All Obituaries

Bradley J. Williams, formerly of Niles, Michigan, age 72 years old, fisherman, veteran, sworn officer, and second amendment advocate died on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico in-spite of striving to live despite cancer. He was born on May 29, 1947 in Niles to Peter H. and Sammie (Brawley) Williams, and was graduated from Niles High School with the class of 1965.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force, earned the...

Wanda M. Gombosi February 17, 1929 – November 16, 2019 Niles – Wanda M. Gombosi, 90, a lifetime resident of Niles, MI, let Jesus take her hand and lead her into Heaven on November 16, 2019. Wanda was the daughter of Lynn and Marvel Weaver, who proceeded her in death, along with her brother, Norman Weaver, and husbands, Paul Clark Gano and William Gombosi, Jr. Wanda is survived by her sister, Carol Jones of Niles and her children, James Gano (Gombosi) and wife, Leslie in New...

Sara Ellen Kinnaman, wife, mother, grandmother, church and community supporter, and golfer died peacefully at home on Thursday, November 14, 2019 with her family gathered around her bedside, having attained the remarkable age of one hundred and one years old.  Sara’s life touched many in the Niles community and beyond. She was born on July 12, 1918 in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Floyd and Mary Catherine (Davidson) Reeves.  She was graduated from New Market (Indiana) High...

Richard Dale Conrad, age 84 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, banker, and baseball player died peacefully but unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at this home in South Bend, Indiana. He was born on April 7, 1935 on the Conrad farm in rural Buchanan, Michigan to Ward Emmanuel and Esther (Thompson) Conrad.  He was graduated from Niles High School and attended Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) playing baseball at both schools.  He...

Charles Albert Nietch, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, business manager, and loyal Cubs fan died peacefully at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 with family gathered around at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an unexpected and brief illness.  His family has chosen to restore and extend the lives of others through the Gift of Life Michigan. He was born on March 21, 1939 in South Bend, Indiana to George Howard and...

James C. Gillette, 91 of Niles passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in West Woods of Niles. Jim was born on January 4, 1928 in Niles to the late Dr. Clarence and Ruth (Wells) Gillette. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Margaret ‘Maggie’ Ossmer.  He is also preceded by his brother John Gillette and his sister Ida Mae Wiersma. Jim is survived by his daughter, Sally (David) Gillette-Jones of Antwerp, OH and his son, Thomas Gillette of Howell, MI. ...

Kenneth Rollyn Gentry passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan. Kenneth was surrounded by the comfort of his family at the time of his death.    Kenneth was diagnosed with kidney cancer in July of 2019. Facing his foe with grace, dignity, and courage he spent the last three months battling this implacable disease. Kenneth participated in immunotherapy treatments but the complications of the disease soon took Kenny...

Mary Ann Billiard, 65 of Niles, passed away in her home on Thursday, November 7, 2019. Mary Ann was born on December 12, 1953 in Niles to the late Wilbert and Evelyn Jann.  She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters; Patricia, Julie and Cindy as well as her brothers; Larry, Bob and Russ. On July 7, 1973 she married Randy S. Billiard who survives. She is also survived by her children Randy D. Billiard and Andrew S. Billiard and her sisters; Shirley, Carol and Sandy and...

Mary B. Clanton, age 89 years, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and prayer warrior, died peacefully at 2:03 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 with family gathered around at the Hospice House in Roseland, Indiana following an extended illness. She was born on June 9, 1930 in Decatur, Alabama to Irving W. and Ruby I. (Moore) Russell, and attended school in Decatur.  She came to Niles in 1952, and was employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company, and later worked for...

Dorothy Lee Hart June 2, 1934 – November 1, 2019 Niles – Dorothy Lee Hart, 85 passed away at 6:08am on Friday, November 1, 2019 in her home. Dorothy was born on June 2, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Edward and Lottie (Banicki) Okonski. On June 2, 1951, Dorothy married William Frank Hart and he passed away on June 16, 1994. She was also preceded in death by 5 sisters and 6 brothers. Left to cherish her memory are her children Shirley (Ron) Corbit of Arkansas, Gloria...