Lena York, 84
Aug. 12, 1926-Aug. 6, 2011

Lena M. York, 84, of 21st Street in Niles, died at 10:23 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at her home following a brief illness.
She was born Aug. 12, 1926 in Niles to Charlie Kiste and Nettie (Jeffey) Kiste. She was a lifetime area resident. Lena married Donald L. York Sr. on Nov. 19, 1949.
She retired in 1987, after more than 15 years of service at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her grandchildren, doing puzzles and coloring books.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. York, three brothers and one sister.
Lena is survived by her son, Donald L. (Mary) York Jr. of Niles; daughters, Donna L. Ritcher of Purcell, Okla. and Ellen L. (Tim) Helt of Buchanan; her sister, Ethel Thomas of Niles; Lisa D. Wagner, John A. Kiste and Michael L. York, all of Niles, whom she also raised as her own; and 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service for Lena will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, officiated by the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church.
She will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Friends may call beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:26pm Monday, August 8, 2011

Donald Kessler, 68
Jan. 3, 1943 — Aug. 6, 2011

Donald Allen Kessler, 68, of 2521 Heath Drive in Niles, died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at his home in Niles of natural causes.

Donald was born Jan. 3, 1943 in South Bend, Ind., to Donald and Helen Kessler. He worked as a draftsman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Helen Kessler.

Donald is survived by his son, Tom (Becky) Kessler of Niles; daughter, Wendy (Jeromy) Hansen of Casselberry, Fla.; brother, Keith (Suzie) Kessler of Arizona; and ten grandchildren, Brooklyn, Bailee, Addison, Madison, Taylor, Sierra, Savanna, Daltyn, Kayla, and Hannah.

The funeral service for Donald Allen Kessler will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan, officiated by Pastor Mike Smith, of Hope Community Church in Niles.

He will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Hoven Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:24pm Monday, August 8, 2011

Mary Shackelford, 77
June 7, 1934 — June 24, 2011

Mary C. Shackelford was born Mary Cathern Thomas on June 7, 1934 in Trumann, Ark.

One of 13 siblings, she learned early the joys and trials of a large family. She married the love of her life, E. Riley Shackelford, on Nov. 13, 1950 and they went on to raise seven children: Rickey, Richard, Roy, Susan, Kathy, Teresa and David, who preceded her in death. She was blessed with 20 grandkids and 17 great-grandkids who called her “G.G.”

Her heart went with Riley when he went home to heaven in 1996 and her soul found the same sweet peace on June 24, 2011.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. today at First Missionary Church in Niles.

Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, Inc. of Buchanan.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:49pm Sunday, June 26, 2011

Milton Warner, 88
March 8, 1923 — June 25, 2011

Milton E. “Humpty” Warner, 88, of South 13th Street, Niles, died at 8:48 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at his home of an extended illness.

Milton Warner, 88

Mr. Warner was born March 8, 1923 in Wabash, Ind. to George Robert and Mary Ann (Kline) Warner. He was a lifetime area resident. He retired in 1987 after 20 years of service at the Niles Township Police Department. Prior to working at the police department, he was employed at South Bend Tool and Die.

Milton was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 75th Division of the United States Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and the VFW Post 4952 in Berrien Springs. He was also a member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F & A.M. and the Fraternal Order of Police.

On April 13, 1944 in Angola, Ind., he married the former Joan Marie Shirk, who survives.

Surviving family includes their sons, Wayne (Lynn) Warner of Sawyer, Mich. and Gary (Louveta) Warner of Cassopolis; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mildred “Mim” Ferrell of Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Wanda Wenger; sister, Eva Street; and brother, George Henry Warner.

Funeral services for Milton E. Warner will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Rich Zeiger of Real Life Community Church in Three Oaks officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full military honors by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and will conclude with masonic rites at 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Milton may be made to Hospice at Home or the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:09pm Monday, June 27, 2011

Joy Nichols, 81
Feb. 25, 1929 — Nov. 16, 2010

Joy L. Nichols, 81, of Ruth Court in Niles, died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a brief illness.

Mrs. Nichols was born Feb. 25, 1929 in Mountain Lake, Minn. to Christ and Anna (Penner) Hansen. Joy graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles most of her life. She retired after 41 years of service at 5th/3rd Bank and its predecessors.

She was a member of United Methodist Church in Niles. She volunteered with Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. She was an avid reader of fiction.

On Oct. 23, 1954 in Niles, she married Norman J. “Bud” Nichols, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughter, Tamalee (Darrell) Eisenhart of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Melissa (Matt) Binns; grandson, David Eisenhart; great-grandchildren, Fallon and Torah Binns; siblings, Yetive Carr of Cassopolis, Vicki Bliss of Grand Rapids, Gene Hansen of Niles, Donald Hansen of Seaford, Del., Jan “Pat” Hansen of Richmond, Va. and Lonnie Hansen of Cypress, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Nichols was preceded in death by her siblings, Sharon Hansen, Gladys Ray, Harry Hansen, Christ Hansen and Jerry Hansen, Sr.

Funeral services for Joy L. Nichols will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 at Grace United Methodist Church in Niles with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens* in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Joy may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:16am Wednesday, November 17, 2010

*Reinterred at Silverbrook, July 12, 2011.

Harry C. Richards
Aug. 4, 1875-March 18, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 20, 1939, page 1, col. 7, continued on Page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

HARRY C. RICHARDS TAKEN BY DEATH

President of Garden City Fan Co., Civic Leader, Stricken Saturday

Confined to his home for the last five months with a heart ailment, Harry C. Richards, president of the Garden City Fan company, one of Niles oldest industries, died at o'clock Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street. He was 63 years old.

The body is at the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call. Services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.

Active in civic affairs, Mr. Richards was a member of the Niles board of public works from November, 1927, to May, 1934. He also served as a member of the city council, being elected as First ward alderman in 1919.  He resigned in 1920 when he moved into another ward, but in 1923 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Norman P. Beebe, the Third ward alderman.

Was Widely Known

Through his business affiliations, Mr. Richards had gained a wide circle of friends, and was highly regarded by his associates. He was a member of the Elks and Masonic lodge, No. 572 of Toledo.

Mr. Richards had served as president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910 when he came to Niles from Toledo. Under his supervision, the company had prospered.

January 14, 1937 fire razed the north building of the plant at Wayne and Eighth streets, causing loss of approximately $100,000. The building was rebuilt and operations continued.

Close friends of Mr. Richards believed that this fire was partially responsible for his failing health.  Since his illness Bert Tennyson has been managing the factory.

Native of Port Huron

Mr. Richards was born in Port Huron, Aug. 4, 1875, the son of the late Harry G. and Anna G. Richards.

He is survived by his widow, the former Cleia French, whom he married in Ganges, Mich., in 1902; three sons, Harry C. Richards, Jr., Mishawaka, and Jack and Robert Richards, living at home; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer E. Davis, Toledo, and Mrs. Claude O. Mann, Detroit; also a brother, Robert D. Richards, Cleveland.

Mr. Richards' body will lie in . ..[illegible] . . .form 11:00 o'clock Wednesday until the hour of the funeral.

Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck will serve as pallbearers.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 21, 1939, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Richards Rites Wednesday at 2, Trinity Church

The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will conduct funeral services for Harry C. Richards, 63, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcpal church.

The body will lie in state in the church from 12:30 o'clock until the hour of the funeral. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck. Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until noon Wednesday.

Mr. Richards, who had served a president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910, died Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street.  He had been ill for five months.