Obituaries

Dolores McDonald, 81
July 20, 1930 — Sept. 19, 2011

Dolores Irene “Dee-Dee” McDonald, 81, of Niles, died Monday, Sept. 19 in her home of natural causes.

McDonald

She was born on July 20, 1930 in Niles, where she resided most of her life. She served as a bartender at the Niles American Legion Post 26 for 40 years.

She is survived by her three siblings, Maryann, Teresa and Verna; and also three children, Patricia (Bill) Hager of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Johnnie (Belinda) Hall of Niles and Carolyn Gale, also of Niles. She also enjoyed seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding her death were her husband, John McDonald, and her daughter, Geraldine Kozak.

There will be a memorial service at the Eagles in Niles on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:41pm Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Howard Davis, Jr., 78
Jan. 28, 1932 — Sept. 23, 2011

Howard C. Davis, Jr., 78, died Sept. 23, 2011.

Howard lived in Niles all of his life until relocating in retirement to Conroe, Texas in 2004. He was a graduate of Niles High School, Hillsdale College in

Davis

Hillsdale, Mich. and he attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill.

Howard was employed as the national sales manager and later, president, of Davis Products, Inc., founded in 1947 in Niles and relocated to Dowagiac in the 1980s. Davis Products was known nationally and internationally for the manufacture of fabricated metal compact kitchens. He also coached Little League baseball in Howard Township for six seasons.

In his early years, Davis was active in the First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian churches of Niles. Davis was active in the growth of the Christian church and was a founding member of the former Church of the Savior, Reformed Church of America in Niles, where he served in numerous positions of leadership. Davis loved instrumental and choral music, actively participating in both choral and quartet singing.

Howard was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lyn Davis, and their daughter, Kerry Longwell Hamilton, and her husband, Lane Hamilton, of Aurora, Colo.; his sons, Christopher J. Davis of Conroe, Texas and William “Bill” C. Davis of Castle Rock, Colo.  He was grandfather to Lindsay, Lauren and Logan Hamilton; Spencer, Taylor and Peyton Davis; and Joshua C. Davis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard C. and Anarose Davis; his maternal aunt and uncle, Art and Evelyn Mould; and uncle, Andrew McCormick. Extended family includes Kathleen McCormick and their children, Pat, Michael and Steve McCormick.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church at 13 South Fourth St., Niles at 10 a.m.

A reception in the church parlor will follow.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:11pm Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Frederick Litty, 89
March 11, 1922 — Sept. 20, 2011

Frederick L. “Fred” Litty, 89, of North Fourth Street, Niles, died at 1:13 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Riveridge Manor, Niles following a brief illness.
He was born March 11, 1922 in Niles to Joseph and Anna (Zwickl) Litty. He graduated from Niles High School, and lived here all of his life. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army Air Corps, and had a long career with Tyler Refrigeration as a truck driver and pilot.
Fred had a great interest in aviation, holding a pilot’s license for more than 50 years. He was based at the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport in Niles, where he served in many capacities, from maintenance to successfully writing grants for the airport, and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 865. He has also served on the city airport board since 1992. The City of Niles honored his efforts by naming the airport’s terminal and offices the Fred Litty Administration Building. The State of Michigan recognized his efforts in aviation by a proclamation signed by Gov. John Engler.
Fred also volunteered at the South Bend Airport’s military memorial park.
He was an avid reader, especially of any material related to aeronautics.
On Jan. 4, 1944 in Lake Wales, Fla., he married the former Frances L. Brooks, who preceded him in death on July 24, 1991.
He was also preceded in death by his brothers, August, Joon, Joseph, Michael and Herman; and sisters, Martha Leichtman, Rose Martinsen, Mary Schrader, Ann Montz, Josephine Quick, Virginia Mann and Victoria Litty.
Surviving family includes two sons, Gerald Litty and Rodger Litty, both of Niles; grandchildren, Bryan Litty and Karla Dennis; great-grandchildren Dalton Litty, Chelsy Litty Jessica Dennis and Nathan Dennis; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Fred Litty will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Mr. Michael Loupee of Niles officiating.
Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and taps by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Fred may be made to the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:41pm Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Cora Weiser, 99
Sept. 26, 1911 — Sept. 14, 2011

Cora E. Weiser, 99 years, of Wells Street in Niles, died at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an illness.
Mrs. Weiser was born Sept. 26, 1911 in Niles to James and Sarah (Bidle) Snyder. Cora was a lifetime resident of Niles and retired after many years of service from Grant’s Department Store in Niles.
She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles and the Suzanna Wesley Guild.
On Dec. 27, 1936 in South Bend, she married Leo H. Weiser, who preceded her in death April 22, 1967.
Mrs. Weiser was also preceded in death by her sisters, Ada Reum and Esther Swigelson.
The family is gathering privately for services.
There will be no public visitation.
Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Cora may be made to the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:48pm Thursday, September 15, 2011

Audrey Burner, 62
March 23, 1949 — Sept. 9, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 10, 2011, page 2

Audrey Burner, 62, of Barron Lake Road, Niles, died at 3:25 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, Mich. following a brief illness.

She was born March 23, 1949 in Wayne County, Mich. to Roy Thomas Riddell and Charlotte (Mary) Riddell. She lived in Niles since 1979, coming from Dearborn, Mich.

She was a former employee of Fapco in Buchanan.

Audrey married Alfred A. Burner on June 16, 1967 in Melvindale, Mich. He died Feb. 27, 2005.
She is survived by her daughters, Dawn L. Burner of Elkhart, Ind. and Pamela J. (Brian) Young of Niles; son, Charles M. Burner of Niles; grandchildren, Jacob Osban, Rebecca Osban, Justin Osban and BC Young; brother, Raymond Riddell of Allen Park, Mich.; sisters, Sharon Whitmore of Avon Park, Fla. and Gloria West of Melvindale, Mich.; nephews, Mark C. Howkins, John L. Howkins and Shawyn R. Howkins.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

William F. Raabe
Aug. 1, 1890-Dec. 16, 1961

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 16, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

William F. Raabe, 71, of 1842 Bond St., Road, died at 12:05 a.m. today on arrival at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill for two weeks.

Mr. Raabe, a retired tool maker for Wheelabrator Corp., Mishawaka, Ind., was born Aug. 1, 1890, in South Bend and came to Niles in 1953.  He was married June 25, 1913, in South Bend, to Hazel Hemphill, who survives.

Also surviving are: a son, Donald Raabe, 1844 Bond St. Road; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Dahlgren and Mrs. Lillian Holterman, both South Bend.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.