Obituaries

William ‘Bill’ Raymond Raabe, of Niles
March 3, 1936 — Sept. 2, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:10am Friday, September 4, 2015

William “Bill” Raymond Raabe, 79, of Niles, passed away at Riverridge Manor in Niles on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.

William “Bill” Raymond Raabe

Bill was born on March 3, 1936, to the late Donald and Esther (Burke) Raabe in South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from Niles High School Bill went on to earn his certification as a police officer and firefighter. On March 31, 1967, Bill wed the love of his life, Jane Marie Mastin at a ceremony in Berrien Center.

Bill was always active and enjoyed serving his community. After Bill completed police training in the 1960s he worked for Niles City Police, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the past Fire Chief of Morris Farms Volunteer Fire Department and previously had been with Niles Township Fire Department. Bill was also a 35-year member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and was a past officer, had served on the Berrien County Youth Fair Board for 50 years, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Jane Marie; children, Don (Jaye) Raabe of Niles, Dennis (Linda Martin) Raabe of Dowagiac, Diane (Ed) Muntz of Niles, Darla (Bill) McAllister of Niles and Debbie (Frank) DeLaTorre of Coloma; 12 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior at Hope Community Church located at 2390 Lake Street in Niles.

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

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

C. Virginia Schantz 
September 21, 1921 - September 12, 2015 

Warren H. Bell, Jr., of Niles
Jan. 1, 1939 — Aug. 11, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:48am Friday, August 14, 2015

Warren H. Bell, Jr., 76, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. He was born Jan. 1, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to Warren H. and Marie C. (Peters) Bell, Sr.

Warren was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist Church in Dowagiac where he sang in the choir. He was employed by York Title & Escrow Company in South Bend, retiring after 37 years of service.

Warren H. Bell, Jr.

Surviving family includes his sister-in-law, Margaret R. Bell of Romeo, Michigan; nieces and nephews, Michael (Terresa) Bell of Boca Raton, Florida, Theresa Montgomery of Southfield, Michigan, James (Kathleen) Bell, Jr. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Robin Bell of Boca Raton, Florida, Kristine (Frank) Leone of Troy, Michigan, Leeann (Brian) Rice of Oxford, Michigan; and many great nieces and nephews.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James A. Bell, Sr.

The funeral service for Warren H. Bell, Jr. will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Brenda Gordon of Pokagon United Methodist Church in Dowagiac. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Warren may be made to the Hanson Hospice Center.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Lois Jean Crocker, formerly of Niles
July 11, 1934 — Aug. 10, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:04am Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Lois Jean Crocker, 81, former longtime resident of Niles, Michigan died at 12:47 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at her home in Apache Junction, Arizona following an illness.

She was born on July 11, 1934, in Niles to Fred and Florence (Unley) Kater. She graduated from Niles High School, and attended Southwestern Michigan College. She was retired from the Niles Community Schools, having served for 12 years as a teacher’s aide. She and her husband moved to Apache Junction in 2004.

Lois Jean Crocker

Lois was a founding member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles. She was also a member and volunteer at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. She enjoyed arts and crafts, and was accomplished in various textile arts.

On Jan. 19, 1952, in Niles she married Thomas H. Crocker with whom she celebrated last January the remarkable 63rd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Tom Crocker and their children, Tammalia “Tammy” (Steve) Sapmaz of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Bridget Perry of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Brenda (Tom) Vokal of Nunica, Michigan; grandchildren Jennifer (Tyler) Young, Kimberly Kujawa, Brian Holmes, Jr., Sgt. Jason (Renee) Holmes, U. S. Army, and Andrew Sapmaz; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, by a grandson, Brian Kujawa, and her siblings, Alma Weaver and Fred, Bill, Walter, and Richard Kater.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Lois Crocker will be read at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of Saint Mark Catholic Church. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Lois may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church.

Marvin F. Fuller, of Niles
March 5, 1940 — Aug. 12, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:49am Friday, August 14, 2015

Marvin F. Fuller, 75, of Niles, Michigan died on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at Wellbrooke of South Bend following a brief illness. He was born March 5, 1940, in Smith County, Tennessee to Halbert and Harriett (Enoch) Fuller.

Marvin F. Fuller

Marvin graduated from DuPont High School in Old Hickory, Tennessee. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving his country as a radar technician in both Korea and Japan. He was a diesel mechanic for the former Shippers Dispatch/Preston Trucking Company and retired in 1997 after 31 years there.

Marvin was happiest when he was on Lake Michigan with a fishing rod in his hand and enjoying the company of the crew on “Break Time”. He had many hobbies, including wood working, gardening, “tinkering” on engines and helping others. He was a great family man, loving husband, father, grandfather (D’Amps), neighbor and friend. His pride and joy were his two sons and he was very proud of the men they had become.

On Sept. 9, 1961, in Gleason, Tennessee Marvin married the former Sue Stewart who survives, along with their sons, Mike (Nancy) Fuller and Brad Fuller, all of St. Croix, Virgin Islands; one granddaughter, K’Anna Fuller of Charleston, South Carolina; a brother, William (Sharon) Fuller of Stateville, North Carolina; sisters-in-law Peg Stewart of Gleason, Tennessee, Barb (Fred) Wright of Niles and Linda (Reg Baker) Lenox of Niles; brother-in-law Tom Stewart of Port Charlotte, Florida and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who he loved dearly.

The funeral service for Marvin will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Donations in memory of Marvin may be made to the First Baptist Church in Niles or to the Pregnancy Care Center in Niles. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary Mark Anseth, of Niles
July 28, 1940-July 28, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:56am Thursday, August 6, 2015

Mary Mark Anseth, 75, died July 28. Services at 11 a.m. on Friday at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. Visitation Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Williston Herald (Williams Co., N.D.), Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Mary Joyce Mark Anseth, age 75 years, former longtime resident of Williston, died on her 75th birthday, 28 July 2015 at the Rose de Lima Hospital in Henderson, Nevada following an extended illness. She was born on July 28, 1940 in Niles, Michigan to Herbert and Marie Sands where she was raised and graduated from high school. She moved to Williston in the early 1970’s where she met and married Galyn Anseth.Mary enjoyed the church, gardening, outdoor activities, and travel. Her greatest interest was her family. She was a former member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Williston and a former employee of the Williston Public School system.On February 28, 1960 she married Peter E. Mark of Niles Michigan, who preceded her in death on April 9, 1970. In November, 1972 she married Galyn Anseth of Williston who preceded her in death on April 20, 1976.Surviving family includes her children, Douglas (& Katie) Mark of Fargo, North Dak! ota, Stacey Mark of Henderson, Nevada, Wayne (& Kim) Mark of Chesapeake, Virginia, Melissa (& Robert) Jacks of Henderson, Nevada, and Matthew (& Jennifer) Anseth of Virginia Beach, Virginia; grandchildren Douglas Mark, William Mark, Peter Mark, Mary Catherine Mark, Ronald Mark, Ashlynn Anseth and Sophia Anseth, and Mary’s siblings Caroline Flanagan of Buchanan, Michigan, Judith (& Leon) Mitchell of Niles, Michigan, Joan Goble of Tucson, Arizona, and Herbert Sands; and many nephews and nieces.