Josephine Smith
Died Aug. 7, 2011

Josephine Smith, 83, of Vandalia, Mich., died at 10:28 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011 at West Woods of Niles of natural causes.
A graveside service for Josephine will be held at noon Friday, Aug. 12 in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, officiated by Chaplain Jonathan Rose from Hospice at Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, Inc, 4017 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan, MI 49107.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:27pm Monday, August 8, 2011

Leone Shaler, 91
Jan. 27, 1920 — July 24, 2011

Leone Helen Shaler, 91, of Wayne Street in Niles, died at 5:33 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles of an extended illness.
Helen was born on Jan. 27, 1920 in Petoskey, Mich. to Leo and Fannie (McCarthy) Shaler. She graduated from Petoskey High School and later moved to Niles in 1941. She retired in 1979 from Coopers and Lybrand and had previously been employed at Michigan Bell.
Helen formerly attended St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. She was a past president of American Legion Post 26 Auxiliary in Niles. She was also a member of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge 1322. She enjoyed reading novels, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends.
On May 9, 1942 at Paris, Tenn., she married L.A. Dolan Shaler, who preceded her in death on June 20, 1989.
She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susan Helen Shaler, who died Sept. 5, 1956; infant granddaughter, Jaclyn Gleason, who died Dec. 6,1978; a sister, Dolores, Schrumpf, who died Sept. 4, 1982; and an infant brother.
She is survived by her daughters, Judy (Sam) Kiger and Shelly (Ken) Shaler-Strope both of Niles; grandchildren, Christine (Joe) Riddle, Patricia Gleason and Bryon Gleason; great-grandchildren, Rachel Michael and Ryan Riddle, Dylan Gleason and Dustin Whitehead.
The family of Helen L. Shaler will gather privately for services at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Smith of Hope Community Church officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to the Hospice at Home in Buchanan.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:07pm Monday, July 25, 2011

Evelyn Iwaniuk, 88
Dec. 4, 1922 — July 31, 2011

Evelyn M. Iwaniuk, 88, of Missions East and formerly of North 14th Street in Niles, died at 7:51 a.m. Sunday, July 31, 2011 at

Iwaniuk

Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a brief illness.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1922 in Benton Harbor to Lyle A. and Myra L. (Griffin) Brant; was raised on a farm near Eau Claire; and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1941. She was employed in the offices of the National-Standard Co. for many years.
Evelyn was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles, Grace United Methodist Women and the Friday Book Club. She volunteered with the Pawating Hospital Auxiliary (now Lakeland). She enjoyed traveling and had toured the Holy Land, Hawaii, Germany, Austria, Italy and Greece. She always enjoyed celebrating birthdays with close friends.
On June 2, 1946 in Sodus, Mich., she married John Iwaniuk. Mr. Iwaniuk graduated from Law School at the University of Notre Dame and practiced law in Niles before serving as a judge in several local courts. He retired as a judge in Michigan’s Fifth District Court. Judge Iwaniuk preceded his wife in death on June 16, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Carlyle J. Brant in 1966.
Evelyn is survived by their children, Gregory P. (Janice) Iwaniuk of Niles, Gale M. (Craig) Miller of Bridgman and Gary (Kristen) Iwaniuk of Osceola, Ind.; grandchildren, Rory Iwaniuk, Justin Iwaniuk, Andy Miller, Stephanie Markham, John Robert Iwaniuk and Nicholas Iwaniuk; great-grandchildren, Rowan, Grace, Tysen, Allie and Jacob; Evelyn’s niece, Connie (Robert) Froehlich of Berrien Center; and several cousins.
The funeral service for Evelyn Iwaniuk will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of Grace United Methodist Church officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Iwaniuk may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:10pm Monday, August 1, 2011

Lena York, 84
Aug. 12, 1926-Aug. 6, 2011

Lena M. York, 84, of 21st Street in Niles, died at 10:23 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at her home following a brief illness.
She was born Aug. 12, 1926 in Niles to Charlie Kiste and Nettie (Jeffey) Kiste. She was a lifetime area resident. Lena married Donald L. York Sr. on Nov. 19, 1949.
She retired in 1987, after more than 15 years of service at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her grandchildren, doing puzzles and coloring books.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. York, three brothers and one sister.
Lena is survived by her son, Donald L. (Mary) York Jr. of Niles; daughters, Donna L. Ritcher of Purcell, Okla. and Ellen L. (Tim) Helt of Buchanan; her sister, Ethel Thomas of Niles; Lisa D. Wagner, John A. Kiste and Michael L. York, all of Niles, whom she also raised as her own; and 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service for Lena will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, officiated by the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church.
She will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Friends may call beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:26pm Monday, August 8, 2011

Donald Kessler, 68
Jan. 3, 1943 — Aug. 6, 2011

Donald Allen Kessler, 68, of 2521 Heath Drive in Niles, died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at his home in Niles of natural causes.

Donald was born Jan. 3, 1943 in South Bend, Ind., to Donald and Helen Kessler. He worked as a draftsman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Helen Kessler.

Donald is survived by his son, Tom (Becky) Kessler of Niles; daughter, Wendy (Jeromy) Hansen of Casselberry, Fla.; brother, Keith (Suzie) Kessler of Arizona; and ten grandchildren, Brooklyn, Bailee, Addison, Madison, Taylor, Sierra, Savanna, Daltyn, Kayla, and Hannah.

The funeral service for Donald Allen Kessler will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan, officiated by Pastor Mike Smith, of Hope Community Church in Niles.

He will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Hoven Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:24pm Monday, August 8, 2011

Mary Shackelford, 77
June 7, 1934 — June 24, 2011

Mary C. Shackelford was born Mary Cathern Thomas on June 7, 1934 in Trumann, Ark.

One of 13 siblings, she learned early the joys and trials of a large family. She married the love of her life, E. Riley Shackelford, on Nov. 13, 1950 and they went on to raise seven children: Rickey, Richard, Roy, Susan, Kathy, Teresa and David, who preceded her in death. She was blessed with 20 grandkids and 17 great-grandkids who called her “G.G.”

Her heart went with Riley when he went home to heaven in 1996 and her soul found the same sweet peace on June 24, 2011.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. today at First Missionary Church in Niles.

Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, Inc. of Buchanan.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:49pm Sunday, June 26, 2011