Patsy Marjorie “Pat” Whisenant, of Niles
March 23, 1945-Dec. 27, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:38 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2020

March 23, 1945 — Dec. 27, 2020

Patsy Marjorie “Pat” Whisenant, 75, of Niles, wife, mother, sister, quilter, crafter and Hallmark movie fan, died peacefully at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, with her family at her bedside in her home following a brief illness.

She was born on March 23, 1945, in South Bend, Indiana to Robert Roy and Marjorie Josephine (Atha) Prillwitz and was graduated from Brandywine High School in Niles. As a young lady, she was employed in the kitchen of the former Maggie’s 31 Grill on 11th Street across from the former Dixie Sports Land golf driving range and the former Niles Outdoor (drive-in) Theater. She has lived in Niles all of her life.

Pat was a member of the Community Evangelical Free Church in Niles, often referred to as the “E-Free” church in the old Bertrand Schoolhouse. She was an active quilter and enjoyed other crafts including ceramics, and had recently completed her first gingerbread house. She and her husband made regular visits to the Plaza Restaurant followed by a movie at the Ready Theater. More recently she has enjoyed the Hallmark television channel, especially the Countdown to Christmas and Christmas in July.

On Aug. 2, 1963, in Eau Claire, Michigan she married William Joseph Whisenant, with whom she celebrated the remarkable 50th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Feb. 4, 2014. They were sadly preceded in death by a son, William T. “Billy” Whisenant on March 6, 2002; and by Pat’s sister, Linda Lou Prillwitz in 1970.

Surviving family includes son Rob (& Carrie) Whisenant, of Niles; grandchildren William Charles Whisenant and Charles Franklin Whisenant; and Pat’s sister, Shirley Prillwitz, of Niles.

The memorial service for Pat Whisenant will be hosted by the Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Road in Niles, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2020, with Pastor Matt Hickok of the church officiating. Masks will be required and social distancing practiced. Committal services will be private, earlier, at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

While Pat enjoyed the fictional inter-personal relationships portrayed in movies and Hallmark programming, she dedicated her life to real-life, God-given relationships, being the wife, mother, housekeeper, and homemaker that blessed her family, especially her husband and children.

Jeanne Rogge, of Niles,
Dec. 3, 1959-Dec. 23, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:14 pm Monday, December 28, 2020

Jeanne Rogge, 61, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan. Arrangements are currently pending with Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Brown Funeral Home:

 https://brownfuneral.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/details/3030/Jeanne-Rogge/obituary.html#tribute-start

Obituary of Jeanne Louise Rogge

Rodney D. Solloway Sr., of Niles
Oct. 20, 1960-Dec. 16, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 1:34 pm Thursday, December 24, 2020

Rodney D. Solloway Sr., 60, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at his home.

Rodney “Rod” “Papa Rod” was born on Oct. 20, 1960, in South Bend, to the late James “Jim” and Kathryn (Keieger) Solloway.

He married the former Teresa Johnson on Nov. 4, 1978, in Niles. To that union, four children were born.

Rodney D. Solloway Sr.

He started working as a young man; he would help his dad with logging. It became more than a job for him, as he enjoyed logging for several years. Eventually, he went to work driving truck for Kenneth Smith Trucking, INC.

Rodney enjoyed being outdoors; traveling, fishing, camping, cutting and splitting firewood, or watching his boy’s trailer race. His most treasured moments were spent with his family, playing cards, telling jokes or spoiling his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Kathryn Solloway; four brothers, John C. Solloway, Chubb Solloway, Dennis Solloway and Steven Solloway.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Teresa Solloway, of Niles; children, Amy (Rob) Allbaugh, of Cassopolis, Billie (Justin) Johnson, of Niles, Krissy (Todd) Yeager, of Dowagiac, Rodney (Amber) Solloway Jr., of Niles; eight grandchildren, Richard, Dakota, Hannah, Shelby, Mason, Colton, Mallory, Lucas; and one grandchild on the way; siblings, Marsha Burtick, of Cassopolis, Vickie Berger, of South Bend, Charlene Vickers, of Elkhart; Susan Solloway, of Elkhart, and Gary Solloway; brother and sister by heart, Wiz and Cindy Wolkens.

A walk through visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., in Niles. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, also at Brown Funeral Home, burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. 

In keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, our gathering is limited, the state of Michigan requires all in attendance to follow all guidelines including, social distancing, mandatory mask and hand sanitizing. We appreciate your assistance in helping us to keep everyone in attendance healthy.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to the family in care of his wife Teresa.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Clarence Kuhl
July 3, 1927-July 5, 1927

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, July 5, 1927, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

News in Brief: INFANT DIES

Committal services for the child of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kuhl, residing near the State Line were held at Silver Brook cemetery this afternoon. The cihld[sic] was born on July 3, and died at five o'clock this morning. Mrs. Kuhl was formerly Zora Hahn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Hahn, of Niles.

John Wesley Lauback
Sept. 29, 1929-Sept. 30, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, September 29, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: Death Infant Lauback

John Wesley Lauback, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lauback, 822 Clay street, born last evening at Pawating hospital, lived until this morning. Mrs. Lauback was formerly Miss Donnabelle Hatfield. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock [at] the home of Mrs. Lauback's parents Mr. and Mrs. John Hatfield, 716 Clay street. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the Evangelical church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook Cemetery.

DeMarcus Lamonte Brann, of Niles
Sept. 20, 1968-Dec. 19, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:34 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Sept. 20, 1968 — Dec. 19, 2020

DeMarcus Lamonte Brann, 52, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020.

DeMarcus was born on Sept. 20, 1968, to James and Georgia M. Brann in Union City, Tennessee. He attended Niles High School and later worked as a delivery driver and install technician for Sleep Number Beds.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Brann.

DeMarcus is survived by his father, James Brann, of Niles; children, DeMarquis Brann Jr., of Niles, Lanisha (Shawn) Wilson, of South Bend, Eboni Brann, of Indianapolis, DeMarcea Brann, of Indianapolis, Tyla Young, of Niles, Ra’Shaun Robinson, of Niles, and Khaliah Berry, of Houston; four grandchildren; siblings, James “Reggie” Brann, of South Bend, and Trent Brann, of Detroit; and many extended family members and close friends.

Visitation and funeral were held Dec. 28 and Dec. 28, keeping with the current COVID mandates limiting the number of people allowed at a funeral. He was laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles next to his mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.