Fred O. Gephart
Nov. 1857-May 5, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 6, 1926, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
FRED O. GEPHART DIES SUDDENLY AT MARION IND.
Former Niles Merchant is Taken in Heart Attack
OWNED STORES ON MAIN STREET
Body to Be Brought Here for Burial
Fred O. Gephart, a native of Niles, and who has valuable property interests here, died suddenly of heart disease Wednesday morning at his home in Marion, Ind. While Mr. Gephart had long been in ill health, his condition has been considered serious only within the last month. Mr. Gephart was about 70 years old.
The body will be brought to Niles Friday afternoon on the Big Four train due in Niles at 5:03, and will be taken to the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms where it may be viewed on Saturday from 10 to 12 o'clock. On Saturday afternoon the body will be place in the vault at Silver Brook cemetery. Funeral plans will be announced later.
Mr. Gephart was a member of a pioneer Niles family. He was the son of Orris S. Gephart and Martha Platt Gephart, a daughter of George Platt, deceased. For a number of years Mr. Gephart engaged in the restaurant and confectionery business in Niles. He engaged in the same business, with a bakery in connection, at Marion, for a number of years, but for some time had been retired from business activities. He is survived by a widow and one son, R.F. Gephart, of Marion. Mrs. Gephart, the widow, was formerly Miss Ella Rodgers, of Niles, and a sister of Mrs. George Cameron.
On account of his property interests in Niles, Mr. Gephart made frequent visits to Niles, and he was deeply interested in its affairs. He was the owner of the Hildebrand hotel building, and had recently remodeled it and built an addition to it. He owned the store occupied by the Fox Brothers dry goods business, and had other property interests. He had at one time owned a large farm near Pokagon, but he had sold it.
Mr. Gephart had served as city treasurer and as chief of the fire department, of Niles.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 8, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
BRING BODY HERE
The body of Fred O. Gephart was brought to Niles from Marion, Ind., Friday afternoon, accompanied by Roger Gephart, son of the deceased. The body was taken to the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms, and this afternoon will be removed to the vault in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Gephart is ill and unable to come to Niles, and plans for the commital service will not be made until she is able to come [to] Niles.