Bernard F. Steffes
Jan. 4, 1901-Jan. 8, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 5, 1951; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library(K. Alton)

Bernard F. Steffes, 50, of rural route one, died at 5 a.m. today in Pawating hospital after a five week’s illness.  He was born in Chicago Jan 9, 1901, and was married there Feb 2, 1924.

Steffes came to Niles five years ago with his wife, Edith, and was employed as a mall carrier on rural route four.  He was a member of the Farm bureau.

Surviving are his widow, and a sister, Mrs. Hazel C. Wood, of Niles.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday.  The Rev. A. Martin, pastor of Coulters Chapel, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Verda Albert, of Niles
May 28, 1925 — Dec. 15, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:27am Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Verda M. Albert, 89, of Niles, Michigan died at 2:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles of natural causes.

She was born on May 28, 1925, in Niles to Raymond E. and Bertha (Sheets) Ramsby. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here all of her life. She first worked in the back offices of the former First Federal Savings in Niles, and later assisted with bookkeeping for the Plym Family, the Signal Point Club, and Fernwood Botanic Gardens.

Verda Albert

Verda was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. She volunteered with the Berrien County Youth Fair, and was an active winter resident of the Sanibel Island community in Florida. She enjoyed reading a wide variety of themes, and cooking – especially her own secret chocolate chip cookie receipt.

On December 4, 1954 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles she married Emil Albert with whom she celebrated the Fifty-third anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on June 21, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Charles Ramsby and sisters Loretta Antoniu and Joan Bixby.

Surviving family includes a son, Timothy (Patti) Albert of Niles; grandson, Pierce Albert of South Bend, Indiana; and Verda’s sister, Barbara (Charles) Durm of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Verda Albert will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles with Pastor Joseph Liss of Saint Paul’s officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, or to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Lois Asmus
Oct. 13, 1932 - Dec. 24, 2014

NILES - Lois Jane (Siebert) Asmus, 82, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at West Woods of Niles following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on October 13, 1932, in Niles, to the late Frank W. and Dorthea J. (Dickeson) Siebert. After graduating Niles High School, Lois met the love of her life and married Duane Edward Asmus on October 21, 1950, at a ceremony at St. John's United Church of Christ in Niles. A homemaker most of her life, she found time to work as a cook for the Niles School District, H & R Block, and volunteered for several years at Northside Child Development Center. Lois was a faithful member of St. John's United Church of Christ where she was active in various capacities. Lois enjoyed spending time camping with family and friends. She was gifted at growing flowers in her garden. She liked reading and reminiscing about her family history. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved spending time with them, especially through the years at the Cass County Fair and any activities in which they were involved. Lois was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a terrific G.G. She was devoted to her entire family, and will be remembered for the countless lives she touched by baking, cooking and giving of her time to anyone in need. She was preceded in death by her parents; herhusband, Duane E. Asmus; six siblings, Frances Hipshear, Gladys Lewis, Floyd Siebert, Beatrice Shinneman, Alice Snyder and LaVern Siebert. Lois is survived by her two sons, Garry (Sandy) Asmus of Dowagiac and Steve (Kathy) Asmus of Vandalia; a daughter, Sue (Bart) Benjamin of Niles; eight grandchildren, Brian and James Asmus of Dowagiac, Edward (Angie) Asmus of Vandalia, Amy Asmus of Niles, Matt and Kristin Asmus of Vandalia, Brad Benjamin of Niles and Anna Benjamin of Quincy, Michigan, three great-grand-daughters, Bailey and Abigail Asmus, and Sophie Brewer; a sister, Jean (Fred) Patchett of Portage, Michigan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Brown Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 29th, at St. John's United Church of Christ at 11:00 a.m., with an interment following at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Lois' memory to St. John's United Church of Christ, 601 N. Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Lois' family would like to thank all of those who have shared this journey with Lois and her family. Your kindness will not be forgotten. Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Lois or send their condolences may do so at our website atwww.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Dec. 27, 2014

Thomas Egmer, of Niles
March 4, 1942 — Dec. 18, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:22am Monday, December 22, 2014

Thomas E. Egmer, 72, of Niles, passed away at his residence, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on March 4, 1942, in Niles to the late Milton L. and Edwina (Kujawa) Egmer.

Thomas Egmer

On May 31, 1962, Thomas entered the U.S. Army and served his country proudly during the Vietnam era. Shortly after returning from the service, Thomas fell in love with Carol A. Peel and the couple married on March 25, 1967 in Buchanan, Michigan. He was a talented electrician working for French Paper Company and Buchanan Steel for many years. He was a proud Teamster and past-president of UAW Local 1. In addition to working, Thomas enjoyed fishing, gardening, bowling, and trips to the casino. Thomas was a longtime member of the Niles Eagles Lodge and enjoyed time spent with friends there. He was a member of the American Legion Post 51, the Michiana Beagle Club and an avid hunter. Thomas also enjoyed the family “spur-of-the-moment” camping trips where they traveled across the United States. He was a talented carpenter and enjoyed building and tinkering.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Milton Egmer.

Thomas is survived by his wife Carol Egmer of Niles; his children, Sherri Egmer of Niles, Thomas E. Egmer II of Niles and a daughter Jennifer A. Archer of Edwardsburg; his grandchildren, Jessica Reisinger, Daniel Reisinger, Thomas E. Egmer III, Desiree Egmer and Tyler Archer; and a great-granddaughter Rylee Buesing; his siblings, Pat Tally of Wisconsin, Kathy (Larry) Mayberry of Niles, Sue Null of Elkhart, Kenny Egmer of South Bend and Robin Franklin of Elkhart.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at Brown Funeral Home at noon with a time of visitation one hour prior. Interment services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in Thomas’ memory to Granger Community Church or to Entermission at 630 E. University Drive, South Bend, Indiana 46530.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Thomas or send their condolences may do so at our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

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

Dorothy Helen Petro, of Niles
Feb. 6, 1923 — Dec. 11, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:07am Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Dorothy Helen Petro, 91, of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. She was born Feb. 6, 1923, in Goshen, Indiana to John C. and Bertha I. (Cripe) Reiff.

Dorothy Petro

Dorothy graduated from Goshen High School and attended Bethel College. She was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles; she was involved with the choir there and was the former coordinator for the cookie walk. Dorothy enjoyed knitting, birdwatching, camping and mostly spending time with her family.

On Nov. 17, 1951, in Goshen, Dorothy married Richard Wayne Petro, who preceded her in death on Nov. 29, 2009. Dorothy was also preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

Surviving family includes one son, Ronald W. (Rhonda) Petro of Three Oaks, Michigan; two daughters, Cindy M. Jackson of Niles and Sherrie (Tim) Vermande of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandsons, Michael A (& fiancée Maggie Bailey), Daniel J. (fiancée Patience Andrews) and Steven Petro and one great-grandson, Bennett O. Petro.

Funeral services for Dorothy Helen Petro will be held at 1:00p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church in Niles with the Rev. Dr. Tony Tomasino of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mark M. Thompson, of Niles
1931-Dec. 4, 2014

Niles Daily Star, published  9:18am Friday, December 5, 2014