Obituaries

Vernon LeRoy Collins
July 20, 1918-April 2, 2002

Vernon LeRoy Collins, 83, of State Line Road, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 10:57 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2002,  in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born on July 20, 1918, in Niles, to Malcolm and Lena (Starke) Collins, and spent most of his life in Niles. He retired in 1975 after 36 years of employment with the Kawneer Company.

Mr. Collins was a member of Saint John's United Church of Christ in Niles, and was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the 7th Armored Division as a tank commander. He was a member of American Legion Post 26, VFW Post 4025, DAV Chapter 55 Order of Trench Rats, all in Niles, the 25-Year Club of Kawneer, and the Niles Auxiliary Police.

On Sept. 18, 1965, in Niles, he married the former Helen Jones, who died in 1980. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Helen A. Stephens, who died Oct. 20, 1991; and by a brother, Malcolm Collins Jr., who died July 4, 1980.

Mr. Collins is survived by two nephews, Gary Edwards Shinholt of South Bend, Ind., and Richard L. Shinholt of Los Angeles, Calif.; and by a niece, Barbara Parks of Niles.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 5, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Reverend Fred T. Smith of South Niles Community Church officiating.

A veteran's flag presentation officiated by Mr. Harry Roberts of American Legion Post 26 will follow the committal at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Contributions in memory of Vernon LeRoy Collins may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Lucille Coles
June 8, 1906-Feb. 16, 2000

Lucille (Beebe) Coles, 93, of Tomahawk Lane, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 2:51 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16,  2000, in The Milton Home, South Bend, Ind.

She was born on June 8, 1906, in Niles, to Norman P. and Georgia (Manning) Beebe, and was a lifetime resident of Niles.

Mrs. Coles was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society, the Beta Gamma Upsilon Sorority, Niles Garden Club, Seepewa Reading Club, and the Signal Point Club. In addition to her interests in traveling, reading and gardening, she volunteered with the Pawating Hospital Auxiliary, and was a former board member of the Fernwood Botanical Garden and the Niles Service League.

On June 8, 1935, in Niles, she was married to Wallace Henry Coles, who died on Sept. 4, 1967. She was also preceded in death by a son, Alan Manning Coles, who died on Feb. 4, 1979; and by an infant brother.

She is survived by her daughter, Norma H. Frank of South Bend, Ind.; five grandchildren, Michael A. Frank of Mishawaka, Ind., Karen (Mrs. Glen) Frank Plaunt of Marlboro, Mass., and Lisa (Mrs. Michael) Coles Welch and Eric Coles, all of Niles, and Jeni Coles of Chicago, Ill.; five great-grandchildren, David and Devon Frank of Niles, Allan and Jason Plaunt of Marlboro, and Kara Welch of Niles; and by her son's widow, Deanna Coles of Niles.

Funeral services for Mrs. Coles will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook, Niles. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Coles may be made to the Lucille Beebe Coles Scholarship Endowment Fund for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA through the Gateway Community Foundation, to the Lucille Beebe Coles Endowment Fund of Starr Commonwealth, or to the College Education Scholarship Fund of the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

Arthur P. Coleman
Aug. 26, 1928-Oct. 26, 1994

Arthur P. Coleman, 66, of 1402 Alman St., Niles, died at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1994,  in his home of natural causes. Mr. Coleman retired in 1989 as an electrician with Conrail Railroad. He was born Aug. 26, 1928, in Niles. On Oct. 10, 1953, in Niles, he married Mary Ann Frame. She survives with two daughters, Christine Knoblauch of Rochester, Mich., and Carol Coleman of Bloomington, Ill.; four sons, Joseph, Jack and William, all of Niles, and Peter of Vandalia; and six grandchildren. He was a member of American Legion LaRue Messenger Post 26 and was a Korean War Army veteran.

There will be no services. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Berrien County Hospice at Home.

  

Harry Arthur Cole
Feb. 10, 1925-Dec. 31, 2005

Harry Arthur Cole, 80, of Niles, Mich., passed away at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, after an illness.

Harry was born on Feb. 10, 1925, in Niles, to Gertrude and Cleve Cole and was a lifetime area resident. On Sept. 27, 1947, in Niles, he married Beverly Jane Cole. Harry was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and member of the Buchanan Moose. He was a machinist for Bendix Corporation where he retired from in 1983. He loved fishing and camping. He touched the lives of all who met him and was loved by many. His family and friends always appreciated the love he had shown and given to them.

Harry is survived by his wife, Beverly Jane; two daughters, Karen Rembold and Shelley (Gerald L. Jr.) Dumond, both of Niles; a sister, Helen Miller of Berrien Springs; and two grandchildren Shawn (Amy) Rembold and Joseph Dumond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude and Cleve Cole; and three brothers, Clyde, Elmer, and Danny.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006, in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with Elder Bob Kenney of First Church of Christ, Niles, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

His family appreciates all the love and support given to them by his many friends and their families.

Betty Jo Cole
September 23, 1928-January 28, 2005

Betty Jo Cole, 76, of 16 S. 14th Street, Niles, Michigan, died of natural causes on Friday, January 28, 2005,  in the Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, Fla.

She was born on September 23, 1928, in Niles, to the late Thomas Medders and Bessie Lee (Higgins) Faye. On August 26, 1950, she married John W. O'Brien, who preceded her in death on June 17, 1962.

She was a retired bookkeeper for Penrod-Hiawatha of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and was a lifetime resident, except for winters spent in Florida. She was a member of the Lady Elks.

Jo will always be remembered as a kind, devoted wife, mother and friend; she was the perfect grandmother. She loved books and music; she collected antiques and kept a beautiful home. She was a great cook and enjoyed celebrating holidays with her family. Jo was as sharp as a tack and gave good advice; she had a wonderful sense of humor. She was a generous person who was always there when we needed her. She was very loving and was very much loved in return. Her sweetness, intelligence, humor and love have given us many happy memories. Thank you, Mom, for all you gave to us. We miss you.

On April 3, 1964, in Niles, she married Max E. Cole, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Maureen (Dan) Topash of Buchanan, Michigan, Christine (Jim) Schrop of Park Ridge, Illinois, Patrice Girard and Sally (John) Wiltrout, both of South Bend; a son, Daniel O'Brien of Austin, Texas; a stepson, Jeffrey Cole of Elkhart; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Private memorial services for family will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorials may be made to the charity of donor's choice.

The Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Russell L. Coffinger
Oct. 30, 1927-Aug. 1, 2004

Russell L. "Russ" Coffinger, 76, of Stateline Road, passed away following an illness on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, in Westwoods of Niles, Mich.

Russell was born on Oct. 30, 1927, in Niles, to the late Albert and Bertha (Dickson) Coffinger. He was also preceded in death by a son, Russell "Rusty" Coffinger Jr., who passed away in 1995; five brothers, George, Henry, Frank, Tom and Paul Coffinger; and by two sisters, Henrietta Coffinger and Dorothy Nichols.

A veteran of the Korean War, Russell served his country proudly from 1950 to 1953 in the U.S. Army. Many also remember Russell from serving local friends at several local bars and grills. His hobbies included fishing and hunting, and spending time outdoors.

Survivors include a daughter, Rosie (Roger) Terpening of Lake, Mich.; a special niece, Anna Cooke of Niles; special great-nieces, Stephanie and Katelyn Cooke of Niles; two sisters, Annabelle Howard of Cassopolis, Mich., and June (Loren) Mesaroes of South Bend, Ind. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one step-great-grandchild.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, in the Brown~Pifer Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A time of visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown~Pifer Funeral Home & Cremation Services.