All Obituaries

Donald L. Barker, Jr. 63 of Niles, passed away from natural causes at his home. Donald was born on July, 22, 1955 in Iaeger, West Virginia to the late Donald L. and Dorothy (Horne) Barker, Sr.  He is also preceded in death by his brother William R. Barker and a grandson, Cameron Maust. On June 24, 1978 in South Bend, he married the former Karen Asire. Donald is survived by his wife Karen, their children; Jessica Barker of Three Rivers, Donald L. (Kylie) Barker, III of Edwardsburg,...

Jason Anthony Kusmiez, age 29 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 1:37 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. He was born on April 25, 1989 in South Bend to Ronald E. and Donna L. (Marsiliano) Kusmiez, Sr.  He was graduated from Brandywine High School, and earned an Associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College.  He had been employed as a manager at Advance Auto Parts, and had also been...

Linda Kay Stevens, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 with her family gathered around at the Hospice House in Roseland, Indiana following an extended illness. She was born on March 6, 1949 in Niles to Carl Edwin and Betty Marie (Watson) Jones. She was graduated from the Dowagiac (Michigan) Union High School, and was employed for several years at the former Dowagiac Building and Loan office. She has lived in Niles most of her life. Linda...

Marie B. Nagy, 104 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness. Marie was born on July 3, 1914 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Peter and Rose (Dreheim) Bartz. In 1936 she married Joseph L. Nagy who passed away. She is also preceded by her son Kenneth J. Nagy and several brothers and sisters. Marie is survived by her daughter Sandra (Dave) Hodgman of Niles, grandchildren; Daniel, Andrew and Elizabeth, great grandchildren Leah, Casey, Quinn, Carly and Kendal. In her spare time, Marie enjoyed...

William C. Gaut, 69 of Niles, passed away in his home on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Bill was born in Nappanee, IN on May 9, 1949 to the late Charles and Dorothy (Holcomb) Gaut. On December 17, 1971 in Niles, he married Anita H. Liggett, who survives. Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Anita. He is also survived by his daughters, Brenna (Chris) Harden of Plymouth, MI, Deanna (Tim) Gazda of Spanish Fort, AL, and Alicia (Randy Brown) of South Bend, his grandchildren; Alexis, Mallory,...

Doris Zechlin Kennedy, 92, passed away of natural causes, on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Shields Comfort Care and Assisted Living in Saginaw, Michigan. She was born on May 12, 1926 to Eli and Marie (Smith) Zechlin, in Niles, Michigan and resided there her entire life until January of 2016, when she moved to Saginaw, Michigan. Doris was married to Thomas E. Kennedy from October 9, 1971 until the time of his death on November 8, 2014. Prior to that she was married and divorced from Kenneth A....

Vera Irene Robbins a 55-year resident of Niles, Michigan passed away on August 3, 2018 at home.  Born February 12th, 1927 in Garret, Indiana to Ralph Jennings Clark and Leola (Kessler) Clark.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Bernard Urvan Robbins and daughter Sandra Coleen Reed, Niles MI.  She is survived by her children Bernard Urvan Robbins Jr. (Cindy Robbins), Elkhart, IN., Juanita Sue Trossen (Robbins), South Lyon, MI., Lonna Mae Dick (Scott Dick)...

Anita Ruth Heemer, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 with family gathered around at her home following a four week battle against cancer. She was born on October 21, 1946 in Goshen, Indiana to Daniel and Ruth (Mann) Warble. She was graduated from the former New Paris (Indiana) High School; earned a Bachelor’s degree from Bethel College in Goshen, Indiana; and earned a Master’s degree from Michigan State University (East...

Ronald Earl, 73, of Niles, passed away with family by his side on July 31, 2018. A beloved son, nephew, father, and papa. Ron was born on July 5, 1945 in Jackson, Michigan to Marilyn Messner, who later married Willie Earl who adopted Ron and loved and raised him as his own until he passed in 1978. Ron graduated from Niles High School in 1964 then went to work at Simplicity Pattern Company for the next 35 years, from where he retired. He loved camping, fishing, and going to garage sales....

AnnMarie Arikka Taylor, infant daughter of Keshia Marie Lemna and Joshua Lane Taylor of Niles was stillborn, near term, on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles following umbilical cord complications. AnnMarie’s mother remembers her as having been active and content for most of her life.  Her father and siblings were able to see some of that activity. Surviving family includes her parents, Josh and Keshia; siblings, Zoey Beck and Braxton Taylor;...