Obituaries

Mary D. Ellingson, 81
Oct. 31, 1928 – Feb. 23, 2010

Mary D. Ellingson, 81, of South 13th Street, Niles died at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.  23, 2010 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 31, 1928 in Chicago to Clair Frederick and Frances Wardlow (Hipple) Dowling. She graduated from South Shore High School, Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She lived in Niles since 1954.

Mary was an occupational therapist, and served in several area clinics.

She was a member of the PEO sorority, the Niles Dance Club and had served on the Brandywine School Board. She also enjoyed creating pottery, knitting, flower gardening, and had played bridge with several clubs.

On Sept. 29, 1951 in Chicago she married Donald W. Ellingson, who survives.  Also surviving are their children, Sue (Tom) of Madison, Wis., Kathy of Niles and Tom (Donna) of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren, Eric and Tara, Jenny, Liz and Courtney, and Daniel and Jonathon; great-grandson, Eli; and a brother, Oak of San Rafael, Calif.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jim.

Services for Mary D. Ellingson will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with sharing by members of the family, and by friends. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to the Humane Society of Saint Joseph County, 2506 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Robert Stowe Jr., 85
May 29, 1924 – Feb. 24, 2010

Robert Stowe Jr., 85, of Davis Street, Niles died at 9:58 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles following an extended illness.

He was born May 29, 1924 in Niles to Robert Stowe Sr. and Mabel Florence (Webber) Stowe. He graduated from Niles High School and was a lifetime resident of Niles.

He retired after 36 years of service at National-Standard Co. in Niles. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Army. He enjoyed fishing, camping in northern Michigan and playing cards. He was a member of Bend in the River Conservation Club, where he enjoyed shooting. He loved to square dance.

He married Jean Peters, who died May 1, 1971. He married Shirley “Sis” Irene Goodling on Jan. 22, 1972 in Niles. She died March 24, 1994.

He is also preceded in death by a brother, Jack Stowe.

Robert is survived by his sons, Michael (Avaline) Stowe of Niles, Stephen (Sandra) Stowe of Greenville, Mich., Jerry Stowe of Rochester, Ind.; stepsons, Richard (Susan) Barnes of Council Bluff, Iowa, Donald (Sherry) Barnes of Mishawaka and David (Sheila) Barnes of Loveland, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Niles with Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Flag presentation and “Taps” will follow services graveside by American Legion Post 26, Niles.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service, 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, MI 49106.

Bryce B. Taylor, 90
Jan. 6, 1920 – Feb. 25, 2010

Bryce B. Taylor, 90, of Oak Street, Niles died at 6:33 a.m. Thursday. Feb. 25, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

Bryce was born Jan. 6, 1920 in South Bend to Rolfe R. Taylor and Vesta P. Bartholomew. He graduated from Niles High School and was a lifelong resident of Niles, living within a four-block radius.

He was employed for 20 years at Michigan Mushroom Co. He was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Lion’s Club and was active with Habitat for Humanity. Bryce attended Western Michigan University. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. He was a City of Niles Third Ward alderman.

He enjoyed bowling in area leagues, swimming at the YMCA and home maintenance and repair. He was a devoted family man. He spent his winters in Sarasota, Fla. for many years.

He was married on Sept. 28, 1941 in Niles to Louise (Moore) Taylor, who survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Carole (Richard) Wilcox of Houston, Texas, Kay Taylor of Niles, Constance (Charles) Tack of Warsaw, Ind. and Candace (Nash) Hester of Elizabethtown, N.C.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Suzanna Borsos of Arvada, Colo.

He is preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Amanda Tack, who died Oct. 22, 2004.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or Habitat for Humanity.

Homer D. Madden, 77
Dec. 11, 1932 – Feb. 27, 2010

Homer D. Madden, 77, of Cass Street, Niles died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 11, 1932 in Parma, Mo. to George S. and Ola Magdalene (Lacy) Madden, moving to Niles in 1940.

He was retired from French Paper Co., Niles after 45 years of employment. Homer was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving as a corporal in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4025 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2094, all of Niles.

He was an avid outdoorsman with a cabin at Bitely, Mich., where he enjoyed hunting all game, fishing and mushroom hunting.

He married the former Dory Krueger in August 1955 in Niles.

He is survived by their daughters, Debby (Mark) Wisniewski of Dowagiac, Christine (Roger) Butterworth of Niles and Rebecca Madden of Buchanan; grandchildren, Justin, Mindy, Craig, Catherine, John and Steven; Homer’s sister, Shirley Chappell of Dowagiac; nieces, Lisa and Carol; and special friends, Art and Marjorie Horner and Bob Mitchell.

Homer is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Catherine Madden, who died Aug. 8, 1979.

The funeral service for Homer D. Madden will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010 at Bethel Baptist Church, Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman of the church officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and “Taps” by American Legion Post 26.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Homer may be made to Hospice at Home.

Charlotte Cunningham, 90
Oct. 1, 1919 – March 11, 2010

Charlotte Cunningham, 90, of Cleveland Road in Granger, Ind. and formerly of Niles died at 6:07 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Emeritus Senior Living Center at Arborwood in Granger following an extended illness.

Charlotte was born Oct. 1, 1919 in Erie, Pa. to Charles and Gertrude (Tate) Althof. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and was a lifelong partner in ministry with her husband.

On June 2, 1945 in Erie, she married the Rev. Raymond C. Cunningham, who preceded her in death March 4, 2000.

She is survived by their daughters, Joyce (Bob) Laurent of Granger, Janet Elaine (Chip) Lepori of Upper Nyack, N.Y. and Beverly Jean (Ken) Mattocks of Waveland, Ind.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Geri Rusterholtz of Memphis, Tenn.; and brothers, William and George Althof, both of Florida.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Laurent, and a sister, Vivian Williams.

Memorial services for Charlotte Mae Cunningham will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of the church officiating.

Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning one hour prior to services at the church Monday.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Charlotte may be made to First Baptist Church in Niles.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the caregivers at Emeritus Senior Center at Arborwood.

Judith Babbitt Ruetz, 81
Nov. 27, 1928 – March 12, 2010

Judith Babbitt Ruetz, 81, of North Fifth Street, Niles died at 1:15 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010 at her home following an illness.

She was born Nov. 27, 1928 in Niles to John and Fay (Smith) Babbitt and has lived in Niles all her life. She graduated from Niles High School  and attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor).

Judith was an active patron of the Niles District Library, reading a wide variety of subjects. She also enjoyed and practiced many of the arts of homemaking, including gardening, sewing, cooking, upholstery, canning and other crafts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Fay Babbitt.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Nicola Babbitt Ruetz and Tobye (Dallas) Babbitt Merrill, both of Niles and a granddaughter, Tya Babbitt Penton of Charleston, S.C.

Her family wishes to publicly express their deepest gratitude to Judith’s loving caregivers, Sara, Gabriela, Juan, Victor and Yolanda.

The family of Judith Babbitt Ruetz is gathering privately at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. They invite relatives and friends to an open house at Judith’s home to celebrate her life from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2010.

Contributions in memory of Judith may be made to the Niles District Library or to an animal humane organization of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.