Robert W. Rose
March 19, 1930-July 9, 2008

Robert W. "Sonny" Rose, 78 of Michigan Street, Niles, died at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in his home following a brief illness.

Mr. Rose was born on March 19, 1930 in Niles to Harold K. and Sallie Lucile (Whitfield) Rose Sr.

He graduated from Niles High School, earned a degree in Communications and Computer Science from Ivy Tech, South Bend, and continued his education at Southwestern Michigan College. He lived in Niles most of his life.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Era serving in the United States Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary performance in saving a soldier's life on May 18, 1964 at great personal risk. He earned the Purple Heart award, having been wounded in action by enemy gunfire on January 21, 1966. He was honored to serve on the Golden Knights Paratrooper Drill Team. Staff Sergeant Rose completed his remarkable and highly decorated military career on December 2, 1972, retiring after 20 years of service. In retirement, Robert taught computer classes at Brandywine High School in Niles for 14 years. He also owned his own business, S & B Custom Software, and was a manager at Lou Ann's from 1969-76.

Bob was elected as the City of Niles Councilman of the Third Ward, serving in 1982 and 1983. He was also the State Director of MARS (Military Amateur Radio System) for Michigan, and had been a licensed operator since 1948 with the call "K8UZC".

He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Niles the John W. Moore Lodge #42 F. & A.M., and Wolverine State Chapter #33, Disabled American Veterans.

On January 28, 1952 in Yokohama, Japan he married the former Mitsue Murata who survives. He is also survived by his daughter Jodi (Anthony) Vanlerberghe of Richland, MI. grandchildren, Ashtyn, Macen, and Ava; Jodi's mother, Sharon Matthews of Niles; and a sister, Ona Fouche of Niles.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold K. Rose Jr., who died on April 22, 1998, and sister, Bettie Bailey who died in 1988.

The funeral service for Robert W. Rose will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full Military Honors by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home, with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. by the John W. Moore Lodge #42 F. & A.M.

Contributions in memory of Robert W. Rose may be made to the Niles District Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ida Reed
March 28, 1928-May 27, 2008

Ida Reed, 80, of South Third Street, died May 27, 2008 in Lakeland Hospital following a brief illness.  She was born March 28, 1928. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Viola R. Berquist
December 28, 1907-June 4, 2008

Viola R. Berquist, 100, of S.R. 23 in South Bend, formerly of Niles, MI, died following an extended illness at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, in Sterling House of South Bend.

Mrs. Berquist was born on December 28, 1907, in Ganges, Michigan, to Frank H. and Myrtie (Lockhart) Sill. She had lived in this area since 1929. She was a graduate of Flint High School. Viola was previously employed at the Chamber of Commerce in Niles and Traveler's Insurance in South Bend.

Viola was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and its Women's Bible Study, as well as the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center in Niles. She volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles and Meals on Wheels. At the age of 73 she was the librarian for Healthwin Hospital in South Bend. She enjoyed playing bridge and taking classes in drawing and watercolors.

On August 4, 1929, in South Bend, she married Leonard G. Berquist, who preceded her in death on May 2, 1983.

Mrs. Berquist is survived by her daughters, Constance (Edward) Thorpe of South Bend and Lynn (Thomas) Scott of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Linda (Thomas) Thorpe Gordon, Thomas (Mary) Thorpe, Bruce Thorpe, Brian (Judi) Berquist, Lisa (William) Berquist-Shestowsky, Gretchen Berquist, Stacie Barrow, Lorraine (Michael) Robbins-Dye and Sallie (Michael) Vanasdale; great-grandchildren, Leigh Ann and Scott Thorpe Jeffers, Edward, Grant and Christine Gordon, Chad Travis and Brandon Thorpe, Victoria Barrow, Sean Robbins, Rylan, Nikki and Kate Vanasdale; two nieces, Marsha Lantero and Charlotte Williams; and a nephew, Richard Dietz.

Viola was also preceded in death by her son, David Lee Berquist, who died April 20, 2006; and a brother, Harry Sill, who died in December 1928.

The funeral service for Viola R. Berquist will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12th, at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with Rev. Janet Van Lear of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, officiating. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Viola R. Berquist may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church in Niles or to the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center, Niles.

Tim Tyler
July 14, 1937-May 20, 2008

Taylor "Tim" Tyler, 70, of Plym Road, Niles, MI, died of a brief illness at 11:04 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Saint Joseph.

Tim was born July 14, 1937, in Chicago, IL, to Robert Tyler Sr. and Dortha Marie (Taylor) Tyler. Moving to Niles in 1945 from Glen Ellyn, IL, he graduated from Niles High School in 1955. Tim received his A.B. degree in 1959 from Dartmouth College, and in 1960 from the Dartmouth-Tuck Business School where he earned a master's in business administration. While at Dartmouth, he was a member of the Casque & Gauntlet Society and was affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

At Fort Knox, KY, Tim served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He began his career as a regional sales manager with Tyler Refrigeration, a company started by his uncle, Jerry Tyler, and one in which his father, Robert Tyler Sr., was chief executive officer. Later, with Terry Linville, Tim formed Tyler-Linville Chevrolet (TLC). He then founded Tyler Automotive of which he was the former president.

Active in many areas, Tim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He served the Republican Party as a Presidential Advance Man. For over 23 years he was a charter member of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance and its 1990-92 president, and was currently serving as secretary. He was a former president of the Niles Community Schools Board of Education, was a former chairman of the Niles United Way and served both on Niles and Gateway Community Foundation boards. Tim led a successful Niles-Buchanan YMCA Capital Campaign. Not only was he a former member of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, he also was named their 2005 Man of the Year.

Tim served on both the Lakeland Regional Medical Center's board as well as the Lakeland Foundation-Niles. He was a member of the Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club, Signal Point Club, Orchard Hills Country Club and the Captiva Yacht Club. Tim served on several financial boards - American National Bank, Old Kent Bank S.W. and First Federal Savings and Loan.

Involved in businesses across southwestern Michigan in addition to auto dealerships in Niles, Niles Charter Township and Benton Harbor Township (Lake Michigan Honda), he also had interest in Vickers Engineering, Inc., in Weesaw Township, Precision Plastics in Galien Village and Kruger Plastics Products in Lake Charter Township. He was a board member of Littleford Day, Inc., of Florence, KY.

In Fort Thomas, KY, Tim married Marjorie "Midge" (Stegeman) Tyler, who died October 11, 2002. On March 9, 2005, he married Sharon (Witt) Tyler, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Scott (Nancy) Tyler and Jane (Pat) Brandstatter, both of Niles, Chris (Shanna) Tyler of Stevensville, MI, and Matt (Amy) Tyler of Granger, IN. Stepchildren include Joe (Christin) Adams of Saint Joseph and Cody Witt of Niles. Tim has 13 important grandchildren and also is survived by a brother, Thomas Tyler of Venice, FL. A brother, Robert Tyler Jr., preceded him in death.

Memorial services for Taylor "Tim" Tyler will be at noon on Saturday, May 24, 2008, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Private family interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until services time in the Ladies Parlor of the church. Memorials may be made to Gateway Community Foundation Midge Tyler Fund.

The Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles is completing arrangements.

Kathryn W. Hatcher
Oct. 17, 1923-May 18, 2008

BUCHANAN - Kathryn W. Hatcher, 84, died at 1:54 p.m. Sunday  May 18, 2008, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles. She was born Oct. 17, 1923. Survivors include daughters, Shirley (Willie B.) Roscoe of Niles and Michele (Willie) Francis of Buchanan; and a sister, Arvester Moore of Milwaukee. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, where friends may call one hour before services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.