Russell Arthur Saathoff, of Niles
May 15, 1930 — June 21, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16am Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Russell Arthur Saathoff, 84, of Niles, died on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was born May 15, 1930, in Niles to Arthur W. and Adaline (Strang) Saathoff. On May 7, 1955, he married the former Eleanor Joan Howard. She preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 2007.

Russell was a 1952 graduate of Niles High School. He worked in the family business for United Dairies in Niles and owned many apartments around town. He was a member of the Niles Lions Club and the Niles Shrine Club. He enjoyed visiting the Elkhart Shooting Center and was the 1972 Michigan State Trap Shooting Champion. Russell was a fan of auto racing and football games.

Surviving family includes son Richard (Tami) Saathoff of Phoenix, Arizona and daughter JoEllen (Robert) Gamso of Niles; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and Russell’s brother, Kenneth (Nan) Saathoff of Arizona.

The family will gather privately for services with interment at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Donations in memory of Russell may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.www.halbritterfunerals.com

Eileen Kozlowski, 86
Dec. 14, 1926- July 12, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:28pm Sunday, July 14, 2013

Eileen (Kinzie) Kozlowski, 86, passed away on July 12, 2013, at 11:45 a.m. at home in Niles. Eileen was born on Dec.14, 1926, to Stephen and Lila (Bollinger) Kinzie.

On Aug. 18, 1945 in Plymouth, Ind., she married Albin Kozlowski who preceded her in death in 2001.

At age 50, she earned a degree in nursing from Southwestern Michigan College.

Eileen spent the balance of her career as a dedicated and caring nurse while working at Berrien General Hospital in Berrien Center.

Surviving family members include one son Alan Kozlowski, of Niles; two daughters, Susan (Stephan) Thompson, of Niles, and Kris Parge, of Indio Calif.; four grandchildren, Amber, Brooke, Beth and Amy; and six great-grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by both parents and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Niles, where she was a parishioner.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, St. Joseph, or St. Mark’s Parish, Niles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Douglas J. Davis
Oct. 30, 1965 — March 5, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:57pm Sunday, March 9, 2014

Douglas John, “D.J.” Davis, 48, of Niles, died at 11:44 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on Oct. 30, 1965, in Keokuk, Iowa to John L. and Vera E. (Hobb) Davis. He was graduated from Keokuk Senior High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He excelled in baseball as first baseman, and was named all-conference.

Doug was a very reserved guy, a loving son who loved his family, and a friend to many. He loved NASCAR automobile racing, and was a fan of driver #24, Jeff Gordon. He was an avid fisherman, proud of all the fish he caught at the Pucker Street Dam. He had also made a fishing trip to Canada several years ago.

Surviving family includes his parents, Vera and John Davis of Niles, his brother, Timothy of Niles, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The funeral service for Doug Davis will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of First Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at noon on Monday. Contributions in memory of Doug may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Roger Barr, Sr., of Niles
May 27, 1938 — June 28, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14am Monday, June 30, 2014

Roger Barr, Sr.

Roger Barr, Sr. 76, of Niles, died at 6:47 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at his home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on May 27, 1938, in Niles to Woodrow Peter and Marian Frances (Becker) Barr. He was graduated from Niles High School, and attended Western Michigan University. He has lived in Niles most of his life, except for five years in Iowa.

He was employed at the former Tyler Refrigeration for more than 40 years.

Roger attended Hope Community Church in Niles. He served in the United States Navy during peacetime. He volunteered with the Babe Ruth Baseball League in Niles, was a member of the Howard Township Lions Club, and played in the Tyler Golf League. In retirement, he was employed as a driver for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and was a winter resident of Bradenton, Florida where he enjoyed playing shuffleboard.

On June 29, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Niles he married the former Winifred E. Tracey with whom he would have Sunday celebrated the 57th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Winnie Barr and their children, Roger (Jill) Barr, Jr. of Newton, Iowa, Ronald (Laurie) Barr, Sr. of Osceola, Indiana, Laurie (Brian) Meadows of Mason, Michigan, and Rick (Barbara) Barr of Battle Creek, Michigan; grandchildren, Ron, Jr., Chris, Traci, Haley, Richard, Jr., Ashley, Katelyn, and Connor, and three great-grandchildren; and Roger’s sisters, Barbara Smith of Houston, Texas and Bev (Dave) Downs, of Niles; Winnie’s brother, Hugh (Nancy) Tracey of Vicksburg, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Roger Barr will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at Hope Community Church in Niles with the Rev. Ron Smith, minister of visitation for Hope officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Roger may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Beatrice Allen, of Niles
April 25, 1925 — July 7, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:02am Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Beatrice Allena

Beatrice Odell Allen, 89, of Niles, died on Monday, July 7, 2014, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan, following an extended illness. She was born April 25, 1925, in Des Ark, Arkansas to Newt and Ivy (Pennington) Walls.

Beatrice was a member of the Church of Christ in Niles and was an avid Detroit Tigers baseball fan. She was a loving homemaker and just enjoyed life.

On Sept. 20, 1941, in West Ridge, Arkansas, Beatrice married Raymond W. Allen, who preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 2003.

Surviving family includes two sons, Merrial (Joe Ann) Allen and Jerry (Ruby) Allen; a daughter, Theresa (Jeffery) Warrick, all of Niles; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Beatrice is also survived by her brother, Aaron Walls of Dundee, Illinois.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, a daughter, Linda Brooks, who died Dec. 6, 2008, and siblings, Leo Priest, Theodore Walls, Warren Walls, Lloyd Walls, Louis Walls, Billy Wayne Walls.

Funeral services for Beatrice Odell Allen will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. David Thompson, of Church of Christ, Niles, officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Thursday one hour prior to services.

Donations in memory of Beatrice may be made to Hospice at Home. www.halbritterfunerals.com

James A. Thayer
June 29, 1926-Aug. 17, 2009

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:25am Tuesday, August 18, 2009

James A. Thayer, 83, of North Saint Joseph Avenue, Niles, died at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, with the Rev. James Slack of the church officiating.

There will be no visitation.

He was born on June 29, 1926, in Niles, to Paul Thayer and Irma Richter Thayer.
He graduated from Niles High School in 1944 and attended Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.

He owned and operated the former Thayer’s Jewelers in Niles.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Navy.

He was also a member of B.P.O. of the Niles Elks Lodge No. 1322 and Saint Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F &A.M. in Niles.

On Nov. 9, 1949, in Niles, he first married Mary Alyce (Radka) Thayer, who died on Dec. 15, 1992.

He later married, on April 8, 2000, in Niles, Eleanor (Dickey) Thayer, who survives.
Additional surviving family includes a son, Joseph D. Thayer of Niles; step-sons, Lawrence Domnoske of Niles and Dean Domnoske of Kingsley; a step-daughter, Lisa Rauch of Benton City, Wash.; granddaughters, Kimberly an Audrey; a great-grandson and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley McKeen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church or B.O.P. of Niles Elks Lodge No. 1322.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.