Darla Mae Basore, of Niles
June 11, 1935 — July 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:03 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Darla Mae Basore, 84, of Niles, died unexpectedly at 8:08 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on June 11, 1935, in New Springfield, Ohio, to the Rev. Lester and Erba V. (Alexander) Schrock.

Darla Mae Basore

She was graduated from Shelbyville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in organ performance and religious education. She came to Niles in 1972 with her husband, and they opened the Good News Shop Christian bookstore, which they owned and operated in several locations in Niles for more than 40 years.

Darla was a member of the Michiana Christian Embassy, 

where she also served as the church organist, and taught the senior adult Sunday School class. She also taught private lessons in piano and organ to many students in Niles. She enjoyed reading and had read every novel that the Good New Shop offered for sale. Keeping her mind sharp, she rarely missed the television shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy,” including Monday night.

She also enjoyed crafts, made American Girl clothing and sold many outfits at local craft shows. She also made quilts for each family member and enjoyed sharing personally made gifts for birthdays and holidays. Her Christian faith was her greatest joy, but in this world, her family came first.

On June 29, 1957, she was married by her father, Rev. Schrock 

at his church in Monroe, Michigan to Raymond Howard Basore, with whom she celebrated last Saturday the remarkable 62nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Ray Basore, and their children, Randy (Pam) Basore, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kevin (Laura) Basore, of Niles, and Tim (Gail) Basore, of Sparks, Nevada; grandchildren, Joe (Kendall) Basore, Shannon (Tyler) Howard, Tiffany (Ethan) VanderWeele, Justin Basore, Jordan (Alyssa) Basore, Olivia Basore, Colby Basore, Josh (Chloe) Leach, Jonah Leach, Adrienne Leach, Amelia (Dimeko) Price; great-grandchildren Kali, Alexis, Lydia, Harvey, Aubrey, Celeste, Brody, Mia, Makayla, and Eden; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Robert and Carl Schrock; and her sister, Pearl Robinson.

The funeral service for Darla Basore will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019, at the Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St. in Niles, with the Rev. Jeffrey Whittaker of the church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Roxanne “Nancy” Anton, of Niles
June 7, 1930 — June 27, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:39 am Monday, July 1, 2019

June 7, 1930 — June 27, 2019

Roxanne “Nancy” Anton, 89, of Niles, passed away peacefully at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on June 7, 1930, in Somerset Center, Michigan, to William Thomas and Ethel Lucille (Fitch) Ossmer.

She was graduated from Niles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She was employed as a customer service manager in the offices of the Xerox Corporation.

Nancy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles while a young mother, but later joined her sisters at the First Baptist Church in Niles. She was a creative cook of the wild game that her husband would bring home, and combined those skills with her interest in creative writing to publish an article in Field & Stream magazine titled “From the Field to the Table.” More recently, she has published a collection of stories from her life in a book titled “Windows in Time.” Her greatest interest was her family, with a long history of caring for relatives during times of need and crisis, and a great love for her husband, for their children, and — perhaps most importantly — for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Sept. 30, 1950, at The Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend, Indiana, she married Robert Gerald Anton. Bob “the barber” maintained a barber shop at 118 N. Third Street in Niles for many years. They celebrated last year the remarkable 68th anniversary of their wedding.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Barbara Taylor, Sarah A. “Sally” Remus, David Ossmer, Daniel Dudley Ossmer, William Thomas Ossmer, and Margaret “Maggie” Gillette.

Surviving family includes her husband, Bob and their children, Julia (Reynold) Anton Wiggins of Half Moon Bay, California, and Gerald R. (Pam) Anton, of Niles; grandchildren Amy (David) Lueders, Robert (fiancee, Mollie O’Blenis) Anton, and Patricia Anton; great-grandchildren, Grayson and Madelyn; and Nancy’s brother-in-law, James Gillette, of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Nancy Anton will be at noon on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at the First Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main St. in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to the First Baptist Church, fbconnection.org/~fbcniles; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL, 60601, alz.org. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Carol June Fitz, of Niles
Dec. 19, 1941 — June 25, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:09 am Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Dec. 19, 1941 — June 25, 2019

Carol June Fitz, 77, of Niles, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Carol was born on Dec. 19, 1941, in Eudora, Arkansas, to the late Vernon and Ruby (Ward) Reed.

Carol June Fitz,

On Aug. 30, 1956, she married Robert Fitz who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her daughter Kimela Sue Fitz and her brother, Linden Reed.

Carol is survived by her son, Denton P. (Christine) Fitz, of Buchanan; her daughter, Kimela Tam Fitz, of South Bend; her sister, Judith (Don) Keller and a brother, Mark (Joyce) Clements. She is also survived by several grandchildren and her best friend, Peggy Mcgrath, who brought a light and laughter back into her life after the loss of her husband.

Together, Carol and Bob owned “Bob’s” which serviced portable toilets, refuse removal, septic tanks and towing. Carol held great pride in her skills as a registered nurse and worked several years, early in her career, in critical care.

Carol was an avid supporter of women’s rights and organ donation. Carol was an organ and tissue donor. She was able to help save the lives of many through her generous donation.

She loved to travel and enjoyed crafts and collectibles. Carol loved singing Dolly Parton songs when she thought no one else was around. She also enjoyed history and studying local history and family genealogy. She had a love of animals which led to a variety of pets over the years including cats, dogs, birds, turtles and even a pig.

Carol often did what she could to help those less fortunate. She opened her home to those in need, would purchase items for her patients, host holiday dinners for those separated from their families and making care packages.

Carol was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, in Niles, for many years.

A graveside service for Carol will be at 11 am. on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles.

Online condolences may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Thomas C. Ludwig
December 16, 1965-July 21, 1994

Thomas C. Ludwig, 28, of 1107 North St., Niles, died at 10:01 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 1994,  in St. Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend, after an illness. Mr. Ludwig had been employed as a parts specialist with Ridge Co. for 10 years. He was born Dec. 16, 1965, in Niles, and was a lifelong area resident. Surviving are his mother, Helen Ludwig of Niles; three sisters, Tina Schult, Teresa Grishaber and Angela Rose, all of Niles; and two brothers, Walter A. and Randy, both of Niles.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Laura G. Adams, formerly of Niles
Feb. 12, 1935 — May 11, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:44 am Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Feb. 12, 1935 — May 11, 2019

Laura G. Adams, 84, formerly of Niles, passed away at her daughter Robin’s home in South Bend, on Saturday, May 11, 2019.

She was born on Feb. 12, 1935, to the late Myron D. And Muriel (Hosler) McDonald and raised in Niles, where she was a resident for most of her life.

Laura G. Adams

She spent many years in food services being employed by Thomas’ Drive-Inn, Heidelberg Inn, and retired from St. Mary’s Dietary Services in South Bend.

Laura enjoyed researching genealogy for many years and was an avid bowler and bingo player. Her greatest passion in life was her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William MacDonald.

Laura is survived by her children, John Robinson, of Oceanside, California, Carrie (Rob) Underwood, of Sunrise, Florida, Robin Bussey, of South Bend, Eva (Miguel) Rodriguez, of Mercedes, Texas and Barbara (Frank) Moore, of Niles; 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Walter (Affia) MacDonald, of Chesapeake, Virginia, and a sister-in-law, Alice MacDonald, of Auburn, Indiana. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services to honor Laura’s life will be at noon with a time of visitation one hour prior on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home. Following cremation, Laura will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with her late husband, Robert.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Laura may do so to her family.

Photos, condolences, and memories of Laura may be left for her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Ernest "Ernie" Herman Backus
May 27, 1940 - May 12, 2019 

Ernest “Ernie” Herman Backus, 78, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at Brentwood of Niles.

Ernie was born on May 27, 1940 to the late Carl and Matie Backus in Buchanan, MI. On May 29, 1976, he married Clarimond “Jean” LaJean Grubbs. He worked for Clark Equipment and AT&T. Ernie was a U.S. Navy veteran.  He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and playing cards, mostly he loved being with his family.   

He is survived by his children, Dan Hushower, Randy (Pam) Hushower, Roxanne (Don) Wolfram, Tammy (John) Block, and Deborah (Randy) Strefling; 11 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Clarimond “Jean” Backus; grandson, Dameon Hushower; and 11 siblings.

Visitation for Ernie will be held from 5 -7 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at Hoven Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11 am on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Hoven Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/ernest-ernie-backus