Patricia Benson Bachman
July 28, 1915-Sept. 3, 2007
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 4, 2007, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Patricia Benson Bachman, 92, of North Fifth street, Niles, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at Riveridge Manor, Niles.
Arrangements are being completed by Halbritter Funeral Home.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 5, 2007, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Patricia Benson Bachman, 92, of North Fifth Street, Niles, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at Riveridge manor, Niles, following an extended illness.
The funeral service is pending and will be announced later by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
She was born on July 28, 1915 to George Dwight and Jeanne C. (Smith) Benson at their home on North Fifth Street in Niles. Sh maintained that same residence until moving to Riveridge.
She graduated from Niles High School in 1933 and continued her education at Western Michigan University of Kalamazoo, Wayne State University in Detroit, Gallaudet College school for the Deaf, Washington, D.C. and LaSalle Extension University. She earned several certificates and undergraduate and graduate degrees.
She initially taught school at Pokagon and her education enabled her to serve in professional positions at both the Coldwater and Lapeer, Michigan State Homes, at the Genessee county Schools in Flint and the Lewis Cass School District, Cass County.
She received an award for professional achievement from the Michigan Association for Better Hearing and was published in the Who's Who of American Women, 1975-76.
Bachman was a natural historian following five generations in Niles, beginning with Jacob K. Brown, who began building stores and houses in Niles in 1860.
She authored “Carey Mission,” “Early Niles,” “Reddick Building,” “Niles memorabilia” and “Ode to Propinquity.”
She recently provided 150-year-old columns from the former Michigan Inn of Niles to be incorporated in the new Chemical Bank building at Fifth and Main streets in Niles.
Bachman was a life member of the Historical Society of Michigan and was honored at the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society Historian of the Year 2007.
She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles.
Bachman is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Tannis) Watson of Niles; her grandchildren, Michael Dwight Jones and Carla Jane Reiman; great-grandchildren, Karen Jones and Erica Jones; step-grandchildren, Tannis Watson II and Perry Watson, Sr., ; step-great-grandchildren, Amber, Perry, Leandra, Catie, Demica, Abrial and Tristiny Watson and cousins, Allen Brooks and Judith Babbitt Ruetz, both of Niles.
Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, or to the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society.
Arrangements are by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.