Obituaries

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

Larry L. Austin
Sept. 9, 1939-Aug. 27, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 28, 1945, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Boy Dies Under Truck's Wheels

Order Inquest Into Death of Austin Child

A seven-year-old Niles boy yesterday became Berrien county's 16th traffic victim of the year.

Larry L. Austin, son of Mrs and Mrs. A.J. Austin, 1204 Ferry street was struck and killed by a truck Monday afternoon . The accident occurred on Thirteenth street, between Sycamore and Ferry, when the Austin boy reportedly ran out into the street in front of a coal truck driven by Paul Rockwell, 22, 16 River street.

Just prior to the fatal accident, according to police reports, the boy had dodged out in front of an Associated Truck Driver's truck which was going north on Thirteenth street.  The driver stopped and Austin ran back to the curb. When the Associated truck started up again he ran behind it and in front of the coal truck, which was traveling south. A front wheel passed directly over the boy's head.

Surviving besides the parents, are five sisters, Mary Eleanore, Marian, Edith, Audrey and Patricia; and two brothers, Johnny and Charles.  Larry was born Sept. 9, 1939.

Funeral services will be held at Pifers funeral home Thursday at 3 p.m  Rev. O.H. Gerstenkorn officiating.   Burial will be at Silverbrook cemetery.

Rockwell was not held by police.  However, a coroner's jury will meet on the case tonight and an inquest will be held Wednesday at the safety building, William Pifer, coroner said today.

George W. Clark
March 9, 1886-Aug. 21, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 22, 1945, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

George W. Clark, 59, Dies Tuesday

George William Clark, 59, rural route one, died Tuesday at the Berrien county hospital after an illness of two years. He was born at Gray's Lake, Ill. March 9, 1886, and has lived here for the past 15 years.

He is survived by seven children, Earl W., Mrs. Edward Poort, Mrs. Harold Borst, James R., Mrs. Bert Corwin and Lyle L., all of Niles. One other son, Pfc. Ira L., is stationed at Atlanta, Georgia.  Also surviving are two brothers, Raymond, of Gray's Lake and Fred, of California and one sister, Mrs. William Park, of Withee, Wisconsin.

The services will take place at the Kiger funeral home Friday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. O.H. Gerstenkorn officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook cemetery.