George A. Kachur
Dec. 19, 1912-Aug. 28, 2004

George A. Kachur, 91, of Winstead Road, Rocky Mount, N.C., formally of Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28,  2004, in his home.  He was the son of George F. Kachur and Augusta (Gullicksen) Kachur of Niles.

He was employed at Kawneer Company of Niles from 1933 to 1945, retiring from Klute Electric Service in 1973.  He was a lifetime member of the Bend of the River Conservation of Niles, and also belonged to the Kawneer Chorus.

He was born Dec. 19, 1912, in Michigan City, Ind., and moved to Niles in August 1929.

On Dec. 2, 1937, he married Lucille Klute, who preceded him in death on May 26, 2002.

Survivors are a daughter, Carol Ann (Dale Chubb) Kachur of Rocky Mount; sons, Dick (Mary Lee) Kachur of Blue Springs, Mo., and Mike (Patt) Kachur of Niles; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Kachur Johnston of Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was preceded in death were a brother, Robert Kachur of Niles; and a sister, Julia Kachur Luke, also of Niles.

Services will be held in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, with Rev. Floyd L. Wynn of South Bend, Ind., officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions may be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church or to the charity of donor's choice.

Clyde L. Judd
Sept. 18, 1894-Aug. 31, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, September 2, 1930, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library 

Clyde L. Judd dies of Heart Affliction
Passes away early Sunday morning at Wayne Street Home.

Clyde L. Judd, 36, died suddenly on Sunday morning of a heart attack at his home 619 Wayne Street. Mr. Judd who was the Niles representative of the Metropolitan Insurance Company was at his work as usual on Saturday and seemed in his usual health when he retired on Saturday night.  About 3:45 Mrs. Judd was awakened by his effort to get his breath and before a physician could reach the house he was dead.  Mr. Judd had a wide acquaintance in Niles and vicinity and his death shocks many friends.

The funeral services were held this afternoon with the Rev. W. W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church in charge. Burial was made in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Mr. Judd was born in Dowagiac on September 18, 1894.  He came to Niles about 18 years ago and had since resided here.  He was married in December, 1913, to Miss Pearl Vogelsang, a daughter of Mrs. Maud Vogelsang, 545 Union Place.  She survived him as does also one son, Lyle, who is sophomore in Niles High school.  Besides the widow and son, Mr. Judd is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Flora Reprogle and Miss Bessie Judd, of Brookline, NY.  Louis Rathburn, of Jackson, is a stepbrother and Mrs. Judd’s stepmother and two half sisters live in Dowagiac.

Mr. Judd was for a number of years a Michigan Central railroad fireman.  During last year he went to Holland to work for an aircraft company but returned to Niles with his family last January and soon thereafter received the appointment as an agent for the Metropolitan Insurance Company.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Rita E. Jordan
May 17,1944-May 26, 2007

Rita E. Jordan, 63, of Hoyt Drive in Niles, passed away in her home on Saturday, May 26, 2007, after a long illness.

Rita was born on May 17, 1944, to the late Ned and Amy (Moore) Watkins in Niles.  After graduating from high school she wed the love of her life, Calvin Jordan.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Rita is survived by her husband of 43 years, Calvin; son, James (Kristina) Jordan of Covington, GA; daughter, Melissa Merritt of Stockbridge, GA; stepdaughter, Teri Milam of Desoto, MO; and stepson, Keith Jordan also of Missouri; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and her brother, Riley (Donna) Watkins of Bruce Crossing, MI.

A visitation will be held for friends and family from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, in Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Niles. Rita will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Elvira Riley Joo
Sept. 3, 1930-Feb. 11, 1995

Elvira Riley Joo, 64, of 1003 Ontario Road,  Niles, died at 7:56 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 11, 1995, of natural causes in the home of a daughter.  She was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Michigan City.  She married Donald J. Riley, who died Nov. 8, 1972.   On Aug. 7, 1980, in Niles, she married William Joo.  He survives with three daughters, Mary D. Sowers of Constantine, Sally Clements and Sandy Neldon, both of Niles; three sons, Donald J. Riley Jr. and Gerald L. Riley, both of Niles, and Bruce Colburn of Kalamazoo; a stepson, Michael Lashley of Kokomo, Ind.; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  A daughter, Eldonna Rose Riley Kelly, died Sept. 21, 1985. Mrs. Joo was a member of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services Tuesday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lula M. Jones
June 3, 1914-April 12, 2007

Lula M. Jones, 92, of Barron Lake Road, Niles,  died at 10:37 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Her death was unexpected, but of natural causes.

She was born on June 3, 1914, in Locke, IN, to Jesse and Lucinda (Wagner) Kronk, and had lived in Niles since 1934. She was employed by the Niles Community Schools for 30 years, mostly in the kitchen at Howard School, prior to retirement.

Mrs. Jones was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Niles, and its Friendly Class, and was an adult volunteer to the Youth Fellowship. She participated in many different activities at Howard Township over the years, and had been a member of the Barron Lake Mother's Club. She also bowled in area senior leagues.

On March 4, 1933, in Goshen, IN, she was married to Glenn Jones, who preceded her in death on August 14, 1979. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, David Bays on January 31, 1981; and by four sisters, Goldie McDonald, Dora Ferm, Amanda Jarrett, and Evelyn Miller; and by four brothers, Marvin, Melvin, Glenwood and Floyd Kronk.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Judy (Vernon) Quick and Mona (David) Bays; a stepdaughter, Darlene Kujawa, all of Niles; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Lula M. Jones will be at 11 a.m. Thursday April 19, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of Grace Untied Methodist church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Jones may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lucille Jones
Oct. 17, 1913-Sept. 1, 2006

Lucille Jones, 92,of Painter Street, Edwardsburg, passed away after an illness about 11:50 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, while a patient at West Woods of Niles.

Lucille was born Oct. 17, 1913, in Helca, South Dakota, the daughter of Ira and Georgia (Matthews) Conrad. While living in Mishawaka, before coming to Edwardsburg, she was a school crossing guard for Mishawaka Schools and Edwardsburg Schools, but she mostly loved being a housewife, a mother, and working with her flowers. She came to Edwardsburg in 1971.

Lucille was married Sept. 6, 1958, in Niles, to Deo Earl Jones, who passed away August 27, 2003. She leaves to mourn her loss two daughters, Jean (Lloyd) Huber of Niles and Anita Vickery of Kalamazoo. There are four sons, George W. (Joyce) Kirkendall of Niles, Richard (Linda) Jones of Three Rivers, Robert Jones of Niles and Michael Jones. There are 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Those who have passed away are her parents, one sister, Flossie Surch, and one brother, Lee Conrad.

Friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, where funeral services will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. (Sept. 5, 2006). Officiating will be Mr. Bobby Quinn from Cassopolis. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown