Elaine Estrid Metzger
May 29, 1953 — July 20, 2025

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Elaine Estrid Metzger was born on May 29, 1953 to Martin and Geri Flink and grew up in Park Forest, Illinois. She graduated from St Francis School of Nursing with an RN degree and began working in Indianapolis, where she met her future husband, Dan who was a medical student at the time. They were wed on September 18, 1977. After Dan did a Family Practice residency in South Bend, they moved to work at a remote small hospital in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where they served for 6 years. Elaine served in various capacities and was dearly loved by nationals and fellow missionaries. Upon retiring from the mission field, they moved to Niles, Michigan in 1990.

Besides being a homemaker and homeschool mom to their son, she was also Board President and later Interim Director of our local crisis pregnancy center (currently LifePlan). She also served as crew nurse for a 6 month stint on the Mercy Ship, was past director of Women's Ministry at Summit Church, and held various offices including President of the Four Flags Garden Club. The past several years, she has also worked as a nurse at Southwestern Medical Clinic in the same office as her husband. In spite of all her drive and accomplishments, she was never happier than when she was putzing around in her gardens or hiking with her husband and friends.

She passionately loved her Lord Jesus and was eager to share the Good News about Him with whomever was willing to listen. Several women have grown in their faith through her mentoring.

Having enjoyed good health for most of her 72 years, it came as a surprise when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in May for which there is not currently any good treatment options. The family is grateful for the compassionate and helpful care provided by Hospice.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel; their son Jonathan; her brother Steve (Cathy) Flink; brother-in-law Harry (Catherine Metzger) and their wonderful children and grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Halbritter/Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, Niles from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Services will take place in Summit Church, 1700 W River Rd, Niles the next day, Thursday July 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to Lifeplan crisis pregnancy center, though "flowers will be welcome".

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, Niles. Please share a memory or a message online: halbritterwickens.com.

Richard C. Binns, Sr.
January 14, 1934 — July 7, 2025

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Richard Carlisle Binns, Sr., age 91 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, machinist, and lawn perfectionist died peacefully at 2:10 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness. His family is grateful for all the healthcare professionals who enabled Richard to remain at home until the last few days.

He was born on January 14, 1934 in Niles to Clem C. and Pauline V. (Hartzell) Binns, and attended Niles Community Schools. He was a talented machinist, and was first employed in the shops of the former Niles plant of the Kawneer Corporation. At 21-years-old, he built his house – just 2 blocks away from his parents - where he would reside the rest of his life. After Kawneer closed, he was then employed in the family business, Cass Tool & Die in Cassopolis, Michigan until it closed, and he was retired from the Bud’s Machine Corporation in South Bend, Indiana.

Richard was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. He was well-known for the quality of lawncare that he practiced at home, edging the pavement with the precision of a machinist. He also enjoyed maintaining a flower garden, with special care of the pruning and deadheading of the roses, and growing tomatoes. When inside the house, he enjoyed watching old westerns on the television, especially those staring the late actor John Wayne, and he enjoyed the James Bond 007 series, often with a cheeseburger, or potato salad, and sometimes with a peanutbutter and . . . onion sandwich.

On September 8, 1953 in Niles he married the former Marian June Crone, with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable Sixty-nineth Anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on February 24, 2023. They were sadly preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jamie Lynn Binns who died tragically on June 18, 2022. Richard was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jack and Fred, and by a sister, Millie.

Surviving family includes his children, June Wardlaw and Jeanne Reed, both of Niles, Barbara Binns of Nashua, New Hampshire, Richard (& Renée) Binns, Jr. of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and Mike Binns and Danny Binns, both of Niles; grandchildren including Scott, Tia, Jeremy, Emily, Marcy, Nathan, Matt, and Aaron; several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; and Richard’s siblings, John (& Jolene) Binns of Nappannee, Indiana, and Judy Blake of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Richard Binns, Sr. will gather privately for Committal Rites at her graveside at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Richard’s ninety-one years are beyond the Biblical promise of seventy years, or by strength, 80 years, and he used those years well, laboring to support his family, maintaining a pleasing shelter for them, enduring some sorrow and enduring; all successes, and all fulfilling the command to love God and love people.

David C. Vinnedge
Oct. 25, 1941-Sept. 11, 2021

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

David C. Vinnedge, 79, of Niles, passed away peacefully at his residence, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

He was born on a beautiful fall day on October 25, 1941 to the late Robert A. and Norma C (Frizzo) Vinnedge in Niles, Michigan.

David graduated from Niles High School, class of 1960. On July 14, 1962 David wed Judith A. Barker at a ceremony in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles.

He worked for the National-Standard Corporation in Niles as a chemist, retiring in 2003. David and Judie bowled together for many years on various leagues in Niles. He was a skilled woodcraftsmen, making beautiful furniture. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and tremendously enjoyed bird watching, traveling throughout the U.S. as well as internationally to see and watch various species. David’s greatest passion was his family and always looked forward to the family being together.

David is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Cindy (Vinnedge) Johnson in 2017 as well as three siblings, Victor Vinnedge, Christine Vinnedge and Charlotte Vinnedge.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judie Vinnedge of Niles; his children, Michelle (Curt) Webber of Berrien Springs, Michigan and David M. Vinnedge of Niles, Michigan; a son-in-law, Todd Johnson of Spring Lake, Michigan; grandchildren, Derek (Emily) McWilliams of Martinsville, Indiana, Kaila Johnson of Spring Lake, Michigan, Bradley McWilliams of Mooresville, Indiana and Kevin Johnson of Spring Lake, Michigan; his siblings, Paul (Carol) Vinnedge of West Olive, Michigan, Phil (Gretchen) Vinnedge of Holland, Michigan, Eric (Karen) Vinnedge of Niles and Laura (Casey) Vinnedge of Akron, Ohio as well as a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. A time of visitation will begin on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. until the service. Funeral services will be recorded and available for viewing on our website.

Memorial contributions may be made to Love Creek Nature Center 9292 Huckleberry Rd #9736, Berrien Center, Michigan 49102.

Judith Ann Vinnedge
March 10, 1942-Aug. 22, 2024

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Judith Ann Vinnedge, 82, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Niles, Michigan.

Judie was born on March 10, 1942 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Charles Clinton Barker and Ruth Louise (Harper) Barker.

Along with her parents, Judie was preceded in death by her loving husband, David C. Vinnedge, and daughter, Cynthia Johnson.

Left to cherish the memory of Judie are her children, Michelle (Curtis) Webber and David M. Vinnedge; son-in-law, Todd Johnson; 4 grandchildren, Derek (Emily) McWilliams, Bradley McWilliams, Kaila Johnson, and Kevin Johnson; 2 great-grandchildren, Lenora McWilliams and David A. McWilliams; siblings, Sharon Brooks and Douglas (Sue) Barker, and special friend, Jim Lewellen.

Judie was fondly known as Grandma Judie by countless preschoolers at Northside School where she was an assistant. A lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ since the tender age of three, she embodied the spirit of community and faith throughout her life. Judie's love for bowling and line dancing was matched only by her commitment to the joyful gatherings of the Bunco Club, where her presence lit up the room.

A true social butterfly, Judie's zest for life and infectious laughter brought warmth to every occasion. Her unwavering love for her family was the glue that bound them close, earning her the revered title of the family's backbone. Judie's legacy is one of love, joy, and the sweet memories shared with a woman whose life was a testament to the power of community, friendship, and family bonds. Her spirit will continue to inspire those who knew her, as she dances her way into eternity.

Memorial contributions in memory of Judie may be made out to St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St. Niles, MI 49120.

Visitation for Judie will be on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 12:00pm to 3:30pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 3:30pm at Brown Funeral Home, 521 East Main St. Niles, MI 49120.

Judie will be laid to rest privately at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Matthew Joel Burns
September 23, 1974 — July 2, 2025

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Matthew Joel Burns, 50, of Niles, died July 2, 2025.

His life began September 23, 1974, in Niles, the oldest of two children born to Donald Burns and Merva Zaleski.

Matthew was a graduate of Brandywine HIgh School Class of 1993. He was an avid fan of Penn State and would always watch football games on Saturday. Matthew was a clinical supervisor medical assistant at Corewell Health Lakeland in Niles within the orthopedic surgical office. He previously work at TK in New Carlisle, Home Depot in Mishawaka, Cass County Medical Facility and West Woods of Niles. He was the first person his family would call if they were hurt or needed anything at all, he was always there. Matthew played guitar and vocals in local bands, most recently Erroneous Life. He loved music, especially 80's and 90's rock. Matthew and his brother, Nathan, would work together to build or troubleshoot a variety of things, from cars to home improvement projects. His greatest passion was setting up his family's haunted house that was at his home, Nightmare on 13th and Fulkerson, and has been operating for almost nineteen years. He spent many hours on the lake, between fishing and kayaking, with Carey and Alicia. Matthew was a family man and cherished the time he spent with them.

Matthew will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his fiance Carey Modlin of Niles; her children, Alex (Zoey Swisher) Jaqua of Niles, Matthew (Ren Anderson) Jaqua of Buchanan; her granddaughter, Amaya; two step-daughters, Dannielle (Jesse) Jaynes of South Bend, Alicia McMillan of Niles; two step-sons, Matthew (Nikki) McMillan of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Austin McMillan of Niles; two brothers, Nathan Burns of Niles, Gabriel Zaleski of Kalamazoo; mother, Merva (James) Zaleski; son-in-law, Lusman (Veronica Diaz) Roblero of South Bend; and two special dogs, Mookie and Journee.

He was preceded in death by his father; his former wife, Carrie Burns; step-daughter, Ashley Roblero; and grandson Stephen Dunifin.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, 615 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Summit Church, 1700 West River Road, Niles, Michigan, 49120.

Matthew will be laid to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, Niles. Please share a memory or a message online: halbritterwickens.com.

Diana Ann Scanlon
Nov. 23, 1970-Nov. 13, 2025

Published on website of Palmer-Hoven Funeral Homes, Buchanan, MI:

Diana Scanlon Obituary

Diana Ann Scanlon, age 54, of Buchanan, passed away on November 13, 2025. She was born on November 23, 1970, to the late Earl Scanlon Jr. and Patricia (George) Scanlon.

A graduate of Buchanan High School, Diana devoted her life to caring for others as a caregiver. She found joy in simple pleasures, especially spending time on the lake with family and friends. Fishing was one of her favorite pastimes, and she proudly caught her biggest fish this year. Diana’s greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren, and she was her sister Patricia’s biggest supporter. Her warmth, laughter, and devotion will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her fiancé and best friend, Robert Lee Ingle; her daughter, Danielle (CJ Liska) Smith; her son, Aaron Worland; and her four beloved grandchildren. Diana is also survived by her siblings, Patricia Scanlon, Earl (Lisa) Scanlon III, David (Debbie) Scanlon, Penny (Greg) Nelson, and Donna (Greg) Walsh.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Patricia, son, Scott Smith Jr., and her brother, Dwayne Scanlon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Palmer Funeral Home – Hoven Chapel, 414 E. Front St., Buchanan, MI. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the start of services. Graveside services and burial will immediately follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.