John Witherspoon
Dec. 17, 1926-July 30, 1990

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 1, 1990, page 2, col. 7-8, and Thursday, August 2, 1990, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for John Edward Witherspoon, 63, of 164 ironwood Drive, Niles, are at 1 p.m. today at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Niles by the Rev. W.L. Daniel, pastor.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery of Niles.

Witherspoon died at 10:15 p.m. Monday at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.

Witherspoon was born Dec. 17, 1926, in Brownis, Miss., and had lived here for more than 40 years coming from Missouri.

A retiree of Clark Equipment Co. of Buchanan, he was also a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

On Jan. 26, 1990, in Cassopolis, he married Josephine Jackson, who survives him. A son James Witherspoon, preceded him in death Sept. 16, 1986.

Also surviving are four sons, Henry Witherspoon and Joe Witherspoon, both of Tacoma, Wash., Patrick Witherspoon of Pasco, Wash., and Dwight Witherspoon of Niles; eight daughters, Delores Witherspoon of Dayton, Ohio, Annie Trotter of South Bend, Earline Witherspoon of Columbus, Ohio, Eveline Witherspoon and Kathy Williams, both of Niles, Demetria Witherspoon of West Covina, Calif., Jeweldean Miller of Marion, Ind., and Audrey Jackson of Dowagiac; four step-daughters, Cheri Jones, Jacqueline Palmer, Glenda Jackson and Leesa Jackson, all of Niles, a brother, Lloyd Lafton of Chicago, Ill.; four sisters, Earline Cross and Nella Brown, both of Gary,Ind., Evelyn Sholar and Nora White, both of Chicago, Ill.; 28 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Hoven Funeral Home of Buchanan. A Wake Service will be at 7 p.m.

Edythe Josephine Marston, 100
Feb. 6, 1912-Dec. 2, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:27pm Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Marston

Edythe Josephine Marston, 100, long-time Cass Street resident in Niles died at 9:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on Feb. 6, 1912, in Marcellus to Elmer and Opal (Thorpe) Brown.  She graduated from Niles High School and has lived on Cass Street in Niles most of her life.  As a young lady, she was employed at the former Montgomery Ward & Company store in Niles, served as the company nurse to the former Tyler Refrigeration of Niles and, during World War II, was employed by the bureau of weights and measures to ensure proper rationing and distribution.  She was also a Blue Star Mother with a son serving in the U.S. Navy.

Josephine participated at the Niles Senior Center, especially enjoying the bingo games.  She tended a home greenhouse and garden and, as an artist, captured still-life and landscapes in oil, watercolor and pastels.  She also enjoyed traveling, finding adventure in the journey and her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother.

On March 3, 1930, in Niles, she married Joseph F. Marston with whom she celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Jan. 20, 1981.  She was also preceded in death by their son, Joseph Edward Marston; their daughters, Priscilla Ann Smith and Margaret Elaine Marston; a daughter-in-law, Diana (Mrs. Joseph) Marston; and Josephine’s brother, Richard Brown.

Surviving family includes a son and a daughter, David (and Marcia) Marston and Deborah S. (and Joseph) Shelton, both of Niles; grandchildren, Mike Marston, Julie (and Jeff) Herrmann, Rebecca (and Chad) Geister, Caralyn Shelton, Cathy Smith, David G. Smith, Jeff Smith, and James (and Paula) Marston; many great-grandchildren; and Josephine’s brother and sisters, Harry (and Irene) Brown, Frannie (and Jim) Shively,  both of Three Rivers, and Kay Tobin, of Texas; and a sister-in-law, Opal (Mrs. Richard) Brown, of Three Rivers; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Edythe Josephine Marston will be at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Robert E. Jackson of the First Church of God in Niles officiating.  Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Josephine may be made to Pet Refuge.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Evelyn Elaine Hawkins, 81
Oct. 3, 1931-Nov. 27, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:00pm Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Evelyn Elaine Hawkins, 81, passed away Nov. 27, 2012 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

Hawkins

She was born Oct. 3, 1931, in Niles, to Ezra and Elsie Jones.  She was a lifetime area resident and attended Wesley United Methodist Church.  Evelyn liked gardening, latch hook, word search puzzles and watching television.  She loved spending time with her great-grandson and she loved her animals.

Preceding her in death was her husband, George Henry Hawkins; her parents; one daughter, Linda Gyori; and one sister, Ruth Potokar.

Surviving family include her daughter, Terry Anderson (David Stacey) of Niles; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter; one brother, Delmar Jones of Alabama; and two sisters, Lois Rosetto of St. Joseph and Joy Ann Rolston of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at Hoven Funeral Home, Inc of Buchanan, with visitation one hour before the service in the funeral home.  Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Berrien County Humane Society or Berrien County Cancer Services.

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.