Obituaries

James G. Edwards
Sept. 12, 1917-Dec. 25, 1994

James Glyn Edwards, 77, of 1328 Broadway, died at 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, 1994, in Pawating Hospital following an illness.  Mr. Edwards was a former employee of General Time in Peterborough, Ontario. He retired after 24 years from Montgomery Ward Co. in Niles.

He was born Sept. 12, 1917, in Penrhewceiber, Wales, and had resided in Niles since 1959, coming from Canada to Goshen in 1956. On Jan. 18, 1947, in Peterborough, he married Ada Jane Smith. She survives with a daughter, Linda Anderson of Flemington, N.J.; two grandchildren; and a sister, Catherine Hough of Peterborough.  He was an Air Force veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 26.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with a flag presentation. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Howard Edwards
November 13, 1916-August 2, 2005

Mr. Howard James Edwards, 88, of Sioux Trail, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2005, in Hospice at Home "The Meadows."

Mr. Edwards was born November 13, 1916, in Maricopa, Arizona, to Herbert Potter and Mary Hazel (Thornton) Edwards. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1936 and attended Olivet (Michigan) College.

He was a lifelong sales representative in the paper products industry. He began in Niles, and followed his career to several other locations, retiring from the Union Camp Paper Corporation in 1985, and then returned to Niles.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and its choir, and was a 50-year member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F.&A.M., where he completed the 33rd degree. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #2277, Niles, and the Orchard Hills Country Club. He was an avid golfer, and participated in area bowling leagues.

On November 29, 1940, in Niles, he was married to the former Gertrude Esther Sweet, who preceded him in death on March 14, 1986. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Robert Edwards and Thornton Edwards.

On December 27, 1986, in Niles, he was married to the former Eleanor N. (Pfister) Haslett, who survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Pamela A. Headley of Annandale, New Jersey, and Beverly Jane Mather of Ringwood, New Jersey; stepchildren, Stephen Haslett of Plainwell, Michigan, William Haslett and Marilyn Haslett of Niles, and Robert Haslett of Toledo, Ohio; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mary L. Martin of Henderson, Nevada.

The funeral service for Howard J. Edwards will be at 11 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2005, in First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the church officiating.

Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Masonic rites by Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4 at 4 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Edwards may be made to Hospice at Home or to the American Cancer Society.

Doris Edwards
1925-May 6, 2002

Doris Mabel Edwards, 77, of 251 Cass St., died Thursday in her home of natural causes. Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Jenkins of Niles; a son, Robert of Baroda; five sisters, Mary Wikstorm, Dollie Richmond and Ruth Bedell, all of Niles, Shirley McKinley of Lafayette, Ind., and Anna M. Greichen of Dowagiac, and two brothers, Ralph Hendershott of Niles and Clyde Hendershott of St. Petersburg, Fla. Services will be at 10 am. Monday in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, where friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Charles C. Eden
March 22, 1929-November 15, 1996

Charles Clifford Eden, 67, of Pencross Drive, Granger, Ind., passed away at 3:20 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 1996, in his residence after a year-long illness.

Mr. Eden was born March 22, 1929, in Niles, Mich. and graduated from Niles High School (1947) before achieving his bachelor and masters (MBA) degrees from the University of Michigan in 1951. He was a member and president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

After graduation, he was given a direct commission to the U.S. Air Force for two years, then was employed by the Kawneer Company from 1953-1976, working in various locations. His accomplishments included retiring as the chief financial officer of Kawneer (1976), Amax Coal (1979) and Mastic-Alcoa in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth and father, Clifford, who was the city engineer in Niles with the Broadway Bridge being named in his honor.

On Dec. 26, 1951, he married Dorothy Jane McCormick. She survives along with two sons, Donald of Niles and Bryan of Granger; three grandchildren, Derek, Kady and Brea, all of Niles. His sister, Rosemary Campbell lives in Strongsville, Ohio.

Mr. Eden was active with the United Way and Junior Achievement and also served as president of both the Niles School Board and YMCA in Niles. He enjoyed life and practically all sports, but actively participated in golf, skiing, dancing and fishing.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Niles. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leukemia Society of America or First Presbyterian Church Foundation.

Albert J. East
Dec. 19, 1915-Nov. 2, 1999

Albert J. East, 83, of 1649 LaSalle Ave, Niles, died Tuesday Nov. 2, 1999, in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes.  He was born, Dec. 19, 1915. Survivors include his wife, Betty A. (Replogle); three daughters, Dorothy A. East, Becky J. East and Peggy L. Van Kirk, all of Niles; a son, James A. of Plymouth; and a sister, Anna Morse of Cassopolis. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Dorothy N. Dykema
May 17, 1931-Feb. 12, 1996

Memorial services were Friday for Dorothy Natalie Dykema, 64, of LaSalle Avenue, who died Feb. 12, 1996, in St. Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka, after an illness. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery. McGann Funeral Home, South Bend, handled arrangements.

Mrs. Dykema was born May 17, 1931, in Boston. On Dec. 30, 1954, as Dorothy Natalie McBride, she married James E. Dykema. He survives with two daughters, Donna L. Richardson and Jeri L. Strebinger, both of South Bend; two sons, James D. and John J., both of Niles; and nine grandchildren.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown