Jack Albert Plummer, of Niles
May 20, 1929 — Dec. 24, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:22 pm Monday, December 28, 2020

Jack Albert Plummer, 91, of Niles, passed away quietly at home on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Jack was born on May 20, 1929, to the late Elmer and Adelia (Hagadorn) Plummer in Niles. After graduating from high school Jack joined the U.S.  Army. After returning from the Army, Jack wed Jacquelyn Richards at a ceremony in Niles at the First Presbyterian Church. Together they had five children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Adelia Plummer, and his sister, Virginia Floyd.  Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jacqueline Plummer; children, Tala Jean Welch, Jack Duff (Sue) Plummer, Sandra Leigh (Greg) Gentry, Trace Alan (Janet) Plummer, and Victoria Ann (Craig) Nielsen all of Niles; grandchildren, Trevor, Cameron, Kyle, Sophia, Stuart, Tala Marie, Zachary, and Spencer; and great-grandchildren, Amelia, Lorilei, Isabella, Harper, Charlotte, and Lydia.  

In keeping with his wishes, Jack has been cremated and his family will be remembering him privately.  

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2020/12/28/jack-albert-plummer-of-niles/

Jacquelyn Plummer
May 22, 1932-May 27, 2023 

Niles Daily Star, Published online12:21 pm Monday, June 12, 2023  

Jacquelyn L. Plummer, 91, of Niles, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Jacquelyn L. (Jackie) (Richards) was born May 22, 1932, in Granite City, Illinois to the late Taliesen (Tally) and Edna (Barney) Richards. Moved to Niles in 1943; graduated from Niles High School in 1950. Married Jack A. Plummer on July 10, 1953, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles. Worked with the mentally and physically challenged at both Ferry Street and Gateway, Berrien Springs facilities until retirement in 1995.

Jacquelyn is survived by her five children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Tala J. Welch; Jack D. (Sue) Plummer, Kyle (Melissa) Plummer, Amelia, Lorelai, and Isabella; Sandra L. (Greg) Gentry, Trevor Gentry, Cameron (Ali) Gentry, Harper and Charlotte, Tala M. (Gentry) (Logan) Harpenau, Lydia and Drew; Trace A. (Janet) Plummer, Zachary and Spencer; Victoria A. (Craig) Nielsen, Sophia and Stuart.

Jacquelyn was well loved and shall be missed every day! Hugs and kisses Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma! Anyone who knew her closely knew her as “Bear” as in Mama Bear! Memorials can be made to programs for the mentally and physically challenged.

There will be a private family service after cremation, as per her wishes. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com  Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/06/12/jacquelyn-plummer/

Betty L. Mayhew
Sept. 27, 1932-June 19, 2023

Betty L. Mayhew passed to her rest peacefully on June 19, 2023, after an illness. She was born September 27, 1932 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, the daughter of Sam and Mary (Britt) Hambrick. She grew up with her brother Robert in Arkansas, until the family moved north in the mid 1940's, settling in Buchanan, Michigan. Betty graduated from Buchanan High School, Class of 1952.

After High School, she worked in the Emergency Room at Pawating Hospital in Niles, Michigan. This is where she met her future husband, Paul Mayhew. They were married August 18, 1954 in Niles. Shortly after they were married Paul was drafted into the United States Navy. After Basic Training, Betty joined Paul at Camp LeJeune, NC, where she relished in the roll of being the wife of a Navy Hospital Corman. She loved their life on the base, spending their free time at the pier fishing with her husband. While at Camp LeJeune they welcomed their first child, a daughter Cynthia Jane "Cindy." In 1957 they moved back to Niles and Paul went to work for Pifer Funeral Home and Betty worked at Pawating Hospital as a Surgical Technician and in the ER Department. She was very skilled at her job as a Surgical Tech and was highly requested by many surgeons.

In 1958 Paul and Betty bought a house in Edwardsburg and worked tirelessly to make that house their home and their business, the Mayhew Funeral Home. Betty was involved in every aspect of the business with her husband. In 1962 they welcomed their second daughter, Elena Diane "Poppy." Her family meant everything to her. She was the epitome of a loving, caring, nurturing mom. Her girls were a source of great pride and joy to her. She was a loving and amazing wife and mother.

Betty was in her element in her kitchen, cooking for her family, whether it be her fried chicken, her homemade chicken and dumplings, her peach pie or her homemade soups and corn bread. Every summer she spent endless hours canning from her garden's bounty. Nothing pleased her more that seeing her kitchen counter completely covered with jars of tomatoes, salsa, tomato juice, pickles, green beans and so much more.

Betty belonged to many organizations in the Edwardsburg area; The Monday Evening Club, The Edwardsburg Lioness Club, Delta Theta Chi Sorority, Miss Edwardsburg Pageant, Chairman of the Miss Blossomtime Pageant, and assisted as a School Nurse.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Paul, her daughter Cindy (husband Doug) Ranschaert of Edwardsburg and she was the loving Memaw to Alyssa that she affectionately referred to as "Little Bit." She was preceded in passing by her parents, Sam and Mary, her precious daughter, Poppy in 2021, and her brother Bob.

A private service took place at her "home" with her family. Long-time friend and former neighbor, Chuck Winters, said words of encouragement and love. Interment took place in the family plot at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family has requested that Memorial Donations be made in Betty's name: to The Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum, P.O. Box 694, 28616 US-12, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.

"A Mother's Hug Lasts Long After She Lets Go."

Arrangements are by her Family at the Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.

Posted online on June 23, 2023 Published in South Bend Tribune

Dolores J. Downey
1943-Jan. 24, 2023

Published on website of Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, South Bend, IN:

Dolores And Jeffrey Downey Obituary

Jeffrey Downey
1963-Jan. 24, 2023

Published on website of Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, South Bend, IN:

Dolores And Jeffrey Downey Obituary

Anthony Gilbert
February 10, 1952 — September 15, 2023
Niles, Michigan

Published on website for Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Tony Gilbert Obit

Anthony F. Gilbert (“Tony,” or “Dad”), age 71 years of Niles, Michigan, died at 12:15am on Friday September 15, 2023, following a fierce and determined battle with cancer. Tony was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, and brother; accomplished electrician, entrepreneur, and outdoorsman; and follower of Christ.

He was born on February 10, 1952 to Donald A. and Anne H. (Frucci) Gilbert. He graduated from Niles High School and furthered his education at Southwestern Michigan College, where he pursued a career as an electrician. Tony began his career at Burdue Electric, Inc. in Niles, and later joined the United Auto Workers’ Union, performing critical electrical maintenance work and machine due diligence for General Motors in Three Rivers, Michigan.  Tony eventually retired from the auto industry and worked at the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant before founding a full-service electrical company, Michiana Electrical Services, LLC, which he continued to operate until he recently passed operations on to his son.

Dad was an active and influential member of the Community Church on U.S.12 near Edwardsburg where he served as a deacon, filled a crucial role as interim leader of the youth program, and lent his expertise to maintain and improve the building. Most importantly, he was a steadfast member of his faith community. Dad had an enormous heart for youth and an open door to anyone who needed respite, a listening ear, warm meal, or just a place to crash. He was a good and gracious father, exhibiting grace in all the antics and situation in which his children found themselves.

Tony enjoyed the outdoors working tirelessly on endless projects that kept him active and vibrant well into his later years .He loved working with his hands- a talent that culminated in his building of a family home in 1999.  In his youth, he enjoyed fishing on the Saint Joseph River where it passes through Berrien Springs. He hunted and taught his children to hunt in the acres around his home, and brought up his children and grandchildren safe and proficient marksmanship, as well as a compassionate and responsible approach to hunting and sportsmanship.  Dad maintained a large vegetable garden when his children were young.  Despite recent health challenges, he revived the garden in summer 2023 and enjoyed working in it on even the hottest summer days, well into his final weeks.  He had an infectious and unrelenting sense of humor, possessing the capacity to infuse laughter into nearly every situation.

 Tony maintained a vast inner musical catalogue, drawn largely from classic rock’s golden years, and he could find an obscure song reference for nearly every circumstance.

On Saturday, October 15, 1977 in the former Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles (now Redeemer Church) Dad married Connie Regina “Jeanie” Whitworth, with whom he recently celebrated forty-five years of marriage. Even in his final weeks, he implored his children to “take care of their mother” and expressed an incredible sense of duty for her future and well-being.

Dad embraced and embodied a deep sense of duty and responsibility to his family. He poured himself into all of us in the most sacrificial ways imaginable. Raising three boys and one girl, he withheld judgement and condemnation- only exhibiting love, acceptance, and an occasional sideways glance that let us know that he’d known us all along. Dad never said, “I told you so.” He didn’t have to, because we already knew. He was always right, more than any of us ever admitted.

Surviving family includes his wife, Jeanie and their children, Daniel (Heather) Gilbert of Little Canada, Minnesota, Mary Kirby of South Bend, Indiana, Nathan (Katie) Gilbert of Edwardsburg, and David (Meagan) Gilbert of Mishawaka, Indiana; grandchildren, Joshua, Lileyna, Lincoln, Quinn, and Thea; Tony’s sister, Mary (Robert) Neitzke of Carmel, Indiana, and several nieces and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Terry Gilbert, and Terry’s wife, Carolyn Gilbert.

The Memorial Service for Anthony Gilbert will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Community Church, 28647 U.S.12 West near Edwardsburg, Michigan with Pastor Dan Thomas officiating.  Committal will be private at the Silverbrook Cemetery.  Contributions in memory of Tony may be made to Community Church, Post Office Box 598, Edwardsburg, Michigan, 49112; https://edwardsburg.church/online-giving.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Anthony Gilbert exuded an intense love of life and devotion to his family. He worked hard at his profession, but more importantly reflected a spirit of service and sacrifice in his personal life, and modeled an unyielding pursuit of the values and people he held most dearly. Tony embodied both a remarkable drive to succeed in all endeavors and an uncommon instinct to love unconditionally. His life was one of beautiful paradox, both a relentless fighter and irresistible peacemaker.

Most importantly, Anthony loved at such an incredible depth. And he was loved by all in his wide sphere of influence. Dad met people at every stage and status in their life, actively listening to their stories.  He encouraged and admonished those closest to him daily, even into the last week of his life. He loved his family, especially Jeanie and his children, “more than you will ever know.”