Mary Elizabeth Owens
April 21, 1924-July 4, 2006

Mary Elizabeth Owens, 82, of 2543 South Third Street, Niles, Mich., passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, July 4, 2006  in Lakeland Hospital, Niles, where she had worked as a secretary.

Mary was born on April 21, 1924, in Arola, Illinois. On August 21, 1945, in San Francisco, California, she married Robert Owens, who preceded her in death on Jan. 4, 1982.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Judy (Wayne) Hadary of Niles, Mich., and Ruth Owens of South Bend, Indiana; a son, John (Brenda) Owens of Niles, Mich.; eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, and all of her many children at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

Graveside services for Mary will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 19th, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Burial will follow graveside services.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ernest William Oswald
May 8, 1963-Dec. 2, 1994

Funeral services for Ernest William Oswald III, 31, of 1110 Lawndale, Niles, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Michiana First Assembly of God, Niles, by Pastor Jeff Whittaker, of the church. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, in Niles. mr. Oswald died at 1:05 p.m. Friday (Dec. 2, 1994) in Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born May 8, 1963 in Elkhart, Ind., and was a lifetime resident of Niles. On Aug. 14, 1982, he married Lisa Evelyn (Barr) Oswald, who survives. Mr. Oswald was formerly employed by CCx Trucking co, South Bend. He was an avid hunter. Other survivors include a daughter, Amanda Michelle Oswald of the home; a son, Bradley Allen Oswald of the home; his mother, Julia Oswald of Niles; a grandmother, Mary Oswald of Goshen, Ind.; two sisters, Pamela Oswald of Edwardsburg and Robyn Schwartz of Fort Jackson, Fla.; and a brother, Russell Oswald of Niles. Visitation will be form 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Daniel J. Ossmer
Dec. 7, 1960-May 1, 2008

Daniel J. Ossmer, 47, of Howard Street, Niles, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2008, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Thursday morning. Danny was born on Dec. 7, 1960, to the late James and Carole (Sarratore) Ossmer in Niles, MI, group up, Danny was the eldest and only boy of four children in the Ossmer household.

After high school Danny worked as a supervisor for Reese Hitch and Quest Metal Stamping before becoming a truck driver for Masten Trucking and Kenneth Smith. On June 2, 1984, Danny was married to Carol Word at a ceremony in Niles. When Danny wasn’t working he spent his free time hunting. He loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, riding his ATV or riding his motorcycle. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Lori Ondresky. Danny is survived by his wife, Carol: stepchildren, Richard "Bruce" (Kim) Word of Milan, Ohio, and Jewel (Kenny) Coquillard of Arizona; three grandchildren; grandmother, Marion “Izzie” Ossmer of Niles; sisters, Rhonda (Tim) Baker of Niles and Charr Sarratore of Mishawaka; along with several other family members who will miss him deeply. In keeping with Danny's wishes a time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2008, followed by a private memorial the next day. Friends and family are encouraged to pay their respects during the time of visitation. Condolences may be left for family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Elizabeth Onofryton
Oct. 3, 1913-Sept. 13, 2002

Elizabeth (Nicar) Onofryton, 88, of 1345 Missions East Drive, Niles, Mich., died of natural causes at 8:35 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2002 in Riveridge Manor Nursing Home.

She was born on Oct. 3, 1913, in South Bend, Ind., to the late Irene (Robertson) and Edwin "Ted" Nicar Jr. On June 6, 1950, she married Neil F. Onofryton, who has also preceded her in death.

She was an English teacher for the Niles Community Schools, and was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church, the Niles Cosmopolitan Club, Garden Club and Book Club.

She is survived by a granddaughter, Karen Brovold, and Karen's mother-in-law, Margaret L. Agostino, both of Niles; a son, Richard Kaup of Niles; stepdaughter, Kay Louise Parris of Bowie, Md.; a stepson, Jerry Onofryton of Holt, Mich.; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 1st Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Ronald Wakeman officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fernwood or Niles Community Library.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Suzanne Oleson
Dec. 21, 1918-July 11, 2005

Suzanne "Sudie" (Essington) Oleson, 86, of Mission East, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 10:05 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2005, in Hospice at Home "The Meadows" in Buchanan, Michigan.

Mrs. Oleson was born December 21, 1918, in Streator, Illinois, to John Weston and Wilda Leona (Woodward) Essington. She had lived in Niles since 1959, coming from Batavia and Aurora, Illinois. She retired as a nurse's aide from Pawating Hospital in Niles.

Mrs. Oleson was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, as well as the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. While she lived in California she worked for the FBI.

In 1944, in Los Angeles, California, she married Robert N. Oleson, who preceded her in death on December 3, 1972.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan R. Oleson of Buchanan; three sons, John N. (Jan) Oleson of Springfield, Virginia, Todd E. (Sarah Ash) Oleson of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, and R. Kim (Marty) Oleson of Niles; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Oleson was also preceded in death by one brother, Jack Essington.

The funeral service will be held at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2005, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church officiating. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to Hospice At Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Wiiliam E. Gilbert
Dec. 27, 1925-July 16, 2009

William E. Gilbert, 83, of Barron Lake Road, Niles, MI, died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2009, at his home following an extended illness.

He was born on December 27, 1925 in South Bend, IN, to Donald R. and Bernice (Finn) Gilbert. He graduated from Niles High School in 1945 and was a lifetime resident of Niles. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of corporal and was stationed in the South Pacific. He retired in 1987 as a design engineer from National-Standard Company in Niles. He later drove cars for eight years for Jordan Motors.

William was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist Church in Niles. He was a charter member of the Howard Township fire Department, where he served many years as its treasurer. In 1968, he began serving as a reserve deputy with the Cass County Sheriff's Department. He was active in volunteer work and was a community helper.

On May 10, 1947 in Berrien Springs, MI he first married Mary E. Austin) Gilbert, who preceded him in death on March 3, 1985. He later married on June 14, 1986 in Niles, Janie (Dempsey) VanLue Gilbert who survives. He is also survived by his children, Nancy (Dale) Chadderdon of Techmseh, MI, Linda (Dan) Gustafson of Saint Joseph, MI, and Larry (Kolleen) Gilbert of Niles; grandchildren, Mary Kay (Allan) Brown of Schaumburg, IL, Andrew Gustafson of Saint Joseph and Reanna (Scott) Lennox of Niles; great-grandchildren, Nathan Allan Brown, Trevor Scott Lennox and Jordon Lennox; stepchildren, Linda (Steve) Kijawa of Edwardsburg, MI, Merri (John Bagwell of Buchanan, MI, and Daniel (Pam) Vanlue of Niles; step-grandchildren, Julie (Mark) Williams, Melissa (Mike) Cook, Laurie Barnes, Angela (Billy) Rocke, James Vanlue, Cody Kujawa, Brennden Keen, Rob Lewis and Tiffany Lewis; step-great-grandchildren, Alexis Reagan, Tony Parris, Abby Parris, Garret Williams, Carter Williams, Delainey Reagan, D.J. Bagwell, Eiva Vedia, Kaylin Rocke, Jora Barnes, James Barnes, Chase Rocke and Dustin Rocke.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, O'Rion Gilbert in 1992; stepson, Kenneth Vanlue; step-grandson Sam Reagan and step-great-grandson, Parker Williams.

The funeral services for William E. Gilbert will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20 in Pokagon United Methodist Church, Niles with Rev. Patricia Haas officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, where military honors will be preformed by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of William may be made to Pokagon Untied Methodist Church of Hospice At Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, MI 49085.