Obituaries

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.

Carl E. Hess
Oct. 25, 1906-Sept. 9, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 10, 1997, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Carl E. Hess
1906-1993
retired, Kawneer Corp.

    Funeral services for Carl E.Hess, 90, 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind., formerly of Niles, are Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mr. Hess died Tuesday, at 6:25 a.m., at Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, of natural causes.
    He was born Oct. 25, 1906, in Kendallville, Ind.
    On Sept. 27, 1930, in Brookfield, Ill., he married the former Helena Young, who survives.
    Mr. Hess retired in 1972 from Kawneer Corp., after 42 years as Insurance Manager. He was a member and held many positions at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles; was a past member of the Niles Safety Board; past President of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, Kawneer Management and the 25-Year Club.
    Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Rogers of Niles; a son, Keith Hess of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and four grandchildren.
    Friends may call Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles.
    Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles.

Rebecca P. Smith
July 29, 1915-February 10, 1998

    Funeral services for Rebecca P. Smith, 82, 1025 N. Ninth St., NIles, are Monday Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Harry D. Pierson of Franklin A.M.E. Church.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
    Mrs. Smith died Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, following a brief illness.
    She was born July 29, 1915 in Union City, Tenn., and had lived in Niles since 1940, coming from Tennessee.
    On Aug. 24, 1957 in Niles, she married Levern Smith, who preceded her in death Sept. 29, 1966.  She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Jones and Alberta Farmer.
    Mrs. Smith was a member of the Niles Senior Center and had been employed by several families in Niles.
    Survivors include several nieces and nephews and many friends.
    Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Senior Center.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 14, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library