Robert Lee Albert
Nov. 2, 1935 - Dec. 31, 2021

Jack E. Van Arsdall
Jan. 10, 1933-Jan. 15, 2022 (age 89)

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Obituary

Jack Eugene Van Arsdall, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and devout Christian, was ordained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and nearly equally called to share a joke in every situation.  During the early morning hours of January 15, 2022, Jack’s heavenly Father tapped on his shoulder saying “well done My good and faithful servant; your work here is done and it is time for you to come home”.

Jack was born on January 10, 1933 at his parents’ home in Martinsville, Indiana to Frank M. and Maud R. (McKinley) Van Arsdall.  He graduated from Lizton (Indiana) High School, and continued his education at Lincoln (Illinois) Christian College, completing a bachelor’s degree.  He was Ordained in 1952 by the Maplewood (Indiana) Christian Church, and was called to his first pastorate in 1956 by the West Point Christian Church in Russiaville, Indiana.  In 1958 he transitioned to the Michigantown (Indiana) Christian Church where he served until 1963. Jack then was called to the Jamestown (Indiana) Christian Church until 1968, when he then transitioned to the First Church of Christ – Christian in Niles.  He served there until 1972 before completing his service at the Three Oaks (Michigan) Christian Church from which he retired in 1979.  Though he was retired, he continued to assist with new church plants, and officiated at funerals for families with no church association.

In addition to his many pastoral works, Jack was also employed by the Niles Community Schools Transportation office for twenty years, and in “retirement” he delivered new recreational vehicles for Coachman Industries, and in doing so, visited much of the United States.  He has lived in Niles since 1968.

Jack was a member of the Fairland Christian Church in Niles, and former member of the Niles Lions Club.  Jack loved a good meal, but he preferred dessert, particularly when it was ice cream, and especially when it was the Dairy Queen Heath Bar Blizzard made with chocolate ice cream. Jack would never turn down any sweet treat.  He was also well-known as a joker, anywhere from the usual lame “dad” jokes, to the funny stories that clergy often employ to draw attention to a sermon, and most notable had a very quick wit, offering a well-timed joke for various situations.  Or, a semi-appropriately timed joke to lighten the mood. Jack’s love of humor did not prevent his show of other emotions.  Also known as the “Weepy Preacher”, he was often unable to make it through a funeral or wedding service without shedding a tear.  Above all else, Jack’s greatest joy was his family, and especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jack married on August 17, 1952 in Defiance, Ohio to Frances Dunbar, with whom he is now joyfully reunited.  Jack and Fran celebrated the remarkable Fifty-sixth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on May 31, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, and sadly, unexpectedly by a granddaughter, Melissa Zicarelli on September 3, 2018.

Surviving family includes his children, Jack M. (& Sherry) Van Arsdall of Niles, Sue (& Sam) Maxedon of Dowagiac, Michigan, Dave (& Chris) Van Arsdall of DeWitt, Michigan, and Amy Jo Van Arsdall of La Crosse, Wisconsin; grandchildren Mindy (& Chris) Langsdale, Mary (& Justin) Brubaker, Lori (& Shallu) Singh, Ryan (& Jourden) Van Arsdall, Katie Zicarelli (& fiancée, Emily Gesell), and Corey Maxedon; great-grandchildren Seth, Benjamin, and Ysolde; and an amazing circle of former congregation members and friends.

The family will gather privately at his graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for Committal Services with Don Fleischman of Fairland Christian Church officiating.  A memorial gathering to share memories and honor his life will be held at a later date, and will be announced on this website.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  A recorded video of the Committal Service will by available to view beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.

Contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the Fairland Christian Church, 1811 River Bluff Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120, https://fairlandchristianchurch.com/.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staffs of Harvest Home and Caring Circle Hospice at Home.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Psalms 90, verse 10 tells us that we might expect to live 70, or possibly 80 years, but Jack was blessed with nine more years, and he used every one of those years well.  He never met a stranger, being willing and interested to greet every new person, learn about them, find an anecdote to share, or more likely a pun or joke, but most likely sharing a mention of Jesus.  His “congregation” was not limited by four walls, but was his entire community.  Most importantly, his family of “Preacher’s Kids” know that they were loved by both their father, and by God.

Robert Root
March 24, 1934-January 5, 2022 (age 87)

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Obituary

Robert Dean Root, age 87 years of Niles, father, grandfather, brother, retired city employee, honorable veteran, and remarkable pole vaulter died peacefully at 5:23 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 with family at his bedside at American House in Jenison, Michigan following an illness of five months.

He was born on March 24, 1934 in Cassopolis, Michigan to Norman Robert and Irene Marie (Hull) Root, and was raised on the family farm in northeast Cass County.  He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1952 and enlisted in the United States Army.  He was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  He returned to southwest Michigan and began employment with the City of Niles Utility Department in 1968, using his training from the Army as an electrical lineman, and retiring in 1999.

Bob was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Niles and, more recently attended Calvary’s Lighthouse Church of Benton Harbor.  He had been an active athlete all of his life, beginning with track and field in high school.  He ran regularly as an adult, but also renewed his skills in pole vaulting.  After retirement, he became active in the National Senior Games Association as a pole vaulter, using a motorhome to travel and compete at events throughout the Midwest including Minnesota, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi.  He constructed a pole vault pit in his backyard for practice, and was still clearing seven foot bars in his 80s.

He was also a certified SCUBA diver, and enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Michigan and Indian Lake.  His boat was named the “Nasalata”, using the last two letters of the names of his four daughters.

He was first married on July 19, 1958 in Volinia, Michigan to the former Donna Gean Kipker with whom he celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 26 of 1999.  On April 20, 2002 in Niles he married the former Lois Jean (Young) Austin Westfall with whom he celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on January 17, 2018.  Bob was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Paul Kraus in 2015; and a sister, Gloria Root in 2018.

Surviving family includes his daughters, Gina (& Mike) Coty of Remington, Indiana, Lisa (& Tom) Griffore of Jenison, Michigan, Karla (& Brian) Gallivan of Rockford, Illinois, and Roberta Kraus of Ludington, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; and Bob’s sister, Norma Canniff of Buchanan, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Bob Root will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with a granddaughter’s husband, Pastor Matthew Elless of the Pathway of Hope Church of the Nazarene in Kokomo, Indiana officiating, assisted by Pastor Charles Engler of Calvary’s Lighthouse Church in Benton Harbor.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the National Senior Games Association, Post Office Box 5630, Clearwater, Florida, 33758; https://nsga.com/.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Bob was very active all of his life, and most of that was outdoors: in the Army, in the lineman’s bucket truck, fishing, running, and jumping; and always with a smile.  But he was also active with the people around him, co-workers, fellow competitors, and - most importantly – his family.

Bethany Fortner, of Niles
Feb. 13, 1992-Jan. 11, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:44 pm Thursday, January 13, 2022

John Edward Erickson
May 16, 1937-Jan. 2, 2022

Published on website of Hoven Funeral Home:

Obituary

John Edward Erickson, 84, of Buchanan, MI, passed away in his sleep on January 2, 2022.

He was born in Niles, MI on May 16, 1937 to Edward and Myrna Erickson.

John had an adventuresome life traveling by several modes of transportation. Starting with his bicycle going as fast as he could. His dad purchased his first car when John turned 13. He went with his dad to have the windshield installed and was able to help by putting screws that held it in place. The owner offered him a job and set John on a career of glass replacement. John spent the next 21 years working at Niles Glass Works with 2 owners. In 1971, he opened his own glass company, Johns Glass, located on 9^th street in Niles. This allowed him the time off he wanted to pursue his dreams. Motorcycles were a big part of his journey taking several trips with friends and family. When John turned 50, he bought an airplane and that opened a whole new method to see the country. John graduated from Niles Community Schools, class of 1955.

John is survived by his wife, Ruth Webb (Pedzinski) Erickson; children, Rick (Barb) Erickson, Ann Erickson, Tim (Marcia) Pedzinski, Jon (Amy) Pedzinski; grandchildren, Oscar (Jennifer) Davis, Edward (Tasha) Davis, Erin (Matt) Fillio, Ashley Erickson, Kayce Erickson, Thomas (Cari-Anne) Erickson, Suzanne (Bill) Fredrick, Rebecca Pedzinski, Jeni Pedzinski, Emily Pedzinski; along with 15 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia Spaulding, Lucille Swartz, Ruth (Kenard) Feltz; brothers-in-law, David (Sue) Webb, Donald Webb, Philip (Billie) Webb; sister-in-law, Bethany Webb; and many nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Myrna; first wife, Kemlyn Ann (Finch) Erickson; twin sisters, Erma Keifer and Myrna VanBrocklin; brothers-in-law, Nolan Spaulding, and Vernon James Webb.

His mechanical skills were a big part of who he was. Even after losing his eyesight to macular degeneration; he rebuilt several of his buddies garden tractor engines.

He spent his retirement traveling with his love, Ruth, and also spent a lot of time with his buddies at the McDonalds in Niles until Covid disrupted the connections he held so dear. He missed the conversations and always felt the pain as one of his friends would pass. John attended Summit Church in Niles.

The family would like to thank the caregivers of Hospice for the wonderful care John received.

John never met a stranger and all who knew him called him a friend.

Funeral service for John will be held at 11 am on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Summit Church, 1700 West River Rd., Niles, MI 49120. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of John to Summit Church, Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or Gideons International Processing Center, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.