Junice Dick
April 6, 1928-May 27, 2006

Junice Jane Dick, 78, of Berrien Springs, MI, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2006, in Lakeland Specialty Hospital - Berrien Center following an illness.

She was born April 6, 1928, in Anderson, IN, to Frank and Carrie Josephine (Gwinn) Martin. She was the beloved wife of retired Judge Donald J. Dick of Berrien Springs, whom she married May 20, 1951. The couple celebrated over 55 years of marriage together. She was the loving mother of Martha Ann (Daniel) Southworth of South Bend, IN, Mary Elizabeth Czarnecki of St. Joseph, William Walton (Carolyn) Dick of Chicago, IL, and Jane Ellen (Bradley) Kerr of Berrien Springs. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Junice was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Joanne Thornburg and a brother, John "Jack" Martin.

Upon graduation from Anderson High School, Junice attended Ball State University where she was named first runner up to Miss Ball State. Later she attended St. Mary's College where she obtained her training as a medical technician. In the early 1950's, she worked for the South Bend Medical Foundation before marrying and raising her family.

Junice was an active member of the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Berrien Springs Civic League, the first president of the Lawyers' Wives of Berrien County. She and her husband, Donald, were fortunate to have traveled extensively with the Michigan Bar Association. They traveled to Europe, Russia, Thailand, the Bahamas, Hong Kong and Central American Countries.

Junice will always be remembered as a nurturing and caring wife, mother and friend. Always putting the needs of others first, Junice will be remembered for her generous and loving acts. From taking a meal to a friend in need, to providing needy parents with clothing for newborn infants, Junice had a caring way about her that others recognized and admired. Her love for reading always provided her with book recommendations for family members and friends and was a member of a ladies book club in St. Joseph.

When her children were growing, the Dick family home was the center of the neighborhood activities. Her children remember how their mother would make large numbers of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and serve them to all the neighborhood kids so that they wouldn't have to return home for lunch. She was an excellent gourmet cook and will also be remembered for her wonderful dinner parties.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church with Rev. Dominic Tommy officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Legacy Family Funeral Services- Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs, and sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com.

The family graciously requests that memorial contributions in her memory be may be made to the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, the Berrien Springs Public Library, the American Cancer Society or to the Berrien County Historical Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Honorable Donald J. Dick
October 27, 1920-September 14, 2006

Donald J. Dick, 85, of Berrien Springs, MI, died Thursday, September 14, 2006, in Lakeland Regional Medical Center following an illness.

A funeral service celebrating his life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2006, in the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, with Rev. Cindy Parsons officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 18, 2006, in Legacy Family Funeral Services-Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs, and sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com. The family graciously requests that memorial contributions in his memory be made to the Berrien County Historical Association, the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church or to the Berrien Springs Community Library.

Donald was born October 27, 1920, in Niles, MI, to Harry and Martha (Jontz) Dick. He was a graduate of Niles High School and later attended Albion College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During his third year of education at Albion, Donald was drafted by the United States Army. He responded to the call for duty and served his country during World War II. Upon his return, Donald entered law school at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1948.

Donald worked as a private practice lawyer in Berrien Springs from 1949 to 1976. In 1976, he was appointed as a Berrien County Probate Court judge, where he served for just over eleven years. Over the years, Donald taught real estate law at Lake Michigan College, worked as the Berrien Springs Village attorney and also as the attorney to the Berrien County Youth Fair.

On May 20, 1951, he married Junice Martin Dick, who preceded him in death. May 27, 2006, he and Junice traveled extensively and enjoyed the many trips they shared together. They traveled Europe, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe. They went on many trips to the northeastern, southern and western parts of the United States and to the Caribbean. The couple loved entertaining and hosted many dinner parties at their home in Berrien Springs.

Donald was a member and past president of the Berrien Springs Eau Claire Rotary club, a member of the Berrien County ISD School Board for a number of years, founder and past president of the Berrien County Historical Society, and was directly involved in the restoration and preservation of the 1839 courthouse square. He was also a member of the Berrien County Youth Fair Board, an active member and past president of the Rolls Royce Club, a member of the Michigan and the American Bar Associations and a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

Don was an avid sportsman who enjoyed big-game hunting and fishing and traveled to Canada, Alaska, Cuba and other interesting places with friends. He enjoyed the restoration of antique cars, photography and gardening. He had a passion for music and the arts. He and Junice participated in The Play Reading Group, where they would read plays together with friends. He loved to read history books and has read nearly every book relating to the life and history of Teddy Roosevelt, one of his personal heroes. He was a charter and board member of the Berrien County Economic Club. Don held season tickets for many years for the Broadway Theatre League and was an avid Notre Dame fan. He had fond memories of attending Notre Dame Football games with family and friends for many years. He had an extensive knowledge of the Civil War and also spent hours researching family genealogy. He was a deputized officer for the Berrien County Sheriff's Dept.

More than anything else, Don and Junice both loved and cherished their family. The memories and experiences that they have shared with their family will be etched in their minds and kept in a special place in their hearts. Don will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his children, Martha Ann (Daniel) Southworth of South Bend, IN, Mary Elizabeth Czarnecki of St. Joseph, MI, William Walton (Carolyn) Dick of Chicago, IL, and Jane Ellen (Bradley) Kerr of Berrien Springs, MI. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and his brother, Wilbur W. Dick of Coloma, MI

In addition to his parents and his wife, Junice, Donald was preceded in death by a brother, George E. Dick.

Submitted by a family member; publication details unknown

Charlie L. DeWitt
July 13, 1927-June 27, 2001

Charlie L. DeWitt, 73, of 641 N. Seventh St., died Wednesday, June 27, 2001, in Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Private services will be held at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.  He was born July 13, 1927.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Vernon Dewey
May 29, 1949-January 8, 1950

Niles infant dies from meningitis

7 months old Vernon Dewey stricken Sunday.

The first reported case of spinal meningitis in Niles in several years was blamed yesterday for the death of a seven months-old Niles child at Pawating hospital.

Victim of the dreaded disease was tiny Vernon Dewey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Loris Dewey, 208 ½ North Second Street. The child was admitted to the hospital at 1:06 p.m. and died two hours later. Dr. Franklyn G. Rice Jr., city health officer, listed spinal meningitis as the cause of death.

Rice said today that the case is the first to be reported since he has been health officer. He said he did not know when the last case was reported in the city.

The victim was reportedly stricken early Sunday morning. Dr. Rice said the family, including Mr. and Mrs. Dewey and another child, Ruth Ann 4, has been quarantine. Private funeral services were scheduled to be held this afternoon.

Published Niles Daily Star 1/9/1950

(Buried in Silverbrook Cemetery on 1/10/1950, New-47A,269,1)

Ethel H. DePeel
January 1, 1912-March 30, 1994

Ethel H. DePeel, 82, of 1222 Merrifield St., died at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 1994, in Pawating Hospital. Mrs. DePeel retired in 1975 as assistant cook at Paul Stephen Nursing Home. She was born Jan. 1, 1912, in Indianapolis. On Oct. 2, 1929, in South Bend, she married Archie H. DePeel. He died Oct. 31, 1974. Surviving are three daughters, Shirley Dumond and Margie L. Fast, both of Niles, and Bernice Cates of Mishawaka; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys Heinrich of Niles and Ruth Zimmer of Mishawaka. Two daughters, Arlene Hintz and Virginia Buck, died in 1982 and 1990, respectively. She was a member of Niles-Buchanan Senior Citizens and Bertrand Bible Church.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Mary Ann Denney
October 1, 1915-February 18, 1994

Mary Ann Denney, 78, of 911 S. 3rd St., died at 2:10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 1994, after an illness. Mrs. Denney was a retired nurse's aide at Quick Convalescent Home. She was born Oct. 1, 1915. On April 22, 1938, in Broadhead, Ky., she married Homer Jackson Denney. He died March 20, 1979. Surviving are three daughters, Martha Brauer, Linda Reed and Geveviel Watkins, all of Niles; two sons, John D. Harris of Grand Rapids, Minn., and Joe J. Denney of Niles; 13 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown