Sharon Kay ‘Shari’ Holmes, of Berrien Springs
March 6, 1939 — Feb. 11, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:58am Friday, February 12, 2016

Sharon Kay “Shari” Holmes, 76, of Berrien Springs, Michigan died at 8:48 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at Lakeland Hospital — Niles, Michigan, following an illness.

She was born on March 6, 1939, in Elkhart, Indiana to Gerald Oliver and Thelma Lurene (Knoblock) DeForest. She was graduated from Niles High School, and from the Twin City Beauty College. She has lived in the same home on Scherr Road for 50 years and operated Shari’s Hair Styling from that home.

Sharon Kay “Shari” Holmes

Shari was formerly active in area bowling leagues at the former A.A. Timber-Lanes Bowling Alley as a bowler, team sponsor, and league secretary. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, usually at the trailer at Big Smith Lake. Her greatest interest was her family, caring for her children and grandchildren, and always caring first for her husband.

On Aug. 13, 1958, in Roseland, Indiana she married Alonzo James “Lon” Holmes with whom she celebrated the 54th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on May 4, 2013. They were also preceded in death by a son, Sergeant Michael James Holmes, United States Army who was killed in action in Tay Ninh, South Viet Nam on June 15, 1967.

Surviving family includes their children, James (Angela) Holmes of Niles, Gary (Victoria) Holmes of Berrien Springs, Joyce Kerschner and Nancy (Patrick) Hemminger, both of South Bend; grandchildren, Gary Michael Holmes, Lisa Tyler Bailey, Chelssy Elizabeth Bennett, Zachary James Holmes, Katherine Joy Holmes, Michael Hemminger, Christine Hemminger, Kathy Nitz, Stephen Hemminger, Cyndee Crawford, Wendee Kerschner, Julie Layman, and Andrew Kerschner; 15 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and Shari’s sister, Jacqueline “Jackie” (Robert) Hess and twin brothers, Richard L. “Dick” (Melva) DeForest and Thomas O. (Donna) DeForest, all of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Shari Holmes will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Elder Maurice Burton, Co-pastor of Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministry Church of God in Christ officiating. Committal will be private on Tuesday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday at the funeral home beginning at 5 p.m. Contributions in memory of Sharon may be made to the Patient Activity Fund at West Woods of Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Shirley J. Rice, of Niles
Feb. 1, 1926 — Feb. 12, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:29am Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Shirley J. Rice, 89, of Niles, Michigan died at 8:50 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

Shirley J. Rice

She was born on April 1, 1926, in Bay City, Michigan to Hubert and Lydia (Sinn) Riggenbach. She was graduated from high school in Bay City, and completed several evening college courses at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois while working at Western Electric during the day. She served most of her life as the church secretary and Pastor’s Wife for the congregation of the Conservative Baptist Association being served by her husband, the late Rev. Richard L. Rice. Those congregations were in South Holland, Illinois and other Illinois communities, in Billings, Montana, and Lebanon, Indiana. They retired in 1989 and settled in Niles.

Shirley was a member of the First Baptist Church in Niles. In retirement, she took-on some part-time work as a Food Demonstrator, and was usually stationed at the Meijer store on Portage Road in South Bend. She enjoyed reading – usually biographies of famous Americans, and she also enjoyed crochet. She always enjoyed people, which suited her well in both the church work, and the grocery store, but especially caring for her family. She was a remarkable example of “Loving God, and loving people”.

On May 29, 1948, in Westmont, Illinois she married Richard L. Rice with whom she celebrated the 53rd anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Feb. 25, 2002. They were also preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Rice who died on Aug. 19 1983; a grandson, Michael Oct. who died on Sep.t 6, 1989; and by Shirley’s sister, Dixie Cripps who died on October 4, 2011.

Surviving family includes their daughters, Cheryl (The Rev. Leon) Hill of Tokyo, Japan, Kimberly (Paul) Kenote of West Linn, Oregon, and Beth Rice of Evanston, Illinois; grandchildren Jeffrey Hill, Abigail (Naoaki) Konno, Jennifer (Greg) Newbloom, Bryan Kenote, and Linwan Lewis; and Shirley’s brother, Ken (Wilma) Riggenbach of Niles and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Shirley Rice will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Shirley Rice may be made to WorldVenture, the Foreign Mission Society of the Conservative Baptist Association, 1501 West Mineral Avenue, Littleton, Colorado 80120.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Martha Lucille Riland, of Niles
Dec. 31, 1918 — Jan. 14, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:08am Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Martha Lucille Riland, 97, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in Niles following a brief illness.

Martha Lucille Riland

She was born on Dec. 31, 1918, in Berrien Springs, Michigan to Lyle and Pearl (Ingleright) Pennell. She was graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1938 and was employed in several area restaurants including the former Nick’s ‘Someplace Else’ and the former Portofino, both in Niles. She has lived in Niles since 1975, coming from Saint Joseph, Michigan.

She has also been employed at Linda’s Lemon Tree beauty salon in Niles, and finally at the Fort Saint Joseph Museum in Niles, retiring at the age of 87 years.

Lucille’s greatest interest was her family, working hard to support them, and enjoying the time that she had with them, especially as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along.

On Nov. 23, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana she married John Riland who preceded her in death in 1982. She was also preceded in death by sons Patrick Riland who died in 1952 in a motor vehicle accident, and Rory “Skooch” Riland who died in 1972 also in a motor vehicle accident; and by a step-son, Thomas Riland; and Martha’s siblings, Fred Pennell, John Richard Pennell, and Barbara Dudas.

Surviving family includes her children, Linda (Harold) Smith of Niles, James T. “Tim” (Sharon) Riland of Eustace, Texas, Michael Riland of Niles, and Patricia “Trish” (Neil) Coulston of Niles; grandchildren Shelly Smith, Jill (Jamie) Turtle, Heather (Scott) Wethington, Pat (Julie) Riland, Corrie (JJ) Williams, Rhiannon (Jason) Harrison, Rosie (Zach) Young, Patrick (Jade) Coulston, Erin (Gavin Rose) Coulston, Brian (Lynsey) Coulston, Tom (Patty) Riland, Kathy (Ray) Hinton, Sue (Billy) Miller, and Tim Riland, 24 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Martha Lucille Riland will gather privately to honor her life and share memories. Interment will be at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Contributions in memory of Lucille may be made to the Niles District Library. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Patricia J. Scanlon, of Niles
Dec. 30, 1942 — Jan. 3, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:19am Friday, February 5, 2016

Patricia J. Scanlon, 73, of Niles passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.

Patricia J. Scanlon

Patricia was born on Dec. 30, 1942, to the late Gerald and Harriet George in Niles. On Oct. 1, 1960 she married Earl Scanlon Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Earl; children, Patty Scanlon, Earl (Lisa) Scanlon III, David (Debbie) Scanlon, Penny (Greg) Nelson, Donna (Greg Walsh) Gentry and Diana Worland, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many brothers and sisters.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Harriet; son, Dewayne Scanlon and several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Patricia will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Hoven Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with final expenses. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Juliana ‘Julie’ Pauline Vite, formerly of Niles
Aug. 8, 1936 — Feb. 4, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:28am Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Juliana “Julie” Pauline Vite, 78, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and formerly of Niles, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.

Julie was born on Aug. 8, 1936, to the late Lloyd and Frances (Dizard) Jaroch in Niles. After graduating from Niles High School in 1953 she wed the love of her life, Merritt “Hubert” Vite. Over the years, Julie and Hubert raised a small family and became entrepreneurs, owning and operating the Tastee Twirl restaurants in New Buffalo and Cassopolis in addition to selling rare dolls nationally. Juliana was an accomplished violinist, playing for many years in the South Bend Symphony and Elkhart Symphonies and later in Las Vegas and teaching privately in both Michiana and Las Vegas.

Juliana “Julie” Pauline Vite

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lyman Jaroch; and grandson, Caleb Dudas.

Julie is survived by her husband, Merritt “Hubert” Vite; her beloved three children; Deborah “Deb” (Dan) Dudas of Niles; sons, Michael (Linda) Vite of Cassopolis and David (Elisa) Vite of South Bend; proud grandmother of Lisa, Erica, Melissa, Megan, Mike, Molly, Amber and David Jr. and three great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Fran Lane-Lawrence, officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial donations may be made in Julie’s name to The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Juliana may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Gertrude M. Wallace, of Niles
May 29, 1930 — Jan. 31, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:32am Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Gertrude M. Wallace, 85, of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 at the home of her daughter, following an extended illness.

Gertrude was born May 29, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York to Charles and Helen (Becker) Clarke and moved to the Niles area when she was just 6 years old when her father moved the family from New York to work for Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles.

Gertrude graduated from Niles High School in 1948. She volunteered for Brandywine Schools and for the Niles library and also was a reading aide for Brandywine adult education in Niles. Gertrude also enjoyed bowling.

On March 29, 1949, in Niles, Gertrude married J. “Donald” Wallace, with whom she celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, before his death on Oct. 15, 2010. Gertrude is also preceded in death by a son, William Wallace; a granddaughter, Tracee Bartley and a great-granddaughter, Zoey.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Vickie (Mark) Nolan and Kathleen (Noah) Johnson, all of Niles; grandchildren, Aimee, Stacie, Jessica, Billy, Ashley and Tiffany; great-grandchildren, LeeSonn, KeTryn, ZiEn, SudDynn, Reasonn, Loryn, Haley, Hayden and Kali and one sister, Pat Rockhill of Niles.

The funeral service for Gertrude M. Wallace will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Donations in memory of Gertrude may be made to either Hospice at Home or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com