Alice Pressnall, 96
March 12, 1916-Oct. 6, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:05pm Monday, October 8, 2012

Alice Pressnall, 96, of Niles, passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Riveridge Manor in Niles.

Alice Pressnall was born March 12, 1916, in Niles to the late George and Hazel (Bowerman) Eckler.
On Feb. 29, 1936, Alice married the love of her life, Raymond C. Pressnall, at a ceremony in Plymouth, Ind.

Alice retired from Simplicity Pattern after many dedicated years of service.

She enjoyed taking trips with her husband to their cottage up north. Later in her life, you could find Alice at the Villwock’s Farm Market in Berrien Springs talking to customers and even working the register. She loved people and cherished every moment with them.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son, Raymond G. Pressnall.

She is survived by grandchildren, Cindy Pressnall of Dowagiac, and Don Villwock of Berrien Springs; great-grandchildren, Alicia Sirovica of Mishawaka and Steve Sirovica of Granger; many other great- and great-great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Dorothy Villwock of Berrien Springs.

In keeping with Alice’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial service held at a later date.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page, www.FaceBook/BrownFuneralHomesNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Nancy Wilkinson, 73
Aug. 8, 1939-Sept. 19, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:36pm Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Nancy L. Wilkinson, 73, of Niles, died at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 8, 1939, in Benton Harbor to Roy Lee and Virginia Kathryn (Taylor) Boyd. She attended Benton Harbor schools and lived in Niles since 1977. She was employed for many years at the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) in Niles.

Nancy was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles. She volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary of Lakeland Community Hospital, and was active in area bowling leagues.  She enjoyed playing bingo and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but her greatest joy was her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Feb. 4, 1978, in Niles, she married Kenneth Wilkinson, who preceded her in death on March 18, 1993.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and Dave Boyd.

Surviving family includes her children, Jim (Katie) McLalin of Hubbard, Ohio, Kathy (Eric) Pacheco of New Buffalo, and Sandy (Ed) Blasko of Mishawaka; grandchildren Katina (Bruce) Dove, Jamie McLalin, Nathan Heimbuch, Chadd Blasko, Phil (Lauren) Blasko, Jenny McLalin, Jim McLalin, Joey McLalin, Nanette Manley, Taylor McLalin and Jerry McLalin; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Joshua, Morgan, Christopher, Alexa and Adeline; and Nancy’s brothers, Grover Boyd of Vandalia, Hank Boyd of Washington, and Rocky Boyd; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Nancy Wilkinson will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Virginia Margaret Harwood
March 3, 1933-Oct. 28, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:56pm Monday, October 29, 2012

Virginia Margaret Harwood, 79, of Niles died on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness. She was born March 3, 1933, in Niles to William and Lillian (Coomes) Thompson.

Virginia was a nurses aid and worked for Paul Stephen Nursing Home.

Survivors include children Linda (and Bruce) Swanson, of Bartlett, Tenn., Edward Harwood, of Niles, Jesse Harwood, of Niles, Diane Washington, of Louisville, Ky., Patricia (and Bob) Wroblewski, of South Bend, Ind., and Frank (and Patricia) Harwood, of Niles. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert, Roy, Raymond and Butch Harwood.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

A graveside service will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with  Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating.

Contributions in memory of Virginia Margaret Harwood may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Brenda Kay (Stephens) Vogelsang, 66
Jan. 5, 1946-Oct. 22, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:22pm Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Brenda Kay (Stephens) Vogelsang

Brenda Kay (Stephens) Vogelsang, 66, of Grand Rapids and previously of Niles, passed away at Heartland Healthcare in Grand Rapids on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012.

Brenda was born on Jan. 5, 1946, to the late Walter and Mary Catherine (Nichols) Stephens in Niles.

After high school, Brenda wed Arthur Vogelsang II at a ceremony in Niles; he passed away in 1995. In 1999, Brenda wed Keith Trowbridge and was divorced several years later.

Brenda was a cook at the Four Flags Hotel in Niles; she retired when the hotel closed.  She also worked as a cook for the local Eagles Lodge.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mary Catherine; husband, Arthur; and brothers, Willie Stephens and Jerry Stephens.

Brenda is survived by her children, Arthur Vogelsang III of Niles, Lisa Roberts of Peru, Ind., Terry (Brenda Adkins) Vogelsang of Niles and Phyllis (Marc) Russell of Grand Rapids; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Larry Stephens, Phyllis Ballard, Peggy Biggs and Mary Ellen (David) Ickes, all of Niles; and her ex-husband, Keith Trowbridge of Niles.

Memorial donations may be made in Brenda’s memory to the family at 521 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or to upload a photo of Brenda may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

Gregory Eugene Mason, 58
Feb. 22, 1954-Nov. 13, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:16pm Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Gregory Eugene Mason, 58, of East Main Street, Niles, Mich., died on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2012 at his home unexpectedly, but of natural causes. He was born Feb. 22, 1954 in Niles to George W. Mason and Carolyn J. (Dixon) Mason.

Gregory graduated in 1973 from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City, Okla. He returned to Niles after graduation and was a clerk at Save-A-Lot grocery store. He enjoyed listening to music, watching NFL football and was a huge Chicago Bears fan.

He is survived by his sibling Tina Anderson of Oakland, Calif., his nephew Charles Anderson of Oakland, Calif., his Aunt Menella Leath of Niles, Mich., and many cousins.

The family will gather privately for services. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Donations in memory of Gregory may be made to American Diabetes Association.

Minnie M. Wiggins, 90
Dec. 21, 1921-Nov. 27, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:34pm Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Minnie Wiggins went home to her Heavenly reward at her daughter’s home surrounded by loved ones and a dear family friend, Darlene Ferry.

Wiggins

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard “Ted” Wiggins; an infant son, George Allen Wiggins; and son, Jerry Lee Wiggins.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Fred) Felty; a son, Tom (Claire) Wiggins; and a daughter-in-law, Sandra Wiggins; grandchildren, Brett (Laura) Wiggins, Greg (Lissette) Wiggins, Jim (Carmen) Wiggins, Krista (Peter) Greaves, Chad (Courtney) Wiggins, David (Melanie) Felty, Sarah (Derek) Hempel, Jeremy (Nichole) Wiggins, Todd Nelson, Lisa (Paul) Weidler, Stacey & Craig Stiffler and Victoria (Dan) Geiger; great-grandchildren, Carley & Sydney Greaves, Noah, Madison, Elijah and Micah Wiggins, Cody Wiggins, Patrick Wiggins, Liam Hempel, Jackson and Ethan Felty, Casey, Tasha and Briana Weidler.

Minnie practiced her life long vocations as a homemaker and raising her children with pride and expertise.  She taught her children and her daughters-in-law her trade and her ability to do things the right way.

Mom was a living example of a Christian mother and served God many years.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 in Hoven Funeral Home, Inc., Buchanan.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, and 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 30, also in the funeral home.  Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice at Home, Inc.

Online condolences may be received at www.hovenfunerals.com