Robert W. Petro
Sept. 25, 1920-Oct. 22, 2002

Mr. Robert William Petro, 82, of Horton Court, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002, in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1920, in Kaleva, Mich., to Wilfred Rich and Vada Irene Petro. Irene died in 1923 leaving Bob and his brother, Dick in the care of her mother until Wilfred's marriage to Emmie Boal in 1930. Bob had lived most of his life in Niles, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1940 where he was a member of the state champion cross-country team.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, discharged as a corporal. He earned both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in wood utilization from Michigan State University, East Lansing. He had been employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, Simplicity Pattern Company, Bremen Bearing and Garden City Products.

Mr. Petro's greatest love was in serving the Lord and his faithful attendance as a member of the Apostolic Temple Church, South Bend, Ind., where he served as an usher for over 30 years. He was also a member of Chapter 865 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Niles.

On March 10, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Mich., he was married to the former Janet Arlene Pollock, who survives. He is also survived by their children, Larry David Petro of Baltimore, Md., Michael Paul (Roxann) Petro of South Bend, Stephen William (Rebecca) Petro of South River, N.J., Deborah Sue (Edward) Stankevich of Chelsea, Mich., Joan Elizabeth (Richard) Breyer of Nashville, Tenn., Phillip Douglas (Shannon) Petro of Flat Rock, Mich., Timothy Richard (Charlene) Petro of Denver, Colo., and Lydia Anne (Larry) Reichanadter of Niles; grandchildren, Kelly Anne Petro, Sara Renee and Beth Arlene Stankevich, Max Alexander and Nina Rachel Breyer, Danielle Lenee Petro, Schuyler Miller Petro, and Alex Michael and Adam Jacob Reichanadter; and by his brother, Richard Wayne Petro of Niles, and half sister, Olive Petro of Chicago, Ill.

Funeral services for Mr. Robert W. Petro will be at 10 a.m. (Ind. time) Friday, Oct. 25, in the Apostolic Temple Church, South Bend, at the corner of Ironwood Road and Ewing Avenue, with Bishop P.D. Rowe officiating, assisted by the Rev. P.T. Rowe, both of the church. Committal services will be at 2 p.m. (Mich. time) at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with a Veteran's Flag Presentation by American Legion Post #26 Comdr. John McLaughlin.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. (Mich. time) today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Petro may be made to the Apostolic Temple Church.

October 24, 2003;  Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Roy G. Peters
March 30, 1921-Oct. 25, 1994

Roy G. Peters, 73, of 1521 E. Main Street, Niles, died at 8 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 25, 1994, at Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mr. Peters was the owner and retired in 1986 as operator of East Main Gardens. He was born March 30, 1921, in Niles and was a lifetime area resident. On April 10, 1948, in Niles, he married Helen K. Schadler. She survives with a son, Mike of Niles; four grandchildren; and four sisters, Margaret Brawley of Niles, Patricia Fuchshauber of Fort Wayne, Joy Murphy of Dowagiac, and Shirley Luke of Buchanan. He was a member of Niles Fraternal Order of Police; Niles Auxiliary Police; Niles Elks Lodge, of which he was former chief; American Legion Post 26; Four Flags Amateur Radio Club, and was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He started the tradition of the Christmas tree in the St. Joseph River between Broadway and Main streets.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Leon E. Peel
June 25, 1940-April 4, 2008

Leon E. Peel, 67, of Swan Point Place, Las Vegas, Nev, and a former longtime resident of Pinehurst Lane, Niles died Friday (April 4, 2008), in his home following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean; children, Debra J. Peel of Las Vegas, Terry L. Peel of Colorado Springs, CO, Kathryn M. (Michael) Holy of Buchanan and Barbara Jo “Barbie” Danley of Las Vegas, 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild; a sister and brother, Carol A. Egmer and Harold S. Peel, both of Niles. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m, on Friday. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Alice R. Peebles
April 20, 1923-Feb. 15, 2009

Alice R. (Roberts) Peebles, 85, of Eagle Street in Niles passed away at Lakeland Hospital on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Alice was born on April 20, 1923 to the late John and Hazel Belle (Stevenson) Roberts in Marcellus, Michigan. After school Alice went to work and in February 9, 1952 she wed the love of her life, Arthur "Kenny" Peebles, at a ceremony in Angola, Indiana.  Together they had one son Dale. Alice worked at the Avalon on Barron Lake, the A& P Grocery and retired as a bartender from Mac's Tavern in 1986 to take care of her family.  Though Alice worked outside the home she took pride in being a housewife and taking care of her family.  She spent much of her down time reading, doing cross word puzzles, gardening and cooking for her family.  But, no one will forget how much she loved to watch the Chicago Cubs play. Alice is preceded in death by her parents, John and Hazel, husband Kenny in 2008 and brother Fred Roberts in 1992. She is survived by her son Dale (Kim) Peebles of Niles, Grandchildren Christopher (Kim) Simpson of Niles and Joshua (Piper) Simpson of Niles and 4 great-grandchildren. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 from 6-8 at Brown Funeral Home where her service will be held on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ed Slate will be officiating.  Alice will be interred next to her husband, Kenny, in Silverbrook Cemetery. 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.  

Louis "Ray" Pease
Dec. 20, 1923-Dec. 28, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 30, 1998, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Louis R. "Ray" Pease, 75, 2001 South Thirteenth Street, Niles, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Mr. Kendall Krause, a friend of the family.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Pease died Monday t 2:15 a.m. at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center, following a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 20, 1923 in Truman, Ark. He had lived in this area most of his life.

On Sept. 6, 1947, in South Bend, Ind., he married the former Eleanore B. Adrysiak, who preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 1979.

He retired in 1986 as an employee of Washoe County, Nev. He had also been employed as an assessor, builder, realtor, and contractor.

Pease enjoyed travelling in the United States and visiting family and friends.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Pease, and a sister, Cathy Whitaker.

Surviving family includes a son, David Pease of Houghton Lake; two daughters, Carol Eull of Niles and Melissa Pease of Grass Valley, Calif.; four brothers, John Pease of Niles, Homer Pease of Niles, Dudley Pease of Baldwin and James Pease of Dowagiac; and two sisters, Louise Wanko of Niles and Muriel Swierz of Plam Harbor, Fla.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

And the following Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Mr. Louis R. ''Ray'' Pease, 75, of 2001 S. Thirteenth Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 2:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28,  1998 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center - Berrien Center, Mich.

Mr. Pease was born on Dec. 20, 1923, at Truman, Ark., to John Lester and Kate (Varble) Pease, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was a well-known housebuilding contractor, and had also been a Realtor and an Assessor. He was retired in 1986 as an Assessor for Washoe County, Nev.

He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, and enjoyed visiting family and friends.

On Sept. 6, 1947, in South Bend, Ind., he was married to the former Eleanore B. Andrysiak, who preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 1979. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Pease; and by a sister, Cathy Whitaker.

Surviving family includes their son, David Pease of Houghton Lake, Mich.; two daughters, Carol Eull of Niles and Melissa Pease of Grass Valley, Calif.; three grandchildren; four brothers, John Pease and Homer Pease, both of Niles, Dudley Pease of Baldwin, Mich., and James Pease of Dowagiac, Mich.; and two sisters, Louise Wanko of Niles and Muriel Swierz of Palm Harbor, Fla.

Funeral services for Louis Ray Pease will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. Kendall Krause, a friend of the family officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Pease may be made to Hospice at Home.

Sara Pawlak
Oct. 23, 1979-June 1, 2002

Sara Mary Ann Pawlak, 22, of 929 South 3rd Street, Niles, Mich., died late Saturday, June 1, 2002, from injuries suffered in an ATV accident on Third Street.

She was born on October 23, 1979, in South Bend, Ind., to Patricia (Clark) and Robert Pawlak who survive. Also surviving are a brother, Troy Pawlak of Niles; and her grandparents, Ann and Leonard Clark of Tennessee.

She was employed at the Dental Center of South Bend and the Pancake House in Roseland.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, with Dr. William Sanders of First United Methodist Church of Buchanan officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2002, in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to American Dental Association.  

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown