Benjamin F. Willard
1851-Feb. 4, 1939
Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 6, 1939, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
B.F. WILLARD, 87, DIES IN SOUTH BEND
Former Niles Harness Maker to be Buried Here Tuesday
Funeral services for Benjamin F. Willard, former Niles resident who died late Saturday afternoon in his South Bend home, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. T.O. Lee of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
A retired harness maker, Mr. Willard was 87 years old. Prior to moving to South Bend 35 years ago as a Studebaker employe, he had operated a harness store here with Charles Kelley.
Mr. Willard was married to the former Angeline Ribble, a member of one of Niles' pioneer families. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary last December.
Surviving, besides the widow, are one son, Warren, Buchanan; two daughters, Mrs. George Geiger, Milwaukee, Wisc., and Mrs. Charles J. Ray, South Bend; also four grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 7, 1939, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
WILLARD SERVICES
Funeral services for Benjamin F. Willard, former Niles resident who died Saturday in his South Bend home, were held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home. The Rev. T.O. Lee officiated with burial in Silverbrook cemetery. Oscar Johnson, Niles; Frank Ribble and Harry Reddick, South Bend; Walter Mulhagen, Mishawaka; James Rundberg, State Line; and Roy Pierce, Buchanan, served as pallbearers.