Shirley D. Purdy, 67, of Niles
June 8, 1946 — Dec. 29, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:51am Thursday, January 2, 2014

Shirley D. Purdy, age 67 years of Niles, Mich. died at 7:48 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

Purdy

She was born on June 8, 1946 in Coloma Township, Michigan to Loyd and Ellen Lavinia (Mullen) Tenison. She was graduated from Brandywine High School, and has lived here most of her life. She has been a home health care aide for many, and has been a bartender at several area clubs.

Shirley was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post #26 and the former VFW Post in Niles. She was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094 in Niles. She enjoyed camping with her family at area resorts, and loved being “Mom” or “Nana” to her children and grandchildren and all of their friends.

She was first married to Raymond Brown, and later married to Kenneth Purdy, who preceded her in death on July 2, 2012. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Deana Holmes-Purdy on Jan. 24, 2005, a son, Gary Brown on August 27, 2010; and by his parents and a brother, Lary Tenison.

Surviving family includes his sons, Raymond Brown, Jr. and Michael (Jody) Purdy, both of Niles; grandchildren Brandi, Dustin, Kenny, Britney, Vanessa, Gary, Jr., Sasha, Michael, Jr., and Casey; great-grandchildren Dusty, Owen, Carter, Steven, Emma Lilly, Adeline, and Landon; and Shirley’s sisters, Kathy Dillman, Joan Panovzo, Donna Tenison, Judy Tenison, brother, Looyd Tenison; many nieces and nephews; and her companion, Ron Lindsley.

The funeral service for Shirley Purdy will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Del Fehsenfeld of Niles officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m. Contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Kathleen Ann Marsh, 66, of Niles
Sept. 26, 1947 — Dec. 30, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:48am Friday, January 3, 2014

Kathleen Ann Marsh, age 66 years of Niles, Mich. died at 8:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on Sept. 26, 1947 in Niles to LaVerne Bennett and Kathryn Mary (Kapp) Guyott. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1966 and has lived in Niles all of her life. She was employed at the former Simplicity Pattern Company plant in Niles for over twenty years, retiring in 1987.

Kathleen enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and had a remarkable memory for birthdates and anniversaries.

She was married on Jan. 23, 1971 in Niles to Bruce E. Marsh with whom she celebrated last year the forty-second anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Bruce Marsh and their sons, Todd Marsh and Corey Marsh, both of Niles; and Kathleen’s brother Tom (& Sharon) Guyott of Niles and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Kathryn Guyott and by a sister, Sharon Reaves.

The funeral service for Kathleen Marsh will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at Hope Community Church in Niles with the Rev. Ron Smith of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions inmemory of Kathleen may be made to Hope Community Church.

Donald William Ellingson, 85, of Niles
April 21, 1928 — Jan. 14, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:30am Friday, January 17, 2014

Donald William Ellingson, 85, of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 14, 2014.

Don was born April 21, 1928, in Chicago to Charles and Frances (Benson) Ellingson. He graduated from Chicago’s South Shore High School in 1946. He was a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Mary Dowling, on September 29, 1951, in Chicago. In 1955 they moved to 13th Street in Niles where they lived for the remainder of their lives, constructing several additions to their house as the family grew.

Don was a devoted husband and father and together with Mary raised three children, Sue, Kathy, and Tom. Over the years, Don and Mary took in several young people and provided a loving home for anyone going through troubled times. Don was well-known for his sense of humor, good practical jokes, and annual talking pumpkin.

Don was preceded in death in 2010 by his wife Mary (Dowling) Ellingson, after 58 years of marriage. He is survived by children Susan Ellingson (John Schafer) of Madison, Wisconsin, Kathleen Ellingson of Niles, and Thomas Ellingson (Donna) of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren Eric, Tara, Jenny, Liz, Courtney, Daniel, and Jon; great-grandchildren Eli, Luke, Nataleigh, and Ayverie; and a brother, James Ellingson (Jan) of Wheaton, Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at his house in Niles on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Richard Misner, Sr., 85, of Niles
April 21, 1928 — Jan. 15, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:32am Friday, January 17, 2014

Richard Misner, Sr., 85, residing in Niles, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, following a brief illness. He was born April 21, 1928, in Niles, Michigan to William & Myrtle (Smith) Misner. On Aug. 30, 1947, he married the former MaryLou Lucker, who preceded him in death on March 16, 2012.

Richard served in the United States Army during the post-World War II era and was a lifetime member of the New Apostolic Church in Niles.

Surviving family includes son Richard Misner, Jr. of Cassopolis, daughter Linda (Paul) Wogatzke of New Carlisle, Indiana, granddaughter Angela (Keith) Knight of Granger, grandson Paul Wogatzke, Jr. of New Carlisle, and great grandchildren Tyler and Nicholas Knight.

Richard was preceded in death by wife MaryLou, parents William and Myrtle Misner, brothers Willard and Leonard Misner, and sisters Almeada Wolkins, Alberta Mihills, and Eva Hall.

Funeral services for Richard Misner, Sr. will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at the New Apostolic Church in Niles with Rev. Michael Sirovica officiating. Interment will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to services at the church.

Donations in memory of Richard may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or to the organization of choice.

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

Mark Miller, 54, of Niles
Sept. 16, 1959 — Jan. 21, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:28am Thursday, January 23, 2014

Mark Miller, 54, of Niles, passed away at his home, unexpectedly, of natural causes, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1959 to Herbert and Mary Lou (Brown) Miller in Niles, Mich.

Mark graduated from Brandywine High School in 1978 and went on to attend Southwest Michigan College where he earned his Associates Degree in Marketing. Mark was a Customer Service Account Representative for Key Bankthroughout the Michiana area.

He enjoyed feeding the birds outside of his home. Mark was a sports enthusiast and spent his spare time watching Notre Dame, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and a totally devoted Chicago Cubs fan.

Mark is survived by his parents, Herbert and Mary Lou Miller of Niles; siblings Daryl (Laura) Miller of Elkhart, Indiana, Teri (Gary) Cooper of Niles, Steve (Donna) Miller of Ocklawaha, Florida and Scott Miller of Niles along with 17 nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Moore officiating. Mark will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Mark 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 of Niles.

Mary E. Hinkle
Jan. 10, 1868-May 24, 1938

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 24, 1938, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MARY HINKLE CLAIMED BY DEATH

Resident of Niles 30 Years Dies at Home of Daughter

Mrs. Mary E. Hinkle, 70, of 701 Sycamore street, did at 2:45 o'clock this morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jack Mitchell, five miles south of Niles on Dixie highway.

A resident of Niles for 30 years, Mrs. Hinkle had been in ill health for several months. Her condition became serious about five weeks ago.

Born in Pulaski county, Ind., Jan. 10, 1868, Mrs. Hinkle was married to Jerry Hinkle, who died nine years ago.

Beside her daughter at whose home she died, Mrs. Hinkle leaves four other daughters, Mrs. Fred Norris, Mt. Clemens; Mrs. Alfred Myers, Grase Creek, Ind.; Mrs. William Leach, Chicago, and Mrs. Bruce Fisher, South Bend; also a son, Ira Hinkle, Niles.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete, but friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 25, 1938, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HINKLE SERVICES

The Rev. Lynn  Booth, of Roseland Community church, will conduct funeral services at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home for Mrs. Mary E. Hinkle, 70.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Hinkle died Tuesday morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jack Mitchell, five miles south of Niles on US-31.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 26, 1938, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVE AS PALLBEARERS

Leland Mahoney, Virgil Nass, David Hickerson, George Walsh, George Moorhouse and George Brown served as pallbearers at 2 o'clock this afternoon for the funeral services of Mrs. Mary C. Hinkle, 70.  The rites were conducted in the Rutherford funeral home by the Rev. Lynn booth. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.