Niles Daily Star and Dowagiac Daily News

Wanda M. Leets, 92, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles, MI. She was born on October 7, 1931, in South Bend, IN, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Misztal) Szymczyk. On November 17, 1951, Wanda was united in marriage to Donald E. Leets in South Bend, who passed away May 13, 1979. Wanda grew up in South Bend, IN as one of six children. Her sisters and brother were Helen Dybala, Joan Stuglik, Alice Szymczak, Ted Szymczyk, Evelyn Herman, and many nieces and nephews dear to her heart. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her beautiful life. Her grandparents and parents were Polish immigrants that moved to...

Marion Louise Young, 92, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Niles, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to and are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Robert Bruce Coryell Sr, 75, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Niles, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to and are pending with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Michael Ralph Best, 66, of Jones, died peacefully, Saturday morning, April 13, 2024 in the comfort of his home in his family's presence. His life began July 12, 1957 in Niles, Michigan born to Dave Best and Joan Kane. Mike loved riding his motorcycle. He was self-taught mechanic that could fix anything. From cars and trucks to lawnmowers and chainsaws; if it had a motor he could fix it. He enjoyed making his own beer and wine. He was very proud of his boys and their achievements. He lived life by his own rules and was a free bird. Mike will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by the love of his life, Tami Owen of Jones; three sons, Josh Best of Michigan, Jeremy...

Michael Best, 66, of Cassopolis, died Saturday, April 13, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, of Cassopolis.

Kevin Rettic, 73, of Cassopolis, died Thursday, April 11, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, of Cassopolis.

Service entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front St. ,Buchanan, MI

Timothy Polly, 48, of Edwardsburg, passed away Tuesday, April 09, 2024. Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

William PeGan, 33, of Edwardsburg, passed away Monday, April 08, 2024. Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

William Pegan, 33, of Edwardsburg, passed away Monday, April 08, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Michael "Smitty" Smith, 73, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024, with family. He was born on September 2, 1950, in Adiran, MI. Smitty enjoyed attending rock concerts, playing horseshoes and shooting pool. He was an avid NASCAR fan and a devoted fan of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide sports. Roll Tide!! Smitty loved driving the many Harley-Davidson motorcycles he has owned over the years. Surviving are his son - Randy (Peggie) Smith; grandchildren - Jason Weber-Smith, Tori Cook, Nicholas (Tristan) Weber-Smith, Ashley Smith and Olivia Weber-Smith; nine great-grandchildren; and aunt - Barb Baines. Preceding him in death were his father - Dallard K. Smith; mother and...

Mary "Frances" Young Burton, 97, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Niles, Michigan. Frances was born on April 16, 1926 in Berwick, Illinois to the late Lewis Valentine Ingram and Mary Opal (Andrews) Ingram. Along with her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond Young; second husband, Carl Burton; step-daughter, Rose Clemans; brothers, Albert Ingram, James Ingram, and Kenneth Ingram, and sisters, Beverly Ingram and Martha Tannehill. Left to cherish the memory of Frances are her daughters, Janice Kiper, Karen Waterhouse, Martha (Tom) Vicari, and Rachel Hattenbach; step-son, Ray Burton; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great...

Leland "Chuck" Wood, 92, of Niles, passed away Sunday, April 07, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Leland Wood, 92, of Niles, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Carol Bisarek Thackray was born in Livingston, Wisconsin on January 4, 1933, to Michael and Mary Bisarek. She grew up on farms of the rolling hills of Southwestern Wisconsin with her nine siblings. She attended rural schools, grades 1-8, then graduated from Cobb High School in 1950 and was employed in Madison, Wisconsin for several years. In 1955 she entered Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Madison, graduating in 1958. In December 1958 she and David Thackray of Waupun, Wisconsin were married. They moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where David completed the University of Minnesota Dental School and Carol worked as a nurse at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. In 1960 they settled...

Nathan "Nate" Scherer was born on August 8, 2000, in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of John Scherer III and Laura Hopson. Nate loved sports, especially football, baseball, and basketball. He attended Hartford Public Schools, where his love for sports and many lifelong friends were first introduced. Nate also loved Michigan State, the Chicago Bulls, NASCAR, and the UFC. He had a passion for farming and hunting with his Dad and cousins. Nate dedicated his career to working on his Grandparent's farm, learning the ins and outs from his Dad, with hopes of someday running it himself. Nate enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, bonfires, going on car rides, and listening to country music. More than anything, Nate...

Marilyn "Sue" Pipher Bevill died at home April 6, 2024 after a life full of cooking, baking and gardening, a rewarding career as a nurse's aide, and enjoying loving, hands-on relationships with her six grandchildren, all of whom she adored. Until she was struck by a series of illnesses that began just months ago, Sue could run circles around those her age and much younger. She loved her "little house" in South Bend, a villa that she and her husband, Bill, moved into five years ago. She kept it immaculate, buzzed around in the kitchen, which she decked out in a lemon-yellow motif, and tended to lots of flowers, a small vegetable garden and gobs of birdhouses and feeders outside. Her mental...

Lorna Edith Mourning, 98, a life-long resident of Cassopolis, died peacefully in the early morning of Friday, April 5, 2024. The life of this wonderful lady who loved family and friends and never met a stranger, began August 22, 1925 in Cassopolis, Michigan, the youngest of fourteen children born to Loda and Alma Haines. She recalled the many happy moments spent with family as she grew up on a working farm with twelve brothers and one sister. Her parents were very proud of their farm and being able to live off the land. They would often comment about how blessed they were, especially during the depression, to be able to care for their family, with pigs, chickens, cows, and even a mule,...

Karen Kathleen McNelis, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, in Niles, Michigan, at the age of 81. She was born on November 14, 1942, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to the late Andrew and Frances (Hosmer) Dutoi. Graduating from Niles High School, Karen embraced a life of service and dedication. For 30 years, she was a valued employee of the United States Postal Service, where her diligence and friendly demeanor became her hallmark. Karen's work ethic and commitment to her community were mirrored in her involvement with the Jacob's Sheep Association, where she shared her passion for her beloved animals. After high school...

Linda Baker, 74, of Buchanan, passed away Friday, April 05, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Karen McNelis, 81, of Niles, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com