Obituaries

Erna Johnson, 82
July 8, 1928 — Oct. 6, 2010

Erna K. Johnson, 82, of Apache Junction, Ariz.,  passed away at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Ariz. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 after battling recurring infections and complications for nearly a year.

She was born July 8, 1928 in Hallein, Austria and was raised by her beloved foster-mother “O’Mommy.” She graduated high school and became fluent in English, and it was then she met the love of her life and future husband, Robert E. Johnson. He was stationed in Austria shortly after World War II, and re-enlisted twice to make sure the Army would allow him to bring his beautiful bride back to the United States.

They were married in Salzburg, Austria on Nov. 17, 1948, and settled in Niles soon after.

Together they raised two sons and one daughter: Henry, Dwain and Teresa.

“Mammaw,” as her family called her, led an active life including living and working on the farm while the kids were growing up. There were also many trips back to Austria to visit family. One of her favorite pastimes was square dancing with her husband Bob, and she enjoyed many fun filled occasions at the German Dank Club in St. Joseph. Her wonderful Austrian recipes where always a hit at gatherings, and will be passed down through the family for future generations to enjoy.

In her later years, Erna and Bob kept very busy with their turquoise jewelry business, setting up at many of the arts and crafts festivals locally.

They traveled in their motorhome out west for the winters, and took their jewelry business on the road with them, making many new friends at festivals and flea markets along the way.

While out west, Erna always looked forward to their trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev. to enjoy the wonderful buffets and try their luck at the tables.

Erna and Bob lived in Niles for more than 40 years. She worked at Simplicity Pattern Co. before retiring, and moved to Apache Junction, Ariz. in 1992.

She will always be remembered for her “happy to see you smile,” and her love for her family.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Charlotte Höllbacher of Austria; brothers, Franz Voggenberger, Fritz Moosmann, Helmut Moosmann, all of Austria; daughter, Teresa Johnson-Cole of Niles; and infant daughter, Angela Sue Johnson.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert E. Johnson of Apache Junction, Ariz.; sons, Albert Henry “Hank” Johnson and wife, Maureen, of Niles, Dwain A. Johnson and wife, Julie, of Gilbert, Ariz.; grandchildren, Dean Johnson of Niles, Heidi Johnson of Apache Junction, Ariz.,  Jenny Pendley of Naperville, Ill, Todd Johnson of Niles, Kacey Cole of Niles, Dominic Johnson of Gilbert, Ariz., Courtney Johnson of Gilbert, Ariz.

A memorial service will be held at  Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St., Niles at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.

The processional is a short drive to Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, where family and friends will commit her ashes to her final resting place.

A lunch reception will be provided by Hope Community Church after the burial for family and friends to gather and share memories.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 2:57am Tuesday, October 26, 2010

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