Simon E. Witwer
October 10, 1853-Oct. 17, 1950
Simon E. Witwer, 87, of rural route one a school teacher in rural areas around Niles for many years, died at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Bechdol Nursing Home her after an illness of one year.
Witwer was born in Starke County, O., on October 10, 1853, the son of Jonathan and Christine Hennich Witwer. He married Emma Hoover on Sept, 14, 1878. She died on October 2, 1949.
He began teaching before he was 21 and taught in rural schools in Indiana until 1885 at which time he moved to Niles. He taught school in the Niles area for many years including schools at Sumnerville, Pokagon and Mechanicsburg. Also active in church affairs, he taught several Sunday school classes in the same area.
Surviving are a brother, John of South Bend; a daughter, Mrs. Edith B. Frost of Niles; a son, Joseph R. Witwer of Plymouth, Mich.and a . . . [illiegible] . .Plymouth.
Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Frank Flagg, of Dowagiac will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 18, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.