Henry Norman Krueger, of Niles
Sept. 29, 1935 — Oct. 14, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:58am Thursday, October 16, 2014

Henry Norman Krueger, 79, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness. He was born Sept. 29, 1935 in Niles to William and Bertha (Yena) Krueger.

Henry Norman Krueger

Henry was a graduate of Niles High School and a veteran of the United States National Guard Army Reserve. He worked for Clark Equipment in Buchanan, Georgie Boy Manufacturing in Elkhart, and the former United Tech Company in Niles.

On Oct. 18, 1958 in Niles, Henry married the former Sally Ann Lathrope, she preceded him in death on Sept. 2, 2007.

Surviving family includes a step-son, Christopher (and Carol) King and a daughter, Pamela (and Brad) Cross, all of Niles; grandchildren, Angie (and Toby) Mann, Amy (and Andy) Chodzinski, Matthew Cross, and great-grandsons Blake and Kyle Mann. Henry is also survived by one brother, Lawrence (and Jane) Krueger of Cassopolis, Michigan.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Krueger; five brothers, Wilbur Krueger, Harvey Krueger, Otto Krueger, Leroy Krueger and William Krueger; and four sisters, Marian Swartz, Lucille Clark, Florence Frantz and June Laymon.

Funeral services for Henry Norman Krueger will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Lonnie Rhodes of Portage Road General Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to services. Donations in memory of Henry may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Jimmie B. Patterson, of Niles
June 27, 1944-Oct. 15, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38am Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Jimmie B. Patterson, 70, of Niles, died at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, at Riveridge Manor in Niles unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

He was born on June 27, 1944, in Holly Bluff, Mississippi to S. J. and Lucille (White) Patterson, attended school in Arkansas, and has lived in Niles most of his adult life. He was first employed at the French Paper Company in Niles, and then had a long career at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.

Jimmie served in the United States Army, and was a veteran of the Viet Nam era. He enjoyed gardening and bowling, and attending the Patterson family reunions in Arkansas. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, and he often attended their activities, especially the athletic events.

He was previously married to Linda Christie.

On May 25, 2001, he married the former Peggy Ann (Harrold) Mantke who preceded him in death on June 8, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents and by several siblings: Patrick Patterson, Mildred O. Marshall, Margie Rachel Guidry, Patsy Sumerall, Vonnie Colon, and S. J. Patterson, Jr.

Surviving family includes his daughter, Rebecca A. (Daniel) Riddle of Elkhart, Indiana and son, Daniel L. Patterson of Riverside, California; grandchildren Matthew B. Thompson, Joshua A. Thompson, Chloe E. Patterson, and Abigail L. Patterson; and Jimmie’s siblings, Juanita Mille of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Beverly Benedikt of Yucca Valley, California, James Aubrey Patterson of Columbus, Mississippi, William Floyd Patterson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Troy Patterson of Franklin, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Jimmie Patterson will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The family will gather later, privately at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery where the Catholic Committal Rite will be read by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of Saint Mary Catholic Church. That event will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

Contributions in memory of Jimmie Patterson may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Robert Reynolds, of Buchanan
March 31, 1933 — Sept. 25, 2014

Niles Dally Star, Published 9:24am Monday, September 29, 2014

Robert Reynolds

Robert Reynolds, 81, of Buchanan, passed away Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at his home. He was born March 31, 1933, in Ligonier, Indiana to Retha and Amos Reynolds. Robert is a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. On July 20, 1956, he married Virginia Romanski at a ceremony in Niles.

He is survived by his two sons, Robert Reynolds and Michael Reynolds both of Buchanan; four daughters, Vicky Russell of Fort Wayne, Joanne Bennett of Buchanan, Becky Florey of Buchanan, and Lisa White of Niles; two sisters, Mary (Ron) Wolfe of Niles, and Carolyn Sullivan of Niles; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Virginia on Oct. 12, 2012, three brothers and son-in-laws John White and Kurt Florey.

Services for Robert will be held at 1 p.m. at on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Visitation will be two hours prior from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Carol Ann Thurston, of Niles
July 12, 1937-Oct. 18, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:31am Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Miss Carol Ann Thurston, 77, of Niles, Michigan and long-time Brandywine Community Schools Teacher and Coach died at 2:32 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on July 12, 1937, in Niles to George P. and Thelma L. (Wedel) Thurston, and was graduated from Niles High School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and began her teaching career in the Niles Community Schools in 1958. Brandywine hired her in September of 1959 as a PE/health teacher, and she served for 32 years before retiring in 1991.

Carol Ann Thurston

Miss Thurston advised Brandywine’s Pep Club and cheerleaders, and in 1971 became Brandywine’s first varsity volleyball coach at the beginning of its volleyball program. She continued to coach volleyball through the 1976-77 season. In 1975, she became the varsity softball coach, leading that year’s team to the first district championship for any Brandywine girl’s team. Her 1989 team was also the district champ, and the 1977 team competed all the way to the state tournament. She remained as the softball coach until her retirement in 1991.

She served on the Michigan High School Athletic Association Softball/Baseball committee from 1987 until 1989, and was an active member of the Michigan Softball Coaches Association, chairing both the all-district and all-regional selection meetings.

Carol was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and University of Michigan football. She enjoyed the wide variety of wildlife in her backyard where she maintained feeding stations, and fed some by hand. She also enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, and had completed a cruise through the Panama Canal. She enjoyed participating in Brandywine School’s Fiftieth Anniversary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; but is survived by cousins Karen “Susie” (Jim) Renfro, Patricia Delancy, and Gerald Wedel; and by a wide circle of friends, colleagues, and former students.

The Memorial Service for Miss Carol Thurston will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at the Brandywine High School Softball field and will include the dedication of a tree planted in her memory. Chaplain Scott Labbe of Hospice at Home will officiate. Committal services will be private, earlier at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Carol Thurston may be made to the Carol Thurston Scholarship Fund at Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, Michigan 49107; or to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Avenue, Buchanan, Michigan 49107. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Wayne L. Miller, of Niles
July 28, 1959—Sept. 29, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:10am Thursday, October 2, 2014

Wayne L. Miller, 55, of Niles, formerly of Goshen, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Wayne Miller

He was born in Goshen on July 28, 1959 to Elmer J. and Ida (Slabaugh) Miller.

Wayne graduated high school and pursued a career in nursing.

He worked as a Qualified Medical Assistant at Portage Manor for nearly 20 years. He enjoyed caring for the patients and his co-workers were like family.

Wayne enjoyed quiet time sitting by the river, biking, traveling and time spent with family and

his cats.

He was a member of the Buchanan Seventh-day Adventist Church and loved singing. He was a devoted son that enjoyed being a help to his mother.

He is preceded in death by his father Elmer Miller and a brother Kenny Miller.

Wayne is survived by his mother Ida Miller of Shipshewana, two sisters; Etta (Amos) Glick of Shipshewana, Nora (Sam) Brandenberger of Wolcottville, Indiana, two brothers, Harlen (Ruby) Miller of Shipshewana and Vernon (LuAnn) Miller of Shipshewana, four nieces and seven nephews.

A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Buchanan Seventh-day Adventist Church at 3115 Niles-Buchanan Road. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Wayne’s memory to Portage Manor at 3016 Portage Av., South Bend, Indiana 46628 or a charity of one’s choice.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Wayne or send their condolences may do so at our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

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

Delores ‘Dee’ (Love) Miller, of Niles
May 24, 1932 — Oct. 22, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Friday, October 24, 2014

Delores “Dee” (Love) Miller, 82, of Niles, passed away quietly with her family by her side on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. Having been fighting Leukemia for 25 years, Dee fought the disease head on.

Below is the obituary that she wrote in her own words.

Delores ‘Dee’ (Love) Miller

“I want to say I am very proud and take great pride in the three fine sons we have raised and the ten grandchildren they among them have produced; all are intelligent and handsome young people who will do well and contribute to the world in a positive way.“ She was preceded in death by her parents Jabez and Anna Love of Benton Harbor and Indian Lake. She was married on Dec. 20, 1950 to Edward F. Miller. She is survived by her loving husband and caregiver Edward F. Miller. Also surviving are her three sons, Edward J. Miller (Jane), Jeffrey (Sheila) Miller, and Richard L. (Margo), ten grandchildren, Kasey (Cole) Duddleson, Erin, Lindsey, Brian (Emilie), Wesley, Landon (Linzi), Spencer, Brennan, Brittany, and Connor Miller, Three great grandchildren, Lucas and Olivia Duddleson, and Kean Miller. Also surviving are brother Roy Love of Nebraska, sisters Sharon Love of Mesa, Arizona, Tanya Love of South Bend, Indiana, and Jan Love of Tennessee.

Dee spent many years volunteering and served as an officer in Westside PTA, Service League, City PTA Council, Monday Reading Club, Ladies Reading Club as well as Chairman of the Pawating Hospital Gift Shop and Candystrippers. She was also a member of Orchard Hills Country Club and Indian Lake Yacht Club.

She was devoted to her grandchildren and spent many evenings playing “hide the thimble” and Tripoli, and cooking with and for them. The annual decorating and baking a gingerbread house was a real joy for both her and her grandchildren.”

Memorial donations may be made in Dee’s name to the Niles-Buchanan YMCA at 905 North Front Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.

A memorial service to honor Dee’s life will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles beginning at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 9 a.m.

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