Obituaries

Patricia Mary Primley
Jan. 27, 1930-Feb. 21, 2005

Patricia Mary Primley, 75, of Dowagiac, Mich., passed away Monday, Feb. 21,  2005,  in Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., due to complications from surgery.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. in the McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, with James Abshagen officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Mich.

Patricia was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Niles, to Basil and Hazel (Bolton) Barnes, and lived in Niles until she was 16 years old, then moved to the Dowagiac area, where she lived for almost 60 years. She retired from Rudy's/Sundstrand Manufacturing after over 40 years. She was a member of the Dowagiac Moose Lodge #1508. Pat enjoyed doing arts and crafts and her "Friday Night's with the Girls".

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Dorothy Mape; and three grandsons.

Patricia is survived by four daughters, Rosemary (Thomas) Stull of Decatur, Mich., Linda Zablocki of Granger, Ind., Patricia Primley of Decatur, and Christine (David) Green; a son, Harold (Carol) Primley; 15 grandchildren, Valerie, Jennifer, Matt, Lisa, Laurie, Eddie, Todd, Dawn, John, Christopher, Emily, Kelsie, Daniel, Andrea and Derick; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Audrey (Max) Kebschull of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Eleanor Huffman of Niles; and two brothers, Basil (Louise) Barnes and Donald Barnes, both of Niles; and by numerous nieces and nephews and special close friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cass County Council on Aging.

Raymond C. Pressnall
July 18, 1905-April 6, 1994

Raymond C. Pressnall, 88, of 621 French St., Niles, died at 10:25 p.m. Wednesday April 6, 1994, in Pawating Hospital. Mr. Pressnall was retired from Package Masters, Bremen, and National Printing & Engraving Co. He was born July 18, 1905, in LaPorte. On Feb. 29, 1936, in Plymouth, he married Alice M. Eckler. She survives with a granddaughter, Cindy Sirovica of Niles; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Iona Churchill and Geraldine McCarty, both of Niles; and a brother, Douglas P. of Niles. A son, Raymond G., died in 1977. He was an Army World War II veteran.

There will be no services or visitation. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Shirley Prenkert
Oct. 31, 1935-May 1, 2005

Shirley Prenkert, 69, of Silverbrook Manor,  Niles,died Sunday  May 1, 2005, in the nursing home after an illness. She was born on Oct. 31, 1935.  Survivors include a sister, Patricia East of Niles. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Natalie Prenkert
Feb. 2, 1917-Oct. 28, 1995

Natalie Prenkert, 78 of 1607 Ferry St., Niles, died at 9:55 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 28, 1995) in her home after an illness. Mrs. Prenkert was born Feb. 2, 1917, in Buchanan. On Dec. 19, 1936, in Niles she married Robert W. Prenkert. He survives with a son, Robert B. of Niles and a granddaughter, Aimee E. Prenkert of Niles. Mrs. Prenkert was a member of the Lady Elks, St. Mark Christian mothers, National Association of Retired Veteran Railway Employees inc., United 48 and American Association of Retired Persons.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Halbritter funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home, where a rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.  

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Minnie Prenkert
Jan. 23, 1879-May 25, 1970

Funeral services for Mrs. Minnie Prenkert, 91, of 311 Pokagon St., who died at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, 1970, in Dor-A-Lin Nursing Home, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Halbritter Funeral Home. Officiating will be the Rev. Arlan E. Schlundt of the St. John’s Untied Church of Christ. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.Friends may call beginning Wednesday at the funeral home. Born Jan. 23, 1879, in Niles. Mrs. Prenkert had lived her all her life. On April 19,1903, in Niles, she married Charles E. Prenkert, who died Aug. 15, 1951. She was a member of the St. John’s Untied Church of Christ.Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Charles Skopec and Mrs. Byron Gosline, both of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Ernestine Dinam of South Bend; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Charles E. Prenkert
Oct. 17, 1874-Aug. 15, 1961

Charles E. Prenkert, 86, 908 N. 3rd St., died at 9:30 a.m. Today (Aug. 15, 1961), in the Barrett Rest Home, Clear Lake Woods, Buchanan, where he had been for the past 18 months. He had been ill for four years.

Mrs. Prenkert was born October 17, 1874, in Baroda, and moved to Niles 58 years ago. He retired in 1939 as a pipe fitter for the New York Central Railroad. Mr. Prenkert was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and the Pioneer Association of the railroad. Surviving are his widow, Minnie; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Skopec and Mrs. Byron E. Gosline, both of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Mary Groenke, Baroda; a brother, William A. Prenkert Sr., Niles; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Richard Fraser pastor of St. Johns Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown