Reed Bracken, Sr.
1810-May 29, 1875

Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 5, 1875, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

We are sorry to announce the death of Mr. Reed Bracken, an old and highly esteemed resident of this city, which occurred on Saturday, May 29th. During his twenty years' residence here he enjoyed the fullest confidence of all who knew him, and was noted for his strict integrity and uprightness of life. In his death the city loses a good, true man, and pleasant memories will long be retained of his genial social nature. His age was 65.

Sylvia (Murphy) Blanchard
May 13, 1880-April 3, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 4, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Blanchard Succumbs

Mrs. V.J. Blanchard, 66, passed away on April 3 at her home in Berrien township after an extended illness.

Born on May 13, 1880, near Berrien Center, she was the former Sylvia Murphy.  She was married to Virgil J. Blanchard on Sept. 17, 1902.

She leaves her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Trattles, and Mrs. Mary Miller, Niles; two grand children; a brother, H.C. Murphy, Indianapolis, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Ada Peterson and Mrs. Alice Miller, Berrien Center.

Services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Bowerman funeral home at Eau Claire, with interment at Silverbrook cemetery.  The body will lie in state in the funeral home until the hour of services.

Edgar E. Benhard
Sept. 6, 1864-April 29, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 1, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Edgar E. Benhard, 83, of rural route six, died at 12:10 p.m. Saturday in the Cass county hospital near Cassopolis.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Paul McManus, of Niles, and Mrs. Arthur Sayles, of Alliance, O., and two sisters, Mrs. Ernest Blood, of Passaic, N.J. and Mrs. Albert Kuppernuss, of Elkhart, Ind.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Hazel Woods
Feb. 23, 1902-Nov. 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 24, 1975, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Funeral services for Mrs. Hazel W. Woods, 73, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. She died suddenly at her home in South Bend.

Mrs. Woods was born Feb. 23, 1902, in Spencer County, Ind., and had lived in this area all her life.

Surviving are a son, Jack of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Dale (Wanda) Witham of Niles; a brother, R.E. Wilson of McLean, Va.; sister, Mrs. Lillian Widener of Louisville, Ky., and four grandchildren.

The Rev. John R. Wingarden, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate at the services and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Clare B. Harrison
1883-Nov. 23, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 24, 1975, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles--Mrs. Clare B. Harrison, 251 Cass St., died at 7:45 a.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital following an extended illness. A retired employe of the Masonic Service Assn., she had lived in this area all her life. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal; Church. Her husband, Merrill, died in 1932.

Surviving are two nephews, Frank and Rex Barron, and a niece, Mrs. Robert Long, all of Niles.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Silverbrook Cemetery by the Very Rev. Vincent J. Anderson, pastor of Trinity Episcopal.  Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Jane Ann Harrison
1797-May 26, 1875

Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 5, 1875, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

MRS. JANE ANN HARRISON, widow of the late John Harrison, at the residence of Henry Rounds, in this city, May 26, aged 78 years.

She was a native of the Isle of Man, and came to America in 1828, and to Niles in 1869.  Mrs. H. had been a consistant[sic] member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 60 years. During her long and industrious life she had acquired a large fund of general knowledge which her retentive memory held in store, and enabled her to use, for the edification of her friends and the benefit of the community.  She leaves a son and four daughters.