Ruth Elaine Ross, 95
July 2, 1917 Dec. 23, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:02pm Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Ruth Elaine Ross, 95, of South 15th Street in Niles, died on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at the residence of her daughter in Portage, Ind., following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate assistance of the Porter County Visiting Nurse Association during Ruth’s final weeks.

She was born on July 2, 1917, in Dugger, Ind., to James Ernest and Hilda Nellie (Richardson) Ferguson, and was graduated from Dugger High School. She has lived in Niles since 1941, coming from Musselshell, Mont. She was a licensed practical nurse, serving for many years at the Saint Joseph Hospital in South Bend (now Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka).

Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles and a member of the Niles Chapter No. 332, Order of the Eastern Star. She and her husband had traveled extensively throughout the United States. She enjoyed working in her yard, and antiques.

On May 13, 1936, in Dugger she married Joseph N. Ross, who preceded her in death on March 13, 2001. She was also preceded in death by their son, Joseph Leon Ross, who died in 1954; a granddaughter, Sarah Nekvasil, who died Oct. 15, 1993; a great-grandson, Matthew Nekvasil; and Ruth’s brother, Winfred Ferguson.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Ruth Elizabeth Ross of Chicago, Ill., and Norma (and William) Poznanski, of Portage; grandchildren, Rebecca Needham,

Jennifer (and Dennis) Morgan, Nathan (and Angie) Stickney, Eric (and Kristin) Poznanski, Todd (and Roberta) Poznanski and Daniel (and Christine) Poznanski. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Anna Sophia Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, David Nekvasil, Joel Poznanski, Abigail Stickney, Jonathan Stickney, Tia Poznanski, Madison Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, Allison Poznanski and Mandy Poznanski; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Ruth Elaine Ross will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Niles with Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Eastern Star Rites at 6:30 p.m. by Niles Chapter 332. Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to the First Baptist Church, Niles.

Kathleen McCormick, 88
Nov. 3, 1924-Dec. 24, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:15pm Monday, December 24, 2012

Kathleen McCormick, 88, of Missions East in Niles, Mich., died at 4:18 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Mich., following a brief illness.

McCormick

She was born on Nov. 3, 1924 in Muskegon, Mich., to John and Trena (Rose) Boonstra.  She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles most of her life, including many years on Wayne Street.  She was employed in the offices of the former Davis Products.

Kathleen was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and was a member and past president of the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society.  She was a member of the Seepewa Reading Club, and the Class of ’42 reunion committee.  She and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and internationally, always remembering their 50th anniversary in Hawaii as the favorite trip.

On July 17, 1943 in Massachusetts she married Andrew D. McCormick, Jr. who preceded her in death on March 5, 1997.  She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Chad Hildebrand, and by her sisters, Evelyn Mould and Anarose Davis.

Surviving family includes her children, Patricia (& Gerry) Deakin of Shreveport, La., Michael (& Gaye) McCormick of Mattawan, Mich., and Steven (& Kathy) McCormick of Vicksburg, Mich.; grandchildren, Richard (& Jen) Horvat, Paul (& Tracie Uhse) Deakin, Cy (& Marnie) Hildebrand, Seth (& Krysti) Hildebrand, Justin (& Emily) Hildebrand, and Connor McCormick; ten great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Kathleen McCormick will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ray Fulbright of the church officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday.  Contributions in memory of Kathleen may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church; or to the Hope Rescue Mission c/o Hope Ministries, Post Office Box 4488, South Bend, IN 46634.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Ellen Loraine Woodruff, 53
March 24, 1959-Dec. 25, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:35pm Thursday, December 27, 2012

Ellen Loraine Woodruff, 53, of South Bend, Ind., and formerly of Niles, Mich., died at 5:19 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 at Hospice House in South Bend following a brief illness.

She was born on March 24, 1959 in Niles to Walter G. and Ruth E. (Yetter) Woodruff.  She was graduated from Niles High School in 1977, and earned a Bachelors degree from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a Masters degree in early childhood education from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.  She has lived in South Bend since 1992.

Ellen was always employed teaching children, most recently at the Marshall-Starke Schools, and previously at the Children’s Program of the YWCA of Northern Indiana, and at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

She was a member of the Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend.  She was on the founding board of the Vertias Academy Charter School in South Bend.  While her life was devoted to caring for children, her greatest joy was caring for her own children.

She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Woodruff and son, Jacob Woodruff, both of South Bend; and by a sister, Martha (& Charles) Price of Bristol, Ind., and their children, Katie and Zachary Price.

The funeral service for Ellen Woodruff will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, 115 South Frances Street, South Bend with the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick of the church officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Halbritter Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, Niles on Thursday from 5 until 8 p.m., and at Sunnyside Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.  Contributions in memory of Ellen may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, 46637.

Janet A. “Jan” Leggett / 1941-2009
April 9, 1941-March 30, 2009

Niles Daily Star, Published online 1:35am Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Janet A. "Jan" Leggett, 67, of S. Third Street, Niles, died at 9:45 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2009 at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.
She was born on April 9, 1941 in Benton Harbor, to Orville Coffey and Pauline, who preceded her in death.
She was a lifetime Niles resident.
She enjoyed religious music and socializing with others. She had a very outgoing personality.
She is survived by daughters Pauline Jones, Tina Cromwell and Toni Whitman, all of Truman, Ark.; and four grandchildren. She also had one brother and two sisters.
Preceding her in death were sons David and Don Leggett.
Services will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
The Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will take place at Silverbook Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Linda E. Landon
May 9, 1856-Sept. 29, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 30, 1942, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Linda Landon, 86, Dies in Lansing; Service Thursday

Burial rites will be conducted in Silverbrook cemetery Thursday afternoon a 1 for Mrs. Linda E. Landon, 86, native of Niles, who died Tuesday in Lansing. She was former Michigan State college librarian.

Mrs. Landon was born here May 9, 1856, daughter of the late Justice and Jane Carr Vought.  She was graduated from Niles high school and taught two years in Kalamazoo.  Her marriage to the late R.W. Landon, a real estate dealer, was solemnized in 1877.  Mr. Landon died in 1886.

Librarian at Michigan State college from 1891 until her retirement in 1932, Mrs. Landon was popular with students and received the unusual campus tribute of an honorary membership in the Men's Union literary society.

She is survived by one son, Rufus, of Detroit. Another son, Lee, preceded her in death. The body will be brought to Niles after services in the Estes-Leadley funeral home in Lansing Thursday morning at 9.

Hazel Lavon Larson
Jan. 23, 1916-Dec. 20, 1987

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 21, 1987, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Hazel Lavon Larson, 71, Niles, died Sunday at 11:35 a.m. at Silverbrook Manor where she had been a resident.

Born Jan. 23, 1916 in Lima, Ohio, the former homemaker was a lifelong Niles area resident. She was married Aug. 28, 1937 in Buchanan to Walter Larson, who died in 1984.

Surviving relatives include: Two sons, Roger, Niles and Duane, Bridman; six sisters, Nellie Prince, Iva Aldridge and Betty Krassow, all of Niles; Goldie Stickovich, Mishawaka, Ind.; Bernice Cherryholmes, Charlotte, M.C.; and Crystal Rossow, Kokomo, Ind.; two brothers, Elwood Hemphill, Niles and Harry Hemphill, South Bend, Ind.; and two grandchildren.

Services are Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, the Rev. Russell Ross, First Church of Christ Christian officiating.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call today from 6 to 9 p.m.