Kenton Smallwood, of Niles
July 29, 1951-July 25, 2021

Niles Daily Start, Published online 4:57 pm Thursday, July 29, 2021

July 29, 1951 — July 25, 2021

Kenton Edward Smallwood, 69, of Niles, husband, father, son, brother and outdoorsman died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, July 25, 2021, while visiting his summer home in Roscommon, Michigan.

He was born on July 29, 1951, in Niles to Blair E. and Barbara J. (Welsher) Walter. Sadly, Blair died when Kent was five years old. Several years later, Barbara married James R. Smallwood who adopted her children. Kent graduated with the Niles High School Class of 1969, and continued his education at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, earning a bachelor of science in marketing and finance. He was employed by AT&T his entire career, and was transferred to several locations, including 20 years in Chicago, Illinois.

Kent was raised in the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, but in Chicago he attended the former Saints Margaret & Mary Catholic Church (now Holy Child Jesus Parish), and “up North” he attended Saint James the Greater Catholic Church in Houghton Lake, Michigan.

He was a great outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, kayaking and canoeing on Higgins Lake and the Au Sable River, and taking nature walks, including winter snowshoe hikes and cross-country skiing. He also ran, including a Chicago Marathon, and practiced yoga. He often played golf at the Redwood Golf Course in Roscommon (formerly the Burning Oak Country Club before the clubhouse burned-down in 2011).

Indoors, Kent enjoyed watching football broadcasts, but recently changed his loyalties from the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears to the Kansas City Chiefs — so that he could experience celebrating a win. He was also a fan of the University of Michigan, splitting his collegiate loyalties with his alma mater, the Central Michigan Chippewas. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre and Texas Hold’em.

On Aug. 8, 1988, at the Presbyterian Church Camp on Higgins Lake (now Camp Westminster) the Rev. William J. Fuerstenau officiated at the wedding of Kent to the former Barbara B. (Dziwulski), with whom he celebrated last year the 32nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Barbara B. Smallwood, and three sons, Iaian Blair Smallwood, of Los Angeles, California, Mario John Pata, also of Los Angeles, and Angleo Joseph (& Marie) Pata, of Chicago; Kent’s mother, Barbara J. Smallwood, of Niles; and Kent’s siblings, Karen E. (& Skip) Muir, of Niles, Karol A. (& Phillip) Mazzotta, of Niles, and Kaye M. (& Michael) Walker, of Holland, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his birth father, Blair, Kent was preceded in death by his adoptive father, James Smallwood, on June 13, 1997; and by a brother, Kim Allen Smallwood, who died on Sept. 6, 2005.

The funeral service for Kenton Smallwood will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St. in Niles, with the Rev. Christopher Mergener of the church officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page at: facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices. The family will receive relatives and friends in the Tyler Chapel at First Presbyterian Church beginning at noon on Saturday.

Contributions in memory of Kent may be made to the Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Association, tbira.org; or to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75231, https://www.heart.org/. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. Online condolences may be left at:

halbritterwickens.com.

Kent was clearly the consummate outdoorsman, finding pleasure in creation throughout all four seasons on land, water and snow, and even as his health declined he still took creative healthcare support equipment up north where he was most comfortable. But his greatest interest was the people around him, especially his family.

Steven Roy Mitchell
Dec. 14, 1954-July 14, 2021

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Steven Roy Mitchell

Linda ‘Champ’ Kujawa, of Edwardsburg
Dec. 27, 1949-Dec. 6, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:52 am Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Linda J. Kujawa, “Champ,” 69, of Edwardsburg, finished her work here on earth on Dec. 6, 2019, while surrounded by her loved ones.

Shortly after Christmas celebrations in 1949, Kenneth “Jim” and Marion “Jane” (Dempsey) Van Lue were given another gift. Their baby girl, Linda, was born in Niles. 

She found her soul mate, Steve Kujawa, and they later married on Aug. 5, 1994, on Mackinac Island, Michigan.

A 1968 graduate of Niles High school, Linda, who valued education, first received her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and then went on to receive her master’s degree from Michigan State University. After completing her education, she went on to teach for more than 35 years with the Niles Community Schools as a physical education teacher.

Walks on the beach, sand between her toes and sunsets on Waco Beach were always things that Linda would look forward to doing; these times were her quiet and reflective times. However, the fun and adventurous side of Linda always looked forward to Shipshewana trips (always managing to obtain a hot pretzel), a competitive game of Dominoes, or rooting on her Cubs or cheering for her Notre Dame players. Close friends of Linda referred to her as Champ. Though she seemed immensely strong, always competitive and full of joy, Linda endured a long fight with cancer. After overcoming breast cancer, this Champ would again battle cancer with courage unlike no other; never complaining, still looking for adventures, and choosing to live life to its fullest daily.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Van Lue; and her sister, Merri Bagwell; and a special nephew, Sam Reagan.

Her husband, Steve Kujawa, her son, Cody Kujawa, of Edwardsburg; and her brother, Dan (Pam) Van Lue, of Niles, will miss her vivacious personality and ability to carry on in the midst of trials. She will also be missed by her close friends, especially Donna Kretchman and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Linda will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home.

Services to honor Linda’s life will take place at Pokagon United Methodist Church, where she has attended most of her life, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Linda’s passion have been asked to consider The Old Rugged Cross Church, P.O. Box 41, Niles, MI, 49120.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

It has been said, “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams,” Champ knew exactly how to do this!

Lillian H. Holmer, of Dowagiac
April 17, 1927 — July 20, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:18 pm Thursday, July 22, 2021

Lillian H. Holmer, 94, of Dowagiac, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Monday, July 26, 2021, at 11:30 a.m., at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Roy Jeffery officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Memorial contributions may be made to Paws of Hope, pawsofhope.org/lend-a-paw, or to Plymouth Congregational Church, 123 1st St., Watervliet, MI, 49098. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Lillian is survived by her son, Paul Holmer, of Dowagiac, and her dear friend, John (Colleen) Nametz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey & Emma, and husband, Walter.

David Morrison, of Niles 
1934-July 16, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:17 pm Tuesday, July 20, 2021

David Morrison, 87, of Niles, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021, at Riveridge of Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home of Niles. 

James Brady, 77, of Niles
March 18, 1944-April 14, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:03 pm Wednesday, April 21, 2021

March 18, 1944 — April 14, 2021

James “Jim” Robert Brady, 77, of Niles, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

Jim was born on March 18, 1944, to the late Robert and Mildred (Prather) Brady. After graduating from high school, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Judith A. Bata, and together they had three children, Tanya, Jason, and Lisa. Jim loved spending time with his family and enjoyed coaching all of his children during school. He was a baseball, basketball, and softball coach for the boys and girls teams. Jim also enjoyed going to the horse track and betting on his favorite horses.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Brady, and his mother, Mildred Taylor.

Jim is survived by his children, Tanya (Sean) McNelis, of Niles, Jason (Jennifer) Brady, of West Minster, California, and Lisa Fisk, of Niles; grandchildren, Jaxx (Larissa) Tripp, Janell Tripp, Leah Tripp, Joshua McNelis, Amanda Cruz, Justin Cruz, Mason Brady, Gavin Rasler, Bella Rasler, Zaine Fisk, and Lanie Fisk; great-grandchildren, Jayse, Paislee, Tayte, and Kohlson; and many extended family members and close friends.

Jim’s family will be hosting a memorial gathering at a later date.

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

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