Rufus Leath, 85, of Spansail Drive, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 2 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2005, in Pine Creek Foster Care Home, Niles.

Mr. Leath was born June 11, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Rufus E. and Addie Mae (Spicer) Leath. He graduated from Central High School in 1939, where he excelled in track. Rufus went on to attend Alabama State University. He had lived in Niles since 1945, coming from South Bend, Indiana, in 1924.

Rufus retired in 1985 after 34 years of service from the U.S. Postal Service in Niles. He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles. Mr. Leath was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he was one of the original "Tuskegee Airman." He was also a member of both the Four Flags Flying Club and Four Flags Chess Club. He enjoyed golf and bowling. Rufus was an avid Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan.

On February 6, 1943, in Junction City, Kansas, he was married to the former Menella l. Dixon, who survives. Also surviving are his two nephews whom he raised as his own sons, Robert (Lynne) Dixon II of Seaside, Calif., and Derrick Battle of Detroit, Michigan; two great-nephews, Robert Dixon III and John Dixon, both of Seaside, California; a brother, John (Molly) Leath of Owings Mills, Maryland; as well as several other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Rufus Leath will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005, in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with Rev. Bryant L. Bacon officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 20, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorials may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Robert Dale Leach
Dec. 21, 1931-Dec. 17, 2007

Robert Dale Leach, 75, of 17 North Seventh Street, Apt 506, Niles, died at 9:40 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, in his home of natural causes.

He was born on December 21, 1931, in Niles to the late Adrian and Hazel Leach. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Frederick Leach.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, member of New Harvest Church of God, Niles, and attended Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles.  He worked for a vending company and Elkhart Wood Products.

Survivors include a stepson, Tim Glosson of Buchanan; brother, Harold Leach of Ocala, FL; sister, Evelyn Burnham and Wilma Leach-Pyburn, both of Niles and Gertrude Johnson of Elkhart. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with Pastor Danny Stoneham officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.Friends may call one hour before services Thursday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Louise Lena Leach
Nov. 8, 1918-Sept. 7, 1994

Services for Louise Lena Leach, 75, of Zephyrhills, Fla., formerly of Niles, who died at 3:18 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994,  in Dade City (Fla.) Hospital after an illness, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Mrs. Leach retired in 1983, after 30 years at Simplicity Pattern Co. She was born Nov. 8, 1918, in Niles and lived most of her life in this area, going to Florida in 1983. On Nov. 7, 1935, in South Bend, she married Frank A. Leach. He survives with a daughter, Mary Ann Everman of Dowagiac; a granddaughter, Pam Everman of Niles; a grandson, Scott Everman of Niles; and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Everman. A son, Richard, died in 1960.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Jeanne Leach
Jan. 22, 1924-March 2, 1995

Memorial services for Jeanne Miller Leach, 71, of Miami, formerly of Niles, who died March 2, 1995,  in her home after an illness, were held Monday in Old Cutler Presbyterian Church Chapel, Miami. Cremation has taken place. Graveside services and burial will be at a later date in Silverbrook Cemetery. Van Orsdel Funeral Home, Miami, was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Leach was a registered nurse. She was born Jan. 22, 1924, in Niles, and moved to Miami in 1948. In 1940, she married Robert Lindsley, who died. Surviving are three daughters, Sally Kroll of Westfield, N.J., and Mary Taylor and Nancy Muniz, both of Miami; a son, Bill Lindsley of Miami; 16 grandchildren; her mother, Gladys Miller of Niles; and a brother, Edward Miller of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Frank A. Leach
Aug. 9, 1913-Oct. 9, 1994

Funeral services for Frank A Leach, 81, of 28456 Elm St., Dowagiac, will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Pastor Rover E. Brenneman of North Wayne Mennonite Church in Dowagiac. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Leach died at 10 p.m, Sunday at Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac.

He was born Aug. 9, 1913, Niles, and lived most of his life in Niles, moving to Florida in 1983.  He had recently returned to this area.

On Nov. 7, 1935, in South Bend, Ind., he was married to Louise Lena (Bame) Leach, who preceded him in death Sept. 7.

He retired from National Standard Co., in Niles in 1960.  Following his retirement, he owned and operated E&L Motor Sales in Pokagon for 15 years.

Mr. Leach was a former member of Pokagon Lodge F. & A.M.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Everman of Dowagiac; a granddaughter, Pam Everman of Niles; a grandson, Scott Everman of Dowagiac; a great-granddaughter, Sarah Everman; five sisters, Annabelle Betz of Bluffton, Ind., Evelyn Burnham and Wilma Alice Pyburn, both of Niles, Gertrude Blanche Johnson of Elkhart, Ind., and Joyce Backus of Buchanan; and three brothers, Fred Leach and Robert Leach, both of Niles, and Harold :John: Leach of Naples.  He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Leach, in 1980; one brother and one sister.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are of the donor’s choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Billy Lawton
Oct. 28, 1926-June 5, 1994

Services for Billy Lawton, 67, of 1211 Stateline Road,Niles, who died at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, June 5, 1994,  in Woodfield Manor of natural causes, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services Wednesday in the funeral home.

Mr. Lawton was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Niles and was a lifelong resident. His friend was Geraldine Starrett of Niles.

  Submitted by family member; publication details unknown