Obituaries

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

Treva M. Vollman
January 9, 1926-August 14, 2009

Treva M. Vollman, 83, formerly of Barron Lake Road in Niles, Michigan, died at 11:10 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2009, in Meadow View Estates with her daughter, Barbara, by her side.

She was born on January 9, 1926, in Niles, to Harold Louis and Genevieve Cornelia (June) Ort. She graduated from Niles High School and had lived in Niles all of her life. She retired in 1988 from the former Pawating (now Lakeland) Hospital in Niles. She was also previously employed at Tyler Refrigeration in Niles. Fred and Treva operated hog roasts for many public and private events, including the annual Brian Parker Foundation.

Treva was also a specialty cake baker and decorator, and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team.

On March 3, 1956, in Niles, she married Fred Vollman Jr., who preceded her in death on November 12, 2001.

She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Shannon Dale Thomas, who died December 1, 1997; sisters, Melvina Thompson and M. Louise Ort; and brothers, Harold and Louis Ort.

Mrs. Vollman is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Bangert of Detroit, Michigan, Barbara Farris and Melody Rockwell, both of Niles; stepsons, Dean Vollman of Colorado and Jon (Lynn) Vollman of Mesquite, Texas; 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jack Ort Sr. of Niles.

The funeral services for Treva will be private at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor Jim Wing of the First Baptist Church of Niles officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 21, in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Treva may be made to Meadow View Estates.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Flossie Mae Chavous
December 24, 1924-August 18, 2009

Flossie Mae Chavous, 84, of 27474 White Street, Cassopolis, died at 6:18 a.m. Tuesday in Lakeland Hospital, Niles, of Natural causes. She was born in Tupelo, MS on December 24, 1924. Survivors include a brother, Odell (Olivia) Freeman of Niles. She was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert W. Chavous in 2001. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Bryant Bacon of the church officiating, friends may call one hour before services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown