Obituaries

Clarence M. Blakley
May 1, 1942-Aug. 27, 2015

Clarence M. Blakley, Jr., 73, of South Bend, Indiana passed away at his daughter’s home in Chino Hills, California on Thursday, August 27, 2015.

Clarence was born on May 1, 1942 to the union of the late Clarence and Mary Emma (Hibler) Blakley in Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Cassopolis, Michigan and raised their children. While in high school, Clarence participated and received various metals and awards for track and field. Clarence graduated from Cassopolis High School in 1961. During his young adult life he actively participated in the Civil Rights Movement. After high school, and Seminary College, he went on to wed Myrean (Newsome) Blakley, who preceded him in death; to that union were born three children. Clarence later wed Rose (Mills) Blakley in South Bend. The two had an exceptional life together for 35 years, and loved their six children.

His parents, and two brothers, Kevin and James Blakley, preceded Clarence in death. He is survived by his wife, Rose, his children; Teresa DeArmond of Chino Hills, California, Michael Blakley of Decatur, Georgia, DeVetta (Joseph) Farrow of Cassopolis, Michigan, Miguel (Kelley) Perez of Elkhart, Indiana, Benjamin (Jaqueline) Perez of Hazel Park, Michigan, Charles (Angie) Frierson of South Bend, Indiana; grandchildren, Jared (Sherrine) Nelson Sr., James Nelson, Danyel (Clairesetta) Nelson Sr., Deborah Nelson, Elijah Myers, DeLace DeArmond, Michael DeArmond, Dreyton DeArmond, Miguel Perez, Zephir Perez, Nicholas Perez(Juliana), Elizabeth Perez, Jaqueline Perez, Ashley Perez. Chasity Martin and Anthony Sommers, Zachary Nease, Garrett Nease; great-grandchildren, Jared Nelson Jr., Jarius Nelson, JaNylah Williams, Melody Nelson, and Danyel Nelson Jr. Bastian Perez, Nevaeh Burns, Gabriella Burns, Shaun McCaw, Aidan McCaw, Kelsi McCaw, Aubrey Mack, Maximus VanLuven, Avery Aunna Parks, Carmen Parks; a sister-in-law, Shelia Blakley of South Bend; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. 

Clarence had various interests including a passion for all types of technology. He went on to pursue an Associates Degree in computer technology. He also loved reading, spending time with his family, working on his computers, making barbeque, and volunteering as a HAM radio operator for the City of South Bend R.A.C.E.S. program to mention a few.

Home-going services will be held Friday, September 11, 2015 at River of Life Family Church located at 530 East Ireland Road in South Bend beginning at 12:00 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior, followed by an interment at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the family in lieu of flowers by calling Brown Funeral Home or visiting www.YouCaring.com/CBlakleyFuneral. 

(From Brown Funeral Home website)

Vicky (Slaughter) Gibson, of Georgia
June 13, 1956-Sept. 21, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:00am Friday, September 25, 2015

Vicky (Slaughter) Gibson, 59, of Georgia, formerly of Niles, will have funeral services at noon Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, with visitation one hour prior. Arrangements are being handled by Brown Funeral Home.

From Brown Funeral Home website:

Victoria Louise (Slaughter) Gibson, 59, of Conyers, Georgia, previously of Niles, passed away Monday, September 21, 2015. 
She was born on June 13, 1956 in Niles to Ned and Virginia (Brown) Slaughter.
Vicky graduated from Niles High School class of 1975 and attended Western Michigan University and was a lifelong learner. She loved music; especially R & B. Vicky was a paralegal and was a gifted mediator and financial advisor. In 1988 she married Purvis Gibson at a ceremony in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 
Vicky was preceded in death by her step-father Robert J. Brown and a step-mother Debbie Slaughter.
She is survived by her husband; Purvis Gibson of Conyers, Georgia, parents; Ned Slaughter Sr. of Dayton, Ohio and Virginia Brown of Niles, sons; Devone Charles-Anthony Slaughter and Stephan Glen Morgan-Slaughter of Georgia, grandchildren; Dream Ctar Anaya Slaughter, Devone Charles Anthony II and Diamond Etchison-Slaughter, brothers; Ned (Gladys) Slaughter Jr. of Buchanan, Rufus Long of Virginia, Mark Slaughter of Niles, Allen (Cheryl) Slaughter of Niles; sisters; Joanne Jones of Kalamazoo, Nadine Slaughter of Decatur, Georgia, Sylvia Mclean of Prince George, Virginia, Patricia (Duane) Slaughter-Powell of Galloway, Ohio, Jazelle Slaughter of Stone Mountain, Georgia.
A funeral service will be held for Victoria at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Monday, September 28, 2015 at Twelve O’clock Noon with a time of visitation one hour prior. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Kirk Douglas Herrmann
Feb. 8, 1965-Sept. 6, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:34am Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Kirk Douglas Herrmann, 50, of Niles, died at 2:25 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, at the Hospice House in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

Kirk Douglas Herrmann

He was born on Feb. 8, 1965, in South Bend to Edwin John “Skip” and Sharon Ann (Warstler) Herrmann. He was graduated from Brandywine High School where he had a great record in wrestling and cross-country, and has lived here most of his life. He was employed for many years at Martin’s Super Markets.

Kirk enjoyed fishing at Stone Lake in Cassopolis, and weight training. His greatest interest was his pet dog — a West Highland Terrier for many years, and more recently a Pug — and walking them along the riverfront trail.

Surviving family includes his parents, Skip & Sharon Herrmann of Niles; a sister, Sherylan Herrmann of Three Oaks, Michigan, and brother, Kent Herrmann of Bushnell, Florida; and nephews Alex Hill and Ryan Hill.

The funeral service for Kirk Herrmann will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m.

Donations in memory of Kirk may be made to Hospice House in South Bend or to your local Humane Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

David Harold Mitchell
Feb. 26, 1929-Sept. 23, 2015

David Harold Mitchell, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan passed on to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. He was born February 26, 1929 in Hackleburg, Alabama to David Washington and Delia (Black), Mitchell.

Left to cherish his memories is a son, Gary (& Sandy) Mitchell, two daughters, Dottie (& James) Spencer and Cathy Echols; grandchildren, Lori Washburn, Jeremy (& Michelle) Mitchell, Nick (& Traci) Mitchell, David Prince, Elizabeth (& Mike) Reynold, Chad Prince, Jarret (& Rachelle) Mitchell, Jonathan Mitchell, Timothy Echols and Joshua Echols, along with 13 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by three brothers, Carl (& Leona) Mitchell, Olin (& Loraine) Mitchell and Bob (& Sharon) Mitchell and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Larry David Mitchell, two sisters, Leanard Whitlatch and Verlene Partlow and two brothers, James Arnold Mitchell and an infant brothers.

The family gathered privately for services and interment was at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. 

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

(From Halbritter Funeral Home website)

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