Obituaries

Grace L. (Simmonds) Kiger
March 4, 1907-February 23, 1999

Funeral services for Grace Louella Simmonds Kiger, 91, 1451 Bronson Way, Kalamazoo, formerly of 615 E. Main St., Niles will be Friday at 9 a.m. in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Wakeman of first Presbyterian Church.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Kiger died Tuesday Feb. 23, 1999, at 6:15 p.m. in Bronson Place Care Center, Kalamazoo.

She was born March 4, 1907 in Camp Point, IL. She had lived in Niles since 1926 until moving to Kalamazoo in Aug. 1989.

On June 24, 1934 in Lake Forest IL, she married Frederick Harry Kiger, who preceded her in death on May 2, 1995.

Mrs. Kiger was a retired English teacher, teaching at Bloom Township High School, Chicago Heights, IL, and Niles High School.

She was a 50 plus year member of First Presbyterian Church, a member of United Presbyterian Women Sigma Kappa Sorority, Daughtrs of the American Revolution and an honorary member of Seepewa reading club, AAUW.

She was a graduate of Deerfield Shields High School, Highland Park, IL, and Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL. Mrs. Kiger was descended from three Mayflower passengers, John Billington, Thomas Rogers and Richard Warren.

She also had helped hr husband operate Kiger Funeral Home (now Halbritter Funeral Home)

Mrs. Kiger was also preceded in death by a sister, Martha; and five brothers, Charles, Harold, Walter, Herbert and James.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Kay Kiger Petruska of Kalamazoo and Wendy (William Kiger Boughton of Sebring, FL; three grandchildren, Nicholas (Katie) Kiger Petruska of Wayland, Dr. Amny Kathryn Petruska and her husband Dr. Mike C. Lin of West Lima, Ore, and Kristin Dorothy Kiehn of New York City, NY, and a great-grandson, Corey Dylan Petruska of Falls church, VA.

Friends may call Thursday form 5 to 7 p.m. in Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Bronson Place Care Center Activity Fund. Kalamazoo.

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Grace Louella (Simmonds) Kiger, 91, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Niles, died Tuesday  Feb. 23, 1999, in Bronson Place Care Center, Kalamazoo.  She was born March 4, 1907. Survivors include two daughters, Kay (Kiger) Petruska of Kalamazoo, and Wendy (Kiger) Boughton of Sebring, Fla. Services will be at 9 a.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Thomas L. McOmber
Aug. 21, 1920-May 8, 1994

Private graveside services for Thomas L. McOmber, 74, of 1818 Sycamore St., Niles, will be held at alter date at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, by the Rev. Irwin Graham, interim pastor of Huntley Memorial Baptist Church.

Mr. McOmber died at 8:25 p.m. Monday, May 8, 1995, in Chelsea Manor, Elkhart, IN, following an extended illness.

He was born Aug. 21, 1920 in Niles, and was a lifelong resident of Niles. On Feb. 28, 1950, in South Bend, IN, he married the former Jane Mae Hicks who survives.

Mr. McOmber retired in 1981 from Tyler Refrigeration, Niles. He was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles and a veteran of the US Army during World War II.

He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing.

Other survivors include a daughter, Kathy McOmber of Niles; and a sister, Ruth Morse also of Niles.

He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

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 Thomas L. McOmber, 74, of 1818 Sycamore St., Niles, died at 8:25 p.m. Monday May 8, 1995, in Chelsea Manor, Elkhart, after an illness. Mr. McOmber retired in 1981 from Tyler Refrigeration Corp. He was born Aug. 21, 1920, in Niles. On Feb. 28, 1950, in South Bend, he married Jane Mae Hicks. She survives with a daughter, Kathy McOmber of Niles; and a sister, Ruth Morse of Niles. Mr. McOmber was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Private graveside services will be later. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carmen Kae Jaynes
July 26, 1991-October 4, 1991

Funeral services for Carmen Kae Jaynes, two months and eight days, of 1039 Bame Ave, Niles will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in South Niles Community Church by the Rev. Fred T. Smith, pastor.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles

Ms. Jaynes died unexpectedly Friday Oct. 4, 1991, in her home.

She was born July 26, 1991 in Berrien Center.

Survivors include her parents, James B. and Melinda L. Jaynes at home; a sister, Mercedes Anne Jaynes at home; three grandparents, Noah and Consepcion Blankenship of Niles, James G. Jaynes of Niles and Berneth Dokey of South Bend, IN; five great-grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Nathaniel Jaynes of Niles, Judy Matthews of Dowagiac, Jose and Petra Beramen of Hammond, IN, Lillian Blankenship of Rushville, IN, and Noah Blankenship of Lake Station, IN; and great-great-grandmother, Pearl Rose of Niles.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carmen Jaynes Memorial Fund.

Published October 7, 1991 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Donald L. Kessler
Aug. 16, 1912-Oct. 5, 1991

Funeral services for Donald L. Kessler, 79, of 1402 Sheridan Ave., Niles, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Halbritter Funeral Home and full Masonic Rites will be at St. Joseph Valley Lodge No 4. F.& A.M.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Kessler died at 6:20 a.m. Saturday Oct. 5, 1991, in his home, following an extended illness.

He was born August. 16, 1912 in Buffalo NY and lived in Niles since 1931, coming from Chicago, IL.

Mr. Kessler retired in 1973, a division manager at Sears Roebuck and Company.

He was a member and past master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M. and the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 332.

On Sept. 1, 1940 in Niles, he married Helen I. Kessler who survives. Other survivors include two sons, Don A. Kessler of Amsterdam, NY, and Keith G. Kessler of Niles; a brother, David W. Kessler of Cassopolis; a stepmother, Rosemary Kessler of Escanada; four grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to donor's choice.

Paper date October 7, 1991; Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Leslie G. Rooks
July 19, 1907-May 9, 1995

Private services will be held for Leslie G. Rooks, 87, of 1602 Oak St., Niles, by the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church of Niles. Burial will be at Silverbook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Rooks died at 6:58 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 1995, in Pawating Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness. He was born July 19, 1907, in Holland, MI, and had lived in Niles since 1929, coming from Holland.

On October 1, 1932 in South Bend, IN, he married the former Hazel M. Hoover, who survives.

Mr. Rooks was retired from United Dairy of Niles. Prior to working for United Dairy, he had worked with his father at Niles Creamery. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Bend of the River Grange of Niles. He was a graduated of Holland High School. He was an avid gardener.

Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Arthur Peabody of Niles; a brother, Lloyd Rooks of South Bend, IN. He was preceded in death by an infant sister and a brother, Leon Rooks.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter funeral Home, Niles. Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown