Nellie Miller
Nov. 15, 1920-Sept. 18, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 20, 1997, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Nellie Miller, 76, of Hampshire Road, Dowagiac, are Monday at 1 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Pastor Scott Goodman of First Baptist Church and Mr. James Topash of Niles.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Miller died Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at her home, following an extended illness.

She was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Owensburg, Ind. On Jan. 22, 1941, in Paw Paw, she married Conrad Miller, who survives.

Mrs. Miller enjoyed many outdoor activities, including gardening; and as a hunter had a reputation for her marksmanship and maintained her own fishing boat.

Survivors also include a sister, Tryphena Suit of Cortez, Fla.; and a brother in law, Floyd Miller of Dowagiac.

She was preceded in death by sisters Wyoma Gray and Lucille Wisley.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to TB and Emphysema Association.

Matthew A. McGrath, Sr.
Aug. 9, 1924-Sept. 11, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 13, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Matthew A. McGrath Sr., 73, of 110 S. 16th St., Niles, are Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Fred T. Smith of South Niles Community church.

Burial wll follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. McGrath died Thursday at 7 p.m. at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born Aug. 9, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Niles since 1966, coming here from Crown Point, Ind.

On Oct. 7, 1967, in Buchanan, he married the former Jacqueline "Jackie" Gentry, who survives.

Mr. McGrath was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II.  He was a life member and had served two terms as commander of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles.  He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4025 in Niles and the AmVets Post 1978, Niles, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Mr. McGrath retired as foreman from Conrail in Elkhart, Ind., in 1985, after 20 years of service.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four sons, Matt McGrath Jr. and Joe McGrath, both of Owensboro, Ky., and Michael Gentry and Randy Dean McGrath, both of Niles; two daughters, Dee Regenos of Owensboro, Ky., and Donna McGrath of Crown Point, Ind.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Josephine Cassidy of Broooklyn, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jonni McGrath, in 1985.

Friends may call Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Full military honors by American Legion Commander John McLaughlin will follow the committal Tuesday at graveside.

Karen E. Adams Clark
March 8, 1945-Sept. 3, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 5, 1997, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Karen E. Adams Clark, 52, Randallstown, Md., are Monday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Harry D. Pierson of Franklin A.M.E. Church, Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Ms. Clark died Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Northwest Hospital, Randallstown, following a brief illness.

She was born March 8, 1945, in Niles, to Irven L. Adams and Cecelia Williams. She graduated from Niles High School in 1963, and from Michigan State University in 1966. She had lived in Randallstown for 17 years.

Ms. Clark was employed for 24 years with the Social Security Administration, currently as personnel trainer. She enjoyed the cultural arts of the Baltimore and Washington area.

Survivors include a son, Christopher Clark of Washington, D.C.; her father and step-mother, Irven L. and Marguerite Adams of Niles; a sister, Ruth Ann Frasier of Southfield; and a brother, Richard Adams of Lansing.

Friends may call Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, one hour prior to the services.

George Ausmus
July 21, 1859-Oct. 31, 1920

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, November 1, 1920, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH REMOVES GEO. A. AUSMUS

Had Resided in Niles Since 1866; Funeral Services Wednesday

Death removed a highly respected Niles resident Sunday morning when George A. Ausmus died at his home 3101 North Fifth street at 3 o'clock after about three months' illness from a complication of diseases.

Mr. Ausmus was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1859. He sailed for America in 1866, came directly to Niles from New York and had always since resided here. He was carpenter by trade and for many years was in the employe of the Michigan Central railway company. Thirty-six years ago he was married to Anna Cook in Niles. He is survived by a widow, three children, Mrs. Louis Goodsell, Mrs. Marian Evans and Henry Ausmus, all of Niles, by two brothers, Adam and Charles Ausmus of Niles and by two sisters.  The latter are Mrs. Henry Kaiser of Niles and Mrs. David Harring of Wakarusha, Ind.

The deceased was a member of Niles Tent, K.O.T.M., of the German Workingmen's Benevolent association and of the Railwaymen's union.

The deceased was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence.  Rev. H.T. Scherer will conduct the services. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note:  Obituary give middle initial as "A"; it is inscribed "C" on gravemarker; Michigan Death Certificate reads "George Ausmus" with no middle name or initial; dob from Michigan Death Certificate

Alice Lydia McOmber
Oct. 27, 1850-Dec. 22, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 24, 1928, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE HELD TODAY FOR MOTHER OF CITY CLERK MCOMBER

Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 in the Rutherford Funeral home for Mrs. Alice Lydia McOmber, 78, mother of City Clerk J.L. McOmber.  Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church of which Mrs.McOmber was a member for many years, officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Leach sang. Burial took place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. McOmber died on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. Leroy Robinson, in Jackson, after a brief illness with influenza although she had long been in ill health.

Mrs. McOmber's maiden name was Alice Lydia Brelsford.  She was born on Oct. 27, 1850.  She came to Niles more than 40 years ago and until after the death of her husband had lived here continuously. Since his death, she had spent the summers in Niles with her son and his family, and the winters in Jackson. She was married in Niles to James McOmber by the Rev. Alfred Eddy, then pastor of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. McOmber was active in the work of the Methodist church in Niles for many years.

Besides her son, City Clerk J.L. McOmber, of Niles, and her daughter, Mrs. Leroy Robinson, of Jackson, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Clara Church of Jackson, and one brother, T. Watson Brelsford, of Niles, and by seven grandchildren who are Alice, William, Ruth, Louise and Thomas McOmber, James McOmber Robinson and Jane Alice Robinson.  A nephew, Harry Brelsford of East Aurora, N.Y., arrived in Niles this morning to attend the services, coming on the same train as that which bore the funeral party from Jackson.

Arthur McOmber
May 1, 1878-Aug. 27, 1920

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, August 28, 1920, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL

Arthur McComber Dies at Kalamazoo--Body Will be Brought Here

Robert McOmber, north Fourth street, received word today of the death of his son, Arthur, at the Michigan state hospital at Kalamazoo.  A sunstroke suffered several years ago shattered his health and was the direct cause of his death.  He was born in Niles 42 years ago and was reared to manhood here. Besides his father, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Filbert Williams, of this city. The body will be brought to Niles for burial but the funeral arrangements have not been completed. The deceased was a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, August 30, 1920, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR A. M'OMBER TOMORROW

The funeral services for Arthur McOmber will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of his father, Robert McOmber, 812 north Fourth street. The services will be in charge of the local lodge of Odd Fellows with Rev. J.R. T. Lathrope, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating minister. Burial wll occur at Silver brook cemetery.

Arthur McOmber was born in Niles, May 1, 1878.  He died Aug. 27, 1920, at Kalamazoo. He spent his boyhood days in Niles, graduated from the Niles high school with the class of 1900 and also graduated from Albion college. Thre[sic] years ago he suffered a sunstroke from the effects of which he never recovered. Fraternally he was indentified[sic] with the local lodges of W.O.W., Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs.