Audrey J. Phillips
Sept. 6, 1924-Nov. 10, 2009

Audrey J. Phillips, 86, of Lakeshore Drive, Niles, died at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in her home of natural causes.

She was born on September 5, 1924 in Three Oaks, MI, to C. Floyd and Marie (Briggs) Heckathorn, and graduated from Three Oaks High School. She has lived in Niles since 1946.

Audrey was employed at the former Schmidt Packing Company on Front Street, Niles, and at the former National Food Stores (now Harding's Friendly Market).

She was a member of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles. She enjoyed fishing from her home on Barron Lake, flower gardening; her pet cat "Elmo", and caring for her grandchildren.

In February of 1946 in Three Oaks she was married to Charles H. Wilken, who died on September 81, 1959. Later on November 2, 1968, in Niles she married Richard E. Phillips who survives. Also surviving are daughters, Judith Ann (Terry) Fritz of Niles, Sandra Lea Snider of Safety Harbor, FL, Mari Ellen (David A.) Thomas of Trenton, MI, and Carol Jean (Richard) Beavo, Dale Ann Lintz, and Tamela Phyllis Ann Phillips, all of Niles; grandchildren, Nathan J. Fritz, Daysha (Ben) Amster, Wendy J. (Joe) Culver, Jennifer M. (Bill) Bailey, Christopher A. (Amber) Thomas, Steven C. (Toni) Thomas, Kari (Mark) Schulte, Lori (Brad) Arnold, Amy (David) Carroll, Christopher Beavo, Wendy (Dale) Timmons, Shawna Lintz, Meghan Audrey Marie Phillips and Katelyn Phillips; great-grandchildren, Hailey Amster, Faith Culver, Ava Culver, Charles Culver, Jillian Michaels, Julia Michaels, Caitlin Thomas, Tyan Thomas, Tara Thomas, Jack Thomas, James Weninger, Alex Arnold, Addison Carroll, Ashley Carroll, John David Jr., Dakota Davis, Mikala Turnock and Tonya Turnock; a sister, Marjorie Appello of Pompano Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tonya Lintz and by Audrey's twin sister, Beverly Cutler.

The funeral service for Audrey J. Phillips will be at 11 a.m. today, November 13, in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family received relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Halbritter funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Audrey may be made to Saint Paul's Lutheran Church Senior Luncheon Program or to the Cass county Animal Shelter.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lawrence A. Nelson
May 6, 1920-Oct. 17, 2009

Lawrence A. Nelson, 79, of South Thirteenth Street, Niles died Saturday Oct. 17, 2009,  in his home following an illness.  He was born May 6, 1920. Preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and brother, Roy. Survived by children, Marleen Shroyer, Niles, Mike "Larry" Nelson, Vacaville, CA, Ray Nelson, Tracy, CA, and Dale Nelson, Niles; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alice Madsen, Benson, MN. Family gathering privately for services at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Daryl A. "Butch" Matthews
Sept. 17, 1943-Nov. 7, 2009

Daryl A. "Butch" Matthews, 66, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

Butch was born on September 17, 1943, in Niles, Michigan, to the late Lawrence and Bonnie (Adams) Matthews.

After graduating high school, Butch enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge. After his return from the war, Butch went to work for Modineer for several years and then to National Standard as a machinist and has remained there as a faithful employee for over 36 years.

On November 22, 1969, Butch married Susan Gromski at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan. Together the couple enjoyed many hobbies including traveling and hiking in the Smokey Mountains and attending classic car shows. Butch was well-known for his 1955 Chevy he had rebuilt and won many awards and trophies. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many hours fishing and hunting and built his own muzzleloader. Butch was a member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club for many years. He also enjoyed his quiet times reading non-fiction outdoor adventure books.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents, Bonnie (Robert) Brady and Lawrence (Judy) Matthews; his daughter, Jennifer Matthews; a stepsister, Berneth Dokey; and a stepbrother, Alvin Matthews.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan Matthews of Niles; two sisters, Linda (Roland) Fahlsing of Angola, Indiana, and Ruth (Jake) Nieuwland of Salt Lake City, Utah; two step-sisters, Sharon Matthews of Niles and Carmen (James) Smith of Tennessee; a stepbrother, George Matthews of Tennessee; and a half sister, Cindy (Phillip) Seitenstich of Dowagiac.

A time of visitation was held on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Funeral services will be held today, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; or to Lakeland Hospice, 2550 Meadowbrook Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Emmalou Jeffrey
May 1, 2927-October 27, 2009

Emmalou Jeffrey, 82, of Worrell Street, Niles, MI, died at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in  West Woods of Niles, following a brief illness.

She was born in Plymouth, IN on May 1, 1927 top Forest and Sina (Tinsley) Wood. She had lived in Niles for 56 years, coming from Plymouth and South Bend, IN. She was a homemaker and also was employed by the Brandywine Community Schools as a switchboard operator for a doctor's office in South Bend.

Emmalou was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge #449 in Buchanan, MI, and the Laureate Gama Beta Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends.

On May 22, 1955, in South Bend, she married Max Rex Jeffrey, who preceded her in death on November 23, 2006.

She was also preceded in death by her sons, Michael Jeffrey who died July 26, 2009 and Mitchell Jeffrey who died November 26, 1977.

Mrs. Jeffrey is survived by her twin brother, Richard Wood of Gaylord, MI; daughter, Lynette (John) Kababik of White Lake, MI; daughter-in-law, Shari Fergison of Niles; grandchildren, Angie Clayborn, Jennifer Maddox, Courtney Hutchinson, Stephanie Vines, Nicole Jasinski, Amber Carpenter, P.J. Connors, Michel Jeffrey II, Erin Jeffrey, Michelle Jeffrey, Jeremy Nelson, Melissa Nelson, Melinda –Wyant and Brianna Nelson; and 17 great-grandchildren.

The memorial service for Emmalou will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Daniel D. Miller of First Missionary Church, Niles, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends, beginning one hour prior to services in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Emmalou may be made to American Diabetes Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Edna Callahan
June 30, 1931-October 1, 2009

Edna Callahan, 78, of Old US 31 in Berrien Springs, passed away at her home, after a long battle with cancer, on Thursday, October 1, 2009 with her family by her side.

Edna was born on June 20, 1931 to the late Walter and Edith (Ball) Harrison in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.

In 1952 Edna came to the United States. She had 2 daughters with the late Leonard Standen. She worked as a secretary for Buchanan Steel and then for Attorney Herbert Hass in Berrien Springs.

On August 28, 1991 Edna wed Kenneth "Ken" Callahan at a ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She and Ken enjoyed traveling around the globe. They traveled from England to California and many places in between. Edna was also an avid gardener.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Edna is survived by her husband Ken, daughters Linda (Joseph) Fox of Niles and Valerie (Haroune) Ang of San Gabriel, California and 2 grandchildren Hans and Stephanie.

A graveside service will be held to honor Edna’s life at 1:30 in the afternoon on Monday, October 5, 2009 at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial donations may be made in Edna’s name to Hospice at Home located at 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

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

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

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ava Lynae Perry
Feb. 22, 2009-Sept. 28, 2009

Ava Lynae Perry, 7 months, of Hickory St., Niles, died Monday Sept. 28, 2009, in Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, unexpectedly but of natural causes. She was born Feb. 22, 2009. Surviving are her parents, Anthony Perry and April Evans; brothers, Brandon and Darrion Peterson; grandparents, Deborah and Haskel Woodard and Linda and Fred Tredwell; great-grandparents, Betty Perry, Edna Croom and Matt Croom; great-grandmothers, Edith Evans and Emma Davis. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown