Donna May Mangold, of Niles
June 4, 1930 — Sept. 11, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:18am Friday, September 12, 2014

Donna May Mangold, 84, of Niles passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at Silverbrook Nursing Home.

Donna was born on June 4, 1930 to Walter and Elizabeth (Blue) McKinney in Niles, MI. On July 31, 1948, she married Dale Mangold. Donna worked and retired from Simplicity Pattern, Co.

She is survived by her Husband of 66 years, Dale Mangold, Sr; children, Rita (Steve, Jr.) Simon of Niles, Diana (Larry) Bess of Paw Paw and Dale (Vickie) Mangold, Jr, of Niles, eight grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ivan McKinney.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made to www.hovefunerals.com

James Smith, of Niles
Aug. 15, 1952 — July 19, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:51am Thursday, July 24, 2014

James Smith

At noon on Saturday, July 19, 2014, James “Jim” Keith Smith, of Niles, Michigan, died while surrounded by family in Linden, Virginia, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Jim was born on Aug. 15, 1952, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Douglas and Madeleine (Krieger) Smith. He was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of Lake Michigan Catholic High School in 1970.

After graduation, he attended Ferris State College School of Pharmacy where he was a member of the Kappa Psi Fraternity. On Sept. 23, 1971, he won his future wife in a cribbage game; a long story but one he loved to tell. Jim married Martha “Marty” Leigh Meehling on Sunday, Aug. 25, 1974.

After graduating from Ferris in May of 1975, he began his pharmacy career at Gard’s Pharmacy in Hartford, Michigan. He then went on to serve as Director of Pharmacy at Addison Hospital (Addison, Michigan), Pawating Hospital (Niles), Davis Memorial Hospital (Elkins, West Virginia), NeighborCare (South Bend, Indiana), Our Lady of Peace Hospital (South Bend), Doctors NeuroPsychiatric Hospital (Bremen, Indiana), and RiverCrest Specialty Hospital (Mishawaka, Indiana). Jim was at his best when sharing his knowledge with others and helping them work up to their full potential.

Jim also had another passion — haunting. For more than 25 years, he played the Niles Haunted House icon, Beetle Juice. He was constantly amazed by the love of his many fans. He also served on the NHH board of directors and was a large part of the development of the Niles Haunted House Scream Park. “Juice’s” touch was evident in the layout, design, lighting, sound and decoration of the attractions, but his specialty was the creation of the Entry of the NHH each year.

In addition, Jim (with help from family friend, Gerrie Wisniewski) also designed and created “CarnEvil,” a haunted attraction for the Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Jim was also a founding member of the International Association of Haunted Attractions and served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for many years. He will be missed by his many fans, NHHSP family, and haunted attraction colleagues.

The most important part of Jim’s life was his family; loving them and providing for them were his top priorities. He is missed by his wife of almost 40 years, Marty, children Quinn and Tera Smith, EmmaLeigh Smith, and Cary and PJ Hoffman; grandsons Colin and Ronan Smith, and special family friend Gerrie Wisniewski.

Jim is also survived by his mother, Madeleine Smith of St. Joseph, Michigan; siblings Michael (Clara) Smith of Chelsea, Michigan, Paula (Jan) Smith of Canada, Andrew (Béatrice) Smith of Belgium, and Jeffrey (Janet) Smith of St. Joseph, Michigan; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Jim is planned for Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, from 12-4 p.m. at Riverview Park in St. Joseph, Michigan. Those who wish may make contributions to the scholarship established in his name at http://jam7es.muchloved.com so that he can continue to help others learn for many years to come.

Harold D. Laberteaux
Sept. 10, 1895-Nov. 21, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 22, 1950; page 2, column 5, microfilm, Niles District Library

Harold D. Laberteaux, 55 of 1353 Cedar Street, died at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating hospital after an illness of one week.

He was born here Sept. 10, 1895, the son of H.B. and Harriett Baggerly Laberteaux and lived here all his life.

Laberteaux had been a grocer here and was employed by the Bendix Aviation corporation in South Bend. He was a veteran of the World War I and a member of the Presbyterian church, the Elks, the Masonic lodge, and the American Legion.

Surviving are his wife, Miriam K.; two sons, Richard D., at home, and John K., of New Orleans; and two sisters, Mrs. Laura Peterson, of Niles, and Mrs. Irene Brelsford, of Lancaster, O.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home. The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe will conduct funeral services at the Presbyterian church at 2 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Augusta Koontz
1861-Dec. 16, 1950

Niles Daily Star; Saturday, December 16, 1950; page 2, column 5, microfilm, Niles District Library

Mrs. Augusta Koontz, a former Niles resident, died at 3 a.m. today in the home of her daughter at Omaha, Neb. She was the mother of Mrs. Henry Korman, of Niles.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Henry Kaiser
Jan. 11, 1892-June 14,1950

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 14, 1950; page 2 column 4, microfilm, Niles District Library

Henry Kaiser, 58, of 702 North Thirteenth street, died suddenly in his home at 12:35 a.m. today.

Born here Jan. 11, 1892, Kaiser spent his lifetime in Niles. On Feb. 10, 1915, he married Lena Below in St. Joseph. He was employed at the National Standard company, and was a member of the Moose lodge.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Myron Kaiser, of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Robert VanAukens, Muskegon, two half-brothers, Frank and George Goldfuss, of Niles, and two-half-sisters, Mrs. Orville Williams and Mrs. Irene Jerue, both of Niles.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home, where the Rev. Harold Hohman will conduct funeral services at 1 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery,

Howard J. Pugh
Dec. 23, 1889-April 21, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 21, 1950; page 2, column 4, microfilm, Niles District Library

Howard J. Pugh, 61, of 120 Huron street, died at 6 a.m. today in Pawating hospital. He had been in poor health for five weeks.

Pugh was born Dec. 23, 1889 in Boone, Ia., and came to Niles 40 years ago from Jones, Mich. He has been employed as a carpenter by the French paper mill for the past 29 years. He was a member of the First Methodist church here and the St. Joseph Valley Free and Accepted Masons.

Surviving are his wife, Ida, his mother, Mrs. Stella Lyon Pugh, of Centerville, and two sons, Howard Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., and Jack, of Niles.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday by the Rev. l. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.