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. 

George W. Minard Jr.
April 9, 1932-May 17, 2008

George W. Minard Jr., 71, of West Park, died following a brief illness at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

He was born on April 9, 1937, in Newark, NJ, to George W. and Mary (Pavao) Minard Sr. He had lived in the Michigan area for 38 years, coming from Dover, DE. George owned and operated Brandywine Claims.

Mr. Minard served in the United States Air Force from 1957-61. He was a member of American Legion Post #26 in Niles, the Fraternal Order of Blue Goose and Adjusters Association, both in South Bend. He loved to golf and was a member of the Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, IN.

On October 5, 1974, in Niles, he married the former Carol M. Lepel, who survives. Other survivors include a stepson, David E. (Sue) Stark, and a stepdaughter, Pam S. (Duane) Meyers; grandson, Travis (Tania) Meyers, granddaughter, Nicki (Kevin) Deming, all of Niles; great-grandchildren, Courtney and Mallory Meyers, Tyler and Drew Deming; brother, Richard (Jane) Minard of Charles Town, W.Va.; and a sister, Nancy Hively of New Jersey.

Funeral services for George W. Minard Jr. will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Carl W. Bassett of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may begin calling at 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul's Lutheran Church or to the donor's choice.

Max E. Marshall
Nov. 15, 1926-May 6, 2008

Max E. Marshall, 81, of Niles, passed away in his home following a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

He was born on November 15, 1926, in Roann, Indiana, to the late Arthur and Mary (Moore) Marshall.

Max was a proud veteran serving his country during WWII and Korean Conflict in the U.S. Navy. He worked for Studebaker's and Tyler Refrigeration for several years and retired from the Clark Equipment Company after 30 years of service. After his retirement Max had an opportunity to enjoy his hobbies including hunting, fishing and camping.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Charlene (Seelye) Marshall in 1987; two brothers, Louis and Ralph Marshall; and a step daughter, Loretta Brown.

Max is survived by his faithful companion of 20 years, Bertha Harper of Niles; four stepdaughters, Georgia (Wayne) Clemens of Otis, Indiana, Annie Davis of Westville, Indiana, Carol (Thomas) Bulington of Knox, Indiana, and Tina (Joel) Stacey of Niles; three stepsons, Edger (Karen) Harper Jr. of Mill Creek, Indiana, Eugene (Theresa) Harper of North Judson, Indiana, Mark (Angie) Harper of New Carlisle, Indiana; 26 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Chuck Stockton of Niles.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 9th, at 2 p.m., with a time of visitation two hours prior in the Brown Funeral Home. A committal service will follow with full military honors at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in Max's memory to a charity of one's choice.

Condolences, memories or a photo may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Edward H. Mark
Sept. 23, 1926-April 23, 2008

Edward H. Mark, 81, of Buchanan, MI, and a longtime Niles, MI, businessman, died following a brief illness on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Inwood Hills Estates, South Bend, IN.

Mr. Mark was born on September 23, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, to Louis and Julia (Klein) Mark. He graduated from high school in Newark and then from Newark College of Engineering. He had lived in this area since 1961.

Mr. Mark managed several manufacturing firms before founding his own business, Packard Industries in Niles in 1966. His business principles included excellence in engineering and quality in production, the same as the Packard automobile company which he had admired. In 1996, Ed passed Packard Industries on to the next generation.

Mr. Mark also collected Packard vehicles. At his retirement, the collection represented the entire history and variety of Packards, and was remarkable for the number of vehicles and the "showroom condition" in which they were maintained.

On April 26, 1952, in Newark, he married the former Donna M. Tiemann, who survives. Mr. Mark is also survived by their 10 children, Catherine (Alfredo Torano) Mark of Spain, Mary Mark-Herbach and Louis Mark, both of Michigan, Steve Mark of Illinois, Julie Mark of Colorado, John (Vera) Mark of Illinois, Karen Mark of Indiana, Daniel (Carole) Mark of Wyoming, Jacob (Jill) Mark of Indiana and Thomas Mark of Colorado; nine grandchildren, Raquel, Francisco, Michael, Lane, Elias, Angelina, Sarah, Sophie and Samuel.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin Mark.

The funeral services for Edward H. Mark will be at 11 a.m. today, April 28, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Monsignor Eugene Sear of Saint Joseph, Michigan, officiating, followed by committal at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family received relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Edward H. Mark may be made to the Mayo Clinic Simulation Center, Rochester, MN

Lillie Mae (Bedford) Bennett
August 9, 1916-April 20, 2008

NILES - Lillie Mae Bennett, 91, of North Tenth Street, died at 10:48 a.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008, in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, MI, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Bennett was born on August 9, 1916, in Hernando, MS, to Charlie and Mary (Tate) Bedford. She had lived in Niles since 1945. Lillie helped many Niles families with housekeeping services. Lillie accepted Christ at Union Grove Baptist Church, Hernando, MS, through the pastorate of the Rev. Hezekiah Gooch. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles. She invested unusual amounts of time and effort caring for her family, and will be remembered as a respected and loved mother of a very successful family.

She was married to Joseph James "Joe B" Bennett, who died on Jan. 20, 2004.

Mrs. Bennett is survived by her children, Ethel Hightower of South Bend, Christine (Randolph Williams) Cherry of Kalamazoo, Ernestine (Donald) Taylor and Eulah (Cartier Shields) Adams, both of Niles, Nathaniel (Evette) Bedford of Niles and Willie Cherry of Niles; 11 grandchildren, including Staff Sergeant Jesse Adams, U.S. Air Force, and Donald Taylor II; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including nieces, Forestine (Charles) McCuin of Las Vegas, NV, and Gloria (James) Darby of Milwaukee, WI; and friends, Lonnie and Terry.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Willie, Jessie, Charlie, Louis and James Bedford; and by sisters, Laura Wilson, Sallie Boston, Dorothy Bedford, Mildred Howard and Alma Cherry.

The funeral services for Lillie Mae Bennett will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, in the New Vision - An Apostolic Faith Assembly in Niles, with District Elder Carlton D. Burrel of New Vision and Rev. Horace G. Howard Jr. of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Blytheville, AR, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the church beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.

Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Bennett may be made to the Patient Activities Fund at Lakeland Specialty Hospital.