Obituaries

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.

Katherine Globuschutz Fricker, of Granger, Indiana
March 8, 1927 — June 9, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:51am Thursday, June 11, 2015

Katherine Globuschutz Fricker, 88, of Granger, Indiana, and formerly of Niles, Michigan, died at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Wellbrooke of South Bend following a brief illness.

She was born on March 8, 1927, in Yugoslavia to Karl and Barbara (Armbruster) Haas. She survived the hardships of World War II in Yugoslavia, including four years of confinement in a Russian work camp.

Katherine Globuschutz Fricker

She came to the United States in 1957, taking residence in South Bend. In 1970 she came to Niles, returning to Indiana in 1989. She was employed for many years as a seamstress for the Sisters of the Holy Cross Convent at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Katie was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles, and has been attending Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Bend.

Her interest in sewing extended to her home, where she also enjoyed gardening. She was well-known for her pleasure in the fellowship of playing cards — and her zeal for winning — especially euchre.

On Nov. 15, 1952, in Germany she married Paul Globuschutz who preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1982. Later, on Jan. 1, 1989, in Granger, Indiana, she married Frank Fricker who died in January of 2001. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Susanne Gutle and Christina Bender, and by Elizabeth Haas who died in World War II; sister-in-law Inga Haas and brother-in-law Martin Merkle.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Ingrid (and Bill) Maki of South Bend and her daughters, Amy (and Mark) Shively and Kristina (and Tony) Closson, and their children, Jillian Joseph, Hannah, and Olivia; Frank’s daughter, Helen (and Stephen) Housley of Reston, Virginia and her children, Meghan Housley and Mathew Housley; and Katie’s siblings, Franz (and Anna) Haas of Granger, Indiana, Karl Haas and Barbara Merkle, both of Germany; and many nieces and nephews in both Europe and the United States.

The funeral service for Katherine Globuschutz Fricker will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Bend with the Rev. Gregory Fiechtner of the church officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, and on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.

Contributions in memory of Katie may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, South Bend, or to The Center for Hospice Care.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Janet Hayes Walker
June 11, 1925-Feb. 20, 1997

Janet Hayes Walker, York Theatre Founder, Dies at 72

Janet Hayes Walker, founder and producing director of York Theatre Company, died Feb. 20 after a long battle with cancer. She was 72.

Billed as Janet Hayes, Walker appeared on Broadway in a number of shows, including the original productions of Damn Yankees, Plain and Fancy, The Golden Apple, The Music Man, Camelot and Anyone Can Whistle. When the latter ended its abbreviated run in 1964, she retired from acting and, except for occasion appearances in regional theatres, devoted herself to taking care of her family.

That lasted five years. The "theatre bug" resurfaced, and she founded the York Theatre Company at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in NYC. It became a popular launching pad for several outstanding musical revivals, notably some composed by the songwriter of Anyone Can Whistle, Stephen Sondheim.

Her resurrections of his Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (in an intimate chamber version affectionately nicknamed "Teeny Todd") went extra innings before their York liftoffs--into extended engagements at Off-Broadway's Promenade and Broadway's Circle in the Square, respectively. She also revived his Company, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and, more recently, the Lucille Lortel Award-winningMerrily We Roll Along.

In addition, the York Theatre Company produced under her aegis acclaimed productions of The Baker's Wife, Colette Collage, The Grass Harp, Lost in the Starsand the Outer Critics Circle Award-winning Carnival.

Walker is survived by her husband, Charles Dodsley Walker, and two children, Peter Hayes Walker and Susan Walker Wyss, and three grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Southport, CT at 1 PM Feb. 25 and at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue at 90th St. in NY at 1 PM Feb. 27. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the York Theatre Company, Inc. 619 Lexington Ave., NYC 20022, where a memorial fund is being created in her honor.

-- By Harry Haun

Published in Playbill, 22 Feb 1997