Swem Chapel

Wanda Catt of Buchanan, MI passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Wanda was born on December 9, 1956, in Kokomo, IN to her mother Anna Catt. Wanda was a dedicated homemaker who lovingly devoted her time to raising her children and managing a busy household. In her moments of relaxation, she enjoyed cooking, solving crossword puzzles, and unwinding with her favorite TV shows." Wanda is survived by her children Mandy Catt-Harrington, Brandy Gibson, Cheri Marshall, Theresa (Steven) Graul, Merry Marshall, Ray Marshall, and William Marshall; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and brother Ronald Catt.Wanda was preceded in death...

Rickey J. Willis, 68, of Berrien Springs, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, MI. He was born on May 3, 1956, in Niles, MI. Surviving are three nieces - Tonya Brooks, Christina Carpenter and Shelby Willis; nephew - Brad Willis; and many extended family members. Preceding him in death were his parents - Harry and Mary Jane (Bray) Willis; two sisters - Cindy Willis and Kathy Blue; and brother - Michael Willis. The family would like to send a special thank-you to the Dickinson family for the care they provided Rickey throughout most of his life. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held at Mission Hills...

Ricky J. Willis, 68, of Berrien Springs, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, MI. He was born on May 3, 1956, in Niles, MI. Surviving are three nieces - Tonya Brooks, Christina Carpenter and Shelby Willis; nephew - Brad Willis; and many extended family members. Preceding him in death were his parents - Harry and Mary Jane (Bray) Willis; two sisters - Cindy Willis and Kathy Blue; and brother - Michael Willis. The family would like to send a special thank-you to the Dickinson family for the care they provided Ricky throughout most of his life. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held at Mission Hills...

Kenneth E. Sebasty Sr., age 91, passed away on January 14, 2025, concluding a long, very well-lived life. Ken graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1952. Ken was a lifelong farmer in the New Carlisle area, and in his early years of farming, achieved the Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year Award for St. Joseph County. He raised corn, wheat and soybeans through the years, and even experimented with raising some hogs one season. His passion was farming, and it showed. He worked long hours in the fields, tilling, planting, irrigating and harvesting his crops. He dearly loved his John Deere tractors and equipment, and over the years, collected over 30 antique John Deere tractors. He...

Nancy Lynn Baich, 83 of Buchanan passed away peacefully at Hanson Hospice Center on December 16, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Nancy was born December 29, 1941, to Dorthy & Joseph Littey of Niles, MI. On April 20, 1963, Nancy wed Steffen Baich of Buchanan. They went on to have three sons, Todd, Eric & Chris. Nancy was a great mother, sister, daughter, grammy and friend. Nancy started her career as a bank teller at a young age. She moved up the ranks to become The Executive vice President of Old Kent Bank. But her greatest accomplishment was being a mother and grammy. She so loved having the pool open at her home so all the adults and kids would be there for her to see....

Robert W. Brown, 77, of Niles passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. He was born in Niles, MI, on February 12, 1947, the son of the late Hector and Lois (Boone) Brown. He graduated from Niles High School in 1965 and continued his education through Southwestern Michigan College, earning a degree. Bob lived his entire life in the area. Bob served in Vietnam with the Army 97th Artillery Air Defense Unit as part of the 495th Single Detachment. He had a lifelong career as a master machinist at Simplicity Pattern Company, for over 30 years. Bob also started his own engine and machine shop. He was highly regarded in the auto and racing communities...

Richard O. (Dick) Moore, born to Lloyde and Margaret Moore in South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully on his 98th birthday at Brentwood at Niles on November 17, 2024. Dick resided at Brentwood for the past few years along with his wife Eileen (Fry) Moore who passed in 2020. They were married for 75 years. Dick and Eileen spent the first few months of their marriage in Texas and Colorado where Dick was stationed in the Army Air Corps. After he was discharged in 1945, they moved back to South Bend and built a home on 10 acres southwest of town. There they raised their four children: Gary (Sandy) Moore, Gail (Rick, deceased) Moody, Sandi (Brian) Stalker, and Mark (Sue) Moore. Dick was...

James Kenneth Jesse, 80, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning, November 3, 2024. Jim was born on February 24, 1944, to James Glen and Pauline (VanEvery) Jesse in Niles, Michigan. He graduated from Buchanan High School in 1962. Jim continued his education through Michigan State University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966, and Master of Business Administration in 1967. He then attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1970. On his birthday, February 24, 1971, Jim hired the woman destined to be his bride, Jeanette Russell. They were married on September 18, 1971. Jim founded the Jesse Law Office in Buchanan on...

John Allen Grzegorek, 70, of Galien, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland, St. Joseph. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. Visitation will take place one hour prior, from 1-2 pm also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date at Galien Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com. John was born on March 13, 1954 to Norbert and Hilda (Spyhiski) Grzegorek in South Bend. He graduated from LaSalle High School and continued his education...

Evelyn Berniece (Barnett) Andrews, age 94 of Niles, Michigan died Sunday, September 22, 2024. She was born in Sutherland, Nebraska to the late Ralph William Barnett and Florence Irene Barnett. Evelyn is survived by two daughters, Becky Gallina of Murfreesboro, TN and Susie Ferry and husband Tom Ferry of Eau Claire, MI; two sons, Jay Andrews and wife Barbara Andrews of Dearborn, MI and Ralph Andrews of Mineral, VA; nine grandchildren, Kate Gallina McNeil and husband Ben, Frank Mitchell Gallina and wife Amber, Nicholas Ivor Gallina and wife Samantha, Thomas Ivor Ferry and wife Emily, Kelly Jo Ferry Severin and husband Matt, Madelyn Grace Andrews, Griffin Ivor Andrews, Bethany Kathryn...

Dale Price Sr., 84, of Buchanan, MI passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, September 27, 2024, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI 49107. Burial will follow at Patton Cemetery in La Porte, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com Dale was born June 6, 1940 in La Porte, IN to Clarence & Dora (Wright) Price. He was the owner of Newman's Auto Shop...

Richard passed away peacefully on Friday September 20. He was born June 20, 1935 in Buchanan Michigan to Adam & Lottie Kuntz. He was eldest of 11 siblings. He was raised and lived most of his life in Bakertown. He graduated from Galien High School in 1954 and participated in football, basketball, track and FFA. He was Galiens first football captain. Upon graduation from high school he enrolled in the U.S. Army and spent two years serving as an MP on border patrol in Yuma Arizona. He worked at Post Products as a machinist, Buchanan Metalform for 25 years as a tool & die maker, engineer, and plant manager, and completed his career at Electro-Voice for 10 years as a supervisor and...

Joseph J. "Joe" Saratore, 86, of Buchanan, MI, passed away on September 5, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. Joe was born on February 19, 1938, in Niles, MI, to Dominick & Virginia (Decker) Saratore. He graduated from Niles High School in 1956 and continued his education by attending Idaho State University where he was a member of the football and track team while earning a bachelor's degree in education. While attending a college dance with friends, Joe met Judy Ricks. The two would later marry on December 5, 1958, in Pocatello, Idaho. Joe had visions of being an entrepreneur, so in 1966, Joe founded C & S Machine Products, Inc. With natural mechanical talent...

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 3pm on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Riverfront Park, Niles, MI. Arrangements entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan, 269-695-6881. www.swemchapel.com.

Lynn M. Bryant, 80, of Buchanan, MI, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-695-6881.

Consuela "Connie" Lynn Martin, 49, of Knox, IN, passed away surrounded by her family in Niles, MI, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, after a long battle with brain cancer. A memorial celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, June 22, from 12 PM until 4 PM at 2224 St. Joseph St., Niles, MI. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com. Connie was born June 26, 1974, in Plymouth, IN to Danny Martin, Sr. & Sarah Loveless. Following high school, Connie was employed at a few different places, however the job she enjoyed most was working as a Certified Nurses Assistant. With her wonderful sense of humor and bold personality, Connie was known for being...

Janice M. "Jan" Berberick, 70, of Niles MI, passed away on Tues., April 2, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Fri., April 19, at 2 PM at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI with Pastor Matthew Hickok officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com.

Janice M. "Jan" Berberick, 70, of Niles MI, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 19, at 2 PM at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI with Pastor Matthew Hickok officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com. Janice was born on August 27, 1953, in St. Joseph, MI, to John &...

Michael Robert Ferris, 74, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Mike was born on August 16, 1949, in Niles, to Robert and Martha (Young) Ferris. He lived in Buchanan all of his life and graduated from Buchanan High School with the class of 1969. That fall, Mike was drafted into the United States Marine Corps, serving two years in Camp Pendleton, California, and Okinawa. While at Camp Pendleton, Mike also served as a firefighter on the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. Upon his discharge from the Marines in 1971, Mike returned to Buchanan and volunteered with the Bertrand Township Fire Department, where he would serve for 25 years. Mike married Janice 'Jan'...

Paul R. Arsenault, 93, of Niles, MI, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at his home. A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date. A private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel & Cremation Services. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com. Paul was born on December 30, 1930, in Escanaba, MI, to Peter, Sr. & Harriett Arsenault. Paul graduated from Munising High School in 1948 and following his graduation he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy from 1948 until 1952. Upon his return home he continued his education by attending Michigan Technology...

Venita C. Bishop, 73, of Galien, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Corewell Spectrum Health, Niles, with her family by her side. Venita was born on January 21, 1951, in St. Joseph, Michigan, to the late Felix and Martha (Masterson) Caruso. She graduated from Galien Township School, class of 1969, and continued her education at The University of Michigan, Flint. Venita was married to Gordon Dale Bishop in Canada until 2001. She married Mike Goodwin on September 21, 2007, in Auburn, WA, who preceded her in death. Professionally, Venita worked for many years as an Executive Assistant at CIBC Wood Gundy and 1031 Services, Inc. In retirement, she co-owned (with Michael Goodwin)...