Obituaries

S.A. "Tex" Brett
Oct. 31, 1920-Dec. 26, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 30, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for S.A. "Tex" Brett, 78, 915 Cedar Street, Niles, will be Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 F. and A.M.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Brett died Saturday at 11:45 a.m at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.

He was born Oct. 31, 1920 in London, Texas. He had lived here since 1964, coming from Three Rivers.

On June 11, 1952, in Crown Point, Ind., he married the former Zelda M. Godrey, who survives.

Brett retired in 1990 as Manager of City of Niles Board of Public Works after 27 years.

He had a B.S. degree from Anderson College and a B.S. degree from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering.

Brett was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.

He was a life member and twice served as president of the Michigan Municipal Electrical Association.

Brett initiated electrical co-oping with other municipalities providing electricity (eventually Indiana and Michigan Municipal Distributors Association).

Twenty years ago, he began using space cable (i.e. able to withstand weight loads) in the City of Niles.

He was also instrumental in providing a double loop system capable of reversing electrical flow to minimize power outages in a geographic area.

Brett successfully assisted the city of Niles in a multi-million dollar litigation settlement against another power provided.

He was a member of the National Professional Engineering Society and the National Society of Electrical Engineers.

Brett was also a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, K-12 Knights Templar, Blue Lodge, Niles shrine Club, Saladin Shrine Club of Grand Rapids, and American Legion Headquarters Post No. 225, Indianapolis, Ind.

Surviving family also includes three daughters, Linda Brett of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Dawn Rowden of Bisbee, Ariz., and Susan Philips of Niles; a son, Richard Brett of Mishawaka, Ind.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Untied Methodist Church, Niles.

E. Arlene Britton
Dec. 2, 1917-Nov. 4, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 5, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

E. Arlene Britton, 80, formerly of 1128 Silverbrook St., Niles, will be cremated with the burial of her remains following at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

She died Wednesday at 4:40 a.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Berrien Center of natural causes.

She was born Dec. 2, 1917 in Niles.

She was a homemaker.

Sylvia Louise Classon
Nov. 22, 1935-Dec. 23, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 29, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Sylvia Louise Classon, 63, 1919 South Third Street, Niles, will be Wednesday at 1 p.m.  at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, by the Rev. Alfred Deeds of Bethel Apostolic tabernacle.

Mrs. Classon died Thursday at 8:50 a.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes.

She was born Nov. 22, 1935, in Peoria, Ill.  She had lived here for 20 years, coming from Los Angeles, Calif.

On May 6, 1956, in Arvada, Colo., she married Robert Classon, who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Classon was a homemaker.

Survivng family includes two sons, Carl Classon and David Classon of Niles; three daughters, Marie Lott of Niles, Mary Lou Horton of Edwardsburg, and Patrica Blakely of Elizabethtown, Ky.; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Thelma L. Corey
Nov. 12, 1920-Nov. 23, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 25, 1998, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Thelma L. Corey, 78, 1525 Huron Street, Niles, will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, by the Rev. Lenard Bailey of Church of the Nazarene, Buchanan.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Corey died at home Monday at 8:20 p.m. at home of natural causes.

She was born Nov. 12, 1920 in Hadley.

On Aug. 23, 1941, in Buchanan, she married Robert E. Corey, who survives.

Mrs. Corey was a housewife and a member of First Church of the Nazarene.

Also survivng are a son, Robert A. Corey of Fruitland, Md.; two daughters, Linda J. Bursley and Brenda J. Skinner of Niles; a sister, Mary Uhl of Glendale, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services on Monday.

Jane E. Cousins
Nov. 8, 1914-Dec.  24, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 28, 1998, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The family of Jane E. Cousins, 84, 1400 Old Sauk Trail, Niles, will gather privately for services.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Cousins died Thursday at 3:02 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, of natural causes.

She was born Nov..  8, 1914 in Howard Township. She was a lifetime resident of the area.

On Dec. 30, 1933, in Three Oaks, she married Lee B. Cousins, who survives. This Wednesday would have been the 65th anniversary of that marriage.

She as a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles.

Mrs. Cousins was preceded in death by a sister, Marian Gravenstein.

Survivors also include two sons, Dean L. Cousins of Milford, ind., and James A Cousins of Buchanan; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Thomas Gail Dipert
June 18, 1946-Nov. 24, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 27, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Thomas Gail Dipert, 52, 2203 Burton Road, Niles, will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, by Chaplain Terry Neumayer.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Dipert died Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Lawson Park, Cassopolis, of an apparent heart attack.

He was born June 18, 1946, in South Bend, Ind. He had lived in this area his lifetime.

Dipert had married the former Rosie Lewandowski.

He was an estimator at Big C Lumber.

Dipert was Marine Veteran, serving during the Vietnam war. He was a member of VFW Post no 5315 and Peacock Post, Baldwin.

Surviving family includes his parents, Gail Dipert of Wellston and Minnie Hahn of Irons; a son, Sean Dipert of Niles; a daughter, Carmen Koselak of South Bend; a sister, Susan Moore of Irons; and two grandchildren.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of services at Hoven Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.