Obituaries

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 

Gladys E. "Wanda" (Metzger) Eliason
December 15, 1915-March 4, 2006

Mrs. Gladys Edwanda "Wanda" Eliason, 90, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and formerly of Niles, Michigan, died at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2006, in Hospice House, Roseland, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on December 10, 1915, in Galien, Michigan, to Ben and Gladys (Reese) Metzger.

With her husband, Carlyle R. Eliason, they founded the Eliason Corporation of Kalamazoo, in which they remained active throughout their lives. She was greatly devoted to the company and its employees, who will remember her high principles and compassion.

Wanda remained young at heart, with an exuberant spirit. She enjoyed nature, especially the shores of Lake Michigan, but her greatest joy was her family.

She was former member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles.

She was preceded in death by her husband on November 5, 1982; and by her brothers, Vernon, Keith and Robert Metzger.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Diane (& Harry) Ogasian, and son, David (& Linda) Eliason; grandsons, Carl, Matt, Scott and Steve, and granddaughters, Rebecca, Jennifer and Allie; ten cherished great-grandchildren; nephews and niece, Vernon, Richard and Michon; and several special friends who helped provide her care, Jean Miles, Peggy and Joe Bush, Anita Culp and Caryl Lane.

The funeral service for Wanda Eliason will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Eliason may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to the donor's choice.

Howard E. Eisele
May 10, 1904-Oct. 23, 1991

Funeral services for Howard E. Eisele, 87, of 911 S. Third St., Niles will be 11 a.m. Friday as Pifer-Smith Funeral Home by the Rev. Lou Schweppe, Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Eisele died at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, 1991, in Pawating Hospital, following a lengthy illness.  He was born May 10, 1904 in South Bend, Ind., and lived in this area all of his life.  Mr. Eisele retired from the maintenance dept. at Kawneer Corp.  He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Niles, and a 50 year member of the Fraternal order Eagles Lodge No 2094, Niles.  On March 11, 1929 in South Bend, Ind., he married Myrtle J. Leggett, who preceded him in death.  Survivors include two daughters, Joan Emmons of Niles and Mary Williams of Buchanan; a sister, Edna Gillen of Niles; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a son, Harold Eisele. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ. 

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown