Mary (Anslow) Machin Martin
July 3, 1820-May 30, 1919

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 31, 1919, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES OLD RESIDENT

Mrs. Mary Martin, aged 99, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T.A. Bunbury, at 6 o'clock last evening. Cause of death was old age.

Deceased had lived in Niles for many years and was one of the city's most widely known residents. She was born in Wellington, England, July 3, 1820. Her maiden name ws Mary Anslow and was married to Thomas Machin in England in 1851.

They located in the east for a short time, coming to Bertrand, where Mrs. Martin resided continuously until 30 years ago, when she came to Niles to reside.

Mrs. Machin was left a widow in 1856 and in 1860 she was married to Henry Martin, who passed away in 1868.

She as the mother of three children, Ann Machin Bunbury, of this city, who survives; Susie Machin Swain and Sarah Machin, the two latter who are deceased. Besides Mrs. Bunbury she is survived by six grandchildren, Florence, Sadie and Edward Bunbury and Thomas Swain, all of this city; Mrs. Guy Howe of Oak Park, Ill., and Mrs. Frank Ortman of Kawannee, Ill.  John Howe and Belinda Swain represent the fourth generation.

She was a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal church for about 68 years and was the oldest member of the church, both in point of years and also continuous membership.

Mrs. Martin was a woman of remarkable mentality and continued so during the closing years of her life. She was in full possession of all her faculties until the last.  She was a great reader, an unusual student of history and always kept in touch with current events.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from Trinity church. Rev. Harold Hall will officiate. Burial at Silver Brook Cemetery.

John Rayburn, 83
Jan. 14, 1928 —  July 6, 2011

John N. “Nate” Rayburn, 83, of North 13th Street in Niles, died at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 14, 1928 in Niles to James Ernest Rayburn and Mary Clyda (Blackburn) Rayburn. He graduated from Niles High School and lived here all of his life. He retired from Simplicity Pattern Co. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Army. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and the Simplicity Golf League. John married Beverly Jean (Groves) Rayburn on July 2, 1955 in Niles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Jean Rayburn and his brother, James Edmond Rayburn. Survivors include his sister, Marguerite Bjorkley of Niles; nephew, James P. (Eileen) Rayburn; and nieces Mary (Richard) Rayburn Kennedy and Laura (Robert) Rayburn Mashburn. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2011 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. There will also be a flag presentation and “Taps” following the services at the funeral home by American Legion Post 26, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:36pm Friday, July 8, 2011

Arthur Walton
Sept. 20, 1879*-Dec. 23, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 24, 1926, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

ARTHUR WALTON IS STRICKEN AFTER ANN ARBOR OPERATION

Sadness was brought to a large circle of friends in Niles last evening by the announcement of the death in University hospital in Ann Arbor of Arthur Walton, 46, of Niles.

Mr. Walton entered the hospital three weeks ago, and on last Tuesday he had an operation for goitre[sic].  His wife was summoned to Ann Arbor Tuesday night on account of his serious condition, and she and Mr. Walton's brother, Herbert, of Niles, were at his bedside when he passed away.

Mr. Walton had been in ill health for more than a year, and had consulted with specialists in several hospitals, and had been in Cuba for the benefit of his health. He had recently been in the sanitarium in Battle Creek, and upon returning home had resumed his work as a Michigan Central switchman. His death was quite unexpected.

Mr. Walton was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walton, deceased, and was born on a farm north of Niles near the interurban crossing which bears the family name. Mr. Walton was married nine years ago to Miss Margaret Foster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foster. She survives him, as does also one daughter, Virginia. Besides the widow and daughter, Mr. Walton is survived by four brothers who are: Jay Walton, of Portland, Ore.; Byron, of Aberdeen, S.D.; Dwight, of Kansas City, and Herbert, of Niles. Byron returned to Aberdeen only last Sunday after spending a week with his brother. Dwight is expected in Niles tomorrow.

Mr. Walton was a member of the firm of Walton Brothers, proprietors of the Walton news depot, and since the death of his brother, Roy, four years ago he has given the business much personal attention in addition to his work on the railroad.

Mr. Walton was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the funeral services will be under the auspices of St. Joseph lodge, No. 4, and F. and A.M.  The body was brought to Niles early this morning by M.S. Rutherford, and it is now at his funeral home.

Mr. Walton was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No., 4, F. and A.M. of St. Joseph Valley Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M., of Niles Council, No. 19, Royal and Select Masons, and of Niles Commandery, No., 12, Knights Templar.

*Note: Date of birth from WWI Draft Registration @Ancestry.com

Mabel Y. Roskay
March 30, 1913-Nov. 28, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 2, 1995, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mabel Y. Roskay
1913-1995
first woman solo
pilot in Niles

Funeral services for Mabel Y. Roskay, 82, 2023 Lake, Niles will be 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Niles by the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Roskay died at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at her winter home in Port St. Lucie, Fla., following a brief illness.

She was born March 30, 1913 in Michigan City, Ind. and had lived in Niles most of her life. She had wintered in Port St. Lucie since 1952.  She married Leland C. Roskay on April 28, 1941 in Elkhart, Ind.  He preceded her in death Oct. 21, 1980. Mrs. Roskay was a career pilot, and was the first woman solo pilot in Niles. She ran Niles Airways, Inc. while her husband served as a pilot in World War II.  She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and attended First Presbyterian Church in North River Shores, Fla.

She is survived by a sister, Juel Chubb of Buchanan; a daughter, Susan Roskay-Kaufmann of Palm City, Fla.; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Kaufmann of Palm City.  She was preceded in death by seven sisters.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Dennis Wayne Armstrong
Aug. 28, 1947-Nov. 30, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 2, 1995, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Dennis Wayne Armstrong
1947-1955
retired police officer

Funeral services for Dennis Wayne Armstrong, 48, of Ridgedale, Mo. will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, with miliary rites by American Legion Ralph Rumbaugh Post 51, Buchanan.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Armstrong died at 7:10 p.m. Thursday at Skaggs Cummunity Hospital, Branson, Mo. of natural causes.

He was born Aug. 28, 1947 in Niles, and lived in Albuquerque, N.M. before moving to Branson, Mo.

He married the former Vicki Young, who survives.

He retired as a captain with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1988, and was working in real estate in Branson.

He was member of the Niles High School class of 1966, a Vietnam veteran, a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Albuquerque Rotary Club, and founded the Christian Police Officers Association of Albuquerque.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his mother, Midge DePyl of Buchanan; his father and stepmother, Warren and Millie Armstrong of Albuquerque; a daughter, Heather Armstrong of Ridgedale, Mo.; a half-sister Laurie Banke of Niles; a half-brother, Mike DePyl of Buchanan; stepsisters Linda Cornwell and Sharon Crismore of Alburquerque and stepbrother William Lewis of Albuquerque.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saladin Shrine Foundation for Crippled Children.

Mayo Elder
July 17, 1907-Nov. 23, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 25, 1995, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mayo Elder
1907-1995
Worked in a cotton gin in Tennessee

Funeral services for May Elder, 88, of 1422 N. 11th, Niles will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Calvary Baptist church, Niles by the Rev. W.L. Daniel.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Elder died at 4 a.m. Thursday at home of natural causes.

He was born July 17, 1907 in Gibbons County, Tenn. and had lived in Niles since 1984.

He was a laborer in a cotton gin in Tennessee, and was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors include one sister, Minnie Irvin of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sons, Thomas Elder of Kalamazoo and Billy Ray Elder of Dallas; and one daughter, Mary Esley of Niles.

One daughter, Johnnie Mae Porter, preceded him in death in 1985.

Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday.