Cheryl E. Singleton
October 4, 1952-October 1, 2020

Mrs. Cheryl Evelyn Singleton, 67, was born on October 4, 1952, to the late Rev. M.C. and Dennell (Morgan) Williams in Niles, Michigan. She was the fifth of seven children. Cheryl was a very intelligent woman, graduating from Edwardsburg High School in Edwardsburg, Michigan, and went on to attend the Indiana University of South Bend.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age. Before making Iowa her home, while living in South Bend, Cheryl blessed several churches with her musical talents, playing the piano at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, under the Pastorship of the late Rev. Dave S. Davis.

Upon her arrival to S. Sioux City, NE, Cheryl united with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Sioux City, IA, and as a faithful and active member, she served in many capacities including the Mothers Board, and President of the Singles Ministry, where she taught the congregation life skills including financial literacy.

Cheryl married her sweetheart, Henry E. Singleton on January 11, 1991 in Sioux City. Together they owned and operated two laundromats, Dakota City and Leeds for 10 years. Cheryl did this all while maintaining a career at Premier Bank before retiring in 2018.

One cannot forget the lives of those she touched through her generosity and home-cooked meals. She was a firm believer in “paying it forward,” and helping people she felt needed a hand. One of her favorite statements was, “You never know what people are going through.” She was a giver and showed her love through actions, never turning away a friend or loved one in need. A gentle and caring soul is an understatement for Cheryl. She lived her life with a love for God.

Cheryl enjoyed shopping, cooking, and was the ultimate hostess arranging many gatherings with friends and family throughout the years. One of her unknown hobbies was searching YouTube for the infamous Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper). Cheryl and Henry were avid travelers and visited over 30 states and over 100 cities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, M.C. and Dennell (Morgan) Williams; sisters, Martha Miller and Ruth Williams; and brother, Mack Williams, Jr.

Cheryl is survived by her devoted husband, Henry E. Singleton, of South Sioux City, NE; her loving son, George A. Miles, Jr. of Decorah, IA; grandson, Nicholas Phillips of Wheatfield, IN; great-grandson, Lucas Phillips of Wheatfield, IN; sisters, Janice Hall of South Bend, IN and Dorothy Moore of Sioux City, IA; and brother, Vernon Williams of Peoria, IL. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, Godchildren, friends, and family all of whom were near and dear to her heart.

https://www.alfordsmortuaryinc.com/obituary/Cheryl-Singleton

Joanne Louise Wilken
June 24, 1939-June 24, 2018

Joanne Louise (Erlandson) Wilken, 79, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Monday, June 24, 2018.

Joanne was born on June 24, 1939, to the late Allan and Irene (Docking) Erlandson in Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada.  On February 1, 1958 Joanne married Clifford Glen Wilken at a ceremony in Vancover, British Columbia.  Together they had four children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Irene Erlandson and her husband, Clifford Wilken.

Joanne is survived by her children, Glen (Cathy) Wilken of South Bend, Brian “Kip” (Peggy) Wilken of Niles, Jerry Wilken of Niles, and Julie Wilken of Niles; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends.

Arrangements and a full obituary are currently pending. 

https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/2226/Joanne-Wilken/obituary.html

Otis Warren Ballard
Dec. 21, 1833-Feb. 18, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 19, 1930, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

OTIS W. BALLARD, 97, DIES ON FARM WHERE HE HAD LIVED 78 YEARS
With Brother, Wilton M. Ballard, He Established Pioneer Orchard

Otis Warren Ballard, 97, one of the oldest residents of Berrien county, died last evening at his home on Ballard Hill, Chicago road, after several months of illness.

Mr. Ballard was born in Lebanon, N.Y., on Dec. 21, 1833. In 1852 with his family he came to Michigan and they bought and settled on the farm southwest of Niles in the Chicago road which has been the family home since. At the time of his death he had lived on the farm for 78 years, an unusual record for continual residence in one place.

With his brother Milton M. Ballard, the father of Harry and Ralph Ballard, he planted on e of the first commercial orchards in the Michigan Fruit belt. They were engaged in planting the orchard at the time the news of Lincoln's assissination[sic] was received here. Mr. Ballard's first vote was cast for John C. Fremont. Throughout his life he was an ardent and consistent worker in the prohibition movement, having witnessed every step from the days when nearly every store in Niles carried liquor to the passage of the 18th amendment.

Mr. Ballard had never married. He is survived by his nephews, Harry and Ralph Ballard and Herbert Freed, of Niles, Fred Ballard of Berwyn, Ill., and by two neices[sic], Mrs. Henry L. French, of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. William Brown of Aromas, Calif.

The funeral services will be held in the Ballard home on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will conduct the services.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, February 22, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL OTIS BALLARD

Funeral services for Otis Ballard were held on Friday afternoon in the farm home on the Niles-Chicago road where he had lived for 78 years. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church conducted the services. Old neighbors acted as pallbearers. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.. Mr. Ballard died on Tuesday evening at the age of 97 years.

Walter T. Dougan
May 27, 1877-Dec. 23, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 24, 1929, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

WALTER T. DOUGAN DIES AT WEST NILES HOME
Son of Pioneer Building Contractor Stricken at Age of 52 Years

Walter Thomas Dougan, 52, son of Mrs. Thomas F. Dougan, 86, 712 Brown avenue, West Niles, died last evening at 9:20 after about six weeks of illness from heart disease. He spent a week in Pawating hospital in the late fall for care and was able then to return to his home. Three weeks ago he reentered the hospital for care and within the last few days he had steadily grown weaker and the immediate family was in a measure prepared for his death. His aged and widowed mother is confined to her bed by illness aggravated by shock from her son's death.

Mr. Dougan was born in Niles on May 27, 1877, and grew to young manhood here, following the trade of his father, Thomas F. Dougan, a pioneer carpenter and builder of Niles. He went from Niles to Chicago and was married there to Anna Blakely who died 15 years ago. Of the four children born to them three survive their father. They are Walter Dougan, Jr. and Mrs. Earl Mathews, married and in homes of their own in Niles, and Roy Dougan who resided with the father and grandmother. Besides the children and his mother, Mr. Dougan is survived by a brother, Arthur L. Dougan of Needles, Calif. The funeral plans are not completed but the services will be held probably on Saturday afternoon in the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms where the body now is, Arthur Dougan having wired that he will leave for Niles tonight.

About two years ago Mr. Dougan returned to Niles from Gary, Ind., where for eight years he had been building commissioner for that city. Since returning to Niles he had continued to engage to in[sic] the building and contracting business and during the past summer had completed a pretty new house for himself on Brown avenue next to that of his mother.

Mrs. Pearl Dougan, widow of Fred Dougan, and a sister-in-law of the deceased and her daughter, Miss Blanche Dougan arrived in Niles last evening from Gary and are at the home of Mrs. Thomas F. Dougan.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, December 27, 1929, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL WALTER DOUGAN

Funeral services for Walter Dougan will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 in Trinity Episcopal church. The Rev. W. Keith Chidister will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Dougan died on Monday evening of heart disease. The funeral services have been delayed pending the arrival in the city of Arthur Dougan, a brother of the deceased, from Needles, Calif. He arrived in Niles today. The mother of the Messrs Dougan, Mrs. Thomas Dougan, aged 86, is ill and will be unable to attend the funeral services but she was brought down town today on a cot from her home 712 Brown avenue and viewed the body of her son in the undertaking rooms.

Bertha Beall
February 3, 1862-March 12, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, March 12, 1930, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Bertha Beall, 68, Dies After Illness Lasting for 2 Years

Miss Bertha Beall, 68, died this morning about 9:30 in Pawating hospital where she was taken last Monday after he condition from Bright's diseases had become critical. She had been in ill health for about two years. Miss Beall was a daughter of James M. and Eliza Beall, pioneer residents of this section. She was born in New Paris, Ohio, on February 3, 1862.

When she was a little girl her parents moved to Michigan and located on a farm in Howard township. This farm continued to be Miss Beall's home until about 12 years ago when part of the farm was sold to the Michigan Central for terminal yard purposes and she moved to Niles. About two years ago, on account of ill health, she moved from part of the home of Miss Clara Smith on Hickory street to that of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Beall, widow of Frank Beall, 968 Hickory street, where she has since resided.

Miss Beall was one of a family of six children of whom her brother, R.F. Beall, of Deer River, Minn., is now the only surviving member. He is in ill health and probably will not be in Niles for the funeral services. Numerous nieces and nephews survive Miss Beall. The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel. Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, March 12=5, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MISS BEALL

Funeral services for Miss Bertha Beall were conducted on Friday afternoon by the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Carolyn Vetter sang. Nephews of the deceased acted as pallbearers. Burial was made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Belle Brookfield
1849-Dec. 26, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, December 27, 1929, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH MRS. BROOKFIELD

Mrs. Belle Brookfield, widow of Charles Brookfield, died last evening at her home, 1234 N. Front street, about 7 o'clock of a heart attack. Mrs. Brookfield was a pioneer resident of Niles, having been a daughter of Lafayette and Caroline Wilson. She is survived by one son, Fred B. Brookfield of Los Angeles, Calif. He will be unable to attend the funeral services. The services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.