Obituaries

Joann R. Archer

April 5, 1950-February 8, 2009

Joann R. Archer, 58, of Tomahawk Lane in Niles, Michigan, died at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2009, in her home following an extended illness.

She was born on April 5, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Forrest Wesley and Virginia (Walker) Riffey. She graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, earning her bachelor's degree in accounting and marketing with a minor in music and voice.

She was most recently employed for over 16 years at Life Action Ministries, where she coordinated the clothing of the singing teams and applied her computer skills to help maintain the web-site for the ministry.

Joann very much enjoyed singing in the choir or throughout the day. She had a beautiful soprano voice she developed through years of training.

She enjoyed cooking and new recipes that she had no fear of trying on friends and guests in her home. As her disease progressed, cooking became more difficult for her to manage, however, she still enjoyed sharing recipes and baked foods, which were always on hand for her guests.

To her, baking was an extension of herself and ministry to others. She enjoyed recipes so much that she published a cookbook of some of her favorite recipes to benefit ALS research and bless those who received the publication.

Joann's true love was talking; she most enjoyed talking about the one she loved most besides her husband and daughters, the Lord Jesus Christ. From the time she first met Him and accepted His gift of salvation, she loved to talk to those she met along the way, whether in a grocery store, her home or wherever she was, she just could not help but speak of her love for Him and His saving grace.

For her grace, love, and life, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

On August 15, 1970, in Forrest City, Arkansas, she married Charles A. Archer III, who survives. Also surviving are their two daughters, Catherine (Dan) Clark of Laredo, Texas, and Mary Alice (Josh) Dice of Salem, IL; four grandchildren, Wesley, Sarah, Andrew and Emily; her sister, Laurie Parson of Blytheville, Arkansas; and a brother, Giles Riffey of Memphis, Tennessee.

Mrs. Archer was preceded in death by her sister, Camille Newman.

The funeral service for Joann R. Archer will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, February 13, in Berrien Center Bible Church in Berrien Center, Michigan, with Rev. Mark J. Smith of the church and Rev. Maynard Schoen of Berrien Springs, Michigan, officiating.

Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Life Action Ministries Auditorium on Niles-Buchanan Road from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

Contributions may be made to Life Action Ministries or to the ALS Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Marilyn J. Kolodziej
Oct. 28, 1939-Feb. 6, 2009

Marilyn J. Kolodziej, 69, of Granger, IN, passed away on February 6, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born October 28, 1939, in Dowagiac, MI, she was the daughter of John Berwyn and Mildred Luetta (Brewer) Sellers, who preceded her in death.

Marilyn was a 1957 graduate of Niles High School, and later attended the Michiana College of Commerce.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Michael (Christina) Kolodziej of Granger, Mark Kolodziej of Mishawaka and Kristine (Joe) Weber of Mishawaka; a sister, Kay Griggs of Ohio; grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Lietzau, Kate (Tom) Gillis, Kelly (Shelby) Howard, Lesli Kolodziej, Angela Kolodziej, Haley Kolodziej, Michael Kolodziej and Mark Paul Kolodziej; and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel Lietzau and Shelby Howard V.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. today, February 10th, in the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, SR 23. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Old Rugged Cross Church, 60041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49120.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ann Frey
Oct. 28, 1930-Jan. 28, 2009

Mrs. Ann Frey, 78, of Valley View Drive, died at 10:38 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009, in West Woods of Niles following an illness.

Ann was born on October 28, 1930 in Cleveland, OH, to John Britton and Gladys Aurelia (Bauer) Osmun. She graduated from Lakewood (Ohio) High School and Baldwin-Wallace, College, Berea, OH. She has lived in Niles since 1973 coming from Troy, MI.

She was employed for many years by radio station WNIL, Niles as an account executive and as WNIL's first female newscaster.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles where she served as an elder and sang in the choir. She was also a board member of the Business and Professional Women, Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center and the United Way. She was a founding member of Hire-A-Teen through the Niles Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Brandywine Youth Assistance Civitan Club, the Niles Garden Club and Garden Clubs of Michigan, Niles Reading Club, Orchard Hills County Club and the League of Women Voters where she was a former volunteer of the year. She enjoyed camping and bicycle riding.

On June 2, 1978, in Niles she married Charles E. Frey, who survives.  Also surviving are her daughter, Duanne (Tony) Veidelis of Holliston, MA; and sons, Jeffrey (Rickie) Wills of South Bend, IN, and David Wills of Dearborn, MI; and four grandsons; her stepchildren, Susan Frey and Sara (Jody) Frost, all of Niles, Karen Frey of Holly, MI, and Sandra Frey of Fall River, MA; and a step-grandson, and Ann's sister, Ellen Osmun of Troy.

The funeral services for Ann Frey will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009, in First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Janet VanLear of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of An may be made to the Music Department of First Presbyterian Church or to Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center.

Edwin Radewald Jr.
Dec. 3, 1924-Jan. 28, 2009

Prominent Berrien County fruit and vegetable grower, Edwin Radewald Jr., 84, lifelong resident of the Radewald family farm on M-140, Niles, died at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, MI, following an illness.

Edwin was born on December 3, 1924, in the farm home to Edwin and Florence (Knott) Radewald Sr. He graduated from Niles High School in 1941 and attended Michigan State University for two years.

On February 4, 1951 he married Virginia Marie Totzke, who survives. In 1948, after the sudden death of their father, Edwin and his brother, Stanley formed the partnership of Radewald Farms. In 1965, they built a packinghouse and cold storage on the farm. They were the 1981 recipients of the Master Farmer Award of the Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Association.

Ed was a lifelong member of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, serving on the council and its president for nine years, and chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He was also a life member of the Michigan Horticultural Society, serving as a director for six years and president in 1972. He was a member of the Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Association, and the Berrien County Farm Bureau.

He served as a director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association, the Saint Joseph Valley Soil Conservation Board, the Berrien Township Board of Appeals, and was treasurer of the Fairland School Board for 12 years. He served as supervisor of the Berrien County Community Garden, was a 4-H leader for 10 years, and a director of the Berrien County 4-H Foundation.

Ed loved John Deere tractors, restoring several antique tractors, and was a charter member of the Michiana Two Cylinder Club. He was a life member, volunteer, and strong supporter of the Berrien County Youth Fair, and was a life member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Stanley.

Surviving family includes his wife, Virginia; their children, Marie (John) Parsey of Phoenix, AZ, Lois (Fred) Thurnherr of Holland, NY, Jean (Curt) Loutzenhiser of South Bend, IN, and Vern (Laura) Radewald of Hopkins, MN; grandchildren, Stephen and Carolyn Parsey, Emily Thurnherr, and Karen and Brent Radewald; step-grandchidlren, Joshua Loutzenhiser and Jessice Tysman; and four step-great-grandchildren; and Ed's sister-in-law, Barbara Radewald; niece, Diane Radewald, and nephew, Donald Radewald.

The funeral service for Edwin Radewald will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2009, in Satin John's Untied Church of Christ with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Committal service will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ed Radewald may be made to Saint John's United Church of Christ, or the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Eleanor Clymer
March 26, 1939-February 8, 2009

Eleanor Clymer "Ellie," 69, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2009, in West Woods Nursing Home following an extended illness.

She was born on March 26, 1939, in Canada, to the late James and Edna Meldrum. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, former Niles Mayor and Berrien County Commissioner Larry Clymer in 2008.

Eleanor is survived by two sons, Larry "Jim" (Patty) Clymer of Niles and Jeffrey D. (Laura) Clymer of Valparaiso, Indiana; four grandchildren; and by her mother-in-law, Edith Clymer of Niles.

In keeping with Eleanor's wishes, cremation has taken place and public services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery later this summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.