Obituaries

James F. Gondeck
Feb. 25, 1926-Nov. 4, 2001

Mr. James F. Gondeck, 75, of East Main Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 10:06 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4,  2001, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

He was born on Feb. 25, 1926, in South Bend, Ind., to Joseph J. and Wanda (Repczunski) Gondeck, and was graduated from Niles High School. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Ill. For many years he owned and operated the Pop-Lur Company, Niles, which manufactured fishing flies. He was retired from Tyler Refrigeration, Niles, in 1993 after 28 years of employment.

Mr. Gondeck had been raised in the Catholic Church, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of American Legion Post #26, Niles, and was formerly active in the Lions Club and the Irish Youth Hockey League. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending much of his time outdoors. When indoors, he spend his time working with wood, creating many beautiful pieces.

While attending the American Conservatory, he met the former Patricia D. Kamin, and they were married on Jan. 13, 1951, in Maywood, Ill. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of that marriage this year, and traveled to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. In Alaska, they visited many of the stations at which he served in World War II.

Surviving family includes his wife, Pat, and their children, Kristine Lynch of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Timothy Gondeck of Niles. He was preceded in death by three brothers.

Funeral services for James F. Gondeck will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Canon Marian M. Kencik of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag presentation by American Legion Post #26 Commander John McLaughlin.

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

Contributions in memory of Mr. Gondeck may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

William J. Gombosi
June 6, 1906-Oct. 4, 1994

William John Gombosi, 88, of 17 N. Seventh Street, Niles, died at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 4, 1994, at Pawating Hospital.  Mr. Gombosi was with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for 30 years.  He was born June 6, 1906, in Hungary and came to this country when he was 18 months old.  On May 3, 1926, in St. Joseph, he married Mildred Ann Yeoman.  She survives with two sons, Bill and David, both of Niles; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Fred of Niles. He was a member of Fraternal Organization of Police and Unity Church of Lake Worth, Fla.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Silverbrook Cemetery, where burial will follow. There will be no visitation. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred A. Gombosi
Feb. 11, 1908-Dec. 25, 2003

Mildred A. Gombosi, 95, of Sheffield Avenue, Niles, died Thursday Dec. 25, 2003  in Lakeland Hospital after an illness. She was born Feb. 11, 1908.  Survivors include two sons, William J. Jr., and David E., both of Niles. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m today in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. were handled Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Robert P. Goldman
Aug. 3, 1923-Feb. 9, 1995

Robert P. Goldman, 71, of 818 Sassafras Lane, Niles, died at 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, 1995, in Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mr. Goldman held several staff positions at Michiana First Assembly of God.  He was born Aug. 3, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved to Niles in 1959, from Kalamazoo. On Feb. 21, 1943, in Boise, Idaho, he married Eleanor Ray.  She survives with a daughter, Roberta Wolk of Lincolnshire, Ill.; two sons, Kirk and Randall, both of Sugarland, Texas; eight grandchildren; and three brothers, Dr. Leo, M.D., of Barrington, Ill., Dr. Albert, M.D., of Chicago and David of Portland, Ore.  Mr. Goldman was a decorated Air Force veteran of World War II, having been taken prisoner of war. He was a graduate of Roosevelt College, Chicago.  He was a member of the church.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home and one hour before services Saturday in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Marion L. Gold
July 4, 1926-July 22, 1994

Marion L. Gold, 68, of 1642 Sycamore St., Niles, died about 3:01 p.m. Friday  July 22, 1994, in Pawating Hospital.  Mrs. Gold was born July 4, 1926, in Niles.  On Dec. 31, 1946, in Niles, she married Henry O. Gold Sr. He survives with two sons, Henry O. Jr. and Gary, both of Niles; seven grandchildren; and two sisters, Emma Jean Felhoure of South Bend and Virginia Kiste of Niles.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Henry O. Gold, Sr.
Sept. 15, 1915-March 21, 2005

Henry O. Gold Sr., 89, of 1642 Sycamore St., Niles, Mich., passed away on Monday, March 21 2005, in Dowagiac Nursing Home following an extended illness.

Henry was born on Sept. 15, 1915, in South Bend, Ind., to the late Julius and Elsie (Gephart) Gold.

He served his country proudly in the U. S. Army from 1944 until 1945. Henry was active for many years in the Disabled Veterans of America. He went to work a short time later for Simplicity Pattern, where he retired in 1968 after nearly 25 years, where he worked in machine repair and was fondly known by everyone there as "Hammering Hank".

On Dec. 31, 1946, he was married to Marion Eckert in a ceremony in Niles. The couple, married short of 50 years, had many wonderful memories together.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Helen Bujtas.

He is survived by three sons, Henry (Carol) Gold Jr. of Niles, Gary Gold of Niles, and Herman (Pam) Gold of Casselberry, Fla.; a brother, John Gold of Niles; a sister, Esther Springsteen; and by nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A time of visitation will take place on Thursday, March 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Brown Funeral Home, Niles. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with a committal service following at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services. (Formerly Pifer-Smith Funeral Home).

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown