C. Leo Shirrell
June 8, 1908-Aug. 5, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 6, 1997, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for C. Leo Shirrell, 89, are Friday at 11 a.m., at Halbritter Funeral Home, by the Rev. Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church.  Masonic Rites will be conducted following the funeral at the graveside. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Mr. Shirrell died at 3:03 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the home of his daughter, Beverly, in Saint Joseph, following a brief illness.

He was born June 8, 1908, in Bicknell, Ind.

Mr. Shirrell grew up in Bicknell, then moved with his family to Niles on July 3, 1935.

On July 27, 1938, in Niles, he married Lorene Pearl Brown, who died July 23, 1991.

Mr. Shirrell operated the former Leo's Mobile Service gas station at 1031 East Main St., Niles. He was a member of Saint Joseph  Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.m. He owned horses, which he enjoyed showing and racing.  He enjoyed tending his garden. In 1926, he graduated from Bicknell High School.

Survivors include four daughters, Beverly Soucek of Saint Joseph, Carolyn Dulai of Haslett, Darlene Garland of Wyoming, Linda Bennett of Grand Rapids; a son, Alan Shirrell of Niles; a brother, Roberrt Shirrell of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Shirrell was preceded in death by three sisters, Loralie Shirrell Goff, Crystal Robbins, and Ruth Shiben; and a brother, Reid Shirrell.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

George W. Summers
Nov. 6, 1932-Oct. 21, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 24, 1986, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

George W. Summers, 53, 1646 Sycamore St., Niles, died at 11:33 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital following an illness of eight months.

He was the physical plant director at Bethel College, Mishawaka, Ind., and a member of the Naval Reserve. Summers was also a member of first missionary Church where he was an adult Sunday school teacher, a trustee and 1985 chairman of the church board.

He was born Nov. 6, 1932 in South Bend, Ind., and lived in Niles 30 years, coming from South Bend.

On Oct. 14, 1956, in Niles, he married Emma L. Robbins, who survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Mary Summers of South Bdnd; a son, Barry of Niles; a daughter, Sheryl Blake of Niles; a brother, Ernest of Grand Rapids; four sisters, June Summers of Mishawaka, Frances Rininger of South Bend, Marilyn Johnson of Niles and Beverly Lonergan of Edwardsburg; and a grandchild.

Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Phillip Petersen,James Bennett, and Lloyd Murphy of First Missionary Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after  5 p.m. today.

Memorials may be made to First Missionary Church and the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Maude Whiteman
Nov. 17, 1890-Dec. 18, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 18, 1928, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

INFLUENZA CLAIMS FIRST VICTIM HERE IN MAUDE WHITEMAN

Saleswoman at Livingston's Dies After Short Illness

The first death in Niles directly traceable to influenza since the epidemic became prevalent here several weeks ago occurred this morning when Miss Maude Whiteman died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Whiteman, 1210 Sycamore street. The immediate cause of death was heart disease. Miss Whiteman, who for several years had been a saleslady went to her work in the Livingston store last Saturday morning ill, but was sent home directly when the proprietor arrived. She was alarmingly sick within a few hours and little hope was held for recovery.  A weakened condition of the heart caused her death at 6:15 this morning.

Miss Whiteman was born in the house in which she died on Nov. 17, 1890. She had spent practically her entire life in Niles except during a brief period when she was employed elsewhere as a telephone operator. Several years ago she entered the employe of the Henkel Bros., as a saleslady and had continued her work when Benj. Livingston purchased the business. Many qualities recommended her as an excellent saleslady. She was particularly active in the work of the First Baptist church, being a member of various organizations including the choir and Sunday school and at the time of her death was superintendent of the Junior department of the Sunday school. She had also been active in the work in Niles and in the St. Joseph River Baptist association of the young peoples department. She joined the Niles Baptist church when she was 12 years of age and had since been a faithful and consistent member.  Many friends mourn her death.

Surviving Miss Whiteman are her parents, two sisters, Mrs. Leavitt Brown, Niles, and Mrs. George Ernhardt, of South Bend, and one brother, A.L. Whiteman of Niles.

The plans for the funeral are not not completed but the services will be held in the Baptist church, probably on Thursday.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 19, 1928, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL PLANS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR THREE

Unusual Number of deaths in This Vicinity This Week

Funeral services for Miss Maude Whiteman will be held tomorrow afternoon.  At 1:30 a private service will be held in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Whiteman, 1210 Sycamore street. At 2 o'clock a service will be held in the Baptist church. Rev. O.P. Miles, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

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.