Edward Smith Sr., of Niles
Oct. 26, 1941-Aug. 18, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:44 pm Thursday, August 19, 2021

Oct. 26, 1941 — Aug. 18, 2021

Edward L. “Bobby” Smith, Sr., 79, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on Oct. 26, 1941, in Gobler, Missouri to the late Ernest and Edna (Cox) Smith.

Edward, also known to many as Bobby and Smitty, worked for many years at Clark Eqiupment in Buchanan, Coop Steel in South Bend and then retired from the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Authority in Buchanan. On June 27, 1961, he wed Almarie Canady at a ceremony in Cleveland, Arkansas. The couple recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his gift of storytelling and his ability to make friends with everyone he came in contact with. Edward was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Deborah Smith-Rodriguez; his brothers, Richard Starnes, Hugh Smith and J.C. Starnes as well as his sisters, Vilee Lauderdale and Naomi McCall.

Edward is survived by his loving wife, Almarie “Ree” Smith, of Niles; his children, DeAngela “Ann” Smith, of Niles, Edward “Ed” Smith, Jr. (Patty Barnhart), of South Bend, Anthony “Tony” Smith, of Niles and Reginald “Reggie” Smith, of Niles; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ethel Cox, of Kansas City, Missouri, Dorothy Allen, of Niles, Patsy and Pearl Nelson, both of Kansas City, Missouri and Mamie McDaniel, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and countless others.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation one hour prior. An interment will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at 10 a.m.

The family of Edward Smith would like to thank Heartland Hospice for their care and concern during their journey.

Memories of Edward may be shared with his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com where his service will also be livestreamed.

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

Richard James “Dick” Dunham, of Niles
Oct. 28, 1935-Aug. 23, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38 am Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Oct. 28, 1935 — Aug. 23, 2015

Richard James “Dick” Dunham, 79, of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at Buchanan Meadows following an extended illness. Dick was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Cassopolis, Michigan to Lyle Luman and Edna Mae (Carroll) Dunham.

Richard James “Dick” Dunham

Dick was a 1953 graduate of Niles High School where he was a remarkable athlete, lettering in football, baseball and wrestling. He was a United States Navy Veteran, having served from 1953-1956. He then attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1961. Dick was employed by Travelers Insurance for over 30 years, retiring in 1990.

On June 24, 1961, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles, Dick married Georgina “Gina” Barron, who survives in Niles with their sons, Sean (Jennifer) Dunham of Bemidji, Minnesota, Daniel (Hahn) Dunham of Rigby, Idaho and James Dunham of Three Rivers, Michigan, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dick is also survived by one sister, Jayne Dunham of Niles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joyce Dunham, and his brother Ronald Dunham.

The funeral service for Dick Dunham will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Trinity Episcopal Church with The Rev. Pamela V. Sten officiating. The service will conclude with the Veterans Flag Presentation and TAPS by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at a later date.

Donations in memory of Dick may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Everett (Buddy) Robbins Jr., of South Bend
July 19, 1943-Aug. 13, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:51 pm Wednesday, August 18, 2021

July 19, 1943 — Aug. 13, 2021

Everett Laverne (Buddy) Robbins Jr., 78, of South Bend, Indiana, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Aug. 13, 2021, in his home surrounded by family.

Buddy was born on July 19, 1943, to Everett Laverne Robbins Sr. and Betty Noreen Robbins in Springfield, Illinois and was the oldest of four children. He was a graduate from Niles High School in Niles, and served in the Navy from 1961 to 1967, being honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Buddy was a retired Machinist Supervisor and enjoyed working part-time at his church, Grace Church of Granger, Indiana, where he enjoyed many friendships.

On July 20, 1964, in Niles, he married the love of his life, Sandra Jean (Rhoads) Robbins, with whom he recently celebrated the 57th anniversary of their wedding. Buddy loved his two sons, and especially loved camping, hiking, biking and roughhousing with his grandchildren where he lovingly endured many scrapes, bumps, and bruises while trying to keep up. It was rare for Buddy to miss any kind of event for any of his grandchildren, whether far or near. In fact, Buddy’s last venture out of his home was to be at his granddaughter’s birthday celebration on Aug. 3. His family meant the world to him.

Surviving family includes his wife of 57 years, Sandy Robbins; son, Wesley (Scott) and Julia Robbins; son, Jeffrey (Wayne) and Sheri Robbins; his beloved sister, Diana Miller; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his sisters, Wanda and Teresa.

The family will receive relatives and friends from Noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. A funeral service for Buddy Robbins will be at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home in Niles on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at 1 p.m., with Rick Wood of Awaken Chicago Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Naval Military Honors.

Contributions in memory of Buddy will be used to erect a new American flag in his honor at Clay Township Park where Buddy worked part-time maintenance and spent many hours walking with his wife and his best four-legged friend, Mocha. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clay Township Park, Buddy Robbins Memorial Flag, 18355 Auten Road, South Bend, IN 46637.

Diane Backus, of Niles
May 13, 1952-Aug. 9, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:59 pm Monday, August 9, 2021

Diane Backus, 69, of Niles, passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at her home. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Published on Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Diane Lee Backus

Diane Backus, 69, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, August 9, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 13, 1952 in Niles to the late LeRoy and Marjorie (Everman) Hydorn. On November 22, 1969 Diane wed Richard A. Backus, Sr. at a ceremony in Niles. A homemaker most of her life, Diane enjoyed crafting, spending time with her family and will also be remembered for always helping others. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard Backus, Sr. and two sisters, Judith Ann Wall and Darlene Myers. Diane will be missed greatly by her children, Shelly (Jeff) Thompson and Richard Jr. (Becky) Backus, all of Niles; five grandchildren and a sister, Mary (Floyd) Ostrander of Niles. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and a special neighbor and friend, Rich Perez. A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Silverbrook Cemetery at Noon. Memorial contributions may be made in Diane’s memory to Vietnam Veterans of America – Agent Orange at 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Memories of Diane may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Greta Darlene Hoisington
Dec. 12, 1931-Aug. 3, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:03 pm Monday, August 9, 2021

Dec. 12, 1931 — Aug. 3, 2021

Greta Darlene Hoisington, 89, passed away peacefully Aug. 3, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived with her daughter Lori and son-in-law Chico.

Greta was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Arthur Benjamin and Eva Lenora (Wescott) Olson, and lived her early years in Clearwater, Minnesota. Greta told many stories about her beloved Clearwater, and of her great grandmother, great Aunt Blanche Bowles, and great Grandpa Cotton. One of her favorite childhood pastimes was tagging along to work with her Daddy, an engineer at the theatre.

Greta shared her love and faith in God with those around her. She is a devout Christian, and the Lord is woven into her being. She shared with us that God is faithful and perfect. She counseled us to pray for our needs and always trust in the Lord. In her final days, as she lay in her hospital bed smiling and singing, she said, “Jesus is here with me.”

Greta helped build airplanes at Bendix during the Korean war. During the 1970s, she worked in the Emergency Room at Pawating Hospital. She later worked for a doctor’s office after earning her degree as a medical assistant from IUSB. Greta finished her career as Administrative Assistant at the University of Notre Dame and retired in 1997.

Greta is survived by her children: Mark Hoisington of Niles, Marcia Hoisington (Laurence Karsh), of Chicago, Lori Hoisington (Chico Villarruel), of Jacksonville, Florida, and Nancy (Brad) Hall, of Chicago; her grandson, Nicholas Askew, of Indianapolis, Indiana; two step-grandchildren, Justin Griffiths and Bridgette Avila; and a sister, Phyllis Marilyn Olson. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Arthur David and Myron Keith, and her sister Yvonne “Bonnie” Claire Olson.

Visitation for Greta will be on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. Niles, MI from 2 to 6 p.m. On Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, noon, there will be a procession from Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home to Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for a Graveside service.

Ricky Jackson, of Niles
June 27, 1961-Aug. 8, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:20 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2021