Kenneth ‘Gramps’ Duncan, of Niles
Nov 24, 1939-May 6, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:42 am Saturday, May 9, 2020

Nov. 24, 1939 — May 6, 2020

Kenneth W. “Gramps” Duncan, 80, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in the loving arms of his wife.

He was born on Nov. 24, 1939, in Manchester, Tennessee, to the late John L. and Ruby Mae (Hudson) Duncan.

On Jan. 23, 1960, Kenny married the love of his, Mary Virginia Farley, at a ceremony in Niles.

Gramps worked for Coachman Company in Elkhart for many years, retiring as a supervisor. Gramps and Mary (Granny) have owned and operated Duncan’s Kozy Kitchen for more than 28 years. He always looked forward to spending time with customers and had a big heart for children. Gramps enjoyed trips to the casino, gardening and in years past spent time fishing and hunting. Gramps loved his family more than anything and was always glad when the family was together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his four great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Liam, Lyle III and Carrie; his siblings, Shirley Erwin, Sherman Duncan, Lynn Duncan, Lloyd Duncan, Naomi Harpole and Hubert Duncan.

Kenny leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, Mary Duncan; his children, Teresa Duncan, Sheila (Jerry) Varner and Rodney Duncan, all of Niles. He also will be missed by his four grandchildren; Justin and Jason (Jackie) Duncan, Jennifer (Lyle II) Unger, Autumn (David) Hughes; and six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Greyson, Lyle IV, Bella, Krystal and Shayde; his siblings, Thelma (Mark) Rogers, of Manchester, Tennessee, Barbara (Bill) Neely, of Hillsborough, Tennessee, Sandra (Kerry) Meyers, of Manchester, Boyd (Theresa) Duncan, of Manchester, Tennessee, Chuck (Kathy) Duncan, of Manchester, Tennessee; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Due to the current, unprecedented guidelines limiting public gatherings because of the COVID-19 virus, there will be a private family funeral at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home.

Kenny’s family will have a brief visitation prior to the private gathering from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at Brown Funeral Home.

Due to the current restrictions, those wishing to attend the visitation will be asked to abide by the no more than 10 people visiting at a time, abiding by state restrictions, with social distancing radius.

Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering, and limit your time during visitation to allow for others to attend and express their condolences to the family as well.

Memorial contributions may be made to Granny’s Angels, a local non profit, founded by “Gramps and Granny” assisting families with a loss of a child.

Gifts may be mailed in care of Brown Funeral Home 521 E. Main Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Kenny’s funeral will be available for a live webcast by viewing Kenny’s page on our website.

Condolence, photos, and memories can be left for Kenny’s family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Herman Frederick Hafer Jr
December 03, 1925 - May 08, 2020

Published at https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/herman-hafer-jr

Herman Frederick Hafer Jr., 94, formerly of Niles, MI, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, MI.

He was born December 3, 1925 in Benton Harbor, MI to the late Annetta and Herman Hafer Sr. Herman was an Army veteran. He served time in United Kingdom, Germany, and France during World War II. On May 15, 1948, he married Lydia Hauch in Glendora, MI. Over the years, Herman has worked at Ross Carrier, Clark Equipment, River Valley School System, Anheuser-Busch, and Glendora Church

Herman is survived by his daughters, Rebecca LaVanway, Kathleen (Richard) McGrath; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Annetta and Herman Sr; wife, Lydia; brothers, Carl, Clarence, Harold; and 3 sisters, Clara, Bea, and Eleanor.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

John David Stanley
August 3, 1956 — March 2, 2020

Obituary for John David Stanley, published on website Demoss-Durdan Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon

https://www.demossdurdan.com/obituaries/John-Stanley-14/#!/Obituary

Patresa Shelton, of Niles
May 28, 1955-March 2, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:51 am Friday, March 6, 2020

May 28, 1955 — March 2, 2020

Patresa “Patt” Jo Shelton, 64, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Monday, March 2, 2020 with her family by her side, following a courageous battle with cancer .

Patt was born on May 28, 1955, to James and Betty (Kasper) Shelton in Niles. She graduated from Brandywine High School, class of 1973. Patt has been self-employed for many years, and when time allowed, she loved gardening at home, listening to all kinds of music, singing karaoke, debating anything with anyone and collecting antiques. Patt will be remembered for being a strong-willed woman who loved with all of her heart.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Jo Shelton; daughter, Lindsey Cloutier; grandparents, Ethan and Rose Shelton; and nephew, Kamden Bestle.

Patt is survived by her daughter, Alison (Betsy) Moss; grandchildren, Xavier Moss and Jaymeson Moss; siblings, Mike (Kathleen) Shelton, Kim Shelton, Kevin (Kim) Shelton and Jon (Lisa) Shelton; nieces and nephews, Kelly (Corey) Marrow, Sarah (Jim) Zawacki, Brandon (Jeni) Hood, Josh (Willow) Hood, Nick (Allison) Shelton, MacKenzie Shelton, Michael Shelton, Katie Riley, Jesse Johnson, James Shelton, Charlie Shelton and Sam Shelton; her son-in-law, Dan Cloutier; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home.

Lester Young, of Niles
May 6, 1945-March 18, 2020

Lester Young, of Niles

Dick Conrad, formerly of Niles
April 7, 1935 — Nov. 13, 2019

Niles Daiy Star, Published 8:58 am Friday, November 15, 2019

April 7, 1935 — Nov. 13, 2019

Richard Dale Conrad, 84, formerly of Niles, father, grandfather, brother, banker and baseball player died peacefully but unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at this home in South Bend.

He was born on April 7, 1935, on the Conrad farm in rural Buchanan to Ward Emmanuel and Esther (Thompson) Conrad.

He graduated from Niles High School and attended Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) playing baseball at both schools.

He entered the U.S. Army during a period of peacetime, but traded the uniform of a soldier for that of the Army’s baseball team and won the most valuable player award at the 1959 Armed Forces World Series hosted in Germany. Returning to civilian life, he played on the minor league teams of the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox.

Dick was first employed in the offices of the First National Bank of Southwest Michigan, then at the Clark Credit Corporation and finally at the Niles branch of the LaSalle Bank.

In retirement, he worked in the transportation center of the University of Notre Dame, often driving sedans for very important passengers.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Niles. He was an MHSAA Certified Official, working area baseball, basketball, and football games, and played and umpired fast pitch softball.

At home, he had a passion for cooking, maintaining a remarkable collection of herbs and spices and leaving a fresh crockpot of his famous chili on the counter.

He had been married to the former Lila Jean Uselton, who has preceded him in death; as have his parents, Ward and Esther Conrad; and a sister, Beverly Gessinger.

Surviving family includes his children, Brett (Caitlin) Conrad, of Richmond, Texas, and Bethany (Jeff) Hubbard, of North Stonington, Connecticut; grandchildren, Brett Peter Conrad, Kyle Richard Conrad, Kayla Nicole Conrad and Brooke Elizabeth Conrad; Dick’s sister, Connie (David) Knapp, of Niles; three nephews, David Knapp, Joe Knapp and Chris Gessinger; and a niece, Cheri Legus; and more generations of nieces and nephews and many cousins.

The family of Dick Conrad will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., in Niles.

A celebration of his life is in the works for a season when the weather is more conducive to golfing.

Committal will be private, at a later date, at Silverbrook Cemtery, in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Dick may be made to the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 Days Ave., Buchanan, Michigan 49107; mgcf.org to establish a Dick Conrad Memorial Baseball Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

While Dick was clearly a competitive and successful athlete, he had an equally winning warmth and personality that made him welcome walking into businesses and offices, driving for Notre Dame’s best and — most importantly — visiting the homes of friends and family.