James “Buff” Vella, 88
March 26, 1922 — June 19, 2010

James “Buff” Vella, 88, of Mobile Boulevard in Niles, died at 3:20 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born on March 26, 1922 in Barnsboro, Pennsylvania to Carlo and Lucy (Barrett) Vella.
As a young man he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force and placed in the 509th Composite Group, serving on Tinian Island.

Corporal Vella received a commendation for his support of the 393rd Bomb Squadron during their atomic bombardments of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Buff came to Niles in 1951 and was employed at Niles Cabinet, United Dairy and the Holiday Inn. He was then employed by the City of Niles Public Works Department for 17 years.

In retirement he was employed at the former Peel’s Supermarket.

He is best known for his lifelong participation in baseball. He began in the Pennsylvania Moose leagues, played in the military and then with the House of David.

In Niles, he volunteered for 40 years in the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Babe Ruth leagues serving as a coach and an umpire and behind the scenes maintaining and grooming the fields.

Buff was a member of the American Legion Post No. 26 in Niles as a veteran of World War II. He was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose No. 449 in Buchanan.

He was formerly married to Helen (Butterworth) Vella.

Surviving family includes his children, James C. (Christine) Vella, Tim (Deb) Vella, Frank (Angie) Vella, Todd Vella and Lisa (Tom Fields) Scofield, all of Niles; grandchildren Gabriel and Todd Vella, Jennifer Lagoni, Fred Scofield, Tyler Weedon and Jamie and Corey Thacker; great-grandchildren Mahaila, Haidyn, Emma, Courtney, Alexis and Jacob; sisters Chistina Freda of Spangler, Pa., Marie Munoretto of Amity, Pa.; brother Nino Vella of Evansburg, Pa. and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Lagoni on Feb. 22, 1996; brother Frank Vella and sisters Katheryn LaBella and Mary McCarthy.

The funeral service for James “Buff” Vella will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at the Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles. Pastor Jeffery L. Whittaker of the church will be officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by an honor guard of the U.S. Air Force and American Legion Post No. 26.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Buff Vella may be made to the FOP Baseball league or to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:20pm Sunday, June 20, 2010 

Richard Fintze
Sept. 4, 1926-June 20, 2010

Richard James Fintze, 83, of Champlain Drive, Niles died at 2:10 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 4, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio to William James and Lela (Oehling) Fintze. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and attended Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Navy.

Dick was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles. He was appointed to positions in several municipal boards and was active in several community service clubs, including the Berrien County Civitan and Niles Riverfest.

On Oct. 3, 1953 in Warren, Pa., he married Joanne Peterson, who survives. Also surviving are their daughters, Lisa Karsten, of Marietta, Ga. and Susan Fintze, of South Bend.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Fintze, who died in 1982.

The funeral service for Richard J. Fintze will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The veterans’ flag presentation will be provided by an honor guard of the  U.S. Navy.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at noon Wednesday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Fintze may be made to the Berrien County Civitan Club.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:14pm Monday, June 21, 2010

James J. Cloutier
Oct. 18, 1936-June 21, 2010

James J. Cloutier, 73, of Almaugus Drive, Niles died at 3:26 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles of natural causes.

He was born Oct. 18, 1936 in Jackson, Mich. to Homer Joseph Cloutier and Marie Kathleen (Miller) Cloutier. He graduated from Niles High School in 1954 and lived in Niles most of his life. He moved to Niles from Jackson, Mich.

James retired in 2001 after 35 years of service from National Standard Co. in Niles. He was also employed for 13 years at Electro Voice in Buchanan. He loved to go to auctions and flea markets and enjoyed metal detecting. He was meticulous about his yard and watching over Molly.

He married Patricia (Asmus) Cloutier on April 23, 1955 in Niles. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Cindy Cloutier, of Niles and Lisa Perkins, of Niles; son, Michael James Cloutier, of Niles; brother, Thomas (Sharon) Cloutier, of Niles; sister, Barbara Jesswein, of Berrien Springs; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Paul and Virginia Asmus and Jack and Charlene Fein, all of Niles; nieces and nephews; beloved dog, Molly; granddogs, Lady and Holly; and special neighbors and friends.

He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joe and Edith Frucci.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Kyle Gardner, of Niles officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:37pm Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Lillian Graham, 88
1921-June 21, 2010

Lillian Christina Graham, 88, of 1333 Well St., Niles died at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2010 at Riveridge Manor, Niles of natural causes.A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-5303.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:39pm Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Ricardo Sierra, Jr., 36
May 22, 1974 — June 23, 2010

Richardo “Chino” Sierra, Jr., of Lake Street in Niles, died suddenly but of natural causes at 9:20 p.m. June 23, 2010, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. He was 36 years old.

He was born on May 22, 1974 in Juncos, Puerto Rico to Ricardo Sierra Sr. and Arcadia Ramierz.

He moved to New York from Puerto Rico and moved to Niles in 1987. He attended New Vision Apostolic Faith Assembly and enjoyed helping others and attending area festivals.

He is survived by his parents, Ricardo (Tammy) Sierra Sr. of Elkhart and Arcadia Ramirez of Niles; sister Jacqueline Sierra also of Niles; half sisters Milagros Martinez and Sandra Martinez of Puerto Rico, Virginia Martinez of Niles and Margarita Sierra of Elkhart; half brother Efrain Suarez of Niles and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Elder Carlton Burrel of New Vision Apostolic Faith Assemblly officiating.

Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 12 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:24pm Sunday, June 27, 2010

Robert Smart, 83
July 16, 1926 – June 22, 2010

Robert W. Smart, 83, of Niles died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at Hospice House, South Bend following a brief illness.

He was born July 16, 1926 in Battle Creek, Mich. to William Scott and Elizabeth (Goebel) Smart. He graduated from high school in Battle Creek and attended Michigan State University, East Lansing. Since 1968 he had lived in Niles, where he owned and operating Creditors Service Bureau, retiring in 1986.

Bob was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed playing golf, pool and poker. He also enjoyed camping and traveling, and in retirement was able to travel to several countries. He always appreciated listening to music, especially classical selections.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Liz (Dee) Capron, of Niles and Tab (Roger) Miner, of Delton, Mich. Bob was formerly married to JoAnn Bennett.

Family and friends of Robert W. Smart will gather at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010 at graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles for a committal service with Capt. Tracey Walters of the Niles Salvation Army officiating.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Hospice House, c/o The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:08pm Monday, June 28, 2010