Richard Friend, 65
Oct. 18, 1945 — Nov. 3, 2010

Richard D. Friend, 65, of Barron Lake Road, Niles, died at 1:13 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following an extended illness.

Richard Friend, 65

He was born Oct. 18, 1945 in South Bend to Donald W. Friend and Marion “June” (Pape) Friend. He graduated from Niles High School in 1963 and was a lifetime resident of the area.

He was a former employee of A.C. Humko in Springfield, Ill. He served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 and was a member of American Legion Post 26 in Niles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical technology from Western Michigan University. He enjoyed working with computers.

Richard married Judith A. “Judy” Friend on Feb. 14, 1970 in Niles.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Donald A. (Jennifer) Friend of Findlay, Ohio; daughters, Tracey L. (Jeff) Eldridge of Findlay, Ohio and Nichole M. Marin of Findlay, Ohio; grandchildren, Isabelle M. Friend, Emily A. Friend, Jared D. Marin, Ashlee L. Eldridge; mother, Marion “June” Friend.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald W. Friend, who died April 5, 1999.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C., of Saint Mark Catholic Church.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:32am Thursday, November 4, 2010

Frankie B. Calhoun, 88
Dec. 11, 1921 — Nov. 5, 2010

She was born on Dec. 11, 1921 in Buffalo Springs, Texas to Alvin McCauley and Cynthia (Simms) Gillespie. She graduated from Marlow High School in Oklahoma and attended a clerical college in Wichita Falls, Texas. She lived in Marlow most of her life, where she served several families with housekeeping service. She moved to Niles in July of 2000.

In Oklahoma, she was a member of the Church of Christ and in Niles, she was a member of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church where she served as a greeter. She enjoyed reading mysteries, completing jigsaw puzzles and collecting teddy bears.

On Sept. 8, 1942, in Marlow, she married Alvie Preston “Press” Calhoun who preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 1990. She was also preceded in death by a son, Arnold Preston Calhoun on Nov. 9, 2001; daughter, Anita B. Jackson on May 30, 1998 and sisters Dorothy Holland and Joyce Cox.

Surviving family includes her son, Alvie Barton (Carol) Calhoun of Niles; grandchildren Wayne Jackson, Peter D. Calhoun and Kelly Calhoun; great-grandchildren London Grace Calhoun and Sherry; two nephews and one niece.

The funeral service for Frankie B. Calhoun will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 at Huntly Memorial Baptist Church with Interim Pastor Bill Zebell officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church.

Contributions in memory of Frankie Calhoun may be made to Huntly Memorial Baptist Church.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

 Niles Daily Star Published 4:04pm Sunday, November 7, 2010

Steven Mark, 54
May 23, 1956 — Nov. 13, 2010

Steven J. Mark, 54, of Lake County, Ill., died at 8:35 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 at South Davis Community Hospital in Bountiful, Utah following a brief illness.

He was born May 23, 1956 in Sioux Falls, S.D. to Edward H. and Donna M. (Tiemann) Mark. He graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School, Notre Dame, Ind. and from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He lived in Chicago for many years and was a long-time employee of Pactiv Corp. of Chicago.

Steven had a life-long interest in photography, especially Western nature subjects, and a passion for aviation. His aviation photos appeared in the Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Magazine, and were exhibited at the Experimental Aviation Association’s (EAA) AirVenture Museum during the annual Oshkosh, Wis. air show. He also exhibited at the College of Lake County Illinois, and other Chicago area venues. One of his photos was selected for the EAA’s “Young Eagles” national campaign poster. Steve was a member of EAA chapters 790 and 932.

He was at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with a number of his brothers as crew chief and to photograph an attempt at the 100cc motorcycle land speed record by their team, Mark Brothers Racing.

Steven was preceded in death by his father, Ed Mark, in April 2008.

Surviving family includes his devoted Barbara Rapchak of Illinois; his mother, Donna Mark of South Bend; brothers and sisters, Catherine (Alfredo Toraño) Mark of Spain, Mary Mark-Herbach of Michigan, Louis Mark of Michigan, Julia Mark of Colorado, John (Vera) Mark of Illinois, Karen Mark of Indiana, Daniel (Carole) Mark of Wyoming, Jacob (Jill) Mark of Indiana and Thomas Mark of Colorado; and nieces and nephews, Raquel, Francisco, Michael, Lane, Elias, Angelina, Sarah, Sophia and Samuel.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Steven Mark will be celebrated by 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles by the Rev. David Otto of the parish.

Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. A prayer service will also be held at 7:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Steven may be made to the Experimental Aircraft Association, AirVenture Museum or the EAA Young Eagles program.

Niles Daily Star Published 7:27pm Thursday, November 18, 2010

Harold Hamilton, 85
June 2, 1925 — July 22, 2010

Harold K. Hamilton, 85, of Amerihost Drive, Dowagiac died at 4:31 a.m. Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac following a brief illness.

He was born June 2, 1925 in Niles to Fred Lee Hamilton and Fern V. (Penwell) Hamilton. He moved from Niles to Dowagiac three years ago.

Harold sold Hamilton & Arrick in 1980 after 35 years, and the company became Arrick’s Decor in Niles.

He married Betty Lou (Knapp) Hamilton on June 30, 1945 in Niles. Harold and Betty celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month.

Harold is survived by a son, Ted (Jane) Hamilton, of Dexter, Mich.; two daughters, Charlotte (William) Hart, of Okemos, Mich. and Susan Candy, of Cromwell, Conn.; grandchildren, Emily Stratton, Melanie Hamilton, Laura Hamilton and Kyle Hamilton; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Hamilton, who died April 4, 1954; a grandson, William Hart II, who died May 19, 1997; and a brother, Robert Hamilton, who died Dec. 23, 1992.

The family will gather privately for services at a later date.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the donor’s choice

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:36pm Friday, July 23, 2010

Kenneth L. Stratton, 75 
Nov. 5, 1934 — Sept. 24, 2010

Kenneth L. Stratton, 75, of Berrien Center, Mich., and formerly of Niles, died 6:25 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center following a brief illness.

Kenneth was born November 5, 1934 in Niles to Thomas M. Stratton and Mildred M. (Carpenter) Stratton. Most of his life was spent in this area.

Kenneth served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956.

Surviving family includes sister Frances B. Syson-Bortz of Niles, nephew Jerry Syson of Niles and niece Sharie Hartline of LaPorte, Ind. He was preceded in death by brother Thomas Stratton and nephew Thomas R. Syson.

The family gathered privately for services with Pastor Catherine Cox of Living Faith Church in Niles officiating. Interment is at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:54pm Friday, September 24, 2010

Michael Ream
June 13, 1840-December 9, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, December 9, 1913, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library


Michael Ream, aged 74 years, died this morning about 4:30 o'clock at his home, No. 2 Marmont street.  He was been slightly indisposed for about a week, but took to his bed only on Sunday.
    Mr. Ream had been a resident of Niles for over 50 years.  He was born in Germany.  For a number of years he was employed by the Michigan Central railway company, but was injured while so employed and was afterward incapacitated for heavy labor.
    Mrs. Ream has been dead about 18 years.  Mr. Ream is survived by five children who are Mrs. Julius Reichert of Muskegon, Mrs. Bernard Stein of Adrian and Mrs. William Schrumpf, Ernest and Carl Ream of Niles.
    The funeral arrangements have not been made pending word from the daughters as to their ability to be present.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 9, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Michael Ream, a resident of Niles 50 years, residing a greater portion of the time at one place, No. 2 Marmount street, on the flats, died this morning at 4:30 o'clock.  He was born in Germany and came to America when 20 years of age. First in Niles he followed the occupations of baker and tailor, and later was employed by the Michigan Central, being permanently injured 40 years ago while operating a snow plow, his face being mutilated and body badly bruised.
    Mr. Ream has ever been a good citizen, was well thought of and had many friends. The wife died 18 years ago.  The children are Ernest and Carl of Niles; Mrs. Will Schrumpf of Niles; Mrs. Julius Reichert of Muskegon and Mrs. Amelia Stines of Adrian; also one brother and a sister, Henry Ream and Mrs. Jacob Weiser, both of this city.
    Funeral services will occur from the house, Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.