Obituaries

Helen K. Peters, of Niles
March 30, 1923 — March 5, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18am Monday, March 7, 2016

Helen K. Peters, 92, of Niles, Michigan died with her family gathered around at 12:06 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Lakeland Hospital — Niles following a brief illness.

Helen K. Peters

She was born on March 30, 1923, in Niles to Edmund William and Freida B. (Albrecht) Schadler. She graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here all of her life. She was first employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company, but is best remembered assisting her husband at East Main Gardens Florist in Niles. She worked at East Main Gardens every day for over 60 years, including helping into her 90s.

Helen enjoyed wintering in Pharr, Texas, sitting in the sun, and watching the birds, especially humming birds. She also enjoyed their home on Barron Lake, where she relished the warm summer weather, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She was also known to play euchre, make “quick” trips to the casino, and frequent the local diners for breakfast. But her greatest interest was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, rarely missing an opportunity to spend time with them. Birthdays, graduations, sporting events, births, weddings, holidays, and family gatherings are just a few examples that brought her the greatest joy.

On April 10, 1948 in Niles she married Roy G. Peters with whom she celebrated the forty-sixth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Oct. 25, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a brother, John Schadler on April 3, 2014.

Surviving family includes a son, Mike Peters of Niles; grandchildren Tarah (Doug) McLeod, Michael (Lacey) Peters, Amber (Ajay) Lind, and Mathew Peters, and their mother, Denise Peters; great-grandchildren Lily Sherwood, Avery McLeod, Maddox Peters, Hadley McLeod, Kinsley McLeod, and Memphis Peters; and Helen’s brother, Edward Schadler and sister, Lorraine (John) Armitage, both of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral for Helen Peters will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends and family are encouraged to surround Helen with flowers, as that was her life-long passion. Monetary contributions in memory of Helen may also be made to the Niles High School Athletic Booster Club or Niles Elks Lodge.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

JoAnn Magdalyn King of Kalamazoo
May 23, 1933-March 3, 2016

Passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at the age of 82. JoAnn was born in Jefferson City, MO on May 23, 1933, the daughter of the late Joseph and Emma (Holmquist) Renterghem. She attended the University of Michigan, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She then attended Western Michigan University, receiving her Master’s in Education. She began her career teaching Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, IN. She then served on the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit, followed by teaching at Nazareth College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. JoAnn finished her career at the Van Buren Skills Center in Lawrence. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who loved to take care of her family and was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed traveling and spending vacations at Hilton Head and in Saugatuck. She always enjoyed spending time with cherished friends and family and looked forward to making the holidays special. She was married to Lewis “Van” King on June 27, 1964; he survives her. She is also survived by her children, Scott (Kimberley) King and Robin (Russell) Panico; three grandchildren, Rachel King & Matthew King and Carson Panico; one brother, Lemont (Joanne) Renterghem; two nephews, John (Barbara) Renterghem, Jeffrey (Wendy Borg) Renterghem; and one niece, Julie (David) Roos. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Monday, March 7th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m., officiated by Rev. Fr. Ben Huynh. Private entombment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society.

Note: This obituary appeared on the website of Langeland Funeral Home, Kalamazoo, MI  http://www.langelands.com/obituaries/Joann-King-2/#!/Obituary

Obituary for Shirley Gowen
Sept. 17, 1940-March 2, 2016

Shirley A. (Johnson) Gowen, 75, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Kindred Hospital of Northern Mishawaka. 

She was born to the late Kenneth and Helen (Kane) Johnson on September 17, 1940 in Niles Michigan. She was a graduate of Niles High School and a life-long resident of the area. Shirley and her former husband, Richard L. Gowen, had the joy of raising four children together.

Shirley’s family was the most important part of her life; she especially enjoyed family gatherings and being an intricate part of her grandchildren’s lives. She found joy in gardening and had a true passion for antiquing. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, son; Scott Edward Gowen and grandson; Ryan Michael Gowen.

She leaves to cherish her memory to her children; Tim (Chris) Gowen of Buchanan, Tracy (Gary) Grishaber, of Niles, Kelly (Daniel) Barton of Cassopolis, brothers; Robert (Vi) Johnson, of Niles, Ronald (Sallie) Johnson , of Niles, James (Debbie) Johnson, of Niles, sister; Gloria Bennett, of Mishawaka, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 4-6 O’clock in the Evening at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11 O’clock in the Morning at the funeral home. 

Memorial contribution may be made in Shirley’s memory to; Redbud Area Ministries, 708 Red Bud Trail N., Buchanan, Michigan 49107 or to The American Heart Association, Dept. 77-3968, Chicago, Illinois 60678-3968. 

Note:  This obituary appeared on the website of Brown Funeral Home http://www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com/obituaries/Shirley-Gowen/#!/Obituary

Virginia Holt
October 9, 1928 - February 17, 2016

Frank May
March 10, 1889-Sept. 3, 1964

Niles Daily Star, Niles, Berrien, Michigan. Friday, September 04, 1964, pg. 2, col. 01.

Frank May, 75, of 1320 Breezy Beach, was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 4:10 p.m. Thursday. His death was unexpected.

Mr. May, a retired farmer, was born March 10, 1889 in Locke, Ind. He came to Niles from Napanee, Ind., in 1925.

Survivors include his widow, Gertie May, three daughters, Mrs. Russell Shoemaker, Mrs. Roland Gordon and Mrs. Burnall Martin, all of Niles, two sons, George, Niles, and Wilbur, Jackson, two brothers, Marvin, Nappanee, and Charles, Battle Creek, 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was a member of Huntly Memorial Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in his church. The Rev. John Tolly, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 p.m. tonight.

Nancy M. (Reese) Gillette
April 10, 1822-March 22, 1880

Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 3, 1880

Mrs. Nancy M. Gillette, wife of Mahlon B. Gillette, residing a few miles south west of this city, died on Saturday morning last, after a brief illness, in the 58 year of her age. Mrs. Gillette was born in Tioga County, New York, and come[sic] with her father, Mr. Reese, to Michigan at an early day, and was married to Mr. Gillette some 31 years ago, and they have lived happily together ever since and raised an interesting family of children. Mr.[sic] Gillette was a faithful Christian lady having united with the Baptist church at an early day, and lived a consistant[sic] member up to the time of her death. As a wife, mother, neighbor and friend, She was true faithful and generous to a fault,and her death is mourned by all who knew her.