Obituaries

Florence I. Bush, of Niles
May 2, 1938 — March 6, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:58am Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Florence I. Bush, 76, of Niles, Michigan died at 2:56 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015, at her home following an extended illness.

Florence I. Bush

She was born on May 2, 1938, in Niles to Gerald and Harriet (Hargreaves) George. She was graduated from Niles High School, and lived here most of her life, moving to Edwardsburg, Michigan last year. She was first employed at the former Dor-a-Linn Nursing Home (now Riveridge Manor), then at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company, and at Coachmen RV.

Florence was an active member of The Salvation Army in Niles, both Sunday mornings at church and during the week cleaning and mending donated items, and at the former Eastgate retail store of The Salvation Army. She was also an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary to American Legion Post #26, cleaning, ironing, and mending the Honor Guard uniforms.

She enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, and traveling – mostly for Veterans events and hospital visits, but her greatest joy was caring for her children and grandchildren. The extended family had no need of a babysitter as every parent knew that Florence was ready and willing to care for all of the children. Those parents also knew of Florence’s interest in cleaning and mending, and that their children would go home neater and cleaner than they came.

On May 29, 1959 in Roseland, Indiana she married Bernard D. “Bud” Bush with whom she celebrated the thirty-fifth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on May 12, 1995. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda in 2010; by sisters Norma and Sandra, and by brothers, Gerald and Robert.

Surviving family includes her children, Star Nelson of Edwardsburg, Bernard “Ted” Bush of Niles, and Richard Bush of Mishawaka, Indiana; eight grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren; and Florence’s sisters, Beverly, Phyllis, Patricia, Dorothy, and Diana, and a brother, James and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Florence Bush will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with Major William Walters and Major Tracy Walters of The Salvation in Niles and the Rev. Tedd Galloway of West Adrian (Michigan) Community Church and the Rev. Donna Galloway of Morenci (Michigan) United Methodist Church officiating.

Contributions in memory of Florence Bush may be made to the New Building Fund of The Salvation Army in Niles. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Vera L. Geideman
March 25, 1921 — March 26, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:34am Friday, March 27, 2015

Vera L. Geideman, 94, of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at her daughter’s home after an extended illness.

She was born on March 25, 1921, in Libertyville, Illinois to Lloyd and Mary (Erfurth) Bennett. She was graduated from Eau Claire in 1938, and has lived in this area most of her life. She and her husband Kenneth owned and operated the Niles Radio Supply for 15 years. She was also a former Milton Township Trustee.

Vera was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ. She helped form the Cass County Mobile Library, the Bookmobile, and was a Cass County 4-H leader for many years.

On Sept. 21, 1940, in Eau Claire, Michigan she married Kenneth L. Geideman, with whom she celebrated the 53rd anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Feb. 23, 1994. Vera was also preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Surviving family includes her children, Barbara Haas and Marilyn Lane, both of Niles, Evelyn (Dennis) Schrumpf of Cicero, Indiana, Edward (Angie) Geideman of Niles, thirteen grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, sisters Marion Stiles of Berrien Springs, Michigan and Mary Braman of East Jordan, Michigan.

The funeral service for Vera Geideman will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2015, at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles with the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Visitation is Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home, in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Vera may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Marilyn A. Wagner, of Niles
Aug. 24, 1930 — March 10, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:29am Friday, March 13, 2015

Marilyn A. Wagner, 84, of Niles, Michigan died at 8:12 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital – South in Riverview, Florida following a brief illness.

Marilyn A. Wagner

She was born on Aug. 24, 1930, in Niles to Carlton and Mildred A. (Milner) Keen. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1948, and has lived here all of her life. She was employed for many years in the business office of the Niles Daily Star, and was retired from the office of the Niles Township Utilities Department.

Marilyn was a life-long member of the Bertrand Bible Church in Niles. She participated in area bowling leagues, and enjoyed shopping at flea markets and antique shops; but her greatest joy was her family.

She was formerly married to Philip G. Hoelcher.

On December 28, 1972 in South Bend, Indiana she married Leonard C. Wagner with whom she celebrated the 26th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Oct. 27, 1999. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Carlton Keene.

Surviving family includes her children, Karen Keen of Cumming, Georgia, Linda Lono of Lexington, South Carolina, Sherry Graddy of Apollo Beach, Florida, and David (Kally) Hoelcher of Niles; grandchildren Lt. Col. Bryan (Jessie) Graddy, USAF, Justin (Chrissy) Graddy, Lori (Chuck) Rey, Jeremy (Danielle) Wibert, and Brenden Hoelcher; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Eleanor, Jack, Olivia, Grace, Zoe, Mackenzie, and Bailey.

The funeral service for Marilyn Wagner will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015, at the Bertrand Bible Church with the Rev. Tony Slagle of the church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to the Bertrand Bible Church.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

David B. Witham, of Niles
May 27, 1958 — March 22, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:43am Wednesday, March 25, 2015

David B. Witham, 56, of Niles, Michigan died at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at his home, unexpectedly.

David B. Witham

He was born on May 27, 1958, in Niles to Allan Dale and Wanda L. (Woods) Witham. He was graduated from Niles High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from William James College at Grand Valley State Colleges. He was a professional instrumental musician in both sacred music and more contemporary styles. He was also a photographer, working for several years at the South Bend Tribune before going freelance to pitch photos of breaking news and athletic events to various newspapers and wire services. He eventually narrated his photographs, successfully pitching complete packages with story and photograph.

David was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles where he also served as Organist. He had formerly volunteered with the Niles City Fire Department and collected “old school” rotating beacon emergency lights. He was a licensed amateur radio operator with the call sign KC8KXZ. He had a special affinity for pets, especially his two Cocker Spaniels: Schatzie and Schafer.

On Aug. 27, 1994, at Saint Mary Catholic Church he married the former Rhonda Sue Grady with whom he celebrated last year the 20th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Rhonda Witham; his mother, Wanda L. Graham of Niles; brother Richard (Kris) Witham of Spring Lake, Michigan and their daughter Morgan Witham; and Rhonda’s mother, Loretta Mattocks, grandmother, Evelyn Moneysmith; and sister Pam (Mike) Malisa and their daughters, Kimberly Johnson, Megan Malisa, and Stephanie Allen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Dale Witham in 1977; and by a step-father, Ross Graham in 2014.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for David Witham will be read at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. Committal Rites will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of David may be made to the Instrumental Music Department of Niles High School.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Charles L. Rettich
Oct. 9, 1923-April 26, 2003

Rettich, Charles L. age 79, April 26, 2003, beloved husband of Mary Ellen, father of Kathleen (Anthony) Bullard and Kevin (JeanneMarie), dearest grandfather of Christopher and Ashley. Visitation Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., from McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd. Funeral Friday, instate 10:30 a.m., service 11 a.m., from St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 26431 W. Chicago, Redford. Donations may be made to surviving spouse. Visit Guest Book at www.suntimes.com

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Mary Ellen Rettich
October 20, 1924 - March 8, 2015

RETTICH, Mary Ellen, Age 90, March 8, 2015.  Beloved wife of the late Charles.  Loving mother of Kathleen (Anthony) Bullard & Kevin (JeanneMarie) Rettich.  Dearest grandmother of Christopher & Ashley.  She will be missed by Max, Mandy & Molly, the family pets.  Visitation Thursday 4-8 pm.  Funeral Service Friday 10 am at McCabe Funeral Homne Canton Chapel, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Interment Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. 

www.mccabefuneralhome.com