Obituary of Doreathea Long

Doreathea Long, 87, of Niles, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.  

She was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 26, 1935, to the late Raymond and Madeline (Williams) Rauch.

Doreathea was among the last graduating class from Niles Central High School in 1952.

She worked at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill as the office manager for twenty-five years, until her retirement.

Doreathea has a servant's heart,  serving many years as a Boy Scout volunteer, a board member of the Niles Senior Center, and driving transport for the senior center; and local veterans going to the VA center in Battle Creek. In her free time, she crocheted hundreds of little hats for local children, and the babies born at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughters; Henrietta Wilson, Madeline Williams, and a grandson, William Williams.

Doreathea is survived by her children, Steve Wilson of Dowagiac; Jane (Tod) Phillips of Berrien Springs; Trip (January) Immer of Watervliet; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchilren; and her brother, Hilton (Marijane) Rauch of Shipshewana.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, 61453 M-51, Niles. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow.

Memorial contributions in Doreathea’s memory may be directed to the Berrien County Cancer Services.  

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

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