Lindsey Jo-Erin Cloutier, of Niles
Feb. 27, 1983 — May 1, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Monday, May 5, 2014

Lindsey Cloutier

Lindsey Jo-Erin (Drake) Cloutier, 31, of Niles, passed away while surrounded by her husband, family and friends at 12:37 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014, eastern standard time after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.

Lindsey was born on Feb. 27, 1983, in Simi Valley, Calif.

She was a happy child who started learning at a young age. By 15 months old she spoke in fluent sentences. At the age of 16 Lindsey was diagnosed with leukemia.

While in high school she missed over one year of her schooling due to her health. She was so determined to graduate on time that when she was feeling better she went to school full-time during the day and then full-time at night, and graduated with her classmates in 2001 from Niles High School.

Lindsey attended Southwestern Michigan College, where she earned an award for her writing abilities. After high school she worked for some years in the food service industry, which culminated in her supervisory position at Knollwood Country Club’s banquet facility.

Four years ago, she met her work family at Leader Publications where she was employed as an Outside Advertising Sales Representative. She customized advertising for and formed friendly relationships with many of the local business owners in Niles and Buchanan.

Lindsey was an inspiration to many in the area, personally and professionally. On June 6, 2010, Lindsey wed the love of her life, Daniel Cloutier, at a beautifully unique outdoor ceremony at the Inn at the Old Republic in New Carlisle, Ind.

Lindsey had a vivacious spirit and quickly made friends. She often noted that she made “insta-friends.” She loved camping, festivals, traveling and going on vacations, spending time in nature, kayaking, tie-dye, arts, crafting, flowers and gardening, peace signs, family time and even quiet time at home, especially if it was spent with her loving husband and dogs or Xai and Jay.

Lindsey will also be remembered for her no-drama attitude and love for all things comedy and light-hearted.

Lindsey was a fan of all music. Her musical taste ranged from Jay-Z and Janet Jackson to Paul Simon and Mumford and Sons, and she most recently discovered EDM.

She is preceded in death by the man whom she called “Dad” and loved dearly, Papa Mark Asmus; her uncle, Leonard Drake; paternal grandparents Charles and Ruth (Richardson) Drake; father-in-law Thomas Cloutier and her two pet dogs Cameo and Ella.

Lindsey is survived by her husband Daniel “Dan” Cloutier of Niles; mother Patresa “Patt” Shelton of Niles; father Charles “Chuck” Drake of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Alison (Betsy Lucal) Moss of South Bend, Ind.; niece Jaymeson Janerin Moss of South Bend; nephew Xavier Logan-Joseph Moss of South Bend; maternal grandparents James and Betty (Kasper) Shelton of Granger, Ind.; paternal grandparents Leon and Carolyn (Sellers) Asmus of Niles; mother-in-law Sharon Cloutier of Niles; many aunts, uncles, extended family members and the best groups of friends a girl could have.

Lindsey will also be missed by her two dogs Wiley Joe and Luna.

A time to celebrate Lindsey’s courageous life was held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 with a time of visitation for family and friends. Lindsey’s family asked that attendees support Lindsey by not wearing formal attire, but instead dressing in bright colors, purple and tie-dye.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Lindsey’s name may do so to Riley’s Hospital for Children located at 705 Riley Hospital Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202; Ronald McDonald House of Indiana located at 435 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202; Make-a-Wish Foundation located at 7330 Woodland Dr., Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46278; or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, located at P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, all of which helped Lindsey and her family during her time of need.

Those wishing to leave a message for her family, upload a photo of Lindsey or send a message of condolence may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Meta Cusick, 89, of Niles
Died March 4, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:06am Friday, March 14, 2014

Donald Edward Britton, 41
Oct. 1, 1971-Feb. 21, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:02pm Sunday, February 24, 2013

Donald Edward Britton, 41, of Lewis Drive, Niles, died on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1971, in Buchanan, to Donald Gene and Gloria Joan (Cordell) Britton.

Britton

Donald owned Britton’s Painting Company and painted many houses in the Niles area.  He most recently worked for Fabco Inc. in Buchanan.  Donald enjoyed playing bingo, horseshoes and fishing.  He loved spending time with his family, whether it was gathering for a cookout or a friendly debate about sports.  He especially loved every minute spent with his only granddaughter.

Donald is survived by his children, Jessica (and Derrick) Smith, of Mishawaka, Ind., Christopher Lintz of Conroe, Texas, Bradley Ritchie and Dakota Green, both of Niles; and one granddaughter, Mackenzie Smith.  Donald is also survived by his parents, Donald and Gloria Britton; sister, Gayla (Bo) Zimmerman; and two nephews, Dustin (Katie) Zimmerman and Jeremy Zimmerman, all of Niles.

Funeral services for Donald Edward Britton will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Jeff Oliver officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 p.m. until the time of service.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Eva Lena Bright, of Niles
Sept. 5, 1946 — April 28, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:18am Friday, May 2, 2014

Eva Lena Bright, 67, of Niles, died on Monday morning, April 28, 2014, at her home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

She was born on Sept. 5, 1946, in Duechars, Indiana, to Willie A. and Mary E. (Parks) Wallbrown. She was graduated from Leavenworth (Indiana) High School, and had attended Oakland City (Indiana) University. She was first employed as a civilian at the United States Army Post at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and later by the Indiana Census Bureau.

In 1986, she moved to Niles, and was employed at the Prime Table Restaurant.

Eva attended Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Niles. She enjoyed writing poetry and reading mysteries. Her greatest joy was her role as a mother and grandmother to the families in her neighborhood.

On April 4, 1987 in Leavenworth she married Donald W. Bright, Jr. with whom she celebrated three weeks ago the twenty-seventh anniversary of their wedding. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Wallbrown of Leavenworth; a brother, Ronnie Wallbrown of English, Indiana and sister, Ruth Faye (Michael) Watson of Central, Indiana; several nieces and nephews; and an aunt, Lena Mae Parks Cox of Leavenworth.

She was preceded in death by her father, Willie A. Wallbrown, and by a sister-in-law, Vera Culbertson (Mrs. Ronnie) Wallbrown; and by two nephews.

The funeral service for Eva Bright will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fletcher McAfee of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church officiating assisted by Eva’s nephew, the Rev. Travis Wallbrown of the Hilltop Pentecost Church in Bedford, Indiana. Burial will be private on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at noon on Saturday at the funeral home.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Ronald L. Marriott, 69
Died March 13, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:07pm Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Ricky Allen Pratt, of South Bend, Indiana
March 29, 1958 — May 5, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:22am Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Ricky Allen Pratt, 56, of South Bend, Indiana and former long-time resident of Niles, Michigan, died at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2014, at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on March 29, 1958, in San Jose, California to Allen L. and Alice M. (Hargreaves) Pratt. He attended school in Lemoore, California, Woodbridge, Virginia and South Bend Clay High School before settling in Niles in 1977. He was an over-the-road truck driver, and had been employed at Celadon Trucking, Werner Enterprises and the Ryder System.

Rick enjoyed woodworking in his home shop, and was a talented cabinetmaker. Many members of his family are proud to have furniture made by Rick.

He was preceded in death by his father, Allen who died on Dec. 26, 2011.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Heather (Johnathan) Carter and Michelle (Jason) Law, both of Scottsville, Kentucky; grandchildren Johnathan Carter II, T.J. Carter, Brittney Law, Abby Law, and Payton Law; Rick’s mother, Alice Pratt of Niles; his sister, Sheila Mazingo of Cassopolis, Michigan and brother, Michael Leroy Pratt of Niles; aunts Elaine (Lawson) Whitfield, Betty (Larry) Vance; Joan Walton, Helen (& Ron) “Cookie” Bucha, and Charlene Chew; an uncle, Abraham “Skeeter” Hargreaves; many nieces and nephews; and a companion, Merri Miller of South Bend.

The funeral service for Rick Pratt will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at Noon on Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Rick may be made to The Center for Hospice Care.

www.halbritterfunerals.com