Harold V. Johnson
January 3, 1913-March 28, 2001

Harold V. Johnson Sr., 88, was born on Jan. 3, 1913, in Warsaw, Ind.  He passed away of cancer on Wednesday, March 28, 2001, after a brief illness, at Harborside Healthcare, Palm Harbor, Fla.

At an early age he moved with his family to Niles, Mich.  He is survived by two sons, Vance of Reston, Va., and David of Pine Island, Fla., and Martin, Mich.; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his lifelong friend and recent companion, Lucille Hand of Saranac, Mich.

Harold graduated from Niles High School in 1931.  In 1937 he married Shirlee Eleanor Freyer of Niles and they raised their two sons in Niles.  Shirlee died in 1998 after 60 years of marriage.

He was a tool and die maker, first for the Kawneer Corporation in Niles and then for Bendix Aviation of South Bend and Mishawaka, Ind.  He retired in 1972.  He was a summer resident of Indian Lake, Dowagiac, Mich., for 27 years.  For many years he was a resident of Sandy Pines Recreation Park in Hopkins, Mich., in the summer and Holiday, Fla., in the winter.  He had been a year-round resident of Holiday for the last 10 years.

There will be a private service for the family, and interment at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.

Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday, Fla., is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Gunther M. Johnson
Sept. 20, 1944-November 21, 2000

Gunther M. Johnson, 56, of 2006 Ontario Road, Lot 96, Niles, Mich., died on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000, in Lakeland Regional Medical Center of natural causes.

He was born on Sept. 20, 1944 in Germany.  He was a customer account specialist.  He served in the armed services.

On Feb. 9, 1973, he married Marilyn Smith who survives. Also surviving is a son, Joseph Johnson of Niles.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may cal from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Dwain K. Joanis
May 9, 1938-April 12, 2007

Dwain K. Joanis, 68,  of Niles, died at 10:45 p.m. Thursday , April 12, 2007, in his home. He was born May 9, 1938. Survivors include his wife, Florence I. (Lintz); son, Jeff H. Joanis; brothers, Ronnie Joanis of Dowagiac, Chuck Joanis and Jim Joanis, both of Niles; and a sister, Dee Shorts of Niles. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, where friends may call one hour before services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Cleotha Jennings
June 17, 1939-May 3, 2006

Cleotha “Mo” Jennings, 66, died at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2006 in his home. He was born June 17, 1939. Survivors include two daughters, Tonya J. Jennings and Dawn M. Jennings, both of Elkhart; two sons, Maurice Bland of Kingsley, MI, and Cleotha Jennings Jr. of Edmore, MI; stepdaughter, Lisa Jennings of Elkhart; stepson, Aaron Jennings of Kingsley; and sister, Ruby Anderson of Niles. Services will be at 1 p.m Monday in Mount Calvary Baptist church. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Michael Jazvac
Aug. 26, 1926-July 9, 2001 <

Michael Jazvac, 74, of East Main Street, died of natural causes on Monday, July 9,  2001, in the Silverbrook Manor Nursing Home, Niles, Mich.

He was born on Aug. 26, 1926, in Detroit, Mich. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and a loan officer for Michigan National Bank of Niles.

On Aug. 19, 1967, in Port Huron, Mich., he married Marjorie Care, who survives. He is also survived by five daughters, Stephanie Ritchie and Pat Wendorf, both of Buchanan, Mich., Sue MacDonald of Clinton Township, Mich., Terry Wendorf of Derry, N.H., and Julie Wendorf of Coral Springs, Fla.; three sons, John Fuller of Victoria, Texas, William Wendorf of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Randy Wendorf of Niles; his mother, Josephine Jazvac of Detroit; a sister, Helen Willard of Royal Oak, Mich.; and by 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles, where friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Lloyd Jaroch
February 12, 1914-January 16, 1946

Lloyd Jaroch, 33, of 320 Pokagon Street, Niles, was found dead in the cellar of the residence this morning by his wife, Frances. He had been shot through the head with a self-inflicted rifle wound.

Jaroch, the father of two small children is believed to have shot himself on Thursday between 10 and 11 p.m. while none of the family was at home. Born in Michigan City, Ind., Feb. 12, 1914, Jaroch came here in 1919 with his parents. He is a graduate of Niles high school and has been employed for some time at the National Standard Company.

He is survived by his wife, two children, Juliana and Lyman, both at home; his father, Michael Jaroch; five brothers, and a sister, Anthony and John Jaroch and Mrs. Marie Weaver, all of Niles, Frank and Ted Jaroch, Michigan City, Ind., and Harold Jaroch, Trenton.

The Rev. Clarence K. Graham will conduct the funeral Monday at 2 p.m. in the Pifer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday at Pifer’s.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown