Donald White
November 2, 1945-July 5, 2009

Donald D. White, 63, of Walling Lane, Niles, died at 9;52 p.m. in Lakeland-Niles of an extended illness.

Mr. White was born on Nov. 2, 1945 in Logansport, IN, to Deanne A. White and Laurana B. Smith.

He was a lifelong Niles resident. Don worked most of his life in banking and was a retired bank president.

He was a member of the American Institute of Banking. Don served as the 2008 president of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and was still a chamber director. Additionally he was a United Way volunteer, a charter member and past president of the Niles Noon Optimist Club and a member of the Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club. He served on both the Berrien General Hospital (Now Lakeland Specialty Hospital) and the Four Flags Plaza board of directors. He was a member of the Berrien County Kiwania Club.

On May 5, 1979 in Niles, Don married Jan (Arrick) white who survives. Also surviving are four children, Bill (Jenn) White of Hudsonville, MI, Sarah (Brad) Moeggenberg of Northville, MI, Heather (Kevin) Garrard of Niles and Dean De Pree of Niles.; four grandchildren survive, Nolan Garrard, Maxwell White, Emerson Garrard and Madeline White. In addition to his mother, Rana Steiner of Buchanan; a brother, Pat (Gail) White of Niles survives.

Funeral services for Donald D. White will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009 at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Halbritter Funeral Home today from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Mr. White may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Gale Wyman Harris
April 13, 1935-July 4, 2009

Gale Wyman Harris, of Niles,  died at 6:14 a.m. Saturday July 4, 2009, in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.  US Army Korean War veteran. Born, April 13, 1935. Survivors include his wife, Doris; sons, Michael and Kenneth Harris, both of Niles; sister, Mildred Whitacre of Union Mills, IN. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery at a later date. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements. Memorial may be made to Lakeland specialty Hospital-Beechwood House of Lakeland Hospice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown. 

Wanda E. Metcalf
Oct. 12, 1941-June 26, 2009

 Wanda E. Metcalf, 67,  of Niles, died Friday June 26, 2009 in her home following an extended illness.  Born Oct. 12, 1941.  Owner/operator of the former Koffee Kup restaurant, Niles, more recently employed at Sam's Club. Preceded by parents, Earl Metcalf and Ollie Sttedman, and sister, Billie Jackson. Survived by her sister, Dena Kennedy of Niles. Family is gathering privately at the grave in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Contributions to Hospice at Home. Arrangements at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Daniel S. Brooks, Sr.
June 14, 1945-June 18, 2009

Daniel S. "Danny": Brooks Sr., 64, of Michigan Street in Niles, MI, died at 1:54 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2009 in his home following a brief illness.

He was born on June 14, 1945 in Knoxville, TN, to Mack Arthur and Anna Mae (Owensby) Brooks. He moved to Niles in 1959 from Knoxville and graduated from Brandywine High School. He was formerly employed for 9½ years at Tyler Refrigeration, Niles, four years with Conrail as a foreman, and later at United Store Fixtures, Niles.

Danny was the former president of the Niles Fast Pitch Softball Association. He enjoyed trips to the Blue Chip Casino and the Osceola Drag Strip, racing and restoring cars. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.

On August 22, 1964 in Niles, he married the former Linda Sue Allen who preceded him in death on December 6, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his father, Mack A. Brooks; mother, Anna Mae Hurst; sister, Linda Pat Medina and a brother, A.J. Brooks.

Mr. Brooks is survived by his daughters, Kimberly (Mick) Ferrell of Niles and Kelly Sue (Neal) Thomspon of Buchanan, MI; son, Daniel S. "Spinner" Brooks II of Niles; grandchildren, Michael, Keri, Malinda, Rikki and Donaven; great-grandchildren, Kaylynn, Drake, Kaylee and Colt; brother, John Davis and sister, Maxine Brown, both of Knoxville; and special friends, Earl and Ginny Kinne of Georgia.

The funeral service for Daniel S. "Danny" Brooks Sr. will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2009 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. David Thompson of Church of Christ, Niles officiating.

Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Danny may be made to the American Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Elton Neumann
Oct. 3, 1915-Feb. 8, 2005

Elton Neumann, 89, of East Bertrand Road, Niles, Michigan, died at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005  in his home unexpectedly but of natural causes.

Mr. Neumann was born October 3, 1915, in Minot, North Dakota, to Emil and Finis (Bennett) Neumann. After the death of his parents, Elton was raised by his grandmother, Emila Neumann.

Mr. Neumann retired in 1978 after working for 38 years from Bendix Corporation.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he served both as treasurer and usher and taught Sunday School. Elton graduated with the class of 1933 from Barron High School, Barron, Wisconsin. After high school he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Elton was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. He was president of the Winkler School Board. Elton volunteered as a 4-H leader. He held several positions with Milton Township, including treasurer, deputy treasurer, clerk and was a member of the zoning board. Elton served on the VanCassCap Board. He was a member of the Berrien County Kennel Club and joint owner of Acorn Hill Kennel, which raised St. Bernards. Elton enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and reading, and always helping people.

On December 5, 1937, in St. Paul Episcopal Church in St. Clair, Michigan, he married Elizabeth Louise Smith, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Gary (Shirley) Neumann and Larry (Sharon) Neumann, both of Niles; three granddaughters, Carol, Mary and Sarah; a great-grandson, Brandon; and a sister, Dorothy Hull.

A brother, Wesley Neumann, and a sister, Doris Nystrom, preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Elton Neumann will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2005, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, with the Reverend Franklin P. Schuster III officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church.

Gracie Nelson
Dec. 11, 1911-May 19, 2001

GRACIE NELSON — 89 - of 1811 Fulkerson Road, Niles, MI died at 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 19, 2001 at West Woods of Niles, MI. Born Gracie Rathey on December 11, 1911 in Desha County, Arkansas. She moved to Buchanan in 1945, and to Niles in 1962. She was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. On January 21, 1942, she was married to the late McKinley Nelson of Pickens, Arkansas. Two sons survive McKinley Nelson Jr. of Milwaukee and Clarance Nelson of South Bend. Also surviving are sister-in-law Edith Rathey of South Bend. Nephews Obie Rathey, Fr. of South Bend, Winston Rathey of South Bend, Gerald Rathey of Chicago, and niece Joyce Rathey of Chicago, grandsons Kenneth Nelson of South Bend, Kenney Nelson of Milwaukee and Joseph Nelson of Jackson, MI. She was preceded in death by one sister Jessie Rathey Harris and four brothers, Chester, Willie, Frank and Obie Rathey. Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 11:00 AM (MI time) at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. Funeral services entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, MI.