Edward Curtis, 68
June 23, 1942 — Aug. 7, 2010

Edward Manley “Uncle Honey” Curtis, 68, of Carberry Road in Niles, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010 at 5:05 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

Edward Curtis

Mr. Curtis was born June 23, 1942 in South Bend to Manley Howard and Virginia Katherine (Forbes) Curtis. He was a lifetime resident of Niles. He retired in 2001 after 25 years of service from Honeywell in South Bend. He also had been employed at Allied Speciality Precision in Mishawaka.
Edward was a veteran of the Vietnam Era, having served in the United States Navy on both the U.S.S. Vulcan and U.S.S. Nantahala.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 2094, Niles. He enjoyed gardening, bird watching, music and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.
Mr. Curtis is survived by his daughters, Judy Curtis of Niles and Diane (Gary) Dreher of Buchanan; grandchildren, Tony (Bethany) Angelero of Buchanan, Samantha Curtis of Niles, Sarah Elizabeth Dreher and Paul Dreher, both of Buchanan; great-granddaughter, Emma Gene Comer of Niles; mother, Virginia Katherine Curtis of Saint Petersburg, Fla.; brothers and sisters, Stephen (Peggy) Curtis of South Bend, Mark Curtis of Niles, Mary (Lynn) Speck of Clearwater, Fla., Nan (Ken) Olney of Wayland, Mich., Diane (Tom) Filstrup of Port Charlotte, Fla., Andrea (Bob) Wetmore and Lorraine (Dave) Casey, both of Saint Petersburg and Beth (Tim) Winquist of Niles; brother-in-law, Jim Litty of Crown Point, Ind.; and 20 nieces and nephews.
Edward was preceded in death by his father, Manley Howard Curtis, and sister, Margaret Litty.
Funeral services for Edward Manley Curtis will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles with the Rev. James Slack of the church officiating. The service will conclude with full military honors by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Edward may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:24pm Monday, August 9, 2010

Mary Arnett, 83
Feb. 3, 1927 — Aug. 6, 2010

     Mary K. Arnett, 83, of Carrol Street in Buchanan and formerly of South Fifth Street in Niles, died at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 at Buchanan Meadows Living Center, Buchanan.
     She was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Lenoir City, Tenn. to William Frank Hensley and Minnie Mae (Stout) Hensley.
     She grew up in Benton Harbor and moved to Niles in 1970. She was previously employed at Michigan Fruit Canners.
     She married Thello Ray Arnett in February 1959. He died in 1975. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward “Mitch” Hensley, who died Nov. 27, 2002.
     Mary is survived by her daughter, Linda J. (Estes R.) Bazor of Wheatland, Calif.; grandsons, Logan A. Boydell of Sacramento, Calif., Noah G. Boydell of Sacramento and Daniel E. Bazor of Citrus Heights, Calif.; granddaughter, Josselyn K. Bazor of Wheatland; and sister-in-law, Sigrid A. Hensley of Bloomington, Minn.
     Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010 at the graveside in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.
     Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
     There will be no visitation.
     Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:26pm Monday, August 9, 2010

Rachel Hatfield, 86
Aug. 3, 1924 — Aug. 22, 2010

Rachel Hatfield, 86, of Cass Street in Niles, died at 5:19 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Hatfield was born Aug. 3, 1924 in Michigan City, Ind. to James S. and Katie E. (Love) Painter. Rachel lived in Niles most of her life and retired from Electro-Voice in Buchanan.

She attended the Methodist church. She enjoyed snowmobiling at Irons, Mich. and gardening.

In September 1945 at the Methodist church, she married John A. Hatfield, who preceded her in death Dec. 21, 2006. Their son, Jerry A. Hatfield, also preceded her in death Nov. 29, 1999.

Mrs. Hatfield is survived by their grandson, Jeffrey A. Hatfield, and granddaughter, Jennifer A. Hatfield, both of Niles; great-grandson, Brandon Michael Jerry Hatfield; great-granddaughter, Mya Ray Matlock; and sister, Ruth Nowlin, of Austin, Texas.

Graveside services for Rachel Hatfield will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Rachel may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:36pm Monday, August 23, 2010

Zeta Clark,
March 25, 1927 — Sept. 8, 2010

Zeta B. Clark, 83, of North 16th Street, Niles, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born March 25, 1927 in Niles to William Zerr and Ruth (Christman) Zerr. She was a lifetime resident of Niles. She first married James Hiatt, who died in 1960. She later married John K. Clark, who died May 5, 1960.

Zeta retired after more than 40 years of service from Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles. She was a very active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles, where she was financial secretary of the church council and choir member.

She was previously employed at Lakeland Rehabilitation and was currently volunteering in the Lakeland Surgery Waiting Room. She also volunteered at Northside School reading to preschoolers.

She will always be remembered for her baked goods, especially her cookies.

The family wishes to thank the staff of West Woods of Niles and Hospice at Home for the wonderful care given to their mother.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Andy Selent, on Nov. 29, 2006.

She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Selent of Niles; son, Don (Marge) Hiatt of Niles; granddaughters, Maggie Hiatt of Niles and Christina Selent of Niles; grandson, Tony Hiatt of Niles; sister, Ruth Watson of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles with the Rev. Harry L. Clark of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and one hour prior to services at the church Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ or Relay for Life.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:19pm Thursday, September 9, 2010

Margaret (Harder) Pruyn
April 11, 1826-June 8, 1901

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 10, 1901, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Margaret Pruyn died at her home, near Barren[sic] lake, Saturday evening at 6:30 o'clock, at the age of 75 years.. The cause of her death was a complication of diseases, together with old age.
    Deceased leaves four children, who are the Misses Jennie, Louise and Kate, and Mr. John Pruyn.
    The funeral will occur from the late residence at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. Dr. Lowrie will conduct the services. Interment will be in Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mrs. Pruyn was a most estimable lady, as well as one of the oldest settlers in this vicinity, and her death came as a shock to the community.
Niles Republican, Thursday, June 13, 1901, page 1, col. 2, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Monday, June 10, 1901, microfilm Niles District Library


Monday's Sun.

    Mrs. Margaret Pruyn, widow of the late Henry Pruyn, passed away at her home near Barron lake, Saturday evening about 6:45 o'clock.  The cause of death was uraemia, the end coming after a painful illness of six weeks.
    Deceased, who was well known and had a wide circle of acquaintances, was 76 years of age and had for many years been a resident of these parts.  She leaves three children to mourn her demise. She was a sister of J.E. Harder of this city.
    The funeral was held at 2:30 this afternoon from the late residence, the Rev. Lowrie, officiating. Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Pruyn was a devout member of the Presbyterian church and will be greatly missed in the home and church.

Lydia Bain Pruyn
April 3, 1869-March 13, 1873

DIED

PRUYN--At Barron Lake, March 13th, of brain fever, Lydia Bain, youngest daughter, of Henry and Margaret A. Pruyn, aged 3 years, 11 months and 10 days.

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 3, 1873, page 3, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library