Jerry V. Limbert
Oct. 3, 1933 — Jan. 25, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:48am Thursday, January 28, 2016

Jerry V. Limbert, 82, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, from cardiac arrest at St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his beloved sister Joan Bonnell, brother Jack Limbert, and his parents Victor and Cordelia Limbert.

Jerry V. Limbert

Jerry was born Oct. 3, 1933, in Muncie, Indiana, the youngest of the family. He graduated from Muncie Central High in 1951, earning prize money for his senior class trip by winning a jingle-writing contest for a local radio station. Next to Titanic lore and playing the piano, radio would soon become his life’s obsession.

While earning his B.S. degree at Ball State Teachers College (later Ball State University), Jerry got an offer to run the school’s WBST. He stayed on long enough to not only update the station’s antenna system, but to additionally earn his M.A. in 1956. In addition, he was a frequent performer in the summer seasons of Ball State’s Little Shoestring Theatre during the 1950s and early 1960s.

In Oxford, Michigan, he met his future wife Mary Murrish, Oxford High’s Secretary, while teaching the school’s seventh and eighth grades from 1957 to 1964, building lifelong friendships with many of the students he taught. Jerry and Mary soon began dating while co-directing the high school and junior high plays and musicals, as well as publishing the school’s newspaper “The Oxford Echo.”

They eventually married in February 1964, and remained married for over 50 years. Interviewed in 2014 by C.J. Carnacchio for the Oxford Leader, Jerry said the secret to his happy marriage was dedication. “Look out for each other and be considerate.”

In 1964, Jerry accepted a dream position in South Bend, Indiana at WETL-FM, the newly created (and quite experimental) radio branch of the South Bend Community School System.

For 35 years, he combined the passions of teaching and radio production by creatively interpreting K through 6th grade lessons into series broadcasts for school system teachers. As the writer, producer, director and recording engineer, Jerry also produced and directed extended radio dramas for WETL’s “Radio Workshop”. In addition, Jerry also recorded radio and TV commercial voice-overs for local and national markets. He joined the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers in 2010.

Jerry retired in 1999, beginning a glorious and well-earned phase of relaxation, full of piano playing, record buying, music listening, movie watching and antique-shop-frequenting. He also gave lectures on the HMS Titanic and radio history at libraries and care centers in the area.

Jerry is survived by wife Mary Limbert, daughters Mary Beth (Vince) Dominello & Jennifer (Bruce) Lundeen, son Michael (Jennifer) Limbert, and grandchildren Emily and Matthew Lundeen. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and relatives, as well as former students and colleagues from a life dedicated to teaching, education and mentorship.

A celebration of his life and humor will be planned for this upcoming spring, so don’t touch that dial, folks…

For those preferring a memorial gift, donations are requested in his name to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, Indiana 46614 (574-231-1122).

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Rev. Gerald R. Radabaugh, of Niles
Aug. 27, 1941 — Jan. 19, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:13pm Thursday, January 21, 2016

Rev. Gerald R. Radabaugh, 74, of Niles, Michigan died at 10:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

Rev. Gerald R. Radabaugh

He was born on Aug. 27, 1941, in Oak Hill, Ohio to Emil Andrew and Alice Marie (Davis) Radabaugh. He was graduated from the Laker High School in Pigeon, Michigan, completed a Divinity program at Olivett Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and was Ordained by the Church of the Nazarene denomination. He had been the Pastor of the former Bertrand Church of the Nazarene in Niles for many years, and more recently had served as a guest preacher, filling the pulpit of many churches while their pastor was unavailable.

Pastor Jerry was a member of the South Bend First Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, and was well-known as a handyman, keeping a basement workshop busy in the winter, and keeping the garage door open all summer. But his greatest love was Bible Study, Prayer, and sharing Jesus.

On July 23, 1966, in Filion, Michigan he married the former Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Mosey with whom he celebrated last year the forty-ninth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Liz and their children, Robert (Laura) Radabaugh of Saint John, Indiana and James (Amy) Radabaugh of Charlotte, Michigan; grandchildren, Ryan, Justin, and Eli Radabaugh; and Jerry’s siblings, Carl (Rosemary) Radabaugh of Niles, Charles Radabaugh of Reno, Nevada, Mary (Ron) Wissner of Saint Johns, Michigan, and Cheryl (Duane) Fritz of Lansing, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Marie Radabaugh.

The funeral service for Rev. Gerald Radabaugh will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Lead Pastor Andy Lauer of the South Bend First Church of the Nazarene 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 a.m. Contributions in memory of Pastor Jerry may be made to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Barbara J. (Ernsberger) Rhoutsong, of Niles
July 15, 1931 — Jan. 4, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:26am Wednesday, January 6, 2016

>Barbara J. (Ernsberger) Rhoutsong, 84 of Niles, but more recently of Dowagiac, passed away at A Place Called Home on January 4, 2016.

Barbara J. (Ernsberger) Rhoutsong

Barbara was born to the late James R. and Elizabeth (Shock) Ernsberger on July 15, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana.

She married Jack Rhoutsong on Jan. 10, 1950, at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan.

Barbara’s faith has always been a vital part of her life. She even served as a missions’ director for a time. In her spare time Barbara found pleasure playing games such as Tri-ominoes and especially card games such as euchre and pinnacle and she was a member of many different card clubs . She enjoyed collecting dolls and was very talented when it came to hand crafts. Her family remembers not only her happy disposition but also the love she always surrounded them with.

Preceding Barbara are her parents, her husband, Jack Rhoutsong, her daughters Nancy Cardella and Patricia Lytle, her brothers Harold Ernsberger, Eugene Ernsberger, and Bobby Ernsberger, and a sister Kay Dish.

She is survived by her daughters April (Michael) Inman, of Niles and Theresa (Craig) Martin of Fort Wayne, Indiana and her son David (Sharon) Rhoutsong of Battle Creek. She is also survived by her brothers, Jimmy Ernerberger, of Las Vegas, Nevada and Carl (Peggy) Ernsberger of Breman, Indiana, a sister Shirley Metzger of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 10 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Barbara may do so to A Place Called Home.

The family would also like to say a special thanks to Megan and Perin for their loving care of Barbara.

Photos, condolences, and memories of Barbara can be left at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHome.

A memorial service to honor Barbara will be Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 at Brown Funeral Home at 11 am with visitation beginning one hour prior.

Gregory Louis Bestle, of Niles
Nov. 18, 1958 — Nov. 21, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:00am Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Gregory Louis Bestle, 57, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family.

Gregory Louis Bestle

Greg was born on Nov. 18, 1958, to Harold and Melba Bestle in South Bend, Indiana. Greg was a lifetime resident of Niles. He graduated from Brandywine High School. Greg was active in sports and broke the 8th grade Pole Vault record. In high school Greg ran track, played basketball and football. On Oct. 25, 1995 he married Lorie Ann Ashton. He worked as a machinist at Niles Precision for 30 years. Greg was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting but most of all loved fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Lorie; mother, Melba Bestle; mother-in-law, Judy Blake; sisters, Christina (Richard) Hoyt and Lou Ann Kendall; step son, Braddly (Motoka) Grahl; step grandson, Kayddan Grahl; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Greg is preceded in death by his father, Harold Bestle.

The family will have a memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Michael S. Sherer, of Niles
Feb. 29, 1964 — Aug. 7, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:46am Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Michael S. Sherer, 51, of Niles, Michigan died on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Saint Joseph, Michigan unexpectedly.

Michael S. Sherer

He was born on Feb. 29, 1964, in Saint Joseph to R. Bruce and Vicki Jean (Worcester) Sherer. He was graduated from Saint Joseph High School, and earned a Bachelor Degree in Exercise Physiology from Central Michigan University, in Mount Pleasant. He was employed as an ACSM certified cardiac rehabilitation therapist at Lakeland Hospital — Niles for 25 years, and had also been employed at the Memorial Health and Lifestyle Center in South Bend, Indiana.

Mike enjoyed working outside, especially with his sons. He had a great desire — and ability — to help improve the lives of those around him, whether through his professional services, or using his wonderful sense of humor to make a difficult situation easier to bear. He was a former volunteer firefighter for the Coloma Fire Department.

On May 26, 2009, in Niles he married the former Nichole J. Dye with whom he had celebrated in May the sixth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Nikki Sherer, and sons, Derrick Dye, Gunner Sherer, and Rocco Sherer, all of Niles; Mike’s parents, Bruce and Vicki Sherer of Saint Joseph; and a brother, Thomas (Wesley Perry) Sherer of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.

The family of Mike Sherer will receive relatives and friends on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Carrie Olive Unger, of Niles
Nov. 19, 2015 — Dec. 24, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:15pm Monday, December 28, 2015

Carrie Olive Unger, one month old, of Niles passed away at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, December 24, 2015.

She was born, the third in line of quadruplets on Thursday, November 19, 2015, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Indiana to; Lyle Jr. and Jennifer (Duncan) Unger. She was preceded in death by her triplet brothers; Lyle G. III, Kenneth and Liam Unger.

She is survived by her parents Lyle Jr. and Jennifer Unger of Niles, two brothers; Lyle IV and Greyson Unger, sister, Sophia Unger, as well as a host of family and friends; whose lives were touched during Carries short time.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at Seven O’clock in the evening with a time of visitation to begin one hour prior at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. A private burial will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015.

Memorial contributions may be made in Carrie’s memory to House of Hopes, 20602 Antler Ct., Goshen, IN 46528.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.comor on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.