Vivian Coyer, 93
July 14, 1918-April 14, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published Online 12:32am Wednesday, April 18, 2012, print, page 8, col. 1-4.

Vivian A. Low Coyer, 93, of Niles, died Saturday, April 14, 2012, at her residence following an extended illness.

She was born to George and Minnie (Rodgers) Grafford on July 14, 1918. She spent most of her life in Niles, graduating from Niles High School in 1936.

She married Frank Low on July 18, 1936; he passed away in 1994 after being married for 58 years. In 1997, she married Eugene Coyer of West Virginia, who also preceded her in death in 2005. A son, Gary Low, preceded her in death on Aug. 12, 2011. Also preceding her in death were her mother, father, three sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her son, Terry (Kathy) Low of Waleska, Ga., daughter-
in-law, Suzie (Gary) Low of Niles,; nephew, Ronald Low of Niles; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; one stepson, George Coyer, of Houston, Texas; and stepdaughter, Nancy Brennan, of Delaware; five step-grandchildren and five great-step-grandchildren.
Vivian enjoyed bowling and playing golf and also cards.

She volunteered at Lakeland Community Hospital (formerly Pawating Hospital) in Niles for 52 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles for more than 60 years.

She worked at many Niles downtown stores but enjoyed working at Plym Park Golf Course, especially when the Larsons managed the course.

Services for Vivian A. Low Coyer will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at First Presbyterian Church, Tyler Chapel, in Niles, with Pastor Ray Fulbright of the church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Vivian Low Coyer may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Niles or to Hospice of Berrien County.

Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Arthur Zache Sr., 84
Feb. 15, 1928-April 18, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published Online 10:08pm Thursday, April 19, 2012

Zache

Arthur Adolf Zache Sr., 84, of Niles, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital in St. Joseph.

He was born Feb. 15, 1928, in New Troy, Mich., to the late Adolf and Matilda (Stopple) Zache.

On May 14, 1949, Art married Beverly P. Miller at a ceremony in Benton Harbor.

Art retired after many years as a pattern maker working for both Torrington and Dodge Reliance; he was also a co-owner of A & V Construction with his best friend Verlin Carpenter.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Niles. He was a gifted craftsman and a jack-of-all-trades. Art was always willing and able to help family and friends with any building projects. He started working at a very young age, leaving high school to work on his family farm. He helped organize the Fireman’s Youth Park, where he coached the Braves for many years. He had a love for cars and motorcycles. Art also knew the value of family and friends. He purchased a cottage in Allegan, where the family spent a great amount of their summers that filled their lives with wonderful memories. Art loved the family getting together, especially on Christmas Eve. He was a devoted husband, still caring for his wife, spending time with her every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary Zache; brothers, Alto, August, Gustav and Edward Zache; sisters, Alvena White, Tillie Pallas and Helen Petznick.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Beverly; two sons, Art Jr. (Judy) Zache and Rick (Debbie) Zache, all of Niles; a brother, Henry (Lydia) Zache of Benton Harbor; a daughter-in-law, Chris Zache (Freelen) Gowen of Niles; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be held Sunday, April 22, from 3 until 6 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore St., with Pastor Carl Bassett officiating. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Arthur’s memory to the Berrien County Cancer Center or to West Woods of Niles Nursing Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Vera Coleman, 72
July 11, 1939-April 17, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:18pm Sunday, April 22, 2012

Vera B. Coleman, 72, of 11th Street, Niles, formerly of Eagle Street, Niles, died at 4:47 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born July 11, 1939, in Niles to Howard Miller and Lenore (Bishop) Miller. She graduated from Niles Community Schools and attended Southwestern Michigan College. She was previously employed at the former Thomas’ Drive-In Restaurant. She formerly attended Michiana Christian Embassy. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting and reading novels. She lived in Florida in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Vera first married Marvin C. “Cecil” Weems; he died Dec. 24, 1995. She married William “Toby” Coleman in Niles on May 2, 1968; he died May 19, 1992.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Tony Coleman; brother, David E. Miller; and sister, Loretta Unger Withers.

She is survived by sons, Marvin K. Weems, of Niles, Terry Weems, of Niles, Larry Coleman, of Winter Haven, Fla.; daughter, Kathy Powell, of Florida; grandson, Damion Kenneth Weems; great-grandson, Cody Weems; sister, Trudy (Bob) Peterson of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mary Bryant, 80
Feb. 1, 1932-April 19, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:05pm Thursday, April 26, 2012

Bryant

Mary Eleanor “Sis” Bryant bid her final goodnight at 12:40 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012, in her Niles residence following a short illness.

Mary was born to the union of the late Plummer William and Azalia (King) Worthham Sr. on Feb. 1, 1932, in Niles.

Mary’s early education began at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niles; she later attended and graduated from Niles High School in June 1950. In the fall of that same year, she entered Roosevelt University, Chicago. Mary also attended Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor in 1975.  On Dec. 31, 1989, she received an associate degree from Indiana University, South Bend.

Mary was hired by the University of Notre Dame as a secretary. Shortly thereafter, she met and married Maurice Bryant in 1952, and two daughters were born to their union.

In 1956, Mary and her family moved to Los Angeles, where she worked for the board of education until her return to Niles in 1969. At this time, she was rehired at the University of Notre Dame until she accepted a position at Family and Children’s Center, Mishawaka, as financial assistance director. She later transferred to Hansel Center, South Bend, as a counselor for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of St. Joseph County.

In 1981, after retiring from Hansel Center, she accepted a position with the City of Niles as executive secretary until her retirement from there in 1997.

Mary was an active board member and one of the founders of The Northside Neighborhood Association; NAACP lifetime member; The Niles Community Development Association; and member of the board of directors for Niles District Library.

In addition, she was awarded a Bible certificate from Moody Bible Studies, South Bend, and a certificate of recognition for faithful participation in Sunday school from her home church, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, June 12, 2005, where she later became Sunday school superintendent. Mary traveled to the Holy Land and waded in the River Jordan.

Beloved family members who survive to cherish her memory include her daughters, Pamela Bryant of Niles and Rhonda Bryant Jordan of South Bend; five grandchildren, Micah Caldwell, DeAndre Thompson, Robert Weaver, Brianna Barr and Bradford Jordan; five great-grandchildren, Miaziah Caldwell, Micah Caldwell Jr., Maurice Caldwell, Michael Barr Jr. and Marley Barr; along with other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death along with her parents, Plummer and Azalia Worthham, was her husband, Maurice, Sept. 5, 1996; a brother, Plummer William Wortham Jr.; three aunts, Bertha King, Mary Williams and Marie Wickware; and two uncles, Acklee “Buster” King and John King.

The funeral service for Mrs. Bryant will be held at noon Saturday, April 28, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St., Niles, with Pastor Bryant Bacon officiating.

Interment will follow Monday, April 30, in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford’s Mortuary, South Bend, where friends may send messages of condolence to alfordsmortuary@att.net, c/o The Bryant Family.

John Schadler, 61
Oct. 23, 1950-April 30, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:22pm Tuesday, May 1, 2012

John Edwin Schadler, 61, of Niles, passed away Monday, April 30, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 23, 1950, in Niles to Carl H. and Verna (Butts) Schadler.

John graduated from Niles High School class of 1969.

On March 8, 1975, John married Karla Kurty at a ceremony in Niles. He had most recently worked at Georgie-Boy in Edwardsburg, where he worked in undercoating and also drove forklift. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed building birdhouses, tinkering and fixing things. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening. John also valued his time with his family including watching a game of football or NASCAR.

John was preceded in death by his father, Carl H. Schadler.

He is survived by his wife, Karla Schadler of Niles; his mother. Verna Schadler of Niles; a son, Erik (Tami) Schadler of Niles; a daughter, Khrista (Scott) Stewart of Niles; three grandchildren, Austin, Anna and Adrianna; two brothers, Terry (Kathy) Schadler of Pennsylvania and Carl (Sharon) Schadler of Connecticut; and three sisters, Betty (Lake) Eberhardt of Georgia, Annette Johnson of Niles and JoAnn (Dave) Cabanaw of Niles; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 4, at 1 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory in care of Brown Funeral Home 521 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Donald Carmichael, 78
Nov. 28, 1933-May 1, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:48pm Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Donald Brady Carmichael, 78, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at West Bend Nursing & Rehabilitation in South Bend.

Donald Carmichael was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Fort Monroe, Va., to the late Julian and Hellece (Respess) Carmichael.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joanne Ashley.

Don is survived by a son, James Carmichael of Niles; daughter, Karin (Chris) Whetzel of Fishers, Ind.; three grandchildren and a sister, Gayle (Frank) DeWeese of San Bernardino, Calif.; and his former wife, Barbara Carmichael of Mishawaka.

Don joined the Marine Corps at a very young age and was a Korean War veteran.

Don loved photography and owned a camera shop in Niles “Four Flags Foto” for 12 years. He enjoyed collecting cameras and attending camera shows. Don was an accomplished racecar driver and photographer and in later years enjoyed going to sprint and midget races. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family.

Services for Don will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior. A private interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services on Northern Indiana, 922 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617.

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

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