Obituaries

Betty Leona Baird
June 15, 1921-July 24, 2008

Betty Leona Baird, 87, of Lakeshore Drive, Niles, died at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008, at her daughter's home in South Bend, Ind., following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. John Baird of St. Joseph, officiating.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
She was born on June 15, 1921, in Boyne City, to Clarence Willyard and Ethel V. Welch Willyard.
She has lived most of her life in Niles, coming from Boyne City.
She enjoyed living life and spending time with her family.
On July 15, 1944, in Niles, she married Norman L. Baird, who died May 15m 1973.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Doris Eaton, who died in 2007 and four brothers and sisters.
Surviving family includes two sons, Richard N. (Vanita) Bairdof Oceanside, Ore. and James L. Baird of Dowagiac; a daughter, Sue Ann (Raymond) Baird of South Bend, Ind.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Hope Community church, Niles.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:33pm Saturday, July 26, 2008

Audrey 'Fritz' Miller LaGue
March 24, 1916-May 24, 2009

By Staff
Audrey "Fritz" Miller LaGue, 93, of South 13th Street, Niles, died at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009, at her home following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at First Church of Christ-Christian, Niles, with Larry Settle of Cassopolis officiating.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
She was born on March 24, 1916, in Niles, to Frederick VanDyke and Carrie Ethel Whitney VanDyke and was a lifetime resident of Niles.
She was a member of First Church of Christ-Christian, Niles. She was also a Girl Scout leader for more than 20 years.
She first married Kenneth LeRoy Miller on Sept 29, 1938, in South Bend, Ind. He died on Sept 4, 1981.
Later, on July 29, 1995, she married Chester Loyd LaGue, who died on March 28, 2001.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Nash, who died in February 2007; brothers, Peter VanDyke, who died Oct. 1, 2007, Fred VanDyke, who died June 18, 1993 and Donald VanDyke, who died Sept. 23, 1992 and a sister, Mary Jane VanDyke, who died in October 1935.
Her surviving family includes a daughter, Torene Miller of Niles; a son, Thomas (Judy) Miller of Daytona Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorials contributions may be made to Hospice At Home.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:18pm Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Delores M. Frost, 67
Aug. 13,1942-Oct. 11, 2009

Delores M. Frost, 67, of State Line Road, Niles, died at 3:10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at West Woods of Niles, following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Michael Smith of Hope Community Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday.

She was born on Aug. 13, 1942, in Niles, to Charles George Jann, Sr. and Dorothy A. Vaughn Jann.

She graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles all of her life.

She retired after 12 years of service at the Niles Wal-Mart. She enjoyed crocheting.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen S. Jann, who died on Feb. 21, 2007; two brother, Charles Jann and James Beedle and two sisters, Barbara Frame and Jane.

Surviving family includes two sons, Robert Leon (Melissa) Adams of Cassopolis and Stephen A. (Sherry) Adams of South Bend, Ind.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, William Jann of Florida, Kenneth Howard of Lakewood, Fla., Joel Howard of Edwardsburg, Joseph Howard of West Palm, Fla., Phillip Howard of Walkerton, Ind., Robert Beedle, and William Beedle of Niles; sisters, Mary Louise Kujawa of Waxahacie, Texas and Marguerite Howard of New Mexico and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:43am Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Nancy S. Ference Plym
Aug. 12, 1949-Nov. 5, 2009

 

 Nancy S. Ference Plym, 60, of Missions East, Niles, died at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at Tanglewood Trace, Mishawaka, peacefully in the company of her daughter and best friend.

Nancy was born Aug. 12, 1949 in Niles to Norbert Bernard Kulesia and Rose Kulesia. She graduated from Brandywine High School and had lived in Mishawaka for 23 years. She first married Kenneth Jarman, then married Thomas Ference. She later married Andrew J. Plym on Oct. 7, 2005 in Niles; he died June 26, 2007. She had been employed at Hopman Jewelers, Service Merchandise and Snappy Rental Car.

She was a member of Granger Community Church. She was on the board of directors for the Niles Optimist Club. Nancy was active with Relay for Life and was a Childhood Cancer Campaign chairwoman. She was a volunteer election poll worker, volunteered with Mobile Meals and enjoyed knitting.

Nancy is survived by a daughter, Jennifer J. Farber, of Bloomington, Ind.; granddaughters, Madison Farber and Sierra Farber, of Bloomington; a grandson, Nicholas Farber, of Bloomington; mother, Rose Marie Moore, of Mishawaka; brother Tom (Barb) Kulesia, of Middlebury, Ind.; and best friend, Peggy Halfacre, of Buchanan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dan Puckett of Granger Community Church Pastoral Care officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Relay for Life or the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:50am Friday, November 6, 2009

Clara May Gowen
Jan. 1, 1923 – Dec. 6, 2009

Clara May Gowen, 86, of State Line Road, Niles, died at 6:20 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 at West Woods, of Niles, following an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 1, 1923 in Luxora, Ark. to William Pugh and Lucy Eloise (Robertson) Pugh. She lived in the Niles area for 68 years.

She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her family and children were her life. She devoted everything she had – physically, mentally and emotionally – to her family.

She is survived by sons, Richard L. (Wanita) Gowen, of Niles, Frelen L. (Chris) Gowen, of Niles, Daniel B. (Jeannie) Gowen, of Niles; a daughter, Frances W. Gowen, of Niles; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two-great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by daughters, Twila Anita Gowen, who died May 20, 2002; sisters, Viola Sheperdson and Addie Raines; brothers, Sanford, Thomas and James Pugh; and grandsons, Scott and Marty Gowen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Dec. 9, 2009 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker, of Michiana Christian Embassy, officiating.

Burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorial may be made to West Woods of Niles or Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star,Published 10:33am Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Arthur L. Scott, 65
1944-2009

Arthur L. Scott, 65, of 1863 Lewis Drive, Niles, died at 4:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at home of natural causes.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 at New Beginning Ministries, Niles, with Pastor Raymond Massey officiating.

Burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at New Beginning Ministries.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:32am Thursday, December 10, 2009