Gayle Elizabeth Borst
June 22, 1942 — Dec. 9, 2020 

Niles Daily Star, Published online 2:30 pm Monday, August 30, 2021 

 Gayle Elizabeth Borst died peacefully at her home. She was born on June 22, 1942, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to John M. and Winifred “Peg” Birt, while her father was serving in the Canadian Navy. The family moved to Chicago in 1944 and later settled in Niles when Gayle was 12 years old. Gayle was a 1960 Graduate of Niles High School and attended Ferris State University before marrying Barry R. Borst (surviving) in 1963.  

She is survived by their son, John Christopher (Jenny); daughter, Victoria; son, Timothy; and three granddaughters, Gabi, Annie, and Olivia Borst. She is also survived by her brother, John (Nancy) Birt, of Cary, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews.   

Gayle was a Club Coordinator for Al-Bar 4-H for nearly 30 years, during which time she received the county’s Outstanding 4-H Leader Award. She served for many years as a director of the Berrien County 4-H Foundation, becoming the first woman president for the Foundation. Gayle was also an active member of Trinity Epsicopal [sic] Church in Niles for more than 50 years, where she served on the Vestry and as Jr. and Sr. Warden over the years. She enjoyed bridge club and played once a month with a close group of friends for the past 45 years.  In 1986, she and her husband opened Mr. B’s Restaurant in Niles and served the community for many years before continuing her desire to serve others at JCPenney’s in University Park Mall. Chances are if Gayle served you over the years, she made a personal connection with you.  

A celebration of Gayle’s life will be held on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, beginning with a ceremony at Silverbrook Cemetery followed by fellowship at 105 Main Street Event Hall located in downtown Niles. The service will start at 1 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery, located at 1400 E. Main Street Niles. Fellowship will follow at the Event Hall (105 Main St.) until 3:30 p.m. with food and refreshments. We hope you can join us in remembering Gayle.

Palmer Funeral Homes – West Chapel assisted family with arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at palmerfuneralhomes.com.    

Lynda Liggett, of Niles
Feb. 26, 1960-June 23, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:44 pm Sunday, June 25, 2023

Lynda Liggett, 63, of Niles, passed June 23, 2023. Funeral services were Thursday, June 29, 2023, private interment at Silverbrook Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/06/25/lynda-liggett-of-niles/?utm_source=site&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=recirculation

Rose Elaine Blakley
Nov. 15,  1948-July 1, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published online 2:34 pm Sunday, July 2, 2023

Rose Blakley, 74, passed away at the Hellenic Senior Living of Elkhart on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/07/02/rose-blakley-of-elkhart-indiana/

Jack Albert Plummer, of Niles
May 20, 1929 — Dec. 24, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:22 pm Monday, December 28, 2020

Jack Albert Plummer, 91, of Niles, passed away quietly at home on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Jack was born on May 20, 1929, to the late Elmer and Adelia (Hagadorn) Plummer in Niles. After graduating from high school Jack joined the U.S.  Army. After returning from the Army, Jack wed Jacquelyn Richards at a ceremony in Niles at the First Presbyterian Church. Together they had five children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Adelia Plummer, and his sister, Virginia Floyd.  Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jacqueline Plummer; children, Tala Jean Welch, Jack Duff (Sue) Plummer, Sandra Leigh (Greg) Gentry, Trace Alan (Janet) Plummer, and Victoria Ann (Craig) Nielsen all of Niles; grandchildren, Trevor, Cameron, Kyle, Sophia, Stuart, Tala Marie, Zachary, and Spencer; and great-grandchildren, Amelia, Lorilei, Isabella, Harper, Charlotte, and Lydia.  

In keeping with his wishes, Jack has been cremated and his family will be remembering him privately.  

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2020/12/28/jack-albert-plummer-of-niles/

Jacquelyn Plummer
May 22, 1932-May 27, 2023 

Niles Daily Star, Published online12:21 pm Monday, June 12, 2023  

Jacquelyn L. Plummer, 91, of Niles, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Jacquelyn L. (Jackie) (Richards) was born May 22, 1932, in Granite City, Illinois to the late Taliesen (Tally) and Edna (Barney) Richards. Moved to Niles in 1943; graduated from Niles High School in 1950. Married Jack A. Plummer on July 10, 1953, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles. Worked with the mentally and physically challenged at both Ferry Street and Gateway, Berrien Springs facilities until retirement in 1995.

Jacquelyn is survived by her five children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Tala J. Welch; Jack D. (Sue) Plummer, Kyle (Melissa) Plummer, Amelia, Lorelai, and Isabella; Sandra L. (Greg) Gentry, Trevor Gentry, Cameron (Ali) Gentry, Harper and Charlotte, Tala M. (Gentry) (Logan) Harpenau, Lydia and Drew; Trace A. (Janet) Plummer, Zachary and Spencer; Victoria A. (Craig) Nielsen, Sophia and Stuart.

Jacquelyn was well loved and shall be missed every day! Hugs and kisses Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma! Anyone who knew her closely knew her as “Bear” as in Mama Bear! Memorials can be made to programs for the mentally and physically challenged.

There will be a private family service after cremation, as per her wishes. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com  Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/06/12/jacquelyn-plummer/

Betty L. Mayhew
Sept. 27, 1932-June 19, 2023

Betty L. Mayhew passed to her rest peacefully on June 19, 2023, after an illness. She was born September 27, 1932 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, the daughter of Sam and Mary (Britt) Hambrick. She grew up with her brother Robert in Arkansas, until the family moved north in the mid 1940's, settling in Buchanan, Michigan. Betty graduated from Buchanan High School, Class of 1952.

After High School, she worked in the Emergency Room at Pawating Hospital in Niles, Michigan. This is where she met her future husband, Paul Mayhew. They were married August 18, 1954 in Niles. Shortly after they were married Paul was drafted into the United States Navy. After Basic Training, Betty joined Paul at Camp LeJeune, NC, where she relished in the roll of being the wife of a Navy Hospital Corman. She loved their life on the base, spending their free time at the pier fishing with her husband. While at Camp LeJeune they welcomed their first child, a daughter Cynthia Jane "Cindy." In 1957 they moved back to Niles and Paul went to work for Pifer Funeral Home and Betty worked at Pawating Hospital as a Surgical Technician and in the ER Department. She was very skilled at her job as a Surgical Tech and was highly requested by many surgeons.

In 1958 Paul and Betty bought a house in Edwardsburg and worked tirelessly to make that house their home and their business, the Mayhew Funeral Home. Betty was involved in every aspect of the business with her husband. In 1962 they welcomed their second daughter, Elena Diane "Poppy." Her family meant everything to her. She was the epitome of a loving, caring, nurturing mom. Her girls were a source of great pride and joy to her. She was a loving and amazing wife and mother.

Betty was in her element in her kitchen, cooking for her family, whether it be her fried chicken, her homemade chicken and dumplings, her peach pie or her homemade soups and corn bread. Every summer she spent endless hours canning from her garden's bounty. Nothing pleased her more that seeing her kitchen counter completely covered with jars of tomatoes, salsa, tomato juice, pickles, green beans and so much more.

Betty belonged to many organizations in the Edwardsburg area; The Monday Evening Club, The Edwardsburg Lioness Club, Delta Theta Chi Sorority, Miss Edwardsburg Pageant, Chairman of the Miss Blossomtime Pageant, and assisted as a School Nurse.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Paul, her daughter Cindy (husband Doug) Ranschaert of Edwardsburg and she was the loving Memaw to Alyssa that she affectionately referred to as "Little Bit." She was preceded in passing by her parents, Sam and Mary, her precious daughter, Poppy in 2021, and her brother Bob.

A private service took place at her "home" with her family. Long-time friend and former neighbor, Chuck Winters, said words of encouragement and love. Interment took place in the family plot at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family has requested that Memorial Donations be made in Betty's name: to The Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum, P.O. Box 694, 28616 US-12, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.

"A Mother's Hug Lasts Long After She Lets Go."

Arrangements are by her Family at the Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.

Posted online on June 23, 2023 Published in South Bend Tribune