All Obituaries

Rose G. Zehner, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, handcrafter, active church member,  and – most importantly and worth repeating – mother died peacefully at 8:43 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan after the staff had compassionately arranged a visit by her children. She was born on April 9, 1943 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Robert and Sarah (Brown) Shoemaker, Sr. and attended Edwardsburg,...

James Lloyd Whisenant, age 79 years of Niles, Michigan, father, brother, friend to many, honorable U.S.Navy veteran, TV repairman, and cannon builder died peacefully Friday afternoon, January 8, 2021 at home following a fight against cancer.  His family is grateful for the kind and skilled care offered by the staff of hospice. He was born on December 7, 1941 in Coloma, Michigan to Lloyd B. and Gladys M. (Barnwell) Whisenant.  He graduated from Eau Claire, Michigan High School, and...

Edward B. Camp, 80, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 in Memorial Hospital with his family at his side. Edward was born on February 14th, 1940 in Kalamazoo, MI. Edward was raised in Niles by his parents, G. Joseph and Eileen Camp. Early in life, Edward learned the value of a strong work ethic by working in his father’s store, Camp’s Meat Market. Edward graduated from Niles High School and then joined the Air Force. He honorably served our country...

Charles Joseph LaSata, 98, of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and lawyer for all, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 1, 2021 with his wife Julia and three children gathered at his side. His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by “The Ladies” and by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home. He was born on October 25, 1922 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Karol and Magdalene (Jacevicius) LaSata and graduated from Scranton...

Jack Frederick Smith, age 70 years, of Buchanan, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, railroader, and outdoorsman died peacefully at 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 with his family gathered around at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the skilled and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home. He was born on November 22, 1950 in Niles, Michigan to Jack Junior and Phyllis Jean (Kocher) Smith.  He...

Beverly J. Thomas, 87 of Niles, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 in Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Beverly was born on February 28, 1933 in Niles to the late Fred and Ruth (Savley) Clay. On June 18, 1960 in Niles, she married Gerald Lee Thomas who passed away on August 7, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Duane, and her brother, Robert Marshal, her sisters; Yula Chiddister and Velore and a grandchild. Beverly is survived by her children; Karen...

Patsy Marjorie “Pat” Whisenant, age 75 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, sister, quilter, crafter, and Hallmark movie fan died peacefully at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2020 with her family at her bedside in her home following a brief illness. She was born on March 23, 1945 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert Roy and Marjorie Josephine (Atha) Prillwitz and was graduated from Brandywine High School in Niles.  As a young lady she was employed in the kitchen of the...

Lynn Marie Ballew, age 65 years of Niles, Michigan, sister, aunt, crafter, walker, and lover of peanut butter and people suffered an unexpected illness last Tuesday and died Saturday afternoon, December 26, 2020 with family at her side at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.  Her family chose to enhance and extend several lives through the Indiana Donor Network. She was born on September 24, 1955 in Joliet, Illinois, the sixth of twelve children – and the “number two...

Dorothy Dewey, 75 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020. Dorothy was born on October 10, 1945 in Niles, MI to the late Walter and Millie (Walters) Pickens. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings; David and V.R. ‘Bud’ Pickens, Virginia Pickens, Pat Unger, Pearl Spansail, Betty VanKirk and Mary Hartman and her husband, Robert F. Dewey. Dorothy is survived by her sons, Samual (Diana) Milner of Niles and Thomas (Tina) Milner of Eau Claire, MI,...

Marion May Patrick, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, cook, star dancer, and elite archer died peacefully at 8:22 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care given by the staff of Brentwood. She was born on May 23, 1928 in South Bend, Indiana to Willard and Mildred (Dyringa) Hall, and was graduated from South Bend Central High School at 16...