Mary Ann Brothers, of Niles
Sept. 9, 1933 — Nov. 15, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:27am Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Mary Ann Brothers, 82, of Niles, Michigan died Sunday morning, Nov. 15, 2015, at her home from the effects of a house fire.

She was born on Sept. 9, 1933, on the family farm in Niles Township – which her predecessors had purchased from the Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C. — to Edward Francis and Cecelia Josephine (Pawlak) Brothers. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived on the farm all of her life (except for a few years that they lived in Bertrand, a mile south). She was employed in the former optometry office of Burgess D. Rathburn, and then began a career at the United States Department of Agriculture’s former Niles Biological Control Station.

Miss Brothers was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, and she helped care for some of the graves at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Bertrand. She also enjoyed gardening, especially flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Edward P. Brothers, Agnes M. Lindgren, Walter W. Brothers, and Helen Minarik.

Surviving family includes a sister, Lucia (Ralph) Hendershott of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Brothers will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of the parish. Committal Rites will be read at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church or to the Niles Senior Center.

Myron George ‘Mike Gates’ Appelget
May 15, 1946 — Aug. 27, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:08 am Monday, August 31, 2015

Myron George “Mike Gates” Appelget went to be with his Lord & Savior on Aug. 27, 2015. He is now reunited with his mother, father, sister, other family members and treasured friends.

Myron George “Mike Gates” Appelget

Mike was born May 15, 1946 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He was a 1964 graduate of Berrien Springs High School. In his working life he was employed by Whirlpool and Sears before retiring from the City of Benton Harbor after a lengthy career as a Code Enforcement Officer. In his spare time Mike enjoyed spending time with friends and family, riding his motorcycle and finding new treasures at local rummage sales. Mike was a fine drummer and had fond memories of his days on the road with the D.A. & The Witnesses band. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a giant heart. He was very caring and helpful, often assisting those in need and asking for nothing but a smile in return.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Ervin R. and Edith Appelget, and his sister Patricia Horn. He is survived by a sister Judith Kane of St. Joseph; two brothers Richard (Faye) Appelget of Niles and Robert (Deborah) Appelget of St. Joseph; as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Visitation will take place Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 from 4 until 7 p.m., with a celebration of life and time of sharing beginning at 7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benton Harbor Salvation Army in Mike’s memory. Those wishing to share a memory of Mike online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Mike will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family, especially at Sunday breakfast.

Joanne ‘Jo’ Armstrong, of Niles
Feb. 20, 1958 — Oct. 30, 2015

Niles Daily Start, Published 7:58am Monday, November 2, 2015

Joanne “Jo” Armstrong, 57, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly but of natural causes at her home on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2015.

Joanne “Jo” Armstrong

Jo was born on Feb. 20, 1958, to the late Clyde and Maria (Ostermann) Otwell in Milford, Delaware. Jo moved to Niles at a young age and considered Niles her hometown. She graduated from Brandywine High School and went on to attend Southwestern Michigan College. On March 1, 1980, Jo wed the love of her life, Day Armstrong, at a ceremony in Niles. Jo was a loving woman who always had a happy demeanor. She enjoyed a good mystery movie and wanted to spend every minute she could with her grandchildren.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Alice Riggs and is survived by her husband of 35 years, Day; son, Shane Armstrong of St. Joseph, Michigan; daughter, Danielle Armstrong of Holland, Michigan; three grandchildren; and siblings, Donny Otwell of Buchanan, Michigan and Barb Otwell of Watervliet, Michigan along with countless extended family and friends.

A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 5 until 7 p.m.. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Brown Funeral Home beginning at 11 a.m.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Maneen Carter, of Niles
Sept. 12, 1924 — Aug. 31, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:37am Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Maneen Carter, 90, of Niles, died surrounded by her family at her home at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1924, in Portageville, Missouri to Dewey and Mary Etta (Moss) Samples. She attended school in Portageville, and came to Niles in 1957. In Niles, she was first employed at the former Michigan Mushroom Company, and later at the former Garden City Cleaners, and the Niles Long John Silver’s.

Maneen Carter

Maneen was a member of the Michiana Christian Embassy. She was a great cook, especially southern-style beans and fried dishes including okra; but her greatest interest and joy was caring for her family.

On May 2, 1946, in Blytheville, Arkansas she married Harold L. “Leon” Carter with whom she celebrated the 56th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Nov. 29, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her twin-sister, Christine Redden; brothers Leman Samples and Wilburn Samples; and a son-in-law, Jim Coleman.

Surviving family includes her children, Jan Coleman, twins Ron (Barb) Carter and Donna Rhodes, Jean Johnson, and Mark Leon (Anna) Carter, all of Niles; 11 grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Wilma (Ivan) Allen of Niles, and brother, Shelton (Sandra) Samples of Portageville; and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service for Maneen Carter will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at the Michiana Christian Embassy with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the church officiating. Committal will be private, at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Contributions in memory of Maneen may be made to Hospice at Home, or the Blossomland Learning Center. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Dorothy Fisher, of Niles
Jan. 15, 1932 — Aug. 22, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:41am Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Dorothy’s spirit was released from her tired body on Saturday Aug. 22, 2015, after heart complications and is now resting peacefully. In her final hours she was surrounded by warmth, love, and lots of tasty food as several generations of loved ones filled her home to be with her by her bedside.

Dorothy Fisher

Dorothy was born to Jane and John Green in Harford, Michigan. She was fortunate enough to have six loving siblings. Surviving her are: Beverly J. Lundberg, Wilma J. Flickinger, and Donald L. Green. Other siblings are Mary Maxine Hansen, Robert L. Green, and Lois Priest, who preceded her in death.

Also surviving her are her five children: Wendy J. Evans, Lori A.Toney, Vickie M. Evans, Robert M. Evans, and Charles G. Evans.

Additionally, Dorothy leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

From a young age Dorothy was taught to have an incredible work ethic and this continued throughout her life. To provide for her children and grandchildren, Dorothy worked many jobs, lastly retiring from LabCorp as a medical courier. She will be remembered by many for being an excellent cook, an avid reader, and for being happiest when she was able to give to others.

There will be no funeral or visitation, but all are welcome to celebrate Dorothy with the family on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Niles Apple Festival grounds on the corner of Lake / Seventeenth St.

In lieu of flowers, Dorothy would hope that you do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness today for someone in her name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Georgie Perkins
April 20, 1926 — July 31, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:34am Monday, August 3, 2015

Ms. Georgie Perkins, 89, of Niles, Michigan died at 11:15 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an illness. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Riveridge for her care during the last few years.

Georgie was born April 20, 1926, in Middlesboro, Kentucky to George and Mary Ellen (Williams) Lynch. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Bob and Lou (Bailey) Williams, along with her brother Ted and sister Marie, who have all preceded her in death. She found her way to Michigan in her 20s, and she remained until her passing.

Georgie worked at the Hydleburg Bar and at Harry’s Restaurant as a waitress for several years in Niles and also did home care for the elderly. She had a special relationship with friend Robert Waterbury and his children for nearly four decades before her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Georgie loved to garden and had a special knack for growing sun flowers and four o’clocks but she literally could take a stick and make it bloom. Georgie didn’t just enjoy playing BINGO, she loved BINGO.

Surviving family includes children, Roger Briney of Heathsville, Virginia, Randy Briney of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Becky Briney Lidecker of Constantine, Michigan, Rhonda Gast of Saint Joseph, Michigan, Joyce (Larry) Perkins of Niles and Cy (Tammy) Perkins of Rockford, Michigan, 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Along with her siblings, Georgie was preceded in death by three children, Bruce and Bobby and Kathy Briney.

A prayer service will begin at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles and the family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A dinner will immediately follow at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 34 Sycamore St., Niles, Michigan.

Donations in memory of Georgie may be made to Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.

www.halbritterfunerals.com