Obituaries

Glenna (Fisher) Makepeace
Feb. 4, 1898-Dec. 25, 1948

Mrs. Glenna Makepeace, 428 South Lincoln Avenue, died at 6 a.m. on Christmas Day in her home after an illness of about a year.

Surviving are her father, John B. Fisher of Niles, her husband, Edwin; a daughter, Mrs. Donavon Smith of Selfridge Field. Two grandchildren and brothers and sisters, Mrs. Ivar Hennings and Mrs. V. William Leusch of South Bend, Roy H. Fisher of Arlington, VA, Clarence F. Fisher of Niles, and Raymond of South Bend.

Mrs. Makepeace who was born Feb. 4, 1896 in Niles [to John and Mary (Pohlman) Fisher] had lived most of her life here. She was a member of the Niles Lady Elks.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. G. A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 27, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Nina E. Madden
May 31, 1912-Jan. 25, 2008

Nina E. Madden, 95, of South Fourth Street, Niles, died at 4:40 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, in Silverbrook Manor following a brief illness. Mrs. Madden was born on May 31, 1912 in Foley, Al., to George and Kathryne (Miller) Huff.

She graduated from Buchanan High School in 1931 and had lived in Niles since her marriage. Nina had previously been employed at Clark Equipment Company and Paul’s Toggery.

Nina enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her friends. She was proud to be the great-great-grandmother of Mackenzie.

On September 11, 1937, in Saint Mary Catholic Church’s Rectory, she married William J. Madden who preceded her in death on August 11, 1997.

Mrs. Madden is survived by her daughter, Virginia Kay Reed of Buchanan; two granddaughters, Deborah Lynn (Steve) Naragon and Suzanne  Katherine (William) Glaske; great-granddaughter, Asa Marie (Ryan) Niedbalski; great-grandson, Adam Joseph Galaske; great-great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Lynn Niedbalski; step-great-grandson, Michael (Joy) Naragon; sister, Anna Howell of Tucson, AZ, and several nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded by a sister, Elsie Conant, and two brothers, Leslie and Clarence Huff.

Funeral services for Nina E. Madden will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Charles Johnston of Buchanan officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may begin calling at noon on Tuesday in the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to the Buchanan Library for Children’s Books of the Buchanan Senior Center. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Richard G. Graham
June 2, 1928-April 13, 2009

Richard G. Graham, 80, of Regent Street, Niles, died at 4 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2009, in his home suddenly, but of natural causes.

Mr. Graham was born on June 2, 1928, in Niles to G. Maxwell "Red" and Gladys M. (Meyers) Graham. He was a lifetime resident of Niles. He retired in 1994 after 43 years of services from Michigan Bell in Niles.

Richard was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the United States Army.

Mr. Graham was a member of Saint John's United Church of Christ in Niles. He was very active in Niles City politics. He was also a member of American Legion Post #36 in Niles, Niles F.O.P., and was a charter member of Telephone Pioneers.

On January 27, 1951, in Niles he married the former Patricia M. Wieghart, who survives. He is also survived by his son, Michael R. (Cindy S. Honeycutt) Graham of Williams, AZ; grandchildren, Mindee L. (Chris) Springer of Niles, Barbara Sullivan of Scottsdale, AZ, Samantha and Alexis Johnson, both of Casa Grande, AZ, and Chase Johnson of Williams; great-grandchildren, Tatum, Heidie and Kodi Springer; and brother, Robert C. Graham of Mesa, AZ.

The funeral service for Richard G. Graham will be held today, April 17 at 10 a.m. in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Kyle Gardner, officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with a Flag presentation and 'Taps" following the services at the graveside by the Army National Guard, Honor Guard.

The family received relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Richard may be made to the Niles City Museum.

Harold W. "Huck" Hipshear
Jan. 9, 1923-April 8, 2009

Lifelong Niles resident, Harold W. "Huck" Hipshear, 86, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on West River road, Niles at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Harold was born on January 9, 1923 in Niles to William F. and Frances (Siebert) Hipshear. He graduated from Niles High School in 1941, and entered the U.S. Army as a combat engineer in September 1941. He fought in World War II from the beaches of Normandy to Berlin. After the war he returned to Niles and married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanne Edna Clay in Detroit on April 6, 1946.

Completing his tool and die apprenticeship at South Bend Tool & Die, he had a 37 years career with them and Capitol Industries of South Bend. Many lasting friendships were made from his employment.

Harold was a lifelong member of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, serving on the council and the Building and Grounds Committee. He was the church's unofficial greeter" for many years. An avid metal and woodworker, he used his skills to help many friends and family members over the years. He enjoyed working on his farm, hunting, fishing and travel. Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, who always made those he met feel like they were a part of the family.

Surviving family include Jeanne, his wife of 63 years, their children, Marcia (Edward) Wirth of Zeeland, MI, Tom Elliot of Zeeland, Fred (Janie) Hipshear of Dowagiac, MI, Mark (Linda) Hipshear of Elkhart, IN, and Diane (Daniel) Jackson of Bristow, VA. Mr. Hipshear's grandchildren include, Christopher Wirth, Jeff Joers, Brooke Calhoun (Dustin), Alex Hipshear, Adam Jackson, Allyson Jackson, Nora Hipshear, Ashlee Jackson, Rick Rivera, Lauren Hipshear and great-granddaughter, Caroline Calhoun. Other survivors are his brother, Wallace (Pat) Hipshear of Niles and a sister, Joan Savage of Escanaba, MI.

The funeral services for Harold W. Hipshear will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 in Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles with full military honors by American Legion Post 51.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Hipshear may be made to the church.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Betty Joan Kuhn
December 12, 1934-April 5, 2009

Betty Joan Kuhn, 74, of Blanchard Drive, Niles, MI, died at 11:03 p.m. Sunday April 5, 2009 in Riveridge Manor, Niles, Following a brief illness.

She was born on December 12, 1934, in Niles to John and Margaret (Schrumpf) Horner. She attended Niles School and had lived in Niles all of her life.

Betty was affiliated with Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles.

On June 25, 1955 in Niles she married Thomas L. "Johnny" Kuhn who preceded her in death on January 10, 1997.

Mrs. Kuhn is survived by her sister, Evelyn Bailey; and brother, John Horner, both of Niles; and several niece and nephews.

The family will gather privately for services. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles

Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Saint John's United Church of Christ.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Martha N. Lyon
Feb. 10, 1831-Nov. 24, 1912

Martha M. Lyons[sic], 82, mother of Henry, Chas. and Will Lyons, also Mrs. Chas. Cross of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. Hattie Dongola of Riverside, Cal., and Mrs. Fannie Nichols and Mrs. May Emerson of Jackson, MI, died yesterday at Jackson. The deceased left Niles 23 years ago.

The body will arrive here for interment at Silver Brook cemetery tomorrow afternoon at 1 o’clock. A daughter, Mrs. Etta Smalley, died one month ago.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 25, 1912, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library