Obituaries

Eugene Phillips
March 28, 1948-Nov. 15, 2022

Published on Palmer Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Eugene Phillips, age 74, born March 28, 1948, in Fort Deposit, Alabama, transitioned from this life on Friday, November 15, 2022.  He resided in South Bend, Indiana since the age of 2 years old.

Eugene’s beloved parents Cora and Samuel Phillips, preceded him years earlier when they were called home by God.

Eugene was unique. He once drove to Mexico for a short vacation and came home with a wife, Minerva Banos. They are now divorced. They had two sons; Bryce and Alan Phillips, who he loved unconditionally.  Eugene would smile from ear to ear when talking about his grandson, Alan, being taller than him and watching him play football along with his brother Samuel.  His granddaughter, Ayrieana, was cherished by him and he called her his “Princess.”  His sons and grandchildren were the joy of his life.

The only way to describe Eugene as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother is to say, “He was the best!”

Eugene was a gentle, loving, caring, and easy-going person.  He never made problems for anyone. If anyone needed his help, he would extend all that he had to them and he made sure that they had everything that they needed.

However, there is a lot more to Eugene’s story.

As a young boy, Eugene was baptized at the Holiness Church of God and Christ. He had a paper route that he enjoyed very much and he enjoyed earning his own money. In high school, his love for math led him to an architectural job which came to a halt because soon after he graduated from Central High School he went off to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

When he was honorably discharged from the army, he began working for the Bendix Corporation as a custodian where he retired after many years of faithful service.   

Eugene had many interests and talents during his lifetime.  He was a talented mechanic, horse-back rider, and he raised and trained hunting dogs. He had a dog named Rusty at one time that he loved and adored. He was a hunter and an expert shooter with a gun and rifle. He was a real frontier kind of guy!  His most recent hobby was the joy of playing card games on the internet especially Bid whist. Franky's and Martin's and Popeye's chicken were some of his favorite foods.

Eugene leaves behind the love of his life Minerva Banos, their two sons Bryce and Alan Phillips; daughter-in-law, Deyonna Buchanan; his grandchildren Alan Jr., Samuel, Ayrieana, Marlese and Michael; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Barbara Lark Jones, Margaret (Prince) Phillips Legree, Elaine Phillips Minks, Christine (Phillip) Phillips Williams, and a host of relatives and friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Palmer Funeral Home - West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend. Additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the services.

Margie Pointer, of South Bend
Oct. 5, 1935-Oct. 25, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:56 am Friday, October 28, 2022

Margie Pointer, 87, of South Bend, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Margilean Marzetta Pointer

Margilean "Margie" Marzetta Pointer, 87, of South Bend, passed away at her home on October 25, 2022.

Margie was born on October 5, 1935, to the late Oral and Hazel (Goble) Pointer in Parma, Missouri.

She worked at Penny Saver Grocery for many years and loved spending time with her friends and family.  Margie and her sister were champion roller-skaters as well.

Margie is preceded in death by her parents, Oral and Hazel; and siblings, Geneva Pears, Joyce Vaughn, Glen Pointer, and Genetta Stark.

She is survived by her friend and caregiver, Shauntae Neealy of South Bend; one daughter; and many nieces and nephews.

Margie will be buried near her family at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Dr. Irwin Simpson
May 9, 1843*-March 30, 1901

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, March 30, 1901, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DR SIMPSON DEAD
Once a Noted Physician Stricken With Paralysis

At noon today, Dr. Irwin Simpson passed beyond, at his rooms in the Babcock building, corner of Main and Third streets.

Last Thursday his most intimate friends noticed symptoms betokening danger. There was a drag to his walk, and he was heard to fall from his bed to the floor. He was aided to the last moment, being the recipient of the best attention by friends.

Death was caused by apoplexy, with paralysis of the entire right side.

Dr. Simpson was at one time a leading physician of this place. He studied medicine first with Dr. Reading,and was a most able physician and competent surgeon.

He was 57 years of age. A step-son, Joseph Wilbur, came here this afternoon from Three Rivers and took charge.

Funeral announcement will be placarded at post office.

*DOB from Mich. DC: born May 9, 1843, Port Edward, County Sligo, Ireland, parents James Simpson and Ann (Irwin) Simpson

Sarah C. Snyder
May 19, 1873-May 3, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, May 3, 1961, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Sarah C. Snyder, 87, 1359 Regent St., died at 2:45 a.m. today in Lee Memorial hospital, Dowagiac.

Mrs. Snyder was born May 19, 1873, in Stark County, Oho, and came to Niles since 1910 from Mishawaka, Ind. Her husband, James W. Snyder, preceded her in death on March 23, 1961.

Surviving are: four daughters, Mrs. Vera Danielson, Dowagiac, Mrs. Ray Sweigelson, Deming, N. Mex., Mrs. Ada Reum, Cynthiana, Ky., and Mrs. Leo Weiser, Niles; 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home here with Edward Schantz, minister of the First Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, May 4, 1961, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS: PLAN SPECIAL SERVICES

Niles Circle No, 45 of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Pifer Funeral Home to conduct memorial services of Mrs. Sarah C. Snyder. The Niles Royal Neighbors of America will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Snyder died Wednesday at Lee Memorial Hospital., Dowagiac.

Lulu Stratton
Feb. 23, 1906*-Jan. 7, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, January 8, 1923, page 8, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Lulu Stratton, 17 years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stratton, 545 St. Joseph avenue, died Sunday morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Joseph Graham, 1201 North Front street, where she made her home. Her death following a few days illness with pleurisy. Besides her parents, she is survived by several brothers and sisters. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mrs. Graham's home.

*DOB from Michigan Death Certificate, daughter of Wm. Stratton/Addie Ward.

Laura Eleanor Turner
July 8, 1904-Feb. 13, 1988

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan), Wednesday, February 24, 1988, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Laura Eleanor Turner, a former Niles resident, died Feb. 13 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Home in Park Ridge, Ill.

She was born July 8, 1904 in Southport, Ind. On Sept. 24, 1927 she married Robert Garfield Turner, who died in October, 1976.

Turner was a substitute teacher for the Niles schools for several years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as president of the Women's Association. She was a member of the Niles Garden Club, Niles Historical Club, Tri Delta Sorority, Pawating Hospital Volunteers and was a charter member of the Fernwood Nature Center.

Survivors include two daughters, Sue Jacobs of Park Ridge, Ill. And Kay Sukow of Glenwood, Ill.; a sister, Marion Ross; a brother, Gerald Ross; five grandchildren; a great-grandchild and five step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Robert, and a granddaughter, Lori.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, where the Rev. Clayton D. Fairo will officiate. Friends may meet with the family at the church immediately following the service. Interment will be at the Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorials may be give[sic] to Fernwood Nature Center or the First Presbyterian Church.