Richard E. Farrell
December 15, 1913-July 12, 2007

Mr. Richard E. Farrell, 93, of East Main Street, Niles, died at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, July 12, in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, South Bend, following a brief illness.

Mr. Farrell was born on December 15, 1913, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Fred buckle and Letha Millard. He was later adopted and was raised in Hartford, MI, graduating from Hartford High School. He came to Niles in the 1940s, and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.

He was a machinist, working in several area shops, and then owning and operating his own. He also owned and operated gasoline service stations in Niles.

Mr. Farrell was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, South Bend, a member of the American Legion Post #26 and the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge #1322, both in Niles, and the Loyal Order of Moose #449, Buchanan, MI.

He was an active sportsman all of his life, golfing and bowling in area leagues. He also played for and assisted in managing minor league teams of the Chicago Clubs, and the House of David. An article and photograph about Mr. Farrell was published in the July 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated. He remained a fan of the Cubs all of his life.

He was first married to the former Ethel Lillian Moser. Later, on May 21, 1977, in Niles, he married the former Margaret V. (Huse) Heiermann, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters and a son, Jacki Bonebright of Kalamazoo, Jo Ann Farrell of Stockbridge, MI, Richard E. Farrell of Los Angeles, CA, and Margo (Ed) MacGregor of Stillwater, OK; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Heiermann in 2002, and by two brothers, Robert Farrell and Robert Harvey; and a sister, Geri Fike.

The funeral service for Mr. Richard F. Farrell will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Karen Brugler of Westminster Presbyterian Church, South Bend, officiating, assisted by Pastor Barbara Wirt of South Bend. Committal services will follow at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the veteran's Flag Presentation and "Taps" by American Legion Post #26, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home, with rites by the Elks Lodge at 7:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Richard Farrell may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Omarri Akeem Allen

September 17, 2008-March 1, 2009

Omarri Akeem Allen, 5 months, of North 5th Street in Niles died Sunday March 1, 2009. Omarri was born in Niles, Michigan on September 17, 2008 to Jaquatia Allen and George Donley. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Preston and Lucille Donley.

Omarri is survived by his parents Jaquatia Allen and George Donley, brother Jatwon Jaque Dipree Wade, step siblings Tyisha Donley, Tevin Moffitt and Deserae Donley and grandparents Cinderella Allen and Calvin King.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 11am at Brown Funeral Home in Niles.  Omarri will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Condolences, photos and memories 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

Melvin D. Evick
June 17, 1920-March 5, 2006

Melvin C. "Mel" Evick, 85, formerly of Oak Street; Niles, Michigan, died at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2006, at West Woods of Niles due to an extended illness.

Mr. Evick was born on June 17, 1920, in Niles, Michigan, to Carl F. and Lena M. (Doehrer) Evick. He was a lifelong Niles resident.  Retiring after 35 years, Mel served as acting treasurer of Niles Chemical Paint.

Following his 1939 graduation from Niles High School, Mr. Evick attained the rank of master sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during W.W.II.  He was a member of American Legion Post #26, Niles.  For over eight years, Mel was active as coach in Niles' F.O.P. Little League Baseball program.  He was a member of the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Association.

On October 21, 1944, in Niles, Mel married Margaret 'Meg' (Curtis) Evick, who survives.  Also surviving are three sons, Bruce (Nancy) Evick of Niles, David (Cheryl) Evick of Lawrence, Michigan, and Ross Michael Evick of Paw Paw, Michigan.  Mel enjoyed his three grandsons, Kip, Cody and Ryan Evick; and his granddaughter, Morgan Evick.

Additional survivors include two brothers, Clayton (Kathy) Evick and Richard (Helen) Evick; his sister, Shirley (Howard) Killarney, all of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Melvin C. Evick will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2006, in the First Presbyterian Church, with Mr. Raymond Fulbright, assistant to the minister of the church, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery with a military flag presentation by American Legion Post #26 of Niles. The family will receive friends in the Halbritter Funeral Home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Evick may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Rosie Everhart
Jan. 13, 1914-Feb. 24, 2007

Rosella "Rosie" Everhart, 93, of Titusville, Florida, formerly of Niles, passed away at her home in Florida on Saturday, February 24, 2007.

Rosie was born on January 13, 1914, to the late Glenn and Lulu (Rook) Goff in Michigan City, Indiana.

On September 29, 1935, Rosie Goff married the love of her life, Marcel Everhart. Together they had five children.

Rosie worked at Simplicity Pattern Company for over 25 years when she retired.  After they both retired they spent their winters in Arizona.  When Marcel passed away in 1982 Rosie moved to Florida. There she continued to drive and live on her own until she was 90.  She was very artistic and did a lot of painting. She even taught craft and art classes at the local retirement community. She spent much of her craft time making porcelain dolls.

Rosie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sons, William and Merle Everhart; and sisters, Lucy Jane Lower, Ruth Holcomb and Ethel Weeden.

She is survived by her son, Marcel (Aldeane) Everhart of Bridgman, MI; daughters, Sandra (Willis) Leavitt of Niles, Sharon (Bill) Reed of Titusville, FL; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Rosie's funeral service will be held today, March 1, in Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles, with a time of visitation one hour prior. Pastor Paul Deeds will be officiating. Rosie will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Rosie's name to Hospice of St. Frances, 1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780.

Please visit www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com to leave a message for the family or receive more information.

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

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Odie B. Evans
Sept. 8, 1935-April 16, 1995

Services for Odie B. Evans, 59, of 1213 Queen St., South Bend, who died at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, April 16, 1995,  in St. Joseph's Medical Center, will be at noon Thursday in St. Paul Gospel Mission Church of God in Christ., Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. ,Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Alford's Mortuary.

Mrs. Evans was born Sept. 8, 1935, in Prescott, Ark., and lived in South Bend for 20 years.  On April 18, 1975, in Niles, she married Columbus Evans.  He survives with six daughters, Ollie Martin, Ora Jean Scott, Mary Evans, Sharon Lynn Evans and Elizabeth Miller, all of South Bend, and Thelma MaGee of Royal Oak; three sons, Columbus Jr. and Alvin, both of South Bend, and Anthony of Niles; two stepsons, Patrick Bush of Indianapolis and Eddie Bush of Hawaii; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Annie Bell Allen of Dallas and Genevieve Gill of Arkansas; and two brothers, Chester Lee Gill and Roy Gill, both of Prescott.  She was a member of the church Mother's board.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Jessie Mae Ellison
Nov. 10, 1940-Sept. 30, 1994

Jessie Mae Ellison, 53, of 1645 Michigan St., died at 3:42 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 1994,  in Pawating Hospital of natural causes. Mrs. Ellison was a cook for eight years at the former Portofinos Restaurant in Niles.  She was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Jackson, Tenn.  In August, 1957, in Jackson, Tenn., she married Howard L. Ellison.  He survives, with two daughters, Mary Louise Ellison and Barbara Fay Ellison, both of Niles; a son, Howard Lee Scott of Niles; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Hunt and Mildred Bray, both of Niles.  She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call one hour before services Monday in the church. Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown