Mrs. Messick (Birdella Starr) Carpenter
May 15, 1885-November 5, 1918
Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, November 5, 1918, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Many Homes are Plunged in Sorrow by Grim Reaper's Toll--Influenza Caused Several of the Deaths
Leaving a husband and three little children, besides many near relatives, the death of Mrs. Messick Carpenter of East Broadway, which occured[sic] this morning at 2 o'clock at the Red Cross hospital, is attended by unusually sad circumstances and is one fo the several deaths which have occurred in Niles while the epidemic of influenza has been prevalent which has aroused the sympathy of the community. She was a most estimable lady and many mourn her death.
Mrs. Carpenter's death followed two weeks' illness with influenza and pneumonia.
Mrs. Carpenter was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, 903 North Front street. She was born in Wabash county, Indiana, May 14, 1885. She was married in Niles to Messick Carpenter, Sept. 24, 1905. Three children were born to them, who survive their mother. They are Mildred, aged 11 years; Floyd, aged 9, and Leo, aged 4 years. Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Carpenter is survived by her parents, two brothers, Norman of Mentone, Ind., and Ray, who is with the Canadian army in France, and by one sister, Mrs. David Morris, of Niles.
The funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from the home of her parents where the body was taken this afternoon. Rev. Lewis will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Mr. Carpenter is employed in the Michigan Central freight department.
Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 6, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Funeral services for Mrs. Messick Carpenter will be conducted tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, by Rev. Lewis. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock funeral services will be held for Mrs. Messick Carpenter from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, 903 North Front street. Dr. E.G. Lewis will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.
Young woman taken by death
Mrs. Messick Carpenter, age 33, died at 2 o'clock this morning in the Presbyterian Church hospital, following an illness of one week. Mrs. Carpenter was first stricken with influenza, which developed into pneumonia.
Deceased was born in Wabash County, Ind., May 15, 1885, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, who moved to this city from Disko, Ind., 14 years ago.
On September 24, 1905 she became the bride of Messick Carpenter, and to this union three children, Lloyd, Linn and Mildred were born.
The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, 903 North Front Street, this city, also survive as does one sister, Mrs. David Morris, this city, and two brothers, Ray, now in France and Norman of Mentone, Ind.
Mrs. Carpenter was well liked and popular with a wide circle of friends who are grieved at her passing.
Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10 o’clock from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Starr, 903 North Front Street, Dr. E. G. Lewis will officiate. Interment will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown