Obituaries

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

Helen M. Mark
Dec. 8, 1894-July 14, 1965

Helen M. Mark (Wurtz), 70, of 1750 Chicago Road, died Wednesday (July 14, 1965), at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend, Ind. She had been ill for half a year.

Survivors include her husband, Peter; five children, all of Niles, Mrs. Herman Dutton, Mrs. Harley Bunch Sr., Peter E. Mark, Leroy and Clifford; a sister, Mrs. Fern Shoemaker of Niles; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Mark was born in Bertrand, Niles Township, Dec. 8, 1894, and spent her lifetime in the area. She was a member of the Lady Elk Lodge.Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. John S. Hoenstine, pastor of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery.Friends will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Clifford A. Mark
Oct. 16, 1918-April 9, 1973

NILES--Clifford A. Mark, 54, of 702 Chicago Rd., died at 3:45 p.m. Monday in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after a three-weeks illness

Mr. Mark was the owner of Mark's Tavern, 417 Brookfield.

He was born Oct. 16, 1918, in Niles, and had lived here all his life. On Feb. 8, 1946, in Anderson, Ind., he married the former Kaye F. Hunt, who survives.

Mr. Mark was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and Post 26 of the American Legion and was a World War II veteran of the Air Corps.

Survivors include a son, C. Craig Mark of Hubbell, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Michael Ferrero of Agawam, Mass.; a brother, Roy of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Harley Bunch of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 10, 1973, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Also:

Clifford A. Mark, 54, of 702 Chicago Road, died at 2:45 p.m. Monday (April 9, 1973), in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after a three weeks illness.

Mr. Mark was the owner of Mark’s Tavern, 417 Brookfield. He was born October 16, 1918, in Niles, and had lived here all his life. On Feb. 8, 1946, in Anderson, Ind., He married the former Kaye F. Hurt, who survives.

Mr. Mark was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and Post 26 of the American Legion and was World War II veteran of the Air Corps.Survivors include a son, C. Craig Mark of Hubbell, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Michael Ferrero of Agawam, Mass; a brother, Roy of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Harley Bunch of Niles. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rt. Rev. Msgr, John D. Slowy officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter funeral Home. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Berrien County Cancer Services.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown