son-in-law, Gary Zache in 1984, and Vera’s brother, Dale Hauch.

Surviving family includes her children, Debra (Tom) Hessey of Niles, Chris (Frelen Gowen) Zache of Niles, and Mike (Kathy) Holy of Buchanan, Michigan; grandchildren Deanna (Joe) Rudell, Brian (Michelle) Zache, Brad (Jenna) Zache, Bruce (Erica) Zache, Angie (Wayne Wollenzien) Holy, Ryan (Andrea) Holy, Aaron (Tara) Holy, and Cory Gowen; great-grandchildren Chase Rudell, Zachary, Ella, Courtney, Breslyn Jackson, Raegan, Maddison, and Bryce Zache, and Ava, Adelyn, and Abram Holy; and Vera’s sister, Delores Roberts of California and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Vera Holy will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at the Portage Road General Baptist Church with Pastor Lonnie Rhodes of the church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Vera may be made to the Portage Road General Baptist Church, 1765 Portage Road, Niles, MI 49120; or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan, Great Lakes Chapter, 564 South Main Street, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary L. Johnson 
22 Dec. 1865- April 11, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 12, 1928, page 8, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DIES IN INFIRMARY

Mrs. Mary L. Johnson, 62, 1103 N. Thirteenth street, died last evening at the Berrien county infirmary at Berrien Center.  She had entered that instituion only the day before her death. She was a victim of both dropsy and heart disease. The funeral arrangements had not been completed at noon today, awaiting the arrival of a daughter from Vassar, Mich.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 13, 1928, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL MRS. JOHNSON 

Rev. O.R. Grattan, pastor of the Methodist church, this afternoon conducted the funeral services for Mrs. Mary Johnson, 1103 North Thirteenth street, at the Troost & Augustine chapel.  Burial took place in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note: DOB/DOD and maiden name from Michigan Death Record.

Robert E. Johnson, of Apache Junction, Arizona
Jan. 31, 1927 — April 7, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:21 am Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Robert E. Johnson, 89, of Apache Junction, Arizona, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016, after surviving two strokes and recurring infections and complications for two years.

He was born Jan. 31, 1927, in Gallipolis, Ohio. After completing 8th grade he helped his family by working the land. At the young age of 18 he joined the Army and was stationed in Austria shortly after World War II where he met his love, Ernestina Katerina Moosman. Bob re-enlisted with the Army twice to make sure they would allow him to bring his beautiful bride, Erna, back to the United States.

Johnson

They were married in Salzburg, Austria on Nov. 17, 1948, and settled in Niles soon after.

Together they raised two sons and one daughter: Henry, Dwain and Teresa.

Bob and Erna led an active life including living and working on the farm while the kids were growing up. There were many trips back to Austria to visit Erna’s family. One of their favorite pastimes in their younger years was square dancing with friends.

In their later years, Bob and Erna kept very busy with their turquoise jewelry business, setting up at many of the arts and crafts festivals locally and around the country.

They traveled in their motorhome out west for the winters, and took their jewelry business on the road with them, making many new friends at festivals and flea markets along the way.

Bob and Erna lived in Niles for more than 40 years. Bob worked at National Standard before retiring, and then they moved to Apache Junction, Ariz. in 1992.

He will always be remembered for his deep love for Erna and their love for family. Their door was always open and you were welcomed with a smile, open arms and home-made food.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Johnson and Grace Adkins-Johnson; his wife, Erna Johnson; his two sisters; daughter, Teresa Johnson-Cole of Niles; and infant daughter, Angela Sue Johnson.

Bob is survived by Son Albert Henry “Hank” Johnson and wife Maureen of Niles; Son Dwain A. Johnson and wife Julie of Gilbert, Arizona; Grandchildren, Jenny Johnson of St. Joseph, Michigan; Dean Johnson and wife Michelle of Niles, Todd Johnson and wife Karey of Niles; Heidi Johnson of Apache Junction, Arizona; Kacey Cole of Niles; Courtney Johnson of Gilbert, Arizona; Dominic Johnson and wife Kristen of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Great Grand-Daughter Alyssa Johnson of Gilbert, Arizona.

A memorial service will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles on Friday, July 8, 2016, at 3 p.m., where family and friends will commit his ashes to his final resting place to join his wife, Erna, and daughters, Teresa and Angela Sue.

John ‘Jack’ Robert Vogelsang, of Niles
Jan. 3, 1929 — Nov. 21, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:33 am Wednesday, November 25, 2015

John “Jack” Robert Vogelsang, 86, of Niles, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 21, 2015.

Jack was born on Jan. 3, 1929, to the late John Robert Vogelsang, Sr. and Viola Theresa (Elledge) Vogelsang in Niles.

After graduating from Niles High School, Jack joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country during the Korean War. After returning home Jack took a position at Simplicity Pattern as a Print Operator; he worked there from 1947 until the plant closed. In 1955 Jack wed, Anne Marie Gaunder.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Marcia Anthony. Jack is survived by his wife, Anne Vogelsang, sons, John Vogelsang III of Niles and Mark (Triana) Anthony of Lake Marian, Illinois, daughter, Beth (Pat) Boyd of Tampa, Florida and “daughter,” Theresa Boller of Niles; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

In keeping with Jack’s wishes he has been cremated and his family will be remembering him privately.

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