Diana Louise Stowe-Farris, of Niles
July 15, 1947 — June 15, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:33am Thursday, June 18, 2015

Diana Louise Stowe-Farris, 67, of Niles, passed away at her home on Monday, June 15, 2015.

Diana Louise Stowe-Farris

Diana was born on July 15, 1947 to the late Lavall and Dorothy (Luther) Lane in South Bend, Indiana as one of eleven children. She retired from Tyler Refrigeration after more than 20 years of service.

Diana was an avid NASCAR fan, Jeff Gordan was her favorite driver. She also loved to watch University of Michigan football games.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lavall and Dorothy Lane; daughter, Rebecca Stowe; siblings, Betty Thomas, Nancy Amundson, Danny Lane, Thelma Worl, and Calvin “Sunny” Lane; and two beloved dogs Maggie and Raffie.

Diana is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Trent) Slates of Niles, her children Brandon Slates of Mishawaka and Justin Slates of Niles, and their children Reece Hensel and Mikalya Slates; husband James “Jim” Farris of Niles, his children John Farris of Niles and James (Laurie) Farris of Granger, Indiana and their children; Tiffany Farris, Rochelle Farris, Heather Farris, Jessica Farris, Zachary Farris and Nathan Farris, siblings; Shirley Joanis of Niles, Susan Horvath of South Bend, Terry (Ann) Lane of Niles and Kenny (Maryanne) Lane of Niles; brother, Richard (Sharon) Lane, of Niles, and her two min-pins Pepper and Cricket.

In keeping with Diana’s wishes she has been cremated and her family will be remembering her privately. She will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with her daughter, Becky.

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

Arlie E. Sisk-Carpenter, of Niles
1923-June 10, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:50am Friday, June 12, 2015

Arlie E. Sisk-Carpenter, 93, of Niles, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

Arlie was born to the late Nelson and Alice (Everwine) Fry in Sulivan, Indiana.

In 1940 Arlie wed Arrad V. Sisk at a ceremony in Indiana. She worked for many years at Electrovoice and was an avid reader.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands Arrad V. Sisk and Joseph Carpenter; sons, Denzel Sisk, and Arrad V. Sisk Jr.; and siblings, Fred and William Fry and Pearl Eyre.

Arlie is survived by her daughters, Rose Evelyn (James) Smith of Niles and Ladonna (Dale) Smith of Niles; seven grandchildren, James (Charlene) Smith Jr., Michael (Valerie) Smith, Dale (Jodie) Smith Jr., Steven Smith, Cherie Sisk-Frances, Brenda (Joe) Porschart, Robert Sisk, seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Leona Helman of Terre Haute, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Monday, June 15, 2015 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m with a prayer service concluding at the funeral home. Arlie will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at a graveside service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Alan Jesus Rodriguez, of Niles
Died May 26, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:20am Friday, May 29, 2015

Alan Jesus Rodriguez, two months, of Niles, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Arrangements are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:24pm Monday, June 1, 2015

Alan Jesus Rodriguez, of Niles, died May 26, 2015. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 1, at Brown Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Julianne Minnear, of Venice, Florida
May 9, 1943 — June 4, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:52am Thursday, June 11, 2015

Julianne Minnear, 72, of Venice, Florida and previously of Niles, Michigan, passed away at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Thursday, June 4, 2015, from Lung cancer and complications of pneumonia. Her loving family was at her bedside.

Julianne Minnear

Julianne was born on May 9, 1943, to the late Jack and Caroline (Humphry) Boller in Niles, Michigan. She graduated from Niles High School in 1961 and later went on to earn two Associates Degrees, one in accounting from Southwestern Michigan College and a drafting degree from Sarasota Tech College.

On Feb. 6, 1982, Julianne wed William “Paul” Minnear at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan.

Julianne raised four children, Joni Janiszewski Flynn who is married to Daniel Flynn, Stephen Janiszewski who is married to Julie, Louis Minnear who is married to Jeanne and Anna Minnear who preceded her in death in 2009; and a grandson Louis “Bubba” Minnear and his friend Allie Harrison.

She had 14 more grandchildren, Tim Flynn who is married to Anne Klute, Mehgen Flynn, Jaimie Banasiewicz, Tim Welch who is married to Layla, Carrie Rochefort who is married to John, Jessica Dome who is married to Aaron, Shyanne Janiszewski, Selena Janiszewski, Ian Brindley, William Minnear, Sam Minnear, Elizabeth Minnear, Zoe Trotta, Keely Trotta; five great grandchildren with one more due in November; and brothers John Boller who is married to Diane and David Boller who is married to Gina.

Julie loved to take cruises with her best friend and husband, Paul Minnear. They enjoyed trips all over the world. She was an accomplished artist and enjoyed learning and doing many kinds of crafts.

A memorial service was held on Sunday June 7 at 3 p.m. at Costal Community Church, in North Port, Florida and a small service will be held on Saturday June 13th at 10 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make donations may do so to the Julianne Minnear memorial fund at: Synovus Bank (account #1007600602) 101 Center Rd, Venice, Florida 34285

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Robert L. Griffith, of Niles
June 17, 1931 — June 24, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:34am Friday, June 26, 2015

Robert L. Griffith, 84, of Niles, died at 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at his home following an extended illness.

Robert L. Griffith

He was born on June 17, 1931, in Niles to Murrel A. and Ruth Kathryn (Asmus) Griffith. He was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here all of his life. He was the general manager of the former Wonderland Discount Department Store in Niles for 27 years.

Bob was a member (with his wife) of the Restless Rovers Chapter 119 of the Michigan State Association of Family Campers & RVers. He enjoyed his backyard pond with its waterfall and fish, and listening to country music.

On Feb. 23, 1980, in Niles he married the former Elaine F. Foust with whom he celebrated this year the 35th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Elaine Griffith; daughter Christine (& Dennis) Kuemin of Niles; son Timothy (& Cynthia) Griffith of South Bend, Indiana; grandchildren Brian (& Melody) Kuemin, Duane Kuemin, Tony Kuemin, Michael Kaiser, and Timothy Griffith; great-grandchildren Courtney, Alexandria, Devin, Brittany, and Mary; and Bob’s aunt, Kay Miller of Georgia.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Griffith; and their parents, Murrel and Ruth Griffith.

The funeral service for Robert Griffith will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Smith of Hope Community Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, and on Monday beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Bob Griffith may be made to Hospice at Home.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Ross Graham, of Niles
March 20, 1925 — Nov. 7, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:38am Monday, November 10, 2014

Ross W. Graham, 89, of Niles, Michigan died at 1:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on March 20, 1925, in Niles to John C. and Lola B. (Mount) Graham and was graduated from Niles High School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo (Michigan) College, and earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He entered the United States Navy, served several tours on the USS Silversides — one of the Navy’s most successful submarines — and was a veteran of World War II.

Ross W. Graham

Ross was first employed by Radio Free Europe, broadcasting news to countries in Eastern Europe, and drawing death threats from Communist countries. He was then employed for several years by Bendix in South Bend before joining the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. At Goodyear, Ross was sent by the finance department to manage plants throughout Europe and India before returning to the home office in Akron, Ohio as the Finance Director. He retired in 1990, and returned to Niles in 1992.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles and had edited its newsletter for many years. He was the treasurer for the City of Niles Veterans Memorial Committee, and was an avid reader of history, biographies and mysteries.

He found great satisfaction in helping family and friends with their personal income tax preparation, and was compelled to always pay everything that was due — but not a penny more.

In 1953 he married the former Ann Margaret Knaur, who preceded him in death in 1991. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Marjorie Graham and Joyce Graham, and brothers, Bruce Graham and Malcolm Graham.

In 1994 he married Wanda L. (Woods) Witham, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Malcolm (Karen) Graham of Barlow, Kentucky, Megan Graham of Casper, Wyoming, and Vivian Graham of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Wanda’s sons, Richard (Kris) Witham of Spring Lake, Michigan and David (Rhonda) Witham of Niles; grandchildren, Jessica Ann Graham, Kirstin (Patrick) Rowan, Emily (Yancey) Yaceczko, Amanda (Matthew) Morgan, and Morgan Witham; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Morgan and Graham Morgan; and several nieces and nephews.

The Episcopal Burial Rite for Ross W. Graham will be performed at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles by The Reverend James Slack, retired.

Committal Rites will be read later, privately at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Mr. Graham may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church.