Raymond L. Marble
Oct. 17, 1915-Sept. 8, 2009

GRANGER — Raymond Leonard Marble, 93, of Hunting Ridge Trail, Granger, IN, and formerly of Niles, MI, died at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 in the Sanctuary at Holy Cross, South Bend, IN, following a brief illness.

He was born October 17,1915 in Buchanan, MI, to Leonard Oscar and Mary Francis (Mulholland) Marble. He graduated from Niles High School, and moved to Granger in 1989. He retired in 1977 after 35 years of service from Clark Equipment Company, where he was Fire Chief for five years.

Raymond was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army and was stationed in Europe.

He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge #1322 and American Legion Post #26, Niles.

Raymond and his wife were world travelers. However, they liked spending time with their family and friends the best.

On October 6, 1940 in Niles he married the former Ruth Anne Burris, who preceded him in death on February 9, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Leonora Spansail, Dorothea Antonine and Mary Genevieve Modory; and brother, Gerald Marble who died at birth.

He is survived by his daughter, DeVonne G. Turner of Granger; son, Donavon Ray (Janet) Marble of Redwood Shores, CA; grandchildren, Dr. Jeffrey (Wendy) Turner of Granger, Darren (Dara) Marble and Travis Marble, both of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandson, Kyle and Matthew Turner of Granger; sister-in-law, Bonnie Stainbrook of South Bend, IN; brothers-in-law, John (Tharen) Burris of Jasonville, IN, and William (Carmon) Burris of Fort Branch, IN; nephews, Kevin Fisher of Niles, Christopher (Tracey) Fries of Elkhart, IN, Marc (Sylvia) Tjaden of Fort Wayne, IN, and Anthony (Carolyn) Modory of Mission Viejo, CA; and cousin, Elaine Williams of Glendale, CA.

Services for Raymond L. Marble will be held at 11 a.m. Monday Sept. 14 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist church officiating.

Committal will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Contributions in Memory of Raymond May be made to the Donor's Choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Josephine K. Clark
November 10, 1919-September 7, 2009

Josephine Kathryn Clark, 89, of Bluff Street, Niles, MI, died at 6:30 p.m. Monday September 7, 2009, in West Woods of Niles, following an illness.

She was born on November 10, 1919, in Lowell, IN, to Guy G. and Ingrid Marie (Sorensen) McCoy. The family moved to LaPorte, IN, in 1925, and Josephine moved to Niles in 1945. She was employed as executive secretary of the Niles Utilities Department (now the Board of Public Works), from which she retired in 1984.

"Jo" was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles where she served as a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, served two terms on the Vestry, and edited the church's newsletter, The Trinity Tribune for several years. She was also a member of the church's Episcopal Church Women and of the Saint Veronica's Chapter of Daughters of the King.

On April 29, 1945 in LaPorte she married James H. Clark, who preceded her in death on February 17, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Alfred Clayton McCoy and sister, Gyneth Mosher.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Kimberly Ann (Carl) McBride of Tecumseh, MI; grandchildren, Carl James (Susan) McBride and Jennifer A. (John) Kandik; great-grandchildren, Serena Lopez and Breana Kandik; a brother-in-law, Glen Mosher and sister-in-law, Kate Shafer.

The funeral service for Josephine K. Clark will be at 2 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 in Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles with The Reverend James Slack of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Jo Clark may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Billy W. Burney
April 18, 1930-Sept. 6, 2009

Billy W. Burney, 79, of Mobile Boulevard, Niles, and formerly of LaPorte, IN, died at 9:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 in his home following an extended illness.

He was born on April 18, 1930, in Trumann, Arkansas, to Dick and Lelia May (Weatherall) Burney. He moved to LaPorte, and then in 1976 came to Niles. He retired in 1995 from Allied Van Lines Woodworth.

Billy enjoyed fishing in area lakes, and visiting casinos, especially to play blackjack.

On June 3, 1996 in Marion, Arkansas, he married the former Phyllis Webber, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Donna (Tom Wegier) Burney of LaPorte; stepdaughters, Linda Fauver of Chesterton, IN, and Sandra Zarych of Valparaiso, IN; grandsons, Robert Wayne Bunton and Nicholas James Bunton; and several step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Eva Sharp, Lorrine Cates, David Burney and L.M. Burney.

The funeral service for Billy W. Burney will be at 2 p.m. today, September 9, 2009 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Daniel miler of First Missionary Church, Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family of Billy Burney will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. today.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Burney may be made to The Leukemia Society.

Ruby M. Taylor
July 22, 1929-Sept. 5, 2009

NILES — Ruby M. Taylor, 80, died at 4 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, in Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids. She was born July 22, 1929, in Ellisville, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Taylor on Sept. 4, 1973. Whom she married on October 12, 1947 in Niles, MI.

She was in retail management and a member of Buchanan Moose Lodge.

Survivors include a son, Robert E. (Ella) Taylor of Niles; and daughter, Sharon (Emil) Hurbanis of Kentwood, MI. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Gary Cook
November 5, 1948-August 23, 2009

Mr. Gary Elton Cook, 60, formerly of Niles, MI, died on Sunday, August 23, 2009, following an illness.

He was born on November 5, 1948, in Allegan, MI, to Charles Willis and Virginia M. (Rodgers) Cook. He graduated from Niles High School in 1966 and had lived in Niles most of his life. He was self-employed as an electronics repair technician and was a member of the International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians.

Gary attended Hope College, Holland, MI, and Ferris State University, Big Rapids University, MI, and earned the bachelor's degree from Indiana University, South Bend.

He was an athlete, winning a wrestling championship for his weight division in his high school conference and was a collegiate state champ. He ran in marathons and greater distances throughout his life.

Gary was active in a long list of civic and political organizations, supporting programs for youth such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Boy Scouts, health associations such as Riley's Children's Hospital and Doctors Without Boarders, Native American projects such as the Cheyenne River Youth & Cultural Center, and political interests including the campaigns of U.S. presidential candidates.

He was a former member of the Niles Optimist Club and First Baptist Church of Niles. In more recent years he had attended the Kern Road Mennonite Church and First Brethren Church, both in South Bend.

Gary was married for several years to the former Leslie Steiner, who died in 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Moonie Cook, who died in 1979.

Surviving family included his daughter, Tracee L Cook of Niles; and granddaughter, Payton Yarbrough; his sisters, Charlene Dalenberg of Saint Joseph, MI, and Alana (Jesse) Madrigal of Austin, Texas; and his aunts, Gloria Shunkwiler of Berrien Springs, MI, and Kathy Rodgers of Niles; and an uncle, Tom Rodgers of Edwardsburg, MI.

Services for Gary Cook will be at 7:00 p.m. today, September 3, in First Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Jim Wing of the church and Rev, David Sutter of Kern Road Mennonite Church officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church's fellowship hall immediately following the services.

Contributions in memory of Gary Cook may be made to the donor's choice.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Donna Mae Washburn
January 7, 1935-August 29, 2009

Donna Mae Washburn, 73, died at 7:30 a.m. August 29, 2009, Saturday in Hospice House, South Bend. She was born January 7, 1935 in Niles. Survivors include a son, Daniel Arnold of Arizona; daughters, Rhonda Dieng of Chamblee, GA, and Brenda Keen of White Bluff, TN; brothers, Owen Demuth of Vancouver and Harold Demuth of Boonesville, MO; and sister, Dorothy Albin of Niles. Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. today in Silverbrook Cemetery. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of South Bend or West Woods of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown