Vernon Martin
Sept. 7, 1926-May 15, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 28, 1945, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Youth, 18, Dies on Okinawa

Eighteen-year-old Vernon Martin, pharmacist mate third class, was killed in action on Okinawa, according to a Navy Department telegram received Saturday by his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Martin, 1008 Birch street.

The date of his death was not given in the notification.

Martin had returned to action after being hospitalized for wounds suffered on Okinawa on Aug. 11.  He had been overseas since August 1944.

Born in Niles on Sept. 7, 1926, Martin attended Niles' schools prior to joint the Navy in September 1943.

Surviving are his mother; two brothers, Donald and David Martin, and five sisters, June, Jean and Doris Martin, Mrs. Edwin Hojara and Mrs. Loris Dewey.

Cpl. Howard D. Nelson
Nov. 16, 1910-April 13, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 23, 1945, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

57th Serviceman From Niles Dead

Cpl. Howard Nelson, 33, was killed in action in Germany on April 13 while serving with the infantry, the War Department Sunday notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson, rural route one.

He was the 57th serviceman from Niles reported killed in the second World War.

A former employe of the Tyler Fixture Corporation, Cpl. Nelson was inducted in the Army in January, 1942. He had been overseas since Feb. 7, 1945.  He attended Chicago schools.

Mary Louise Johnson
Dec. 8, 1875-May 29, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 29, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Johnson Dies at Age 69

A resident of Niles since 1914, Mrs. Mary Louis Johnson, 69, 1001 Topinabee road, died t 9:40  this morning in Pawating hospital.  She had been ill since January.

She was born in Vermont, Ill., on Dec. 8, 1875, and came to Niles from York, Neb.

Surviving are her husband, C. Theodore Johnson, and two sisters, Mrs. M.D. Kellogg, Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. J.W. Mason, Missoula, Mont.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Henry Jones
April 2, 1863-May 21, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 22, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal Services for Henry Jones, 82, Set

Committal rites for Henry Jones, 82, a native of Niles, will be conducted Wednesday in Silverbrook cemetery by the Rev. Guy W. Simon.

Jones died in his home in Chicago Monday. The body is expected to arrive in Niles at 11 .am. Wednesday and will be taken immediately to Silverbrook cemetery for burial.

Born in Niles in 1863, he lived here during his youth. Niles relatives are a niece, Lena Vanderburg and three nephews, Henry, Frank and Lester Vandenburg.

Cozetter Brown
April 21, 1931-Aug. 14, 2006

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 18, 2006; page 2, col. 2, cont. col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Cozetter Brown, 75, of River Street in Three Rivers, died at 3:38 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, at her home following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Monday 21, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Tyrone Pace of Second Baptist Church, Dowagiac, officiating.  Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

On April 21, 1931, in Morrilton, Ark. she was born to Mr. McKinzey Coker and Mamie (Redfield) 

Coker.  She has lived the last three years in Three Rivers, coming from California.

On June 3, 1951 in Arkansas, she married Fred Brown, who preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 1993.

Dancing, singing, knitting, sewing and crocheting brought her joy.  However, her biggest joy was taking care of and being with her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Fred, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorthy Elia Brown in 1966; a step-son Lawrence Brown in 1993; a brother James Madison Coker in 1999 and by two sisters, Idelle George in 1970 and Mizetter Thomas in 1985.

Her surviving family includes son, Johnny Edward Brown of South Bend, Ind., two daughters, Debra Ann Brown of Three Rivers and Betty Sue Brown of Los Angeles, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four sisters, burl Strong-Coker and Ruth Mae Butler, both of Arizona, Ruby Jackson and Rosie Gainer-Wade, both of California and a brother, McKinzey Coker Jr. of Connecticut.

Memorial contributions, in her memory, may be made to the donors choice.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Mrs. G.Z. (Imogen Thomas) Allen
Aug. 10, 1860-Dec. 1, 1914

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 1, 1914, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. G.Z. ALLEN EXPIRED TODAY.

Husband Was Performing Duties of Rural Mail Carrier At The Time Of Her Death

Mrs. G.Z. Allen expired at her residence , 520 Oak street, this morning at 11 o'clock.  Mr. Allen is a carrier in the rural route service and was absent from home in the performance of his duties at the time. A telephone message was sent to him that his wife was dying and Mr. Allen started post haste to make a trip of 8 miles, but he arrived too late.

Mrs. Allen was born in Elbridge, N.Y., and was 54 years of age. They have resided in Niles since 1882.

The deceased is survived by Mrs. A. H. Gunnison, a sister living in Los Angeles, Cal., and two brothers, Charles Thomas, a former resident of Niles, now residing in Waterloo, N.Y., and Wm. H. Thomas of Syracuse., N.Y.

Mrs. Allen had been suffering with Bright's disease but the attending physician attributed the cause of her death to heart failure.

The funeral will take place from the residence at 1:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 5, 1914, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. G.Z. Allen were held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the residence, 520 Oak street, by Reade at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note; Michigan Death Record confirms that Mrs. G.Z.Allen's given name was Imogen and maiden name Thomas and dob.