Obituaries

Irene E. Kleckner
July 21, 1918-January 6, 2008

Irene E. Kleckner, 89, formerly of Hickory Street, died at 2:03 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 in Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.  She was born July 21, 1918. Survivors include her son, Myron "Skip" Doehrer Jr. of Niles; three granddaughters, Rita Lee, Tammy Trist and Lisa Horvath; seven great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Wilma Reitz of Stevensville, MI. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

John A. Carbiener
January 7, 1919-January 4, 2008

ELKHART - John A. Carbiener, 88, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday Jan. 4, 2008 in Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Jan. 7, 1919. Survivors include his wife, Gladys; a grandchild and two great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in Waterman Westbrook Clouse Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Condolences may be sent to watermanfh@aol.com.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Wanetta Marie Brodersen
February 2, 1917-December 5, 2007

NILES - Wanetta Marie Brodersen, 90, of LaSalle Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles.

Mrs. Brodersen was born on February 2, 1917, in Kimmell, Indiana, to Frank and Edna (Huff) Knauf. She had lived in Niles since 1954, coming from Berrien Springs, Michigan.

She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle in Niles. Wanetta and her husband, Henry, were active in a nursing home ministry, serving area nursing homes, and a prison outreach ministry, writing to over 70 prisoners monthly.

Wanetta loved flowers, indoor plants and birds. She was known for her baking skills, especially cookies.

On June 29, 1947, in Niles, she married Henry Brodersen, who preceded her in death on April 9, 2002.

Mrs. Brodersen is survived by their four daughters, Kathy (Rev. Wayne) Graham of Niles, Susan (Gary) Shelton of Jones, Michigan, Sharon (Larry) Lovell of Vernon, Texas, and Karen Tolliver of Dowagiac, Michigan; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Wanetta Marie Brodersen will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor William J. Pollock of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Wanetta may be made to the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle or to Riley Children's Hospital.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Orlo D. McNitt
Dec. 19, 1912-Nov. 20, 2007

THREE RIVERS - Orlo "Mac" Dell McNitt, 94, of Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

Mac was born on December 19, 1912, to the late William and Wavia (Palmer) McNitt, in Keeler, Michigan. He was one of three boys.

On December 19, 1934, Mac wed the love of his life, Lois McBain, at a ceremony in South Bend. She passed away in 2002.

Mac worked for National Standard until his retirement after 38 dedicated years of service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, grandson Randy DeJonge, and brother James R. McNitt.

Mac is survived by his two daughters, Lois (Bruce) DeJonge of Niles and Shirley (Chuck) Cottrill of Three Rivers; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and a brother, Gail (Joanne) McNitt of Coldwater, MI.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2007, in Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles from noon to 1 p.m., with Mac's funeral service immediately following at 1 p.m. Mac will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Pastor Emmett Caldwell will be officiating.

Memorial donations may be made in Mac's memory to Hospice at Home, Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Condolences may left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles.

Homer J. Baird
Nov. 17, 1925 -- March 8, 2005

Homer J. "Jerry" Baird, 79, of Lake Shore Drive, Niles, Michigan, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles, Michigan, following an extended illness.

Mr. Baird was born November 17, 1925, in Cadillac, Michigan, to Homer V. and Julietta (Maples) Baird. He had lived in Niles since 1934, coming from Cadillac, Michigan.

Mr. Baird was the former owner/operator of Baird Motors in South Bend, Indiana.  He also owned and operated Baird Realty of South Bend as a real estate broker. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Homer liked to play golf and spend time on the water, especially pontoon boating. Homer was loved by everyone who knew him, especially his family.

On August 14, 1948, in South Bend, Indiana, he married Dolores M. Fritz, who survives. Also surviving are two children, a daughter, Janet S. Craig, and a son, Thomas W. Baird, both of Niles; a grandson, Jeff (Michelle) Craig, and a great-granddaughter, Jillian Craig; a brother, Rev. John Baird of St. Joseph, Michigan; four sisters, Gloria Jackson, Leola Sheldon and Shirley Rudlaff, all of Niles, and Mary Jo Deitrich of St. Joseph, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman L. Baird, who died May 14, 1973; and two sisters, Madeline Keltz, who died April 8, 2001, and Violet Cronin, who died December 11, 1988.

Funeral services for Homer J. Baird will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2005, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Robert E. Jackson of First Church of God officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour to the funeral services in the funeral home.

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

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Calista Amelia Baker
Dec. 31, 1851-Aug. 10, 1937

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 11, 1937, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Berrien Resident 62 years is dead

Mrs. Calista A. Baker, 86, stricken after brief illness.

Mrs. Calista Amelia Baker, 86, prominent Niles resident, died at 10:20 o’clock Tuesday night at her home, 815 Main Street. She had been ill since Sunday when she suffered a stroke of paralysis.

Mrs. Baker had lived in Niles since February 1905, having moved her with her husband, M.D. Baker, from Galien. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles.

Last of 8 sisters

The daughter of the late Daniel and Martha Smith, Mrs. Baker is the last of a family of eight children. She was born in Akron, O. December 31, 1851.

She was married to Mr. Baker in North Manchester, Ind., June 15, 1875. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Galien to live. Mr. Baker died in Niles in 1925.

Mrs. Baker leaves four daughters, Phena Baker, an instructor in State Teachers college, Milwaukee, Wis, Mrs. Lillian Walton and Mrs. Georgia Campbell, both of Niles and Mrs. Lynn Nack, Three Rivers, a son, Paul, Niles, also nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon at the Baker home followed by burial in Silverbrook Cemetery.

The body will be at the Price and Kiger Funeral Home where friends may call until Friday morning.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 12, 1937, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Friday for Member of Pioneer Family

Final rites for Mrs. Calista Amelia Baker, 85, will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Baker home, 315 Main street, with the Rev. Wanser Brunella, of the First Presbyterian church, Buchanan, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Relatives who will serve as pallbearers are: Robert and Lynn Mack, Theodore Wienke, Burdette Palmer, and Ray and Orville Smith.

Mrs. Baker, a prominent Niles resident, died at her home Tueesday night following a brief illness.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until Friday morning when the body will be removed to the Baker home.