Donald Jacob Bays, of Niles
Feb. 4, 1952 — June 8, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Thursday, June 12, 2014

Donald Jacob Bays, 62, of Niles, died on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 4, 1952 in Niles to Jacob and Barbara (Pingel) Bays.

Donald Bays

Donald was a 1970 graduate of Niles High School where he participated in the school’s football and baseball teams. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and loved to fish. Donald followed Notre Dame sports and, although he may have complained about his Chicago Cubs, he was a loyal fan.

Surviving family includes son, Shane (Reneé) Bays of Edwardsburg; three grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jersey and Chase; Donald’s parents, Jacob and Barbara Bays of Niles and two sisters, Judith Brockway of Niles and Carol (Lee) Kurty of Niles.

Donald was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Antisdel.

A memorial service for Donald Jacob Bays will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2014, at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg and will be officiated by Rev. Joseph McCormick, O.S.A of the parish. Visitation will be held at the church one hour before services.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Riley Hospital for Children.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Barbara Young Rodebush, of Niles
Sept. 21, 1927 — June 7, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:24am Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Barbara Young Rodebush

Barbara Lou Adams Young Rodebush, 86, of Niles, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 7, 2014, after an extended illness.

She was born on Sept. 21, 1927, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to the late Floyd and Eva Adams. On Feb. 12, 1946, she married Mervin J. Young, who passed away on July 5, 1984. On Jan. 16, 1993, in Niles, she married Johnie A. Rodebush.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Johnie Rosebush, her children and their spouses, K. Joseph and Carol Young of Oxford, Michigan, Bob and Toy Young, Merva and Jim Zaleski, Donna and Ray Corum, Julie and Ray Hartman, all of Niles and Brad and Becky Young of Benton Harbor; daughter-in-law Judy Young, of Niles; stepchildren Vicky Rodebush and Diane Rodebush, both of Niles, and Rob and Susan Rodebush of Hamilton, Ohio.

She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Bill Lingerfelt and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband, Mervin, all of her siblings, Delbert Adams, Olive Line, Don Adams, Bonnie Brady, Kermit Adams, her twin brother Robert Adams, Damon Adams and Sharon Lingerfelt; her stepson, Dennis Young and her grandson, Ryan Hartman, who passed earlier this year.

Barb and Merv owned and operated the Rollaway Skating Rink in Niles. Barbara was a devoted mother and grandmother who deeply loved all of her “younguns.” She was a friend and support to many, especially her “adopted” children.

She loved babies, dogs and cats, cardinals, garage sales, red raspberries, watching birds, lilacs, and the color purple. Her love for the Lord, kind heart, selflessness and sense of humor have left a legacy that will be forever cherished.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at First Church of Christ Christian, 2240 Yankee St., Niles, where Barbara was a member. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Pastor David Szymczak of the church will officiate the funeral service which will take place on Thursday, June 12 at 11 a.m. with visitation prior to that starting at 10 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards at the church.

Memorial contributions in honor of Barbara may be made to the Ryan A. Hartman Memorial Scholarship at Southwestern Michigan College in care of SMC Foundation, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047-9726.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Cass County Medical Care Facility, and the Hanson Hospice Center.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Ellwin L. Coulston, 89, of Niles
Dec. 19, 1923 — Nov. 9, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16am Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Ellwin L. Coulston, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 12:50 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at his home following a brief illness.

Coulston

He was born on December 19, 1923 in Harbor Beach, Mich. to Neil M. and Marion (Ramsey) Coulston. He was graduated from Harbor Beach High School, and enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He served as a Second Lieutenant and Bomber Pilot in the European Theater, and was a Veteran of World War II. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State College (now University) in 1949, and continued with graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame.

He was employed at the former Niles office and the Atlanta, Georgia office of the Kawneer Company for forty years, retiring in 1989.

El served on the Brandywine School Board from 1962 until 1981. He later served on the Greater Niles Recreation Board and City of Niles Planning Commission, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Jaycees and the Lions club. He played tennis, golf and bridge, and enjoyed camping in northern Michigan when his kids were young. He was an artist and craftsman, working in pottery, stained glass, woodcarving and cabinetmaking. Most of the furniture in his house came from his hand in his shop, which also produced pieces for the homes of his children.

On Sept. 13, 1947 in Bad Axe, Mich. he married the former Rucilla Laird with whom he celebrated two months ago the sixty-sixth anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Rucilla Coulston, and their children, Marion (Jim) Maier of Stevensville, Mich., Neil (Trish) Coulston of Niles, Paul (Claire) Coulston of Edwardsburg, Mich., David (Susan) Coulston of Niles and Mark (Cari) Coulston of Eau Claire, Mich.; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

El was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Ann Coulston who died on June 10, 1977 and by a sister, Evelyn and brothers, Melvin, Russell, and Bruce.

The funeral service for Ellwin Coulston will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jan Van Lear of Buchanan officiating. The service will conclude with military honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Burial will be later, privately, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of El may be made to the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels, or to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Lillian I. Tyree, of Niles
Jan 3, 1934 — June 2, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:29am Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lillian I. Tyree, 80, of Niles, died Monday, June 2, 2014, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following a brief illness. She was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Dog Creek, Kentucky and was known to many as “Nanny.”

Lillian Tyree

On Dec. 10, 1948, in Tennessee, Lillian married William L. Tyree, who preceded her in death on July 14, 2009. From their union survives a daughter, Paula (William) Stewart and son William “Larry” Tyree, all of Niles; grandchildren, Paula Gayle Carpenter, Bryan Rucker, Jason Rucker, Kimmy Rucker, Jennifer Rucker, Eric Tyree and Angela O’Haver, Kelley Best; 23 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Lillian’s brothers, Arthur Meredith of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and Melvin Meredith of Cub Run, Kentucky and son-in-law William Rucker of Munfordville, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Tyree, a daughter, Patricia Rucker and many brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Lillian I. Tyree will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home until the time of services on Wednesday.

Donations in memory of Lillian may be made to the organization of choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Shirley A. Pinch, of Niles
Dec. 29, 1936 — June 1, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:30am Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Shirley A. Pinch, 77, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2014, at her home.

Shirley was born on Dec. 29, 1936, to Stanley and Pauline Brumfield in Niles.

On Oct. 23, 1954, she married Gerald Pinch Sr.

Shirley is survived by her children, Gerald (Patricia) Pinch, Jr., Terrie (Herbert) Hubbard, Tracy (Mark) Nichols, Marcy (Dale) Kutz, Melody Bryant and Tammy (Robert) Bertles; sister, Betty Miller, 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gerald Pinch, Sr. in 2005, two brothers, Stanley Brumfield, Jr., Donald Brumfield and grandson Leslie H Scott.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with pastor Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Helen Figley
Aug. 23, 1905-Jan. 9, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 10,1958, page2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Helen Sigley [sic], 52, of Bay City, native of Niles, died at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Bay City Hospital.

Mrs. Sigley was born Aug. 23, 1905, in Niles and moved to Bay City from Buchanan in 1931. Surviving are: her husband, Rever; a son Donald Sigley of Bay City, two daughters,Mrs. Lyle Bisel and Mrs. Richard Wellman,both of Bay City; nine grandchildren; four brothers, Harold, Guy and Bassett Mitchell, all of Niles, and Iva Mitchell, of Dowagiac,and two sisters, Mrs. Kate Hurlbutt, of Buchanan,and Mrs. Gertrude Heater, of Mineral Point, Wis.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday form the Vallender-Tenzien Funeral Home at Bay City. Committal services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery here.

Note: Obituary refers to "Sigley"; however, city records and death record show last name as FIGLEY.