Obituaries

Albert H. Rahn
Sept. 25, 1914-Feb. 27, 2007

Albert H. Rahn, 92, of Seminole, FL, formerly of New Jersey and originally of Niles, died Saturday Feb. 17, 2007,  in Florida.  He was born Sept. 25, 1914. Widowed of Evelyn (Haslett). Also preceded by brother, Melvin Rahn. Surviving are his children, Kenneth A. Sr. of Narragansett, RI, Madeline Rahn Morin of Charleston, SC. and Marjorie L. Rahn of San Jose, CA; grandchildren, Percy Wise, Kenneth Rahn Jr. and Gail Rahn Frederick. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with interment at Silverbrook Cemetery. Visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Stanley O. Radewald
Oct. 28, 1928-Jan. 20, 2003

Mr. Stanley Otto Radewald, 74, prominent Berrien County farmer of M-140, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 11:25 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20,  2003 in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, Mich.

He was born on Oct. 26, 1928, in Niles, to Edwin A. and Horence (Knott) Radewald Sr., and lived in this area all his life. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1946 and attended the Michigan State Ag Short Course. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by a son, Dean, who died on Jan. 8, 1987.

The Radewald family fruit and vegetable began in 1895, moving to the management of Stan (and his mother and brother) when he was 19 years old and his father died unexpectedly. They added a packinghouse and cold storage in 1965, and have added a fresh market, tomato processing and a U-Pick strawberry patch. At the retirement of Edwin Jr., Stan and his wife Barbara became the owners of Stanley Radewald Farms.

Stan was a lifelong member and served on the Council of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, was a life member of the Michigan State Horticulture Society, and held various elected positions and directorships of Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Association, Saint Joseph River Soil Conservation District, Michigan State Experimental Farm (Sodus), Michigan Growers Association, Berrien County and Michigan Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Oil Company of Eau Claire (Mich.) and of Jan Barb, Inc., and Silver Mill Frozen Foods, Inc.

He was a Berrien Township Constable, a member of the Berrien County Republican Party, a 30-year member of the B. P. O. of Saint Joseph Elks #541, and was well-known for his skills as a dowser - finding underground water using a divining rod.

He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and the fellowship of hunters. He also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, believing that similarities exist between gambling there and farming. He most enjoyed time spent with friends and family.

On Nov. 29, 1952, he was married to the former Barbara Meyer, with whom he recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of that marriage. In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by their daughter, Diane of Scottsdale, Ariz.; their son, Don (Jody) Radewald of Niles; grandchildren, Katherine and Tyler; and by his brother, Edwin (Virginia) Radewald Jr. of Niles.

A celebration of Stan's life in the form of a visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the Radewald Packing House, 11276 M-140, Niles.

A statement of faith in the form of memorial services for Stanley O. Radewald will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, with Rev. Sandi Nesbit, D. Min of the church officiating. The family is gathering earlier for committal services at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Stan may be made to the Dean Radewald memorial fund at Chemical Bank Shoreline or to the donor's choice.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Minnie Radewald
Nov. 22, 1873-Oct. 22, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, October 22, 1923, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Minnie Radewald, wife of Edward Radewald, 599 Cass Street died suddenly this morning at  2 o’clock after a brief illness with heart disease.

Mrs. Radewald’s maiden name was Minnie Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, deceased. She was born in Schoolcraft on Nov. 22, 1873. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Radewald, four survive their mother, four daughters having died in infancy. The children are Roy, George, Ray and Edward, all of Niles, Ray and Edward residing at the family home.

Besides the husband and sons, the following brothers and sisters also survive, Charles, Ernest, Albert, Herman and Miss Emma Smith, all of Niles, Mrs. Anna Rhodes of Burbank, Calif. The latter recently visited in Niles.

Mrs. Radewald was highly esteemed by those who knew her, and sympathies with the family in the loss of a devoted wife and mother.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the home, and will be private. Rev. Harold Holt will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Mabel Radewald
Oct. 5, 1886-Dec. 15, 1960

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 15, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mabel Radewald, 74, 216 S. St. Joseph Ave, Niles, died this morning  in Pawating Hospital where she had been a patient since, Nov. 9.

Mrs. Radewald was born in Niles on Oct. 5, 1886, and had lived her all of her life.  For more than 30 years she had taught school in Buchanan.  Her husband Carl, preceded her in death in 1959. Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Joseph Coleman, Grand Rapids.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home beginning Friday.

George W. Radewald
1896-Oct. 19, 1927

Death claimed George W. Radewald, 32, this morning (Oct 19, 1927), about 9:55, after an illness of brief duration with diabetes. Mr. Radewald became seriously ill on Sunday and lapsed into a state of coma. While he rallied somewhat on Monday and Tuesday, early this morning his condition suddenly changed and he died at the hour states. The death of Mr. Radewald is mourned by a large group of friends. For 12 years he had been connected with the sales department of the Kawneer company, and was held in highest esteem by those with whom he associated. He was a his desk as usual last Saturday morning and his death is particularly shocking to his office friends.

Mr. Radewald was born in Niles in 1896 and had spent his entire life here. He was married on June 2, 1917 to Miss Mildred Amon, of Niles, who survives him. Besides the widow he is survived by four children, Mildred Amon, George Edward, Mildred Ada, Leatrice Enid, and Antionette Virginia, all at home, by his father, Edward Radewald and by three brothers, Edward, Roy and Raymond of Niles.  At the time of his death he was head of the steel sales division at the Kawneer. While the funeral plans have not been completed. The services will be conducted for Re. W. Keith Chidesier, rector of the Episcopal Church and burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Betty J. Radewald
March 22, 1922-Jan. 7, 2009

Betty J. Radewald, 86, longtime resident of Lake Shore Drive, Niles, died at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, following a brief illness at Spectrum Blodgett Hospital, East Grand Rapids, MI.

Mrs. Radewald was born on March 26, 1922, in Dowagiac, MI, to Glen and Josie (Meyers) Smith. She lived in this area all of her life and was former member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles. Betty enjoyed all aspects of her area all of her life and was a former member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles. Betty enjoyed all aspects of her life, her family, friends at Barron Lake and Leesburg, FL., and gardening. On June 15, 1945 in Dowagiac, she married George E. Radewald who died August 21, 1985. Also preceding her in death was a son, George “Chip” Radewald III and a granddaughter, Sarah Henry.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Carol Gearhart of Caledonia, MI, and Sharon Henry of Ada, MI. also surviving are her four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. The services for Betty J. Radewald will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2009, in Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Bassett officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Saturday.Contributions in memory of Betty Radewald may be made to either to the American Lung Association, 25900 Greenfield Road, Ste. 401, Oak Park, MI 48237 or American Cancer Society, 1400 W. Milham, Kalamazoo, MI 49024.