Duane E. Masten
Nov. 2, 1917-Aug. 24, 2000

Duane E. Masten, 82, of 1710 Portage Road, Niles, died Aug. 24, 2000, in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes. He was born November 2, 1917. He wife Anna Delphine "Dolly" (Gillette) on November 8, 1992.

Survivors include a son, Pete D. (Patty) Masten of Niles; grandsons, Shane T. (Gina) Masten of Niels, Paul H. (Beverly) Baldwin III of Kalamazoo, and great-grandson, Paul H. Bladwin IV, of Kalamazoo. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, where friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.  Full military Rites at the graveside will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Marjorie G. Martin
Jan. 4, 1930-March 5, 2006

Marjorie G. Martin, 76, formerly of Niles, died March 5, 2006 in Devon Gables Nursing Home, Tucson, Ariz., of an illness.  She was born Jan. 4, 1930. Survivors include her husband, Jack; two sons, Kenneth of Overland Park, Kan., and Ronald of Tucson; and a sister, Betty Siri of Ocala, Fla. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Silverbrook Cemetery. There is no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Mrs. Jeanette (Keller) Martin, 98, of East Bertrand Road, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13,  2004, West Woods of Niles.

She was born on Dec. 20, 1905, in Bertrand Township, Mich., to Lawrence M. and Bessie (Reynolds) Keller Sr., and had lived in this area most of her life. She graduated from Dowagiac (Michigan) High School and attended Teacher's Normal School.

She taught school in Cass County, Mich., and then was employed by the United States Department of Labor for more than 20 years, retiring in 1977.

Mrs. Martin served on several Niles Township boards including the Charter Commission of 1968. She also served the community by volunteering with the service leagues. She enjoyed reading, especially current events, and completing crossword puzzles. She loved her family, studied its history, and enjoyed caring for the current generations.

On Dec. 31, 1938, in South Bend, Ind., she was married to Raymond Irving Martin, who preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1980. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Dreher in 2001 and Kathryn Barnhard in 2000; and by four brothers, Harry Keller in 2000, Gene Keller in 1997, John Keller in 1999 and Lawrence Keller Jr. in 1998.

Surviving family includes her sons, James K. Martin of Indianapolis, Ind., and William I. Martin of Columbia City, Ind.; a grandson, Christopher D. Martin; her sister, Virginia McCarthy of Benton Harbor, Mich.; and by many nieces and nephews including Marcia Brubaker of Niles, who provided much of Jeanette's care.

Funeral services for Jeanette Keller Martin will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

David Lee Markley
June 10, 1937-July 31, 2004

Retired Master Sergeant David Lee Markley, 67, of Lewis Drive, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 3:25 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2004, in Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, Mich.

He was born June 10, 1937, in Hope, Ind., to Herbert and Alma (Robinson) Markley. He had lived in Niles since 2000, coming from South Bend, Ind.

In 1984, he retired as master sergeant, U.S. Air Force, from Elgin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. During his years of service to his country, he served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was a member of American Legion Post #777, South Bend.

He is survived by his children: son, Walter Eugene Smith, Denver, Ind.; son, Norman Frank McGowan of Vicksburg, Miss.; son, Raymond Thomas Smith, South Bend; daughter, Brenda Kaye Smith, South Bend; son, David Lee Markley Jr., South Bend; daughter, Julianne Aranda, Ontario, Calif.; daughter, Jeanne Lynn Markley, Niles. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren; a brother, Russell Markley, Niles; and by his ex-spouse, Betty Jean Markley, South Bend.

He was preceded in death by a brother and sister.

Funeral services for retired Master Sergeant David Lee Markley will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Fred. T. Smith officiating the services.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Military rites will take place at the graveside by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan, Mich.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Peter E. Mark Jr.
Feb. 22, 1939-April 9, 1970

Peter E. Mark Jr., 31, of 1826 Miller Drive, Niles, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital.

A driver for C. and E. Trucking Corp. of South Bend. Mr. Mark was born Feb. 22, 1939, in Niles and had lived here all his life. On Feb. 28, 1960, in Niles, he married the former Mary J. Sands, who survives. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, and Helpers, South Bend Local No. 364.

Additional survivors include three sons, Douglas, Stacey and Wayne, all at home; his father, Peter E. Mark of Niles; a brother, Dennis Mark of Niles; and two step-sisters, Linda and Brenda Mark, both of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. W.J. Coad of the Apostolic Faith Assembly officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call beginning Sunday at the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Peter A. Mark
Aug. 8, 1894-April 3, 1968

Peter A. Mark, 73, of 1750 Chicago Road, Niles, died at 4:12 a.m. (April 3, 1968) today in Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness. Born Aug. 8, 1894, in Fairland, Mr. Mark was a lifetime resident of this area. He was retired as owner of the Mark’s Tavern. On Nov. 10, 1912, he married Helen M. Wertz, in Niles. She died July 14, 1965.

His survivors include three sons, Leroy, Peter and Clifford, all of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Harley Bunch Sr., of Niles; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; and a half sister, Mrs. Mary Smith of Niles. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home with the Rev. Johns S. Hoenstill of the Holy Trinity Lutheran church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown