Obituaries

Richard H. Mell
March 13, 1937-Feb. 9, 2003

Mr. Richard Henry Mell, 65, of S.W. Ninth Street, Margate, Fla., and formerly longtime of Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

He was born on March 13, 1937, in Niles, to Morrison G. and Minnie (Varnum) Mell, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army during peacetime, and was retired as an engineering consultant to the aerospace industry. Also while in Niles he participated in several of the Masonic Organizations.

In 1972 Mr. Mell moved to Florida where he was a member of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, and prior to his long illness had been a member of the choir and participated in Evangelism Explosion.

On June 14, 1991, in Niles, he was married to the former Charlene (Dreher) Schumacher, who survives. He is also survived by his children, Richard F. (Linda) Mell, Sharon K. Johnson, Jack G. "John" Mell and Jane F. (Richard, Jr.) Green, all of Tampa, Fla., and Jason A. Kirchner of Fort Lauderdale; stepdaughter, Johanna (Ken) Braniff of Niles; stepson, John (Cynthia) Schumacher of Niles; grandchildren, Bryan and Ashley Johnson, Kristina Mell and Marisa Pruitt-Green; step-grandchildren, Amber Marie and John Merle Schumacher Jr.; and his mother, Minnie Mell of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; and nephews, Christopher and Matthew Mell. He had also been a foster father of Matthew Spicher, Jennifer (Terry) Lathinghouse, and Kim Brannon and her child, Shari, all of who survive in Florida.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack G. Mell in September 2002; and their father, Morrison G. Mell.

Funeral services for Richard H. Mell will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in First Baptist Church of Niles, with Rev. Scott A. Goodman of the church and Mr. Jim Wing of Five Pines Ministries officiating. Committal services will follow at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the veteran's flag presentation by American Legion Post #24 Commander John McLaughlin.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Richard Mell may be made to Evangelism Explosion at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Cleo Ruby Medders
May 30, 1907-May 16, 1994

Services for Cleo Ruby Medders, 86, of 17 N. Seventh St., Niles, who died at 10:07 a.m. Monday May 16, 1994,  of injuries suffered in a traffic accident at Auten and Kenilworth roads, South Bend, will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. She was born May 30, 1907, in Buchanan. On April 18, 1925, in St. Joseph Township, she married Jerry Clinton Bullen. He died in February 1968. On March 5, 1971, in Niles, she married William Louie Medders. He died Oct. 3, 1983. Surviving are two daughters, Vivian Elaine Streyle of Niles and Becky Ann Withrow of Deer Park, Texas; a son, Gary Allan Bullen of Pahoa, Hawaii; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Norma Jean Goble of Sarasota, Fla., and Mary Lou Beck of Edwardsburg. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Hilda Mead
July 22, 1912-Aug. 14, 1994

Services for Hilda Mead, 82, of 417 N. 14th St., Niles,  who died at 8:30 a.m. Sunday Aug. 14, 1994, in Pawating Hospital after an illness, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Mrs. Mead retired in 1977 from Simplicity Pattern Co. She was born July 22, 1912, in Leeds, England, and had lived in Niles since 1920. She married Thomas Lutzen, who died in January 1948. On Oct. 29, 1946, in Huntington, Ind., she married Clarence E. Mead. He died April 28, 1980. Surviving are two daughters, Linda Mead Leet and Connie Lutzen Stark, both of Niles; a son, George Lutzen of Niles; a stepson, Bill Mead of Niles; nine grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. A daughter and a grandson preceded her in death. Mrs. Mead was a former president of the Simplicity Retirement Club. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church; the Golden Age Club of the YMCA; Red Bud Senior Citizens Club, Buchanan; American Legion Post 51 Auxiliary, Buchanan; and Edwardsburg Golden Age Club.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Violet C. McMillan
May 10, 1901-Oct. 6, 2002

Mrs. Violet Cassie McMillan, 101, of Oak Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002  in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

She was born on May 10, 1901, in Rose City, Mich., to Katherine Fedelia (McCormack) and Leon Ray Ingleright, M.D. In 1924 Dr. Ingleright moved his family to Niles into the newly constructed house on Oak Street in which Mrs. McMillan lived the rest of her life. She also maintained a home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She had been a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles.

She earned a bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Michigan, and a master's degree from a fine arts school in Chicago, Ill. She was a professional musician all of her life, specializing in piano and organ. She organized and toured the United States with two groups, "Violet Joy and the Bluebelles" and "The Brickheads" all redhead girl band. In Niles she often performed at the Four Flags Hotel and the former Roberts Supper Club.

On Nov. 8, 1958, she was married to Tom Lucas, who died in 1971. Then, on July 19, 1972, in Eau Claire, Mich., she married Neil McMillan, who died on Nov. 19, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother, Ray "Doc" Ingleright.

She is survived by a stepson, John (Carol) Lucas of Bay City, Mich.; a niece, Margaret (Marvin "Kip") LaVanway of Eau Claire; a nephew, Leon "Butch" (Lynn) Ingleright of Florida; and by several grand-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Violet C. McMillan will be at 2 p.m. today, Oct. 9, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Kevin Parkins of Friends in Faith Community Church, Eau Claire, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends in the funeral home for an hour prior to the funeral.

Contributions in memory of Violet may be made to LESEA Ministries, or to Running Strong for American Indian Youth Christian Relief Services.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Audra E. McLaughlin
Nov. 19, 1908-April 12, 2006

Mrs. Audra Esther McLaughlin, 97, of Parkway, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006, in her home.

She was born on November 19, 1908, in Decatur, Indiana, to Stewart LeRoy and Viola (Daugherty) Everhart. She was raised in Dowagiac, Michigan, and came to Niles as a young lady, living in the same house since 1936. She was employed by the National-Standard Company of Niles for 28 years, retiring in 1972.

Mrs. McLaughlin enjoyed the outdoors, feeding birds and animals in her yard, and fishing and mushroom hunting. She also enjoyed baking and cooking for others, and going shopping and going out to lunch.

The family's pet dogs held a special place with her, especially the Dachshunds.

On December 1, 1928, in South Bend, Indiana, she was married to Raymond W. McLaughlin. They were able to celebrate the 66th anniversary of that marriage before he preceded her in death on June 2, 1995. She was also preceded in death by a son, Kenneth McLaughlin in 1933; two brothers, Marcel and Paul Everhart; and by a sister, Frances Runyon.

Surviving family include two daughters, Evelyn Hughes of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Jean McLaughlin and her husband, Joseph Chalhoub of Edgewater; a son, Walter (Mary) McLaughlin of Niles; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Audra E. McLaughlin will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Chaplain Phil Apol of Hospice at Home officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. McLaughlin may be made to Hospice at Home.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Clarence E. McLauchlin
Aug. 10, 1909-July 15, 2000

Mr. Clarence Edgar "Mac" McLauchlin, 90, of Silverbrook Avenue, Niles, Mich., died at 12:35 p.m., Saturday, July 15, 2000, in the Oakcrest Manor Adult Foster Care, Spring Lake, Mich., following a brief illness.

He was born on August 10, 1909, in Cassopolis, Mich., to Albert David and Emily Elizabeth (Bartholomew) McLauchlin. He was graduated in 1928, from Marcellus (Mich.) High School, where he had been a member of the Baseball and Football teams. The same year he moved to Niles, where he lived the rest of his life. He was retired in 1974, from the National-Standard Company, Niles, after 33 years of employment.

Mr. McLauchlin had been a member of the former Church of the Savior, Niles, a member of the Hammond Organ Club, and was the oldest surviving officer of the B.P.O of Niles Elks #1332. He always enjoyed camping with friends, dancing, and more recently had been practicing carpentry in his home shop.

On December 31, 1933 in Niles he was married to the former Marie Emily Holloway, with whom he celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of their wedding, prior to her death on March 30, 1999. He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Ellery, Lemi, Myron, Glen and Marcus McLauchlin; and by an infant sister.

He is survived by his son and his wife, Larry H. and Sharon L. McLauchlin of Graand Haven, Michigan; three grandsons, Mark, Todd & Kirk McLauchlin; and by four great grandchildren, Kyle, Jarred, Justin and Kristin McLauchlin.

Funeral services for Mr. Clarence E. McLauchlin will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2000, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Leon Roggen of Niles officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. McLauchlin may be made to the Hospice of Grand Haven.