Blayke Louise Simmons, of Niles
Nov. 19, 2019-Dec. 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:32 am Thursday, December 5, 2019

Nov. 19, 2019 — Dec. 2, 2019

Blayke Louise Simmons, 14-day-old daughter of Casey and Joe Simmons, of Niles, died at 6:10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at the C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, of a cardiac defect which left broken hearts in all who were blessed to know her.

Her family is grateful for the heroic efforts of the best pediatric staffs in Niles, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor who extended Blayke’s life day-by-day.

She was born on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital, in Niles, to Joseph Allen and Casandra Lynn (Purdy) Simmons.

Blayke’s mother had felt her strong movements for several months and those closest to her felt and watched that activity. She arrived with a kick and was already squeezing fingers and hands. Her cute half-smile was certainly in recognition of her mother, although others suggested that it was recognition of a healthy digestive tract.

Blayke is survived by her parents, Joe and Casey; her two-year-old sister, Harper Simmons; grandparents, Elaine and Gary Simmons and Mike and Jody Purdy, all of Niles; great-grandmother, Margaret “Peg” Cain, of Niles; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family of Blayke Simmons will receive relatives and friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., in Niles, and will continue with committal services at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery with Pastor Darrel le Roux, of Niles, Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.

Contributions in memory of Blayke may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, rmhcannarbor.org/.

Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

While Blayke’s brief time face to-face with the world is counted in hours and days, she will be remembered and cherished for years and years.

Charles Morton, of Niles
Dec. 13, 1939-Dec. 11, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:51 am Friday, December 13, 2019

Dec. 13, 1939 – Dec. 11, 2019

Charles D. Morton, 79, of Niles passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, surrounded by his family.

In Niles, on Dec. 13, 1939, Dr. Dean and Flora (Melhon) Morton greeted Charles, their baby boy.

Chuck graduated from Niles High School, class of 1959 and went on to serve his country proudly with the U.S. Marines. Shortly after being discharged from the Marines, Chuck wed the woman who stole his heart, Joan Crowe. At a ceremony in Whitesville, Kentucky on Aug. 7, 1965, Chuck and Joan became husband and wife.

After his time spent with the Marines, Chuck worked for several local companies. He drove trucks for Simplicity Patterns, worked at Kauneer, ACCO and Gast, in Benton Harbor. Even after retirement, Chuck enjoyed working and drove cars for Tyler, in Niles, where he made many friendships.

Chuck and his beloved dog, Maxx, could often be seen at business around town. They would find a resting place and visit with shoppers who passed by. He loved his home town. He looked forward to monthly lunches with his class of ’59. Their 60th class reunion this past August was the highlight of the summer.

Chuck’s main hobby was fishing. For many years, he spent April in Venice, Florida fishing in the Intercostal Waterway six days a week. He caught many fish that were unusual to a Michigan boy. Time that he and Joan spent in Florida was also a time to reunite with family and friends. Chuck and Joan also enjoyed traveling and were able to visit Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Alaska.

He loved to spend time in his own back yard, particularly his Lily Garden. He was a common fixture in his grandchildren’s basketball and soccer games. Chuck was an avid Notre Dame fan. He watched every sport in every season. He proudly hung his ND flags for each football game, his favorite sport. He also acquired a large collection of ND memorabilia over the years.

Preceding Chuck are his parents, Dr. Dean and Flora Morton.

He will greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Joan; his children, Dean (Leslie) Morton, of Boulder, Colorado; and his daughter, Elisabeth “Buffy” (Michael) Freudenburg, of Niles.

Chuck is also survived by his sisters, Mary (Ray) Larned, of Ferrysburg, Michigan, and Sandra (Paul) Reyberg, of Venice, Florida. Libby and Lincoln, his grandchildren and pride and joy will also be left to cherish the memories they have with their grandfather.

Family and friends are invited to gather at from 4 to 5 p.m. for a time of visitation, with services to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home.

The service will conclude with full Military Honors by the U.S. Marine Corps.

A private interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery on Monday.

Those wishing to make memorial donations have been asked to continue with Chuck passion for animals and consider Berrien County Animal Shelter, 1400 S. Euclid Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Condolences, photos, and memories can be left for Chuck’s family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Chuck was loved and will be fondly remembered by family and friends.

Clara Hurd (Mrs. D.O.) Woodruff
1830-Jan. 23, 1863

Niles Republican, Saturday, January 24, 1863, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In Niles on Friday, January 23d, at 3 o'clock A.M. Mrs. D.O. WOODRUFF, aged 33 years.

The funeral services will be held at the Episcopal Church tomorrow, (Sunday) at 2 o'clock P.M.

Lee Charles Hunter
Aug. 30, 1885-Jan. 25, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 25, 1926, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

LEE HUNTER DIES AT ST. JOSEPH AFTER OPERATION

Passes Away Early This A.M. After Going Under Knife

HAD BEEN ILL FOR TWO YEARS

Ulcers of Stomach Had Caused Complications

Lee Hunter, 40, died this morning at 6 o'clock at the St. Joseph Sanitarium in St. Joseph where he had an operation on Sunday afternoon. The announcement received early this morning came as a shock and caused widespread regret in the community where, for more than 25 years, Mr. Hunter had been well known as a boy in the Niles schools, and, as he grew to manhood, through his business, social, church and fraternal relations.

Mr. Hunter had been in ill health for about two years, and had for a number of weeks been under the care of a specialist for relief from stomach trouble and other complications. After his ill health had been diagnosed as caused from an ulcer of the stomach and an operation seemed imperative he went to St. Joseph Sanitarium last Wednesday.

The operation was performed Sunday afternoon, and although it was regarded as a serous operation, Mr. Hunter rallied remarkably well, early last evening engaged in conversation with his wife, and assured her that he was very comfortable. Mrs. Hunter went to a home nearby to remain for the night, and this morning at 5 o'clock Dr. Yeoman, who had remained throughout the night at his bedside, directed that she be summoned as Mr. Hunter was sinking.

However, Mr. Hunter was not at all conscious that his condition was more serious and spoke encouragingly to his wife. He soon, however, dropped to a peaceful sleep from which he did not awaken.

Mr. Hunter was born in Chicago, August 30, 1885, an only son of Mrs. and Mrs. Lamont Hunter. The family moved to Niles about 25 years ago, and had since resided here. When the Hunter company, makers of ice and ice cream was established, Lee Hunter became at once associated in the business and had for a number of years been president and manager of the company whose plant is located at Ninth and Hickory streets.

On October 16, 1909, Mr. Hunter was married in Niles to Miss Zennetta Hanchett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Hanchett when they resided in Niles and now reside in Buchanan. Mr. Hunter is survived by his widow, two children, Jane and Frederick Hunter and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lamont Hunter of Niles.

The deceased was a member of St. Joseph Lodge, No. 4 F. and A.M. of St. Joseph Valley chapter, N.2,4 and A.M of Niles Council No. 19 R & S.M. He had served as master of St. Joseph Valley lodge. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was secretary of the board of trustees, and an usher in the church.

The funeral will be announced tomorrow and me [sic] be under the Masons auspices.

M.A. Rutherford went to St. Joseph early this morning for the body, and this afternoon, it was removed to the home at 1104 Cedar street.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 26, 1926, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

HUNTER FUNERAL AT 2 P.M. WED.

STORES ASKED TO CLOSE DURING SERVICES AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Funeral services for Lee Hunter will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2 o;clock at the Presbyterian church of which the deceased was long a member and officer. Rev. H.T. Scherer will conduct the services at the church. The committal services at Silver Brook cemetery will be under auspices of the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Leach will sing.

Mayor Beebe today issued a call to the merchants of Niles asking that they closed their stores tomorrow afternoon during the hour of the funeral services.

Among those expected in the city this afternoon to remain until after the funeral services are Mr. and Mrs. Merritt W. Hanchett, of Holland, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Hanchett, of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Richardson and Lamont Hunter, of Cheybogan[sic], Wis; Harmon Reirdon and Mr. Colegrove, of Chicago.

Martha A. Hunter
Sept. 7, 1850-Aug. 23, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 24, 1942, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MARTHA A. HUNTER

FUNERAL TUESDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Martha A. Hunter, 92, will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Hunter home at 1010 Cedar street. The Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Hunter, widow of the late Henry L. Hunter, who was associated with the former Hunter Brothers Ice company here, died at 2 Saturday afternoon in her home. She had been ill five days.

Born Sept. 7, 1850 in Mayville, Wis., she came to Niles from Aurora, Ill., 43 years ago. She was married to Mr. Hunter April 24, 1883, in Fond du Lac, Wis.

The only survivors are a daughter, Miss Irma F. Hunter, and a son, Edward H. Hunter, both at home.

Lemont Hunter
Aug 1, 1848-Feb. 29, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 1, 1928, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

LEMONT HUNTER, FOR YEARS A PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN, DIES

Lemont Hunter, 79, prominent business man for many years, died . . .[illegible] .. weeks of illness with heart disease. During last summer, Mr. Hunter was very ill for several weeks and never fully regained his former strength, and when he was again stricken he steadily grew weaker until the end.

Mr. Hunter was born in Clinton, Maine, August 1, 1848. He was married on November 6, 1885, to Miss Estelle Totman at Hinsdale, Ill. Two children were born to them, a girl who died when she was nine years old, and a son, Lee, who died in January, 1926.

Mr. Hunter came to Niles from Chicago in 1898 to engage in the wholesale manufacture of ice at Barron lake, in partnership with his brother, Henry. They erected the Hunter ice houses which were destroyed by fire about two years ago. About seven years ago Mr. Hunter organized the Hunter Ice company to engage in the manufacture of artificial ice and erected a plant at Hickory and Ninth streets. During the last year the firm was dissolved and Mr. Hunter retired from active business.

Mr. Hunter as a Republican in politics and had served the city as an alderman for two terms during the administration of Ben F. Earl.

The widow and one sister, Mrs. William Richardson, of Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Survive him, also two grandchildren, Jane and Frederick Hunter, of Niles. Mr. Hunter had no fraternal affiliation.

The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock at he home, No 2 N. 13th street, where Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have lived for 22 years and where Mr. Hunter had an opportunity to express his love for nature by keeping the grounds surrounding the home in beautiful condition.

Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 3, 1928, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL LEMONT HUNTER

Rev. Guy W. Simon will conduct the funeral services this afternoon for Lemont Hunter, who died on Thursday morning. The following will act as pallbearers: T.C. Hance, Gregory Brown, Dr. George L. Vetter, Bert Tennyson, Harold Laberteaux and George Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Leach will sign. Burial will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery.