Chester S. Teeple, 101
Sept. 17, 1908 – Feb. 14, 2010

He was born Sept. 17, 1908 in Monticello, Wis. to William Risley and Helen Bruce (Cummings) Teeple. He came to Niles in 1955, and later retired in Florida, and returned to Niles in 1998.

He studied engineering at the University of Wyoming (Laramie) and serving during World War II as a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, inspecting ordnance production.
Chet represented several equipment manufacturers, most notably Great Lakes Crane Co.
On Dec. 22, 1939 in Birmingham, Mich. he married the former L. Margaret “Peg” Warriner, who preceded him in death Sept. 12, 2005. He is also preceded in death by their daughter, Janet Teeple, Dec. 5, 1997.

Survivors include their children, William (Nancy) Teeple of Niles, Stephen (Melissa) Teeple of Roscoe, Ill., Douglas (Andrea) Teeple of Stow, Ohio, Margaret Ellen “Marti” (Ken) Briney of Omaha, Neb., Peter Roy (Judy) Teeple of Hamilton, Ohio and Donna (John) Vesey of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The funeral for Chester S. Teeple will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. James Slack of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles officiating. Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

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

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:51am Monday, February 15, 2010

Martha M. Hoadley
Nov. 18, 1944-Feb. 15, 2010

Martha M. Hoadley, 65

She was born Nov. 18, 1944 in St. Joseph, Mich., to Howard Mitchell and Edith (Noble) Mitchell. She graduated from Galien High School and had lived in Niles since 2000.

She was a former employee at Diamond Bowl in New Buffalo, Mich., and was a member of Hope Community Church in Niles. She was active at the Niles Senior Center and enjoyed being with friends.

She was married Sept. 30, 1979 in New Buffalo to Robert E. Hoadley, who survives her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Mitchell, and brother, George Mitchell. She is survived by daughters Renee (Troy) Mark of Niles and Robin (Brian) Ferry of South Bend, Ind.; grandchildren Cassy and Christy Mark; father Howard Mitchell of Niles; brothers Phillip “Butch” Mitchell of Dowagiac and Tom Mitchell of Niles; twin sisters Mary Ann Brandys of Statesville, N.C., and Marian Stinebaugh of Niles; sisters Bev Parnell of Benton Harbor and Diane Warr of Muskegon, Mich.; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at Hope Community Church in Niles with the Rev. Michael Smith of Hope Community Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Community Church.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:56am Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lucian E. Nelson, 88
Aug. 29, 1921 – Jan. 30, 2010

He was born Aug. 29, 1921 in Trezevant, Tenn. to Lorenzo Ervin Nelson and Octavia (Hudgins) Nelson. He graduated from McKenzie (Tenn.) High School, and has lived in Niles since 1947.

He was employed for 39 years at Simplicity Pattern Co., Niles, retiring in 1986. He was a member of First Church of Christ-Christian, Niles; was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; a master Mason and life member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F.& A.M. He also bowled in area leagues; was a proficient player of pingpong; enjoyed fishing; and practiced water-skiing through his 70th birthday.

On Aug. 18, 1946 in Corinth, Miss. he married Dovie “Marie” (Lowe) Nelson, who survives.

He is also survived by his sons, Kenneth (Jamie) Nelson of Seneca, S.C., Rick (Debbie) Nelson of Niles, Greg Nelson of Niles and Jim Nelson of Niles; daughters, Judy (Glen) Peck of Niles and Deb (Bob) Hames of Niles; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a son, Mitch Nelson, who died Feb. 5, 2001, and six brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor David Szymczak of First Church of Christ-Christian officiating.

Burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Masonic rites by Saint Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M. at 7:30 p.m. A veterans’ flag presentation and “Taps” will conclude the committal Tuesday at the graveside by American Legion Post No. 26 in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:34am Monday, February 1, 2010

Betty Lou Schau Alford, 84
March 2, 1925 – Jan. 29, 2010

Betty Lou Alford 84, of Niles died at home at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 under hospice care following an extended illness.

She was born March 2, 1925 in Niles to Christian and Lillian (Rook) Schau, living in the Niles, Dayton and Galien areas most of her life.

On Oct. 11, 1941 Betty married the love of her life, William F. Alford, Sr., who survives.

She was a member of Four Flags Floozies Red Hat Society of Niles; life member of Niles Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 332; life member of AMVETS Post 98, Holiday, Fla.; and member of the First Baptist Church, Niles.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by son, William F. Alford, Jr. (fiancee Nancy Lane) Niles; sister, Lila Brown of Buchanan; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a large extended family; and long time caregiver, Diana Brooks.

Preceding her in death was her daughter, Martha Lou Alford Rudoni; parents; sisters, Alice Crocker and Luella Ladonski; and brother, Charles (Sonny) Schau.

Memorial services, conducted by the Rev. James Wing, will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at Brown Funeral Home, 521 East Main St., Niles, where friends and family may gather one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Niles, 1446 East Main St. Niles, or Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan, MI 49107.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 11:35am Monday, February 1, 2010

Jessie Barkman
March 1, 1923-March 15, 1993

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 16, 1993, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Jessie Barkman
1923-1993
Retired from
Electro-Voice

    Funeral services for Jessie Barkman, 70, 1351 Ferry St., are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Savior with the Rev. Leon Roggen, church pastor, officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Barkman died at 10:25 a.m. Monday at Memorial Hospital following an extended illness.
    Born March 1, 1923, in Abergavenny, Wales, England, she had lived in Niles since 1946, coming from Leicester, England.
    On July 4, 1945, in Leicester, England, she married John A. Barkman, who survives.
    She retired from Electro-Voice Inc. in Buchanan where she worked for 18 years.
    Other survivors include a daughter, Kim Barkman of Niles.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Savior.
    Funeral arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Raymond X. Probst
Oct. 8, 1914-March 14, 1993

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 16, 1993, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Raymond X. Probst
1914-1993
Retired machine operator

    Graveside funeral services for Raymond X. Probst, 78, of 911 S. Third St., NIles, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. James A. Goodbow, officiating.
    Probst died at 7:20 p.m. Sunday at Silverbrook Manor following an extended illness.
    Born Oct. 8, 1914, in Granger, Ind., he was a resident of this area all of his life.
    He was a retired machine operator.  He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary W. Probst of Niles, a brother, Fred J. Probst preceded him in death on Feb. 4, 1985.
    Funeral arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.