Doris Jean VanGilder
March 5, 1927-Feb. 18, 1930
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 19, 1930, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
FIRST DEATH IN NILES FROM DIPHTHERIA WITHIN SIX YEARS IS REPORTED
Doris Jean Van Gilder, three years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Gilder, 1104 Ferry street, died last evening at 8:40 of diphtheria, the first death from diphtheria according to the records of the health officer in the at least six years. Doris Jean became ill last Monday and from the first her condition was alarming. Her sister, Nadine, age seven, also is a victim of diphtheria. A brother, Wayne, 16, has been confined to his bed since Jan. 6 with illness but his illness is not diagnosed as diphtheria.
Doris Jean was born in Niles on March 5, 1927. She is survived by her parents, three sisters and two brothers, who are Zelda Marcel, Nadine, Horace, Stanley and Wayne Van Gilder. Her aged grandmother, Mrs. Rosie Luke, is also among the immediate surviving relatives.
The funeral services will be held in the home tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 and will be private. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church, will conduct the services. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 21, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL DIPHTHERIA VICTIM
Among those from out of the city who attended the funerral[sic] services for Doris jean Van Gilder, three years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Gilder, 1104 Ferry street on Thursday afternoon were Mr. Van Gilder's brothers, Ran and Charles Van Gilder; also Mrs. Charles Van Gilder and Ran Van Gilder's twin sons, and M.G. Hill, all of Plymouth, Ind. The services were conducted by the Rev. W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The little girl was a victim of diphtheria and the services were therefore private. Nadine, seven, a sister, who is ill with diphtheria is improving.