Obituaries

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

Opal L. Dickeson
Dec. 10, 1916-Oct. 25, 2009

Opal L. "Gram" Dickeson, 92, of Stateline Road, Niles, and formerly of Howard St., died Sunday Oct. 25, 2009 at West Woods of Niles, following an extended illness. She is survived by her son, Richard Dickeson of Niles; grandchildren, Doug, Danny, Donald and Diane Dickeson; great-grandchildren, Joshua Dickeson and Danielle Keysor.  She was born Dec. 10, 1916. The family is gathering privately at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery for services. There will be no visitation. Arrangements were mad be Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Emma Jane Bromley
November 3, 1950-October 20, 2009

Emma Jane Bromley, 58 of Niles passed away at her residence on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, suddenly, but of natural causes.

She was born on November 3, 1950 in Illinois to Earl and Clythera (Winkler) Howard.

A homemaker most of her life, Emma enjoyed reading, watching mysteries, sewing, scrapbooking, reading her Bible, and most of all spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her father Earl Howard, brother, Earl Howard Jr., and sister, Alice Howard.

Emma is survived by her mother Clythera Howard of Centralia, Illinois, a son, John Finley of Niles, three daughters; Lisa (Andrew) Huff of Plainfield, Illinois, Gaynell (Adam) Christie of Niles and Christina (Jayson) Albright of Niles, eight grandchildren; Cleyton and Chas Huff, Racquel and Brandon Finley, Maddison and Isabella Christie, and Tyler and Jakob Albright, two brothers; Clarence (Millie) Howard of Arkansas and Raymond Howard of Illinois, six sisters; Luella Cook, Patsy Masters, Janice Obermeier, Judy (Gene) Howard-Chappell, Beryl Ann Snyder and Susan Whitledge all of Centralia, Illinois.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 in Brown Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. with a public visitation one hour prior. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Emma’s memory to the American Diabetes Association.

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