Phyllis Jiles, of Niles
Oct 4, 1931-June 9, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:15 am Saturday, June 13, 2020

Oct. 4, 1931 — June 7, 2020

Phyllis Jiles, 88, of Niles, passed away at West Woods of Niles on Sunday June 7, 2020.

Phyllis was born on Oct. 4, 1931, to the late Lonas and Hazel (Sampsell) Bingaman, in Elkhart. Phyllis was a homemaker, factory worker, and home health care aide. She enjoyed going to garage sales and being with her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack Jiles Jr.; children, Brenda Ann Keyser, James Monroe Jiles, Michael Ray Mattson, Christine Mattson and David Mattson; six sisters; and three brothers.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Bill Presswood, of Elkhart, Bob Presswood, of Elkhart, Gary (Ann) Presswood, of Elkhart, John (Pauline) Mattson, of La Marque, Texas, Glenda (Wendell) Hershberger, of Elkhart, Elaine (Denny) O’Dell, of Elkhart and Marvin (Angie) Mattson, of Niles; daughter-in-law, Lorie Mattson, of Cassopolis; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends. The family would also like to thank Harbor House in Benton Harbor.

In keeping with Phyllis’ wishes, she has been cremated and her family will be hosting a celebration of her life later this year.

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

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

Robert Jorgensen
Jan. 8, 1946 - June 25, 2020

Published in South Bend Tribune on Jun. 28, 2020.

NILES, MI - Robert “Bob” William Jorgensen, 74, of Niles, passed away in his home on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

>Bob was born in Allegan, Michigan on January 8, 1946, to the late Ival and Rose (Emerick) Jorgensen.

Bob moved to Niles shortly after his birth and has been a lifetime resident of Niles. He graduated from Niles High School, class of 1964. He attended Andrews University and graduated from The University of Michigan with a bachelor's of science degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bob enjoyed his engineering career. He worked at Kawneer in Niles for 10 years and when Kawneer closed he worked at Raco in South Bend, Indiana for the rest of his career. He holds over 60 patents.

Bob earned his private pilot's license at an early age and for several years owned his own airplane at the Niles Jerry Tyler Airport.

On March 17, 1978 Bob married Deborah Ann Geiger at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan.

Bob loved his family. To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Deborah Jorgensen of Niles; his children, Linda Watkins of Niles, Eric Jorgensen of Niles, Laura (Charles) Mercadal of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Lisa Jorgensen (Mo Othman) of Dearborn, Michigan; nine grandchildren: Dillan, Musa, Violet, Eleanor, Andrew, Katherine, Bellqis, Ebrahim, and Maryam; sisters, Louise Walterhouse of Phoenix, Arizona, Susan (Jack) Livings of Kirksville, Missouri, and Mary Lynn Jorgensen of Phoenix, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Ival Jorgensen.

Due to the current guidelines limiting public gatherings because of the COVID-19 virus, Bob's family will have a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Buchanan Meadows, 809 Carrol St., Buchanan, Michigan 49107. Contributions should be made payable to Bridgepoint Cares.

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

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

Wilma Leach Cole Pyburn, of Niles
Aug. 25, 1927-Dec. 24, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:47 am Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Aug. 25, 1927 — Dec. 24, 2019

Wilma Leach Cole Pyburn, 92, of Niles, passed away on Dec. 24, 2019. She was a native of Niles and one of 11 children.

She is survived by five children, William Cole Sr., Allen and Carol Cole, Hazel Bowling, Phyllis and Fred Edwards and Robert Darla Cole; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Wilma retired from F.W. Woolworth in Niles. She was a 1945 graduate of Niles High School and a member of the New Harvest Church of God, Niles. Pastor Criswell of New Harvest Church will be officiating. Cremation has already taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at the New Harvest Church of God, 2400 Yankee St., Niles. A memorial dinner will be held at the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church, 1139 Huntly Road, Niles, immediately following the service.

Betty Rosenhagen, of Niles
Nov. 25, 1925-June 1, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:56 am Saturday, June 6, 2020

Nov. 6, 1925 — June 1, 2020

Betty J. Rosenhagen, 94, of Niles, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in St. Joseph.

She was born on Nov. 6, 1925, in Mishawaka, to the late Frank and Hazel (Keller) Hoskins.

Betty married Frank H. Davis Jr. at a ceremony in Niles.

Betty and Frank were delighted to have two daughters and although the marriage ended after 28 years, the two remained friends.

She again found love and on April 15, 1972. Betty wed Howard Rosenhagen at a ceremony in Niles and enjoyed 37 years of marriage.

Her family will always cherish the times they spent with Betty. She had a way of making each and every one of them feel special and important. Betty took great pleasure in baking and she was also an avid reader and prayer. She was a devoted mother and a doting grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard; her daughters, Linda Brock and Susan Lundy; son-in-law, Ronald Brock; and siblings, Pearl Fedeli, Elizabeth Faye Turner, Edna Youree, Harold Hoskins and Donald Hoskins.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Cindy Davis, of St. Joseph; her sons, Alan (Riitta) Rosenhagen, of Buchanan and Scott (Laura) Rosenhagen, of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Tim (Jamie) Brock, of St. Joseph, Andrew Wheeler, of Fort Eustis, Virginia, Sarah Lundy, of Niles, Marjorie (Ryan) Beigle, of Petoskey, Matthew (Kelly) Rosenhagen and Aaron Rosenhagen, of Granger, Jason Rosenhagen and Julie Rosenhagen, of Niles; 17 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy Hoskins; and endless beloved nephews, nieces and friends. Anyone she encountered was left with a beautiful memory. She loved and was loved by all.

Betty’s family will be remembering her privately and will lay her to rest next to her first husband, Frank Davis at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to honor Betty through memorial donations have been asked to consider the First United Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Photos, condolences, and memories for Betty’s family can be left at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Carol K. Workman, of Niles
June 19, 1937-March 28, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Wednesday, April 1, 2020

June 19, 1937 — March 28, 2020

Carol K. Worman, 82, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at her home, with her family by her side.

Carol was born on June 19, 1937, to the late Frederick A. and Alice M. (Lannoo) Percy in Cheboygan, Michigan.

On Dec. 21, 1996, she wed Anthony M. Workman. After 23 years together, they still enjoyed a fancy night out. Carol was very active; she stayed in shape and loved dressing to the nines and looking like a million bucks. She loved spending time with her girlfriends, getting manicures, pedicures or even shopping. She was passionate about her grandchildren, and had a soft spot for cats. In her later years, she began gardening. She loved spending time with her family; she had a very special relationship with her brother Calvin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Calvin Percy.

Carol is survived by her husband, Anthony M. Workman, of Niles; daughter, Sherri; step-son, Rodney; grandchildren, Heather, August and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Legna, Savannah, Kyle and Jacob; nieces and nephews, Jean, Debbie, David, Fred, Kim and Toby.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. She will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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

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

Bernath "Cork" Alvin Dean Thurston
June 6, 1964 ~ April 17, 2020 (age 55)

Obituary

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/BernathCork-Thurston

Bernath “Cork” Alvin Dean Thurston, 55, of South Bend passed away Friday, April 17, 2020.  He was born June 6, 1964 in Niles, MI to the late Louis and Bonnie (Bush) Thurston.  On July 12, 2011 in South Bend, he married Chrystal (Kizer) Thurston, who survives.

Also surviving are his sister, Sunday (Peter) Simpson; brothers, Jeffrey Thurston and Timothy (Connie) Thurston; stepdaughter, Tori Taylor; stepson, Michael Kizer; step-grandchildren, Konnor and Ayden; sister-in-law, Michelle Thurston; two nieces; five nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his fur babies, Miri and Eliot.

Cork worked as a janitor at Molded Acoustical Products in Granger.  He was a hard worker and a devoted husband.  Cork was a big kid at heart and enjoyed taking the scenic route.  He never met a stranger or an animal he didn't love.  His fur babies will miss him the most. He was always there offering a hand.  Cork was a very generous person who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service for Cork will be held at a later date.  Palmer Funeral Homes-Guisinger Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Cork may be made to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.