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.

Judy Redfern, of Niles
May 26, 1953-Dec. 9,  2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:29 pm Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Judy Redfern, 68, of Niles, passed away Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home, of Niles.

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Obituary of Judy Ann Redfern

Bessie Dodge Warren
Jan. 26, 1861-Nov. 27, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 28, 1930, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GEORGE L. WARREN IS STRICKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away at N. Fourth Street Home After Illness of a Year

A resident of Niles for nearly 70 years. Mrs. Bessie Dodge Warren, wife of George L. Warren, died last evening at 8:15 in the house in which she was born and in which she had spent her entire life. The home is located at 318 N. Fourth street. While Mrs. Warren had been in ill health for a year, her last illness was not of long duration. Her death is attributed to a complication of diseases.

Mrs. Warren's maiden name was Bessie Dodge, a daughter of Samuel and Lelilah Dodge, prominent pioneer residents of Niles. She was Born on Jan. 26, 1861. She was married in Niles on April 15, 1897 to George L. Warren who survives as does the one son born of this union, LeRoy Warren, who resides at home. Mrs. Warren was a talented musician and was formerly a member of the Niles Musical club. She was a member of the Presbyterian church.

The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 in the Presbyterian church. The pastor the Rev. G.W. Simon, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, November 29, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. WARREN

The body of Mrs. George Warren will lie in state in the Rutherford Funeral home until noon tomorrow. The funeral services will be held at 1:30 in the Presbyterian church. The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate. Burial wlll be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Fred Gorton
June 17 1876-Nov. 27, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 28, 1930, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FRED GORTON, FOREMAN
IN PAPER MILL, DIES
AFTER SHORT ILLNESS

Fred Gorton, 54, 1222 Broadway, died on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock after about a week of illness from a complication of diseases. Mr. Gorton's illness was not considered alarming until a few hours before his death and his death came as a shock to his friends.

Mr. Gorton had been a resident of Niles or vicinity for 50 years. He was born at Wayne, Mich., on June 17, 1876. When a child of four years he was brought by his parents to a farm near Niles and had since lived in this vicinity. For the last 28 years he had been employed as a foreman at the French paper mills.

Surviving Mr. Gorton is the widow who was formerly Mary E. Breece to whom he was married in Cassopolis, and the following children: Mrs. Charlotte Powry of Mishawaka, Ind., Mrs. Edward Fritz, of Los Angeles, Calif., Howard and Miss Beulah Gorton of Detroit; Mrs. K.D. Curtis of Rantone, Ill., and Mrs. La Verne Olmstead of Toledo, Ohio. Besides the widow and children he is survived by the following brothers and sistesrs: Mrs. Emma S. White of San Diego, Calif., Mrs. H.E. Price, Mrs. Hattie Leich,and Silas Gorton all of Niles and Frank Gorton of Detroit.

The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at one o'clock in the Methodist church. The pastor, the Rev. W.W. Slee, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

The deceased was a member of the Niles Camp of Modern Woodmen of America.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, November 29, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL FRED GORTON

Friends who desire to view the body of Fred Gorton may call at the home, 122[sic] Broadway, until noon on Monday. The services will be held at 1 o'clock in the Methodist church with the Rev. W.W. Slee in charge. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Gorton who reside in widely separated cities, including . . . [illegible] . . on account of the visit Mrs. Ed Fritz of Los Angeles was making with her parents and which was made an occasion for a family reunion. Mr. Gorton died on Thursday morning.

Dora Dickeson
March 1, 1865-Dec. 12, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, December 13, 1930, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. DORA DICKESON IS TAKEN BY DEATH

Passes Away at Home on Howard Street After Long Illness

Mrs. Dora Dickeson, 65, wife of William Dickeson, 622 Howard street, died in their home last night about 11 o'clock after seven months of illness during which time she was on several occasions a patient in hospital.

Mrs. Dickeson as a native of Niles. She was born on March 1865. Her maiden name was Dora Exner. She had spent her entire life here. Of the 12 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickeson, eight survive their mother. They are Frank Siebert, John, William, and Lawrence Dickeson, Mrs. Albert Coffinger, Mrs. Kenneth Hawkins, Mrs. Herman Klopfenstein and Mrs, Harold Lewis, all of Niles. One sister, Mrs. Fred Knauff and five brothers, August, Fred Louis, Charles and George Exner, all of Niles except the latter who is a resident of Buchanan, also survive. Her grandchildren number 37.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at a[sic] o'clock in the home. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church of which she was a member, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, December 15, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. WM. DICKESON

Funeral services for Mrs. Dickeson, who died on Friday evening were held this afternoon in the home, 622 Howard street. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church of which she was a member for many years, officiated. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The name of one brother, John Exner of Niles, was omitted fro the list of the surviving brothers as published on Saturday. The immediate surviving relatives are the husband, and the following children, Mrs. Frank Siebert, John William and Lawrence Dickeson, Mrs. Albert Coffinger, Mrs. Kenneth Hawkins, Mrs. Herman Klopfenstein and Mrs. Harold Lewis, all of Niles, One sister, Mrs. Fred Knauff and six brothers, John, August, Fred Louis and Charles, all of Niles and George, of Buchanan.