Mrs. Ada Belle Finley
Oct. 14, 1879-May 29, 1956

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Franklin AME Church for Mrs. Ada Belle Finley, 1024 Lake Street who died Tuesday afternoon following a long illness.  She was 76 years old.

Mrs. Finley was born Oct. 14, 1879, in Sumnerville, but had been a lifelong resident of Niles.  She was a member of the Franklin AME Church and of the church's Board, and an honorary member of the Church Sewing Circle.

Mrs. Finley's husband, Clarence, died May 1, 1943.

Survivors include: four daughters Mrs. Anita Travick, Mrs. Esther Woodford, Mrs. Norma Taylor and Mrs. Marion Scruggs all of Niles; four sons, Homer Finley, and Lester Finley of Chicago; Clarence Finley of Niles, and Major Seth Finley with the armed forces in Germany; 25 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Emory G. Davis, Galesburg, Ill., will officiate at the services.  Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1956, Page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

J.F. Hill
April 8, 1875-May 31, 1956

J.F. Hill, 81, a lifetime resident of the Niles area, died early today in the home of a son, John D. Hill. 707 West  High Street, Dowagiac. He had been ill two years.

He was born April 8, 1875, in Bainbridge Township, and had been a farmer until his retirement several years ago.  His wife, Mrs. Ethel Hill, preceded him in death in 1946.  He lived in the Niles area until moving to his son's home in Dowagiac last March.

Survivors include: two sons, John and Clifford K. Hill of Niles; three step-children, Donald Weber of Mishawaka, Mrs. Gretchen Seeberger of Benton Harbor, and Dr. Clayton Weber, La Juanta, Colo.; two brothers, George Hill of Benton Harbor, and Clinton Hill of Sister Lakes; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1956, Page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Henry George Shipperley
March 9, 1885-May 30, 1956

Henry George Shipperley, 71, died in his home at 1989 Lewis Drive, Wednesday morning following a two-year illness.

He was born March 9, 1885, in Middlesex, England. He moved to Niles from Bay City in 1917. He had been a brick mason.

Survivors include: the widow, Lucy; three daughters, Mrs. John Yeager of Buchanan, Mrs. Fred Labelle of Dearborn, and Mrs. Charles Mayhew of Niles; one son, M. Sgt. George N. Shipperley, Fort Riley, Kan.; three brothers, James of Niles, and William and Arthur of Detroit, and three grandchildren.

The Rev. L. George Beacok, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will officiate at funeral services at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1956, Page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Tommy Ryan Hardy
May 8, 1953-May 29, 1956

INFANT DIES

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the Kiger Funeral Home for Tommy Ryan Hardy, three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge Hardy, 1110 Sycamore Street. The boy died Tuesday.

In addition to the parents, survivors include: the grandparents, Mrs. Elsie Bennett and Mrs. Joe Perkins of Caruthersville, Mo., and Newton Hardy of Flint, and a sister Tenna, at home.

The Rev. Lloyd Murphy of the United Missionary Church, will preside at services.  Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1956, Page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. May Rhoads Thomas
May 16, 1913-June 16, 1956

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 16, 1956, Page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. May Rhoads Thomas, 43, of Niles, died today at Hines Veterans hospital, Hines, Ill. Mrs. Thomas, who saw military service during World War II, was born May 16, 1913, in Detroit. Surviving is her husband, Delbert. The body arrived today at the Pifer Funeral Home, where arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 18, 1956, Page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

THOMAS RITES HELD

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock today in the Pifer Funeral Home for Mrs. May Rhoads Thomas, 43, of 1450 Jerome Street, who died Saturday in Hines Veterans Hospital, Hines, Ill. The Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiated and burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Mrs. Thomas served with the Women's Army Corps during World War II.

Note: Gravemarker reads Laura M Rhoads, PFC 488 SVC COMD UNIT World War II May 16, 1913-June 16, 1956

James R. Garner
Jan. 20, 1878-June 17, 1956

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 18, 1956, Page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

James R. Garner, 78, of 1629 Cedar Street, well known Niles druggist, died Sunday morning at the home of his son, Edward, in Cleveland, O.  He and Mrs. Garner had been visiting in Cleveland.

Garner was born Jan. 20, 1878, in Kiefersville, O., and came to Niles in 1929 from Grand Rapids. He owned and operated the Royal Drug Company with another son, Ralph, for many years until his retirement a few years ago. He was past president of the Niles Rotary Club, past patron of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of the St. Joseph Valley No. 4, F. and A.M. , and the DeWitt Consistory.

Surviving besides his wife Lydia, and the two sons, Edward, of Cleveland, and Ralph, of Niles, are two grandchildren.

The body will be returned here to the Pifer Funeral Home, where friends may call beginning Tuesday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 19, 1956, Page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

GARNER RITES SET

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Presbyterian Church for James R. Garner, 78, 1629 Cedar Street, well known Niles druggist who died Sunday morning at the home of a son in Cleveland, O.  Dr. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until Wednesday noon.