Florence Panhurst
April 13, 1872-Dec. 10, 1931

Mrs. Adolph Panhurst Dies Suddenly Thursday,

Daughter of Pioneer Bacon Family in Niles, passes away in Vermont.

Friends of Mrs. Florence Panhurst, wife of Adolph Panhurst were shocked deeply in learn yesterday of her untimely death (Dec. 10, 1931), after one day of illness. Her death occurred at Dorset, Vermont in which place she moved last October. The body will be brought to Niles and arrangements made for the funeral which will be announced later. Mrs. Panhurst was a daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Holley) Bacon, a pioneer resident of Niles, and she was practically a lifelong resident of this city. She is survived by her husband, two sisters, Mrs. George Sheldon of Rock Island, Ill and Mrs. Fred C. Crosby of Evanston, Ill; and by her aunt, Mrs. Maria Sheldon of Doreset, VT., Nathaniel H. Bacon, who died in April 1928 was a brother of Mrs. Panhurst. With Mrs. Panhurst death the last member of the Bacon family is taken from Niles. Mrs. Panhurst was an ardent follower of Christian Science; she was an honorary member of the Keepewa literary clubs and had been an officer of Fort St. Joseph chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.  

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Stevie Ray Tidey
February 18, 1991-July 19,2009

Stevie Rae Tidey, 18, of Buchanan, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009. Our pride and joy was born Feb. 18, 1991.  She leaves behind her parents Steve and Kelee Tidey, her beloved sister and brother Summer and Maxwell.  She also leaves behind her grandparents Mary Godsey, Linda Godsey and Charles and Christine Tidey, and many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, as well as her boyfriend Warren Wolford.  She was preceded in death by her grandfather Willard Godsey and Papa Don Godsey.

She was a 2009 graduate of River Valley High School and was excited to have her first job with the Berrien County Parks Department where she worked in maintenance at Silver Beach. Stevie loved cooking, drawing, the beach, going to the movies, music and going fishing with her dad.  But most of all she loved her many family members and friends who loved her back with all their hearts.  Her beautiful smile and spirit will never be forgotten and she will always be our pride and joy, our "One Love One Heart."

The Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, July 24, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Buchanan Christian Church.  Pastor Sean Kidd will officiate.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  Time for friends and family to visit will be Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Swem Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the family, Kelee Tidey, C/O Swem Funeral Home, 301 W Front St, Buchanan, MI  49107.  Friends may leave an online message by visiting the guestbook at www.swemfuneralhome.com.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Robert E. Pallas
July 17, 1924-May 18, 2003

Robert E. Pallas, 78, of 32 S. Fairview Ave., died Sunday May 18, 2003,  in Silverbrook Manor after an illness. Born July 17, 1924. Survivors include four daughters, Carol Small and Roberta Slater, both of Stevensville and Robin Heimback and Shannon Raney, both of Bridgman; four sons, Robert J. "Jim" of Clawson, Mich., Charles of St. Joseph, Michael of Berrien Springs and Richard of New Buffalo; a sister, Marguerite Astopenia of Stevensville; and a brother, Donald of Florida. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

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