Born: March 9, 1926

Died: Jan. 23, 2013

Doris Elaine Casperson, 86, of Niles-Buchanan Road in Niles, Mich., died at 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on March 9, 1926 in Mishawaka, Ind., to Harold Berwyn and Hazel Maybelle (Ives) Short.  She was graduated from Niles High School in 1944, and has lived here most of her life.  She was first employed in the offices of the former Michigan Gas and Electric Company (now SEMCO Energy).

On Feb. 21, 1953 in Mishawaka she married Ralph A. Casperson.  She quickly became a constant assistant and partner with Ralph as they owned and operated various endeavors including “Philatelic” – Stamps bought and sold worldwide, Charmglow Outdoor Gas Lamps and Grills, and most significantly, Ralph A. Casperson Books – a shop behind their home specializing in used and antiquarian books on an international market.  In July of 2010 that business was passed to Ralph’s son as “A. Casperson Books”, now located in downtown Niles.

Doris was a member for over forty years of the Schuyler Colfax Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  She was also a member of the Delta Theta Tau (DTT) philanthropic sorority, and the ladies auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Cassopolis, Mich.  She had served on the local board of the Selective Service System.  She enjoyed maintaining the family history, sending cards on every anniversary and birthday, and keeping-up the family’s correspondence.

On the fifty-sixth anniversary of their wedding, Ralph succumbed to a brief illness, and preceded his wife in death.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Hazel Short, and by a sister, Beverly Ann “Becky” Short.

Surviving family includes their son, Allen C. (& Linda) Casperson of Niles; a granddaughter, Christina M. Casperson, and grandson, Abel Casperson.

The family of Doris Casperson will be gathering privately for services at the graveside at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ashland, Wis.  Contributions in memory of Doris may be made to the City of Niles Museum for renovation.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com