Obituaries

Aug 29, 2019

Aug 16, 2019

Frances E. “Fran” Porter, mother and community volunteer, passed away Friday, August 16, 2019, after a brief Illness, at age 97. Fran was born November 19, 1921 to Frank and Nora Becker of Berrien Center. She attended Eau Claire High School for one year before transferring and graduating from Berrien Springs High School in 1940. She met her future husband,...

Jul 26, 2019

Pastor Sheldon Seltzer, 89, of Niles, formerly of Buchanan, fell asleep in the arms of his Lord on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. He was born July 4, 1930 in Chicago to Harold and Paula Seltzer. When he was young, they moved to California, where he grew up the second of five children. He graduated...

Jul 24, 2019

Mary Ellen Hall, 89, a 50-year resident of Berrien Springs, died Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at her home. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which she was a member. Memorial contributions may be made to Neighbor To Neighbor in Berrien Springs. Online messages and memories may be...

Jul 14, 2019

Phyllis Alberta Staples, 95, of Berrien Springs, died Sunday, July 14, 2019 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan. Phyllis was born April 23, 1924 to Bert and Alta (Bartshe) Ingle in Durban, South Africa. A gifted pianist, she played a Beethoven piano concerto with the Durban Symphony Orchestra as a young teenager. Phyllis completed high school at Helderberg...

Jul 12, 2019

Richard Lee Scott was born in a maternity home on Jan. 26, 1944, in St. Louis, Michigan. He was the only son of William and Imogene (Millner) Scott. In birth order, he was “sandwiched” between two sisters, Kay and Patricia Ann. With the exception of living in the Detroit area (Dearborn) for the first year or two of his life,...

Jul 2, 2019

Julia (Judy) Thomson Snyder was born June 25, 1927, in Pineland, TX, to George and Ferrol (Fevvie) Emerson Thomson. She joined 4 siblings and was later joined by another sister. The family moved back and forth between East TX and LA for her father’s work, but finally settled in Zwolle, LA. Judy’s adventurous, independent nature was obvious at an early...

Jun 29, 2019

David D. Schug, 96, passed peacefully June 29, 2019 in Niles, surrounded by his loving family. David was born Feb. 19, 1923 to Herbert Eber and IO (Gorrell) Schug in LaOtto, Ind. The family moved to Marcellus in the late 1920s, where he attended school at Edwards Corners and graduated from Marcellus High School. After graduation, he enlisted and served...

Jun 1, 2019

Donald G. Kilgore, 71, of Berrien Springs, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019, at his home. A Memorial Service for Don will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the American Legion Post 85, 112 N. Bluff Street, Berrien Springs. There will be a 21-gun salute and a Fire Department service outside of the Legion. Online memories may...

May 13, 2019

Mary K. (Kittie) Collier, 77, of Berrien Center died Monday morning, May 13, 2019, at her home with her family at her side. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service, and online messages may be left at...

May 11, 2019

Early on Sabbath morning, May 11, 2019, Bruce Campbell Moyer passed away to “his last great adventure”. In his final days he wrote: “No tears please. My life has been a great adventure with Jesus. I have few regrets, and only a couple of bucket list items, undone. I have loved my wife, family and “work”. God has treated me...

Apr 25, 2019

Katherine “Kay” (Byker) Hamstra was born May 8, 1927, in Perkins, Iowa. She passed from this life to her rest in Jesus April 25, 2019, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Katherine’s father, Date Gerrits Bijker, was born in Friesland, a province in the Netherlands. He came to America with his older brother, Jan Gerrits, in 1910. The brothers would name their...

Apr 21, 2019

Russell J. England, 80, of Berrien Center, died Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs, with Pastor Joe Reeves officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at noon, prior to the service. Online messages and...

Apr 18, 2019

Anna May Conelley, nee Wilson, 83, of Liberty Twp., Ohio, formerly of Niles, went peacefully to be with her Savior on Thursday, April 18, 2019, after enduring a long battle with dementia. Anna May was loved by many, including her husband of 48 years, Fredrick L. Conelley, who faithfully cared for her in her last years; her daughter, Cynthia A....

Apr 15, 2019

Jonathan Fesler, first of his name, King of the Chicken Haulers, decorated veteran and protector of the right to party has passed away after a long battle with Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia. If he were here, I’m sure he would say “Well isn’t this a fine pickle I’ve gotten myself into”. Jon passed peacefully on Monday morning, April 15, 2019 surrounded...

Mar 31, 2019

David G. Root, 65, of Berrien Springs, died Sunday morning, March 31, 2019, at home. He was born September 1, 1953, in Maryville, Tennessee, the son of George H. and Helen L. (Curtis) Root. He married Pamela Irwin and together raised their family. David worked for Chardon Rubber. Survivors include his wife, Pamela; son, Jason D. Root Sr.; daughter, Alissa...

Mar 31, 2019

Phyllis Belle Lausman, 91, of Baroda, on March 31, 2019, departed this life's trial to join the company of those who wait for the return of the Lamb to raise His Own. Phyllis was born October 26, 1927 in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Henry and Olga (Felgner) Monty. She married LeRoy Lausman on March 16, 1946, and together they...

Mar 27, 2019

Linda Marie Russell died March 27, 2019, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born September of 1942 in Baroda Michigan to Aaron and Leota (Dibble) Barker. She attended Lakeshore High school, graduating in 1960. Linda married and raised two children. She began a career with the American Automobile Association in the mid 1970s and retired in 2000....

Feb 28, 2019

Florence C. Gillman, 100, formerly of Berrien Springs, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at Riveridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Niles. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the Youth Chapel of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University, where she was a member. Inurnment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery Columbarium. Messages...

Feb 22, 2019

Helen Lucille Schmeichel, 91, of Niles, formerly of Berrien Springs, passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at West Woods of Niles. Helen was born Sept. 25, 1927, to Otto and Emma (Milnick) Schmidt. Her husband, Carl, whom she married on Feb. 14, 1948, preceded her in death on May 30, 1999. Helen is survived by her two sons: Robert (Roberta...