Frank Nowak, 82, of Ottawa Trail in Niles, died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph following a brief illness.

Frank was born May 30, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Mich. to Frank Ernest and Harriet (Voet) Nowak. He graduation from Calvin College in Grand Rapids with a bachelor’s degree and later earned his master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He lived in Niles since 1968, coming from Muskegon, Mich., where he was employed with the Muskegon Public Schools from 1951-1968. He moved to Niles in 1968 to continue his career with Niles Community Schools, from which he retired in 1989.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army from 1945-1947. Frank was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles. He was a consummate elementary educator. He was an avid reader, loved to travel, enjoyed fine classical and choral music and really enjoyed history. His hobbies included stained glass works, playing cards, word searches and crossword puzzles. He also loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to pieces.

On Oct. 5, 1951 at Burlingame Congregation Church in Grand Rapids, he married Mildred Louise (Evans) Nowak, who survives.

Other surviving family include his children, Stephen Paul Nowak, of Sherwood, Ore., David Phillip Nowak, of Snellville, Ga., and Janice Ruth Nowak, of Niles; grandchildren, Evan K. Nowak, of Niles, Liana R. Nowak, of Snellville, Celeste Samaniego, of Pacoima, Calif., Amy Collis, of LaQuinta, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Mercedez and Hunter Samaniego and Samantha Collis, also of California.

The funeral service for Frank Victor Nowak will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Nelson E. Lumm, of Portage, Mich., officiating.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Frank may be made to the Niles Salvation Army or Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles.

Carrie May Doyle, 52

Carrie Mae Doyle, 52, of Stone Lake Street in Cassopolis, passed away at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo on Sunday, November 1, 2009 after an illness. In keeping with her wishes Carrie has been cremated and her family will be holding a memorial service at a later date.

Condolences, memories and photographs may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.