Otto Radewald
Aug. 30, 1858-Feb. 5, 1941
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 6, 1941, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
OTTO RADEWALD, 82, PROMINENT BERRIEN FRUIT RAISER, DIES
Five Weeks' Illness Fatal to Community and Church Leader
Otto Radewald, 82, prominent Berrien township fruit raiser and farmer and, for many years a leading figure in township affairs, died Wednesday afternoon in Pawating hospital.
Mr. Radewalds's death followed an illness of five weeks.
He was born in Niles Aug. 30, 1858 and had lived 72 years in the Berrien township community. With the exception of 10 years in St. Joseph, Mr. Radewald had spent his entire life in and near Niles.
Among his activities in the service of the community were 45 years as treasurer of the Oak Grove school district; two terms as Berrien township treasurer, and duties connected with church and school affairs.
Church Township Leader
He had served on the board of review and as a member of the St. John's Evangelical church board. In St. Joseph, he was one of 12 organizers of St. Peter's Evangelical church in 1882. The church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1932 and members of the original board attended. Mr. Radewald, until his death Wednesday, was the last surviving member of that board.
He was a member of St. John's church in Niles, of the Maccabees and the Woodmen.
Surviving are five children--Edwin, Route 3, Niles; Miss Lydia Radewald, at home; Mrs. Fred Foster, Mrs. Ray Foster, Route 3, and Mrs. Adolph Knott. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Herman Hinz, St. Joseph, and 11 grandchildren.
Wife Died in 1910
His wife, the former Miss Minnie Kupperness, to whom he was married in 1887, died in 1910. The Rev. Ewalf officiated at the marriage ceremony in St. Joseph.
Services will be conducted in St. John's Evangelical church Saturday afternoon at 3:30, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook.
Friends of the family will be received at the Price and Kiger funeral home tonight and until noon Friday, and at the family home from noon Friday to Saturday noon. The body will be taken to St. John's church at 1:30 Saturday afternoon.