Cecile Scoville Deegan
June 5, 1884-June 8, 1953
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 9, 1953, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Find Body of Niles Woman in the River
Two Niles police officers discovered the body of Mrs. Bernard Deegan, 69, of 421 North Fifth Street, about 6 p.m. Monday in the St. Joseph River approximately 300 feet north of the French Paper company footbridge.
The discovery by Patrolman James Gray and Detective Herbert Block, of the Niles police department, ended a day-long search for Mrs. Deegan after her husband informed police early Monday morning that she had disappeared from the house durng the night.
The husband informed police officers that his wife might have gone to the river. He said she had been in ill health for the past four years, and recently she had become despondent because of her physical condition. She had threatened to go to the river, her husband told police.
Police said it was obvious that Mrs. Deegan had taken her own life. Chief of Police Arthur Pears said that death was due to drowning.
Officers Gray and Block discovered the body of Mrs. Deegan about 25 feet from the east shore line. The body, fully clad, was floating near the surface.
Bernard Deegan, the husband, told police that he last saw his wife at 3:45 a.m. Monday when she attempted to put on her clothing and go for a walk.
The husband said she returned to bed, but when he awakened at 7 a.m Monday she had disappeared. He immediately reported her disappearance to city police and the serarch was started by foot patrolmen who walked the river bank. Two boats were launched Monday afternoon, and the body was located after an eight-hour search.
Mrs. Deegan was born in Niles on June 5, 1884, and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Surviving in addition to her husband, Bernard, is a daughter, Mrs. Roy Leiter of Buchanan.
Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home where private funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. John Carlton, Episcopal pastor, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.