Linda Leet
Aug. 2, 1947-March 9, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:42 pm Saturday, March 11, 2023

Linda Leet, 75, of Niles, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/03/11/linda-leet-75-of-niles/

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary

Linda M. Leet, 75, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.        

She was born in Niles, Michigan on August 2, 1947, to the late Ed and Hilda (Hargreaves) Mead. She was a lifetime resident of Niles, graduating from Niles High School in 1965.

On August 20, 1966, she married the love of her life, Fred Leet; at the Niles Presbyterian Church.  They were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Linda was elected as the Howard Township Clerk, serving for several years in a position she loved.

Linda and Fred could often be found sharing dinner at their favorite restaurant; the Prime Table. She loved traveling, visiting as many casinos as she could along the way. She had a true green thumb for all things outdoors. Her most precious moments were spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; Connie Stark, George Lutzen, and Bill Mead.

Linda is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Fred of Niles; daughter, Shaune (Dan) Leet-Swiatkowski of Niles; grandchildren, Bailee Timm of Niles; Casey (Hannah) Cochran of Texas; and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Cochran.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 521 E. Main St, Niles. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Linda’s memory may be directed to the Cass County Animal Shelter.  

MIchael Hibinger
Nov. 3, 1963-Jan. 28, 2023

Published Niles Daily Star 5:07 pm Friday, February 3, 2023

Michael Hibinger, 59, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at his home. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com  

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/02/03/michael-hibinger-of-niles/

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary

Michael Hibinger, 59, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at his home.

He was born in Akron, Ohio to David and Rita (Estafen) Hibinger.  

After graduating from Niles High School in 1982, he went to work for Tyler Refrigeration.

Michael was a true free spirit. He was a kind and generous man, often to his own detriment.

He was preceded in death by his father, David Hibinger, and his brother Stephen Hibinger.

Michael is survived by his mother, Rita Hibinger of Niles; siblings, Deborah Dvorak of Niles, James Hibinger of Niles, and Joan Suski of Granger; niece, Christine (Bobby) Dvorak; nephews, Adam (Hannah) Dvorak, Bradley (Brittney) Hibinger, Spencer Suski, and Tyler (Alley) Suski; grandnephew, Everett and Grant Roche; grandniece Kloey Hibinger.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main Street in Niles. A recitation of The Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM led by Brother Dennis Myer of St. Mark Catholic Church.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Michael may do so to the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org

Photos, memories, and condolences may be left for Michael’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

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

Elizabeth Treiber
March 4, 1840-May 24, 1897

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, May 25, 1897, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

GONE BEYOND
Mrs. Jacob D. Trieber Leaves Her Loving Family for Her Home on High

Died, May 24, 1897, Mrs. Jacob D. Trieber, aged 57 years.

At 8:45 o'clock last evening Mrs. Jacob D. Trieber passed from the midst of a large and loving family circle, after suffering severely, yet patiently, for four weeks with blood poisoning.

Mrs. Trieber was born in Germany and came to this country when yet a young girl. Later on she met and wedded Jacob Treiber with whom she has spent about 35 happy years. As the result of this union there remain six girls and two boys, all grown up, who will prove a vast comfort to their father in his future life, now that he has been robbed of his faithful and loving companion, for Mrs. Trieber was ever a kind mother and wife. She was an exemplary Christian lady and a member of the German church of this city.

The names of the daughters are: The Misses Mary, Louiza, Jennie, Clara and Emma and Mrs. J.R. Rice; the sons, David and Frank. One brother, David Nieb also mourns her loss.

The funeral will take place Thursday at 9 o'clock at the residence, in the “bend of the river” three miles north, and at 10:00 o'clock at the German church. Rev. F. Rahn will officiate. Interment will be in Silver Brook cemetery.

Fred L. Vandenberg
Aug. 19, 1907-February 14, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, February 14, 1957, page 1, col. 5, continued Page 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Savings and Loan Head Dies Suddenly

Fred L. Vandenberg, president of the Niles Federal Savings & Loan Assn., and prominent, local civic and church leader, died about 9 o'clock this morning after apparently suffering a heart attack at his home, 15 South Third Street.

He was rushed to Pawating Hospital by ambulance after being stricken but died before arrival.

Mr. Vandenberg was known throughout the area for his interest in community affairs as well as through his business interest.

Associated with the savings and loan institution since July, 1936, he served as manager of the institution from 1939 to January, 1955, when he was named president in a change of official titles.

Friends may call beginning this evening at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Methodist church with the Rev. L. George Beacock, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Survivors are his widow, the former Mary Plummer, whom he married Sept. 14, 1930, at Muskegon Heights; his mother, Mrs. P.J. Vandenberg, of Niles; two sons, John, of Washington, D.C. and Stephen, at home; a daughter, Mary Jane, at home; one granddaughter; a brother, Marion Vandenberg, of Benton Harbor, and a sister, Miss Margaret Vandenberg, of Niles.

Born Aug. 19, 1907, at Everett, Wash., Mr. Vandenberg came to Niles when he was 11 and was graduated from Niles High School.

He was employed seven years at the old City Bank & Trust Co., of Niles before the depression and served as receiver's assistant two and a half years while the bank re-organization process went on.

Mr. Vandenberg would have (continued on Page 2) completed a five-year term on the Board of Public Works this year. He was first president of the United Fund of Greater Niles which was organized in 1953 and had served on the U.F. Board of Directors. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and the . . .[illegible] . . .Methodist Church, he was treasurer for the Board of Trustees and chairman on the church commission on finance.

In his business affiliation, Mr. Vandenberg was the first vice president of the Michigan Savings & Loan league and would have become president of the state organization this year. He was also a member of the legislative committee of the U.S. Savings & Loan League and recently attended a session of that group at Washington, D.C.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 15, 1957, page 2, col. 4,microfilm Niles District Library

TO LIE IN STATE

Friends of Fred L. Vandenberg may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home until noon Saturday when removal will be make to the First Methodist Church. The body will lie in state in the church from noon until the services begin at 3 p.m. with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Philip Whalen
March 17, 1829-May 25, 1897

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, May 25, 1897, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

LIFE'S TORCH EXTINGUISHED
Philip Whalen, At a Ripe Old Age,
Peacefully Expires.

At mid-day Philip Whalen, an old, highly respected resident of this city, peacefully expired at this home on north State street.

Born in Waterford county, Ireland, March 17, 1829, he had arrived at a mature old age of 68 years of age and was acquainted personally with almost every resident of the county. When still a young man he emigrated to this country and came to Niles in 1844. Mr. Whalen followed various pursuits in life and was for years connected with the J.M. Wells grocery.

The old gentleman has been on the decline for some time and a post mortem will be held to ascertain the definite cause of his death, which is supposed to have resulted from consumption of the bowels. He First entered upon public life in 1886 at which time he served as alderman. In 1895 he was called upon to act in like capacity but the beginning of the end compelled him to resign before the completion of his term. He was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4, F.&A.M., and they will have charge of the funeral.

The deceased leaves a wife and four sons, all of whom have shown marked kindness and indulgence during their father's lingering illness. The family circle: Mrs. Philip W., Henry E., Wm. E., Edgar P. and Guy T., all of whom are grown to manhood. The funeral announcement later.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, May 28, 1897, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Laid to Rest

The funeral of the late Philip Whalen took place this afternoon from his home on State street. The Masons marched to the house in a body, where a throng of people awaited to pay the last tribute to an honest, upright and respected man. Rev. Gairdner, acting as chaplain of the order, conducted the pretty service. Many carriages follwed the Silver Brook cemetery, where the Masonic rite was further conducted. “May he rest in Peace.”

Madeline Pearl Willard
Nov. 2, 1887-Feb. 24, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 25, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Hugh Willard, 69, formerly of Niles, died Sunday night at Rogers, Ark., where she had resided since 1952 with her husband. She had been in ill health for some time.

Born Nov. 2, 1887 in Benton Harbor, she came to Niles when a child and resided here until moving to Arkansas five years ago. The former Madoline[sic] Bruce, she married Hugh Willard May 1, 1916.

Survivors are her husband; two sons, George and Edwin Willard, both of Niles, four daughters, Mrs. Harold Johnson, Kalamazoo; Mrs. George Huntly, Rogers, Ark.; Mrs. John Kuehn and Mrs. Frank Bolinger, both of Niles; 10 grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Chester Hollenbeck, and a brother, Earl Bruce, both of Niles.

Friends may call after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. N.A. Sundwall, pastor of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.