Omer ‘Ray’ Herschberger, of Niles
Oct. 4, 1941 — July 26, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:51am Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Omer ‘Ray’ Herschberger

Omer “Ray” Herschberger, 72, of Niles, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Riveridge Manor with his family by his side.

Ray was born to the late Annanias and Drusilla (Yoder) Herschberger in Douglas County, Illinois on Oct. 4, 1941.

He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army, and after receiving his Bachelor degree worked as an electronic engineer, retiring after many years of service for the City of Niles. After Ray’s retirement he enjoyed more time doing the things that made him smile. Ray loved to travel anywhere the road would take him.

When he was home you could find him gardening, or attending all of the Notre Dame basketball and hockey games, to which he was a season ticket holder. He also worked as an usher for Notre Dame football. You could also hear him cheering on his favorite teams, the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He also found pleasure in the times he spent on Lake Michigan, fishing with friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Henry and David Herschberger and his two sisters Laura Diener and Verna Herschberger.

He is survived by his best friend of 42 years, Lois Stethem of Niles and her children, Nina (Doug) Ditsch of Niles, Bryan (Darlene) Stethem of South Bend, Larry Stethem of Mishawaka, and Kristi (Matt) Brazo of Niles; his brother Ura (Sarah) Hershberger of Arcola, Illinois and his sister Fannie Mae (Jacob) Helmuth of Lovington, Illinois. He is also survived by Lois’ seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren whom he treated as if they were his own.

Services for Ray will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Monday, August 4th at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Ray may do so to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 51490 Laurel Road, South Bend, IN 46637 or to the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail in care of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, MI 49107.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for Ray’s family and friends at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Helen E. Thompson, of Niles
Oct. 21, 1911 — June 27, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:12am Monday, June 30, 2014

Helen E. Thompson

Helen E. Thompson, 102, of Niles, died on Friday, June 27, 2014, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness. She was born Oct. 21, 1911 in Lisbon, North Dakota to John and Christina (Linzbach) Hardebeck.

Helen was a member of Saint Mark Church in Niles and was active in its Christian Mothers. She worked J.C. Penny’s in Niles and volunteered many hours at the former Pawating Hospital in Niles. She retired from the Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles in 1976 after several years of employment.

Helen enjoyed playing cards, dominos, bingo and watching her Chicago Bulls and Cubs teams. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and never missed their sporting events.

On May 12, 1940, in Niles, Helen married Elton Thompson, who preceded her in death on May 11, 1968, but from their union survives sons, Gary (Linda) Thompson of Niles, and Tommy (Jan) Thompson of Cape Coral, Florida; a daughter, Linda (Frank) Zavitz of Niles; seven grandchildren, Cheri (Danny) Kulwicki, Craig (Michelle) Thompson, James “Brad” (Beverly) Thompson, Brian Thompson, Eric Thompson, Scott (Crystal) Zavitz and Staci (Derrick) Balos; and seven great-grandchildren, Danny, Krista and Katie Kulwicki, Christopher (Holly) Thompson, Ashlyn Thompson, Bo Balos and Brody Zavitz. Also surviving are Helen’s sisters, Marjorie Turk of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Evelyn Hardebeck of Niles.

Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, Lucille “Tudy” Robinson, Elizabeth “Sis” Leonard, Albert Hardebeck, Gerhard Hardebeck, Henry Hardebeck and Harv Hardebeck.

The mass of Christian burial for Helen E. Thompson will be celebrated at 11 a.m Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Niles, by The Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of the church. Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Donations in memory of Helen may be made to Saint Mark Church, Niles or to the American Cancer Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Gene Sherman, of Niles
Nov. 10, 1927 — July 4, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:18am Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Gene Sherman Sherman

Gene Sherman, 86, of Niles, passed away at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville on Friday, July 4, 2014.

He was born on Nov. 10, 1927, to the late Clifford and Neva (Linsey) Sherman in Coldwater, Michigan.

In 1952 Gene married Ida May Meyers at a ceremony in Sidman, Pennsylvania.

In 1948 he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for many years as a tank commander before his honorable discharge in 1957. He went on to work for Borden delivering milk, and also at Hover Trucking of Niles. Gene loved the outdoors he enjoyed traveling, camping, scuba diving, and was very gifted at woodworking. He was a great husband, father and grandfather

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Neva; wife Ida May Sherman and sister Eva Taylor.

He is survived by three sons Robert (Kelly Weir) Sherman of Mishawaka Indiana, Ronald (Ruth) Sherman of West Bloomfield Michigan, and Russell Sherman of Bradenton Florida; two sisters Charlotte Shemel of Michigan, Sonya Marsh of California; and one brother Clifford Sherman Jr. of Michigan

In keeping with Gene’s wishes cremation has taken place, and a graveside service will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery at 11 a.m. on July 21, 2014, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife of 61 years.

Those wishing to leave a message to the family or upload a photo of Gene may do so on our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Russell Arthur Saathoff, of Niles
May 15, 1930 — June 21, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16am Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Russell Arthur Saathoff, 84, of Niles, died on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was born May 15, 1930, in Niles to Arthur W. and Adaline (Strang) Saathoff. On May 7, 1955, he married the former Eleanor Joan Howard. She preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 2007.

Russell was a 1952 graduate of Niles High School. He worked in the family business for United Dairies in Niles and owned many apartments around town. He was a member of the Niles Lions Club and the Niles Shrine Club. He enjoyed visiting the Elkhart Shooting Center and was the 1972 Michigan State Trap Shooting Champion. Russell was a fan of auto racing and football games.

Surviving family includes son Richard (Tami) Saathoff of Phoenix, Arizona and daughter JoEllen (Robert) Gamso of Niles; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and Russell’s brother, Kenneth (Nan) Saathoff of Arizona.

The family will gather privately for services with interment at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Donations in memory of Russell may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.www.halbritterfunerals.com

Eileen Kozlowski, 86
Dec. 14, 1926- July 12, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:28pm Sunday, July 14, 2013

Eileen (Kinzie) Kozlowski, 86, passed away on July 12, 2013, at 11:45 a.m. at home in Niles. Eileen was born on Dec.14, 1926, to Stephen and Lila (Bollinger) Kinzie.

On Aug. 18, 1945 in Plymouth, Ind., she married Albin Kozlowski who preceded her in death in 2001.

At age 50, she earned a degree in nursing from Southwestern Michigan College.

Eileen spent the balance of her career as a dedicated and caring nurse while working at Berrien General Hospital in Berrien Center.

Surviving family members include one son Alan Kozlowski, of Niles; two daughters, Susan (Stephan) Thompson, of Niles, and Kris Parge, of Indio Calif.; four grandchildren, Amber, Brooke, Beth and Amy; and six great-grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by both parents and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Niles, where she was a parishioner.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, St. Joseph, or St. Mark’s Parish, Niles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Douglas J. Davis
Oct. 30, 1965 — March 5, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:57pm Sunday, March 9, 2014

Douglas John, “D.J.” Davis, 48, of Niles, died at 11:44 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on Oct. 30, 1965, in Keokuk, Iowa to John L. and Vera E. (Hobb) Davis. He was graduated from Keokuk Senior High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He excelled in baseball as first baseman, and was named all-conference.

Doug was a very reserved guy, a loving son who loved his family, and a friend to many. He loved NASCAR automobile racing, and was a fan of driver #24, Jeff Gordon. He was an avid fisherman, proud of all the fish he caught at the Pucker Street Dam. He had also made a fishing trip to Canada several years ago.

Surviving family includes his parents, Vera and John Davis of Niles, his brother, Timothy of Niles, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The funeral service for Doug Davis will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of First Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at noon on Monday. Contributions in memory of Doug may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com