Obituaries

Walter Nelson Sr.
Sept. 12, 1907-Nov. 4, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 7, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Walter Nelson Sr., 91, of 2345 S. 17th St., Niles, are Monday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home by the Rev. W.L. Daniel of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Nelson died Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 12, 1907, in Pickins, Ark., and lived here since 1944, coming from Arkansas.

In January 1930 in Dermott, Ark., he married the former Lucinda Neal, who survives.

Nelson was a member of the United Auto Workers, He retired from Clark Equipment Co., Buchanan, in 1973 after 30 years of service.

Nelson loved baseball and was involved in the Negro League, playing against Satchel Paige. He turned down an opportunity to play with the Boston Red. Socks.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two sons, Walter Nelson Jr., West Borough, Mass., and John Nelson of Dorchester, Mass; two daughters, Theresa Nelson and Lorine Nelson, both of Milwaukee, Wis.; a son, Robert Earl Nelson of Milwaukee; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Wagner of Milwaukee.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sickle-Cell Foundation.

Harry Parks
Dec. 1, 1911-Nov. 25, 1998

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

Harry Parks, 86, Horton Court, Niles, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of an illness.

Arrangements are being completed at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Harry L. Parks, 86, 2722 Horton Court, Niles, will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Pastor Brad Lomax of Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Parks died Wednesday at 8:17 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, following a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 1, 1911, in Niles, and was a lifetime area resident.

In Oct. 1934 he married the former Hazel Laura Parks, who preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 1997.

Parks had retired in 1965 after 33 years with Shipper's Dispatch, South Bend, Ind.

He was a member of B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge no. 1322 and the Eagles Lodge, South Bend.

Parks was also preceded in death by a son, James L. Parks, on Oct. 4, 1994.

Surviving family includes a son, Donald H. Parks of Niles; a sister, Florence Barry of Houston, Texas; and five grandchildren, Michael Parks of South Bend, Donna Jo Parks of South Bend, Sierra Parks of Niles, Gena Heatherington of Houston,and Joanie McMillan of Estacada. Ore.

Visitation will be Monday  from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Josephine E. Reed
Oct. 27, 1906-Nov. 23, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Graveside services for Josephine E. Reed, 92, 2314 Zoysia Lane, North Fort Myers, Fla., will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, by Rev. Al Bastin of Saint John's United Church of Christ.

Mrs. Reed died Monday, Nov. 23, at 9:56 a.m. at Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, Fla., of natural causes.

She was born Oct. 27, 1906 in Niles. She had lived in Niles most of her life, spending several years in Wisconsin before moving to Florida.

In 1927, she married William Reed, who preceded her in death in 1976.

Mrs. Reed had worked for many years at the former Wonderland Discount Store, Niles, and had also worked for many years at Bendix.

She was also preceded in death by three sons, Frederick Reed, William Reed, and Kenneth Reed; four sisters, Myrtle Eisele, Edna Wadel, Mary Smothermon, and Bernice Campbell; and two infant siblings, Mabel and Harry Reed.

Surviving family includes three step-daughters, Katherine Sorrels of Elkhart, Ind., Martha Wiese of Niles, and Virginia Marshall of St. Cloud, Fla.; 39 grandchildren; and 30-plus great-grandchildren.

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

Larry A. Trussell
March 3, 1980-Dec. 24, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 28, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Larry A. Trussell, 18, 424 1/2 East Division Street, Dowagiac, will be Tuesday at 1 p.m.  at First United Methodist Church, Dowagiac, by the Rev. Terry L. Neumayer of Diamond Cove Missionary Church. Neumayer is Chaplain for the Cass County Sheriff's Department.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Trussell died Thursday at 8:25 p.m. at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, of injuries from a house fire.

He was born March 8, 1980, in Niles.  He had lived in Dowagiac most of his life.

Trussell enjoyed caring for animals and gardening.

Surviving family includes his parents, Larry R. and Debra A. Trussell; a sister, Lora Ann Whitaker of Dowagiac; two brothers, James Michael Trussell and Benjamin Allen Trussell; and his grandmother, Helen Trussell of Dowagiac.

Friends may call Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

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

Welton W. Whitaker
Feb. 2, 1993-Dec. 23, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 28, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Welton W. "Welty" Whitaker, 5, 414 1/2 East Division Street, Dowagiac, will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Dowagiac, by the Rev. Terry L. Neumayer of Diamond Dove Missionary Church. Neumayer is Chaplain of the Cass County Sheriff's Department.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Whitaker died Wednesday morning at his home of injuries from a house fire.

He was born Feb. 2, 1993, in Berrien Center. He had lived in Dowagiac all his life.

He was attending kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School, Dowagiac.

Surviving family includes his parents, Lora and and Wendell Whitaker of Dowagiac; two brothers, Austin Wade Whitaker and Xavier Robert Whitaker of Dowagiac; grandparents, Larry and Debra Trussell of Dowagiac, Wade Whitaker of Bangor and May Millrick of Grand Junction, and great-grandparents, Helen Trussell and Welton Whitaker of Dowagiaac.

Friends may call Monday from 6 - 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

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

Lena Dell Green
February 19, 1916 - April 30, 1983

Lena Dell Green, 67, of 1222 Merrifield St., Niles, died April 30 at home following a lengthy illness.
She was born Feb. 19, 1916 in Beechgrove, Tenn. and had lived in the area most of her life.

She was a retiree of Franky's Restaurant.

She married Wilburn B. Green on Feb. 14, 1932 in Beechgrove, Tenn.  He survives.

Also surviving are:  two daughters, Mrs. Helen Barnum and Mrs. Linda Mark, both of Niles; a son Bronell R. Green of Niles; two brothers, James Ewell of Tenn., and William Ewell of Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Lola Lewis of Tenn., and Mrs. Sara Lewis of Tenn.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.  The Rev. David Henderson of the Westminster Presbyterian Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.