Obituaries

Wilbert C. Thomas, of Niles
Nov. 16, 1928 — July 8, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19am Friday, July 10, 2015

Wilbert C. Thomas, 86, of Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19am Friday, July 10, 2015Niles, Michigan died at 10:47 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Silverbrook Manor in Niles, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1928, in Holland, Kentucky to Porter Lee and Mary Matheny (Meadows) Thomas. He served his country in the United States Army for nine years, earning the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bill moved to Michigan in 1963, coming from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He owned and operated Buchanan Upholstery, in Buchanan, Michigan and was then employed by Modineer in Niles, from which he retired in 1993, after 17 years of service.

Bill was a member of the Northeastern Harley Motorcycle Association, and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He enjoyed camping with his family, especially “up-north” in Michigan, and watching wildlife.

On Aug. 16, 1980, in Niles, he married the former Lucia A. Riddle with whom he celebrated last year the 34th anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Lucia Thomas and by his children, Ronnie Thomas of Minong, Wisconsin, Wilbert (Patty) Thomas, Jr. of Gulfport, Mississippi, Donnie Ray (Anna) Thomas of Princeton, Minnesota, Porter Ray (June) Thomas of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Darla Sue Knuth of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Lucia’s children, Karen (Seamus) Cochran of Buchanan, Michigan, Leslie Wood and Mike Kirk, both of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Roderick (Judy Young) Boyle of Niles, and Andrea Connors of Fort Myers, Florida; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; Bill’s brother Joe Fred (Wanda) Thomas of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Quinn Kirk, and brothers Herbert, Gilbert, Caulkin, Ross, Robert, Ray, Ralph, Stanley, Roger, and Arthur Thomas.

The funeral service for Wilbert Thomas will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Rob McPhearson of First United Methodist Church in Buchanan, officiating. Committal will be on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post No. 51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the Hospice at Home. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Frank Lynn Kalin, of Niles
March 31, 1925 — March 22, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:41am Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Frank Lynn Kalin, 89, of Niles, Michigan died at 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015 following a brief illness.

Frank Lynn Kalin

He was born on March 31, 1925 in Gary, Indiana to Karl and Margaret (Imber) Kalinowski. He was raised in North Judson, Indiana and has lived in Niles most of his life. He earned his high school diploma from Brandywine High School, and has completed courses at Michigan State University and the University of Notre Dame. He was employed by Bendix in South Bend for 31 years, retiring in 1984.

Frank was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy, and was a member of the American Legion Post #51 in Buchanan, Michigan. He was a photographer and videographer, and maintained a production studio to serve various clients including weddings. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, and keeping his skills up to date on the latest computer software and hardware.

He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Kalin in 2013, a grandson, O’Rion S. “Bug” Gilbert in 1992; and by his parents, and siblings Stanley, Joe, Edith, Katie, Gerty, Helen, and Bernice. He was formerly married to Alberta June Volker.

Surviving family includes his children, Cheryl (Michael) Gray, Keith (Deborah) Kalin, Gregory Kalin, and Jeffrey (Carolyn) Kalin, all of Niles; grandchildren Jacob Firth, Danielle (Eric) Byrum, Carly (Jason) Gornichec, Jodi Kalin, Timothy (Nevada) Kalin, and Benjamin Kalin; great-grandchildren Kaylin, Orion, Amelia, Alex, and Austin; Frank’s siblings, Robert Kalin, Nancy Arthur, and Dorothy Hefner; many nieces and nephews; and Frank’s companion of forty years, Dollis McNeil of Buchanan and her family, daughter Kellie (Jeff) Jerue of Buchanan, grandsons Jeffery and Brandon and great-grandson, Cameron.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Frank Kalin will be read at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by Deacon Roger Gregorski of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51. Burial will be later, privately, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Contributions in memory of Frank Kalin may be made to Hospice at Home.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary Arthur
1849-Feb. 3, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 4, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  FORMER RESIDENT PASSES

Mrs. Mary Arthur, a former resident of Niles, died Monday at the home of her niece, Mrs. E.T. Nordhelm, in Chicago, with whom she had lived for several years.  The body will be brought to Niles Thursday for interment in Silverbrook cemetery. The hour of the arrival and of services at the grave will be announced Wednesday.  Mrs. Adeline Harder, Niles, is one of the surviving relatives.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 5, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: ARTHUR RITES THURSDAY

Brief commital services will be read at the grave Thursday morning for Mrs. Mary Arthur, who died Monday night in Chicago at the home of her niece, Mrs. E.T. Nordholm.  Mrs. Adeline Harder, a sister, who lives in Niles, and Mrs. Nordholm are the only surviving relatives. Mrs. Arthur was a former resident of Niles and has many friends here.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will read the commital service. The body will arrive on the 11:25 train in the morning and the funeral party will go directly to the cemetery. Mrs. Nordholm will accompany her aunt's body to Niles.

DOB from Illinois Deaths at FamilySearch.org

Mary Ann Bell
April 24, 1951-July 21 1952

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 21, 1952; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Mary Ann Bell, 1, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bell, of the Beebe farm, died at 10 a.m. today in Pawating hospital. She had been ill two months.

Funeral services will be held at the Pifer funeral home Wednesday at the (illegible)

She was born in Portaville, Mo. Other survivors include a sister, Linda, at home.

Note: DOB from Michigan Death Record

John M. Brown
May 14, 1876-March 19, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 20, 1952; page 1, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

John M. Brown, 75, of 3 South St. Joseph avenue, became Berrien county’s eleventh traffic fatality of the year when he died at Pawating hospital at 2:02 Wednesday from injuries suffered in an auto accident a short while earlier.

A Retired Farmer

Brown, a retired farmer, incurred the fatal injuries about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in a spectacular collision on the Niles-Buchanan road about one mile west of Niles.   State police said the crash occurred when Brown, attempting to turn into the driveway at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry French, turned in front of an on-coming car driven by Lewis G. Mason, 30 of 409 Moccasin street, Buchanan.

Mason’s car smashed into Brown’s at the right front door, and the impact rolled Brown’s car over several times, according to troopers.  Brown was thrown from the car and was lying some distance from where the car came to rest.  It looked as though the car rolled over him, troopers said.

Brown was rushed to Pawating hospital where he died from his injuries a short while later.

He was born on May 14, 1876 in Baroda and came to Niles from there 35 years ago. Surviving in addition to his daughter are his wife, Maggie, a brother, Sherman, of Niles, and one granddaughter.

Funeral Set for Saturday

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday.  The Rev. H. Carlyle Carson, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Buchanan, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Laura Kay Gallup
July 17, 1952-July 17, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July17; page 2, col 6, microfilm, Niles District Library

Daughter is Still-born

A daughter, Laura Kay, was stillborn to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gallup, of 1323 Wayne street early this morning at Pawating hospital.

Surviving besides the parents are paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Gallup, of Phoenix, Ariz., and a sister, Diane, at home.

Committal services were held at 1:30p.m. today at the Pifer funeral home, and burial was in Silverbook cemetery.  The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor, officiated.