Norma Utter
Aug. 12, 1903-Feb. 26, 1974

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 27, 1974, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Norma M. Utter, 70, of 2887 Detroit Rd., died at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday in the Cardinal Nursing Home, South Bend, after an illness of several months.

A retired employe of Simplicity Pattern Co., Mrs. Utter was born Aug. 12, 1903, in Lawrence, and had lived here since 1929, coming from Benton Harbor. On Nov. 17, 1922, in St. Joseph, she married Jack L. Utter, who died in 1947.

Surviving are two sons, William of Niles and Charles of Dowagiac; a daughter, Mrs. Jacqueline Wheeler of Niles; two brothers, Lee and Lester Nower of St. Joseph; five sisters, Mrs. Donna Eiserman of Florida, Mrs. Ruth Day, Mrs. Virginia Agens, Mrs. June Dreeves and Mrs. Shirley Hosner, all of Benton Harbor, and one grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ralph Pletcher of Coulter's Chapel officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call beginning Thursday at the funeral home.

Lena B. Vandenburg
Feb. 26, 1889-Oct. 30, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 1, 1976, page 8, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Miss Lena B. Vandenburg, 87, of 41 S. Third St., died at 6:10 a.m. Saturday at Unity Hospital, Buchanan after an extended illness.

A former clerk at the Fair Stor[sic] of Niles, she was born Feb. 26, 1889 in Berrien township and had lived in the area her lifetime.

She is survived by two brothers, Lester and Henry, both of Niles.

Funeral services will be at  2 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. David L. Litchfield of the Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was to follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church.

Lawrence Glenn Warburton
Sept. 8, 1895-June 15, 1964

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 15, 1964, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Lawrence Glenn Warburton, 68, of 1217 Barron Lake Road, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Theodore Laesch, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, with pallbears[sic] from American Legion Post No. 26, who will fold the flag.

He died at 1:05 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital, where he had been a patient two days.

Mr. Warburton, a retired grocery store owner and former employe of the Simplicity Pattern Company, was born Sept. 8, 1895, in Canton, Penn. He came to Niles from Chicago in 1936.

Survivors include his widow, Evelyn; a daughter, Mrs. Grace Phillips, Dowagiac; two sons, Richard K., Niles, and Dr. Robert G., Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Grace Gomery, Norristown, Pa., and Mrs. Lillian McIlwain, Jersey Shore, Pa., nine grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

He was a veteran of World War I.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Hattie Ward
Feb. 4, 1905-June 24, 1964

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 24, 1964, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Hattie Ward, 59, of 1228 N. 10th St., died at 6:30 a.m. today in St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend, following an illness of several years.

Mrs. Ward was born Feb. 4, 1905, in Nachitoches, La. She came to Niles in 1948 from San Diego, Calif.

Survivors include her husband, William; a daughter, Mrs. Curtis Daily, Compton, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Ollie Jones, Nachitoches; a brother, John Huston, Leesville, La.; and a grandson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a member. The Rev. Theodis Hadley, pastor, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Kiger funeral home.

Earl E. Warrell
Aug. 17, 1905-Jan. 27, 1974

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 28, 1974, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Earl E. Warrell, 68, of Cassopolis, died at 2 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital, where he was admitted Jan. 18.

A security guard at Hickerson Modular Components, Edwardsburg, Mr. Warrell was born Aug. 17, 1905, in South Bend, and had lived in Cass County most of his life. On Aug. 17, 1970, in Dowagiac, he married the former Lucille Miller, who survives. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge of Niles.

Also surviving are two stepsons, Dale Miller of Seattle, Wash., and Wilson G. Miller of Oak Harbor, Wash.; three daughters, Mrs. Nancy Tuesberg of LaPorte, Ind., Mrs. Miriam Detert of Mishawaka and Mrs. Janet Johnston of Edwardsburg; four step-daughters, Mrs. Helen Harrison of Pendleton, Ore., Mrs. Barbara Snapp of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Shirley Glynn of Cassopolis and Marilyn Miller of Japan; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Johnson and Mrs. Marge Robbins, both of Niles, and Mrs. Ella Ridinger of Brownsville, Ore.; six grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Irvin Nussdorfe of Westminster Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Carrie Chapin Bracken
1849-Nov. 21, 1871

Niles Republican, Thursday, November 23, 1871, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

At Port Huron, Nov. 21st, 1871, of dropsy of the chest, Carrie Chapin, wife of Rev. Thomas E. Bracken, and daughter of H.A. and R. Chapin, aged 31 years.

The startling telegram, announcing the above sad intelligence, came suddenly to the many warm friends of Mrs. Bracken in this city, where her childhood and youth had been spent, and where the memory of her true womanly virtues will long be treasured by those who now so deeply mourn her early death.

Less than a year ago she went from us, a happy bride, followed by the best wishes of all our people; to-day, the stricken husband brings back her precious remains to her doubly bereaved parents, that loving hands may lay them tenderly to rest beside those of her sister Sarah, whose ransomed spirit, we trust, has are this, welcomed her to the abode of the blessed.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, November 25, 1871, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In Port Huron on Thursday, November 21st, Mrs. Carrie B. Bracken, wife of Rev. Thomas S. Bracken, and daughter of H.A. Chapin, Esq. of this city, in the 31st year of her age.

Her remains were brought to Niles, and interred in the cemetery on Thursday afternoon.

None but those who have passed through the same trying ordeal can fully appreciate the feelings of those who are called upon to take the last farewell look at the idol of their hearts
and the light and joy of their homes. She was indeed, the dearest of object on earth, not only to her fond husband but to her parents who now mourn her death. Her death was a dispensation of Providence. But a little more than eleven months ago, we beheld her arrayed in her bridal robes, with health and happiness gleaming from every features, receiving the congratulations of numerous friends. She was the happiest of brides. Alas how soon has death turned joy into sorrow, by taking from the fond embrace of a devoted husband his dearest object. Mrs. Bracken was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and a bright example to all who knew her - Her amiable and Christian qualities had endeared her to all with whom she became acquainted, and her untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire community. Death loves a shining mark, and the fairest and loveliest of earth are called
by his ruthless hands.

The father, mother, husband and brother have the sympathy of the community in their sad bereavement.

Carrie is gone from this world, it cares and its strife.
Gone from the dear ones beloved during life.
Gone to a home with the ransomed above.
Gone to a Saviour whose fullness is love.