Willie Mae Forrest
Nov. 30, 1927-Dec. 20, 2004

Willie Mae Forrest, 77, of Woods Edge Drive, Niles,  died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 in her home after an illness. She was born Nov. 30, 1927.

Survivors include her husband, William; four daughter, Emily Briggs and Jean Forrest, both of Niles, Dorothy Forrest of Mishawaka and Judy Forrest of Atlanta; a son, Melvin of Los Angeles; two sisters, Josephine Jones of Niles and Regina Hardman of Chicago; and three brothers, Willie E. Scales and Everage Jones, both of Chicago and Victor Jones of Mishawaka.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Friends may call from 5 to 7:30 p.m Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Clete Forrest
June 18, 1874-July 22, 1939

Ex-Alderman of Third Ward Dies.Old Timers Lose charter member, National Standard Ex-Employee. 

Seriously ill since Tuesday, Clete Forrest who spent his entire life in Niles and served two years as Third ward alderman, died at noon today, July 22, 1939 in Pawating hospital.  His death came just a few hours before the start of the annual Old Timers, reunion at Island park.  A charter member of the Old Timers association Mr. Forrest had always taken an active part in the previous gathering.

Mr. Forrest was born in Niles, and celebrated his 65th birthday, June 18.  He served as superintendent in the plant of the National-Standard company for more than 20 years.  In late years he had operated a greenhouse at his home, 429 North Ninth Street.  He played an active part in city politics and was elected alderman in 1917 and terminated his office in 1919.  Surviving are the widow, the former Anna Eisele, whom he married in Niles 37 years ago; a son, Frank who is a member of the Niles Police Department; two daughters, Mrs. Carrie Schrumpf, Grand Rapids, and Mrs. Anna Pollock, Niles; also two granddaughters, Phyllis Jean Pollock, Niles and Yvonne Schrumpf, Grand Rapids.  Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where services will be held at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Samuel H. Foley
Sept. 1, 1905-Dec. 30, 1994

Samuel H. Foley, 89, of 640 S. Third St., Niles, died at 4:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 30, 1994, in his home of natural causes. Mr. Foley was a retired interior decorator. He was born Sept. 1, 1905, in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. On July 19, 1930, in Evanston, Ill., he married Thora Martinsen. She died Aug. 24, 1980. Surviving are nieces and nephews. He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Services will be at 2 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. Memorial contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Todd M. Fletcher
September 22, 1966-January 14, 2005

Todd M. "Tippy" Fletcher, 38, of Merrifield Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died at 7:45 p.m. Friday Jan. 14, 2005,  in his home after a long battle with melanoma.

He had been employed by Tyler Refrigeration (Niles), Gordon Food Service and Alick's Home Medical.  With the birth of his son, Todd was able to help with his home care.

On September 22, 1966, in Niles, Todd was born to Chester and Karen (Selent).  He was a lifetime area resident. Active at the First Missionary Church in Niles, Todd embodied the Christian spirit in his relationships with his wife, son, mother, sister, brother and his many friends.

A sports fan, Todd enjoyed baseball, especially the Chicago White Sox.  He loved the University of Michigan as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In addition to golf, he was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider.

On June 17, 2000, in Niles, he married Angela (Stec) Fletcher, who survives.  Also surviving is a son, Drew at home. Todd's mom, Karen (Selent) Fletcher of Niles, survives along with a sister, Jessica (Robert) Rogers of Niles, and a brother, Greg (Tammy) Fletcher of New Carlisle, Indiana.  He was a loving uncle to his nieces, Courtney Cassler, Kathryn, Margaret and Annabelle Rogers, and nephews, Cody Cassler and Camryn Fletcher. His surviving in-laws include Frank and Kathy Stec of South Bend.

His father, Chester, and a brother, Scott, preceded Todd in death.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 18, in First Missionary Church, 2325 East U.S. 12 in Niles, with Rev. Tim Fletcher of Dowagiac, Michigan, officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to the Drew Fletcher College Fund in care of the funeral home.

Thomas C. Fleck
August 23, 1906-January 2, 1979

Thomas C. Fleck, 72, of 2405 N. Fifth St., died at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 2, 1979, in Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.  A retired employee of William’s Home Center.  Fleck was born on August 23, 1906 in Nebraska to Joseph Fleck and Barbara Prochaska, and his first wife, Norma Louise Brow, and had lived his lifetime in the Niles area coming from Three Oaks. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  On March 12, 1949 in Niles, He married Emma Wruck, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Harry of Baroda; a daughter, Mrs. Norma Walters, New Buffalo; a brother, Vincent Fleck of Three Oaks; six sisters, Mrs. Bessie Zebell, Mrs. Victoria Hartline, both of Three Oaks, Mrs. Josephine Stanage, Niles, Mrs. Mildred Baker, Buchanan, Mrs. Ann Johnson, New Troy and Mrs. Frances Krone, Florida; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.   Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home officiating will be Rev. Robert Livingston of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. Thursday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Emma M. Fleck
Jan. 22, 1900-June 25, 1990

Services for Emma M. Fleck, 90, of 2405 N. Firth St., who died at 1:50 a.m. Monday, June 25, 1990, in Pawating Hospital, after an illness, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Michigan First Assembly of God. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mrs. Fleck was born Jan. 22, 1900 in Denham, Ind.  On March 12, 1959 in Niles she married Thomas C. Fleck, who died Jan. 2, 1979.  Survivors include a son, Alfred L. Chamberlain of Cassopolis; a stepdaughter, Norma Walters of New Buffalo; a stepson, Harry Fleck of Baroda; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She was a member of the church.  [Also married to Lawrence Chamberlain and Frank Kaiser.]