Duwayne Townsend, 84
Nov. 19, 192-April 30, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:28pm Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Townsend

Duwayne “Bud” E. Townsend, 84, of Terre Coupe Road, Buchanan, died Monday, April 30, 2012, at Brentwood of Niles following an illness.

He was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Berrien Springs to Carthur and Louise (Sherwood) Townsend.

On June 12, 1948, he married the former Jo Anne “Sue” Kenton; she preceded him in death on June 17, 1989.

Bud was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He earned a victory metal and sharpshooter award. He was a member of the BPO of Niles Elks Lodge 1322, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 449 in Buchanan and the American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan. He enjoyed golf, bowling, watching drag racing and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Bud is survived by his daughter, Carla (William) Hydorn of South Bend; sons, Larry (Shirley) Townsend and Dale (Janie) Townsend, both of Niles; grandchildren, Melissa (Chris) Kronewitter of Walkerton, Ind., Trisha (Jake) Wood of Palmdale, Calif., Heather (Joe) Racht, Joey Townsend, Brett Townsend and Kyle Townsend, all of Niles; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Hailey and Colton all of California, Josey of Walkerton, Peyton, Jaxen and Reese all of Niles; and a sister, Margie Steinbauer of Niles; and little white dog, Dawg.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Townsend.

Services for Duwayne “Bud” E. Townsend will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, concluding with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Bud may be made to the local humane society of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brentwood Assisting Living Community for becoming a second family to Bud, facilitating his long walks with Dawg, hitting golf balls out back, delicious meals and warm smiles. The family is forever grateful.
Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Clara L. Worvey, 88
Sept. 5, 1923 — Dec. 11, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published online  9:00pm Monday, December 12, 2011

Clara L. Worvey, 88, of Cassopolis, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at her residence. She was born Sept. 5, 1923, in Niles to Floyd and Mary (Jones) Williams. She married Billy Worvey on May 30, 1940, in Niles. He preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vivian Kinyon and Patricia Matthews; and one brother, Robert L. Williams.
She was a member of Bitley-Brohman Sportsman’s Club, Bitley and VFW Auxiliary William E. Lozier Post #10704, Cassopolis.
Clara is survived by two daughters, Mary (Vern) PeGan of Cassopolis and Cathy (Irving) VanLew of Mesa, Ariz.; one son, William Worvey of Cassopolis; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandson.
The family will observe a private service. Inurnment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Online condolences may be sent c/o: wagnercares.com.

Marguerite Bjorkley, 93
Jan. 31, 1919-March 13, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:09pm Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Marquerite Rayburn (Marg) Bjorkley, 93, passed away in Niles following an illness.

She was born in Niles to James Ernest Rayburn and Clyda Mary Blackburn, who had migrated to Niles from McMinnville, Tenn. Marg was predeceased by her parents and her two brothers, James (Jim) Edmond and John Nathan (Nate) Rayburn.

At age 24, Marge met and married the love of her life, Herman C. (Hermie) Schweitzer.

They enjoyed a life of marital bliss until his sudden death in 1964. More than 20 years later, Marg retired from Sears when she married Ingvald (Skip) Bjorkley, who passed away in 2003. Marg loved Niles and its people, and she embraced the small-town atmosphere that Niles provided during her entire lifetime.

Marg will be remembered for her sweetness, culinary skills and ironic humor in the face of the many adversities that she bravely endured.

Although she never had children, Marg nurtured many young people, providing them with encouragement and her personal tidbits of wisdom for a happy life.

Survivors include a nephew, James Patrick Rayburn (Eileen); two nieces, Mary Rayburn Kennedy (Rick) and Laura Rayburn Mashburn (Bobby); three great-nephews and three great-nieces, all of Georgia.

Per Marg’s wishes, interment was a private graveside service March 14 at Silverbrook Cemetery, where she resides next to her beloved, Hermie.

The eulogy was courtesy of a loved paternal cousin, the Rev. John Kenton Rayburn of Granger.

Family and friends of Marguerite are invited to reunite and celebrate her life Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on South 11th Street in Niles.

Eladia Rodriguez, 74
Feb. 28, 1937 — Jan. 31, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:32pm Thursday, February 2, 2012

Eladia Rodriguez, 74, of Hickory Street, Niles, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at her home.

She was born Feb. 28, 1937, in Puerto Rico to Confesor and Maria (Garay) Segarra. Moving from Puerto Rico to the United States, Eladia spent her youth living in New York and New Jersey. She returned to Puerto Rico, where she met and married her husband, Lorimer Rodriguez.

Eladia returned to the area with her husband and they were married for more than 50 years.

Surviving with her husband is their son, Luis Rodriguez of Buchanan; daughters, Iris (Brian) Reith of Niles and Doriz (Damian) Curry of Traverse City, Mich.; grandchildren, Anna and Ciara Curry, Emily and Alyssa Rehmel, Collette and Lindsea Rodriguez, Chelsea York, Kelsey and Kaitlyn Moore, Michael Starrett; and great-grandchild, Cameron Starrett.

She was preceded in death by her son, Lorimer Rodriguez Jr.; daughter, Mary Rodriguez; and grandson, Dane Angel Dorstewitz. Eladia loved caring for her children and grandchildren and enjoyed cooking for her family.

Funeral services will be private. Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Lillie Dash
1856-Jan. 9, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 10, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Mrs. Charles Dash

Mrs. Lillie Dash, 72, wife of Charles Dash, Fourteenth street and Silver Brook avenue, died at 5:30 last evening from complications developing from influenza.  Mr. and Mrs. Dash moved to Niles about two years ago from Frederick, Wis.  Mrs. Dash had been ill for about six weeks prior to her death. She is survived by her husband and by seven sons from two marriages.  The sons are Roy, Charles and Ralph Dash, George, Frank, Austin and Claude Cole. All live in Niles except Roy who is a resident of Frederick, Wis. The following brothers and sisters also survive: Ellis Wood, Muskegon, Frank Wood and Mrs. Laura Palmer, of Soring Valley, Wis., Mrs. Myrtle Croisant, of Cloverton, Wis. The funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Troost and Augustine chapel. Rev. E.O Saunders, pastor of the Pentecostal church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 12, 1929, page 4, col. 1, micofilm Niles District Library

Funeral Mrs. Dash

Funeral services for Mrs. Lillian Dash, wife of Charles Dash were held this morning. rev. O.E. Saunders, pastor of the Pentecostal church officiated.  Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Dash died on Wednesday evening at her home, 1360 Silverbrook avenue.

Marion J. Baxter Edwards
Feb. 22, 1848-Jan. 8, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 9, 1929, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLOSES LONG LIFE OF INVALIDISM

Mrs. Marion Edwards Dies at Broadway Home Tuesday Afternoon

Mrs. Marion J. Baxter Edwards died on Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at her home, 516 Broadway, after many years of invalidism.

The funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home. Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Edwards was born on Feb. 22, 1848 in Sycamore, N.Y., a daughter of Bentley and Mary Baxter. She came to Michigan with her parents when she was seven years of age, the family having settled in Sumnerville where she grew to womanhood.  She was married to William Edwards on January 1, 1868. They moved to Missouri where they lived for eight years and then returned to Michigan  to the old Lewis Edwards farm where they lived for three years, afterward buying a farm near the Michigan Central railroad terminal where they spent most of their married life. In 1906, they moved to Niles where they lived until their deaths.  Mr. Edwards died in 1916.

Although an invalid for thirteen years, she was of a cheerful and kindly disposition under the care of her daughter, Clara, during these years.

She was a member of the Niles Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, for twenty-four years and also was a member of the Presbyterian church.

She leaves to mourn her loss, two sons and three daughters, Frank B. Edwards, Dowagiac; Geo N. Edwards, Niles; Ella Leach, Manton, Mich.; Addie Burkett of Benton Harbor, and Clara Jewell of Niles.  Also two brothers, Judge Chas. Baxter, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Judge George N. Baxter, of Washington, D.C.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 11, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL OF MRS. EDWARDS

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the home, 516 Broadway, for Mrs. Marion Baxter Edwards. Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor, of the Presbyterian church of which Mrs. Edwards had been a member for many years, officiated. Richard Gray sang. Burial was made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mr. and Mrs. John Burkett, of Benton Harbor, and Mrs. Boyd Gardner, of Rochester, Minn., were among those from out of the city  who attended the services. Mrs. Burkett is a daughter, and Mrs. Gardner, a niece of Mrs. Edwards.