Obituaries

Blanche Palmer
Dec. 1, 1886-July 30, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 30, 1944, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

BLANCHE PALMER STRICKEN SUNDAY

Mrs. Blanche Palmer, 57, who had been ill since June 26, died Sunday morning at 7 in her home at 1120 Silverbrook avenue. Born in Hanover, Dec. 1, 1886, Mrs. Palmer came to Niles from Grand Rapids in 1916.

Surviving are Mrs. Palmer's mother, Mrs. Jennie Brand; a daughter, Mrs. Helen Monroe, Niles; a son, Alger Palmer, Niles; four grandchildren; two brothers, Clayton and Gordon Alger, Niles; and a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Stignor, Kalamazoo.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 2:30 Tuesday by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster. Burial will be in Silverbrook.

Jill Peterson
Aug. 13, 1944-Aug. 15, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 16, 1944, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Peterson Baby Dies; Burial Thursday

Jill Peterson, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Peterson, Route 4, died in Pawating hospital Tuesday afternoon at 4.

Surviving, besides the parents, are a brother, Jon Peterson, and a sister, Jane Peterson.

Committal services will be held Thursday morning at 10 in Silverbrook cemetery.

Capt. Harry L. Walters
Feb. 27, 1918-Oct. 23, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 30, 1944, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Walters, Killed in Air, Awarded Cluster to Medal

Capt. Harry L. Walters, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Walters, 1525 Huron street, has been posthumously awarded a bronze Oak Leaf cluster in lieu of an additional Air medal.

A fighter pilot in the army air corps, Captain Walters was killed Oct. 23, 1943, over Choiseul island in the southwest Pacific.

He had shot down four planes, three of them float planes, bagged in one battle.

Harold C. Remus, 96, of Niles
July 8, 1917 — Jan. 6, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:57am Thursday, January 9, 2014

Harold C. “Red” Remus, age 96 years formerly of Regent Street in Niles, Michigan died at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on July 8, 1917 in Oil City, Pennsylvania to Harry F. and Genevieve Renee (Huff) Remus. He earned a Bachelor’sdegree from Emmanuel Missionary College in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and a Master’s degree in education from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He was employed by Niles Community Schools at Eastside School, retiring in 1977. He then began working in real estate and tax reviews.

Harold attended First Baptist Church in Niles and was a member of Toastmasters International. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army. He enjoyed reading history, religion, and poetry; and collecting books.

He was first married to the former Gwendolyn McCandles. Later, on Jan. 11, 1963 in Niles he married the former Sarah A. “Sally” (Osmer) Johnson with whom he celebrated the forty-first anniversary of their wedding before she preceded him in death on March 31, 2004. He was also preceded in death by a son, Gary Remus who died in 2007, a step-son, David Johnson, Ph.D. who died in 2000; and a brother, John Remus.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Linda (and Dennis) Wilson of Niles; a daughter-in-law, Lana (Mrs. Gary) Remus of Berrien Springs; step-sons James H. (and Sandra) Johnson, Ph.D. of Tennessee and Gary T. (and Jan) Johnson, Ph.D. of Richmond, Virginia; eleven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and Harold’s sisters, Ardell Shreckengost of Oregon, Jane Teeter (John’s twin) of Oil City, and Connie Hagan of Springfield, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Harold Remus will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating. The service will conclude with full military honors in the churchyard by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post No. 26. Interment will be on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Harold always supported efforts to defeat Alzheimer’s Disease, which affected Sally, and to honor his wish, contributions in memory of Harold may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

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.