All Obituaries

Gary Elton Thompson, age 78 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly, early Thursday morning, October 11, 2018 at his home following a brief illness. He was born on August 11, 1940 in Niles to Elton and Helen E. (Hardebeck) Thompson and attended Niles High School.  He had been a truck driver most of his life, and for many years, he owned and operated his own steel hauling truck. Gary – known by many as “GT” – was an automobile enthusiast.  He owned and...

Norman D. Colcord, 84 of Niles, passed away after an extended illness in Lakeland Hospital on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Norman was born on August 5, 1934 in Niles to the late Ora C. and Goldie Mae (Brown) Colcord. He is preceded in death by his parents as well as his six brothers and five sisters. Norman is survived by his former wife, Betty Colcord Jewell and their children; Diana (Robin) Herwick of Buchanan, David (Janice) Colcord of Niles and Melody (Mark) Mercado of Niles.  He is...

John Wesley “Jack” Strayer III, age 67 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 2:57 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan. He was born on March 7, 1951 in Niles to Dr. John W. and Virginia (Eaglesfield) Strayer. He graduated from Niles High School, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Albion (Michigan) College. He began a remarkable career in national policy and politics as the successful Campaign Manager for David Stockman’s election to...

Dale J. Hein August 30, 1933 – October 3, 2018 Niles – Dale James Hein, 85, passed away at 2:40pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in Southfield Village, South Bend. Dale was born on August 30, 1933, in Michigan City, IN. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; Rudy and Faye (Gonder) Hein; daughter Julie Hein; and brother, Earl Hein. On May 29, 1958 in Galien, MI, Dale married Shirley L. (Nelson), and she passed away on June 30, 2018. Dale is survived by children, Gwendolyn...

Anne Catherine Lane, age 88 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Royalton Manor in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness. She was born on March 17, 1930 in Bardwell, Kentucky to Mose and May (McClure) Lang.  She was graduated from the Cairo (Illinois) High School, and has lived in Niles since 1947.  She was employed for many years at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company. As a young mother, Anne...

Thomas Glenn Lane, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 6:38 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan. He was born on December 13, 1924 in Wickliffe, Kentucky to Ralph G. and Leona (Bowman) Lane, and was raised and attended school in Kentucky before beginning a career in the building trades.  He left that career to join the war effort, serving in the United States Army 3169th Ordnance Maintenance Company which earned a...

Mildred E. Smith (Granny) July 23, 1928 – September 28, 2018 South Bend - Mildred E. (Shaffer) Smith, 90, passed away at 3:33am on Friday, September 28, 2018 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Mildred was born on July 23, 1928 in Niles, MI, to the late Effie and Claude Shaffer. Mildred was also preceded in death by her sister, Thelma Sly; and daughter-in-law, Patty Smith. Mildred was married in August 6, 1949 to Michigan Merritt Smith and he passed away on May 26, 1987....

Betty Lou Parker-Nyka, D.C., age 79 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:24 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness. She was born on July 4, 1939 in Griffith, Indiana to Virgil A. and Frances E. (Wentzel) Parker.  She was graduated from Rochester (Indiana) High School, and earned her Registered Nurse credentials from the former Holy Cross Nursing School at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in South Bend.  In...

Michael T. Sylvia, 63 of Niles, passed away in Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.  He was born on July 30, 1955 in Manchester, New Hampshire to the late Elton John and Mary  Sylvia, Sr.. He is also preceded in death by his second wife Donna. Michael is survived by his daughter Teresa (Lisa Howard) Sylvia of Niles, grandchildren; Elton John Sylvia,Jr. ,Breann Howard and Bryant Lamb, brothers; Elton, William and John Sylvia and his former wife Christine Converse. Michael honorably...

Nancy C. Tracey, 69 of Vicksburg passed away after an extended illness in Borgess Medical Center. Nancy was born on May 20, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Kurt and Eleanore (Warmuth) Kuhnle. She is also preceded in death by a sister Kimberly Kuhnle. On January, 31, 1969 Nancy married Hugh R. Tracey, Sr. Nancy is survived by her husband Hugh and their children; Nicole (Thomas) Prestin, Hugh (Valerie) Tracey, Jr. and Corrina Taylor, grandchildren; Erik and Ivy Prestin, her sister...