Michele Burkhead, of Niles
March 22, 1959 — Feb. 24, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:27 am Monday, February 27, 2017

Michele Ann Burkhead, 57, of Niles, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, surrounded by her family and friends.
Michele was born at Goshen (Indiana) General Hospital on March 22, 1959, to the late Chauncey and Leona (Penrose) Burkhead and grew up in Niles.

Michele Burkhead

Michele was fortunate enough to be loved by her guardians Don and Deanna Elrod. The Elrods loved her and treated her like she was their own daughter after the passing of her parents; they were devoted and loving parents until the time of her death. Michele will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Walter Burkhead, David Burkhead, Janet Aronson and Sandra Mahler.
Michele is survived by her siblings, Helen LeCount, Tommy Boles, Larry LeCount, Floyd LeCount and Ramona Burch, and her guardians, Don and Deanna Elrod.
A funeral service will be at noon Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home, with a time of visitation two hours prior.
Memorial donations may be made in Michele’s name to Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled, 300 Whitney St., Dowagiac, MI 49047. Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

Charles Henry Tautphaus
Oct. 24, 1859-June 22, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 23, 1936, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

RETRIED MERCHANT, C.H.TAUTPHAUS, IS DEATH VICTIM AT 76

Widely Known Grocer Dies at Home Following a Year of Failing Health

Charles Henry Tautphaus, 76, retired merchant and widely known here, died Monday night at 9 o'clock at his home, 10 South Tenth street.  His death followed more than a year of failing health.

Mr. Tautphaus had lived in Niles 23 years.  He was proprietor of the Tautphaus grocery and market for 15 years, until failing health made his retirement necessary. On May 8, 1935, he sold his store to Harold Laberteaux. The store will be closed Wednesday, the day of Mr. Tautphaus' funeral, from 2:30 to  4 o'clock in the afternoon , as a mark of respect to its former owner.

Wife Survives

 Surviving are his wife, Wilhelmina, and one daughter, Mrs. Stuart Green, Mt. Clemens, who has been in Niles for several days, called here by the serious condition of her father's health.  Two sons, Charles and George, served overseas during the World war. Charles died Nov. 22, 1934, and George died May 3, 1931.

He also leaves a sister, Mrs. James Sawyer, Fremont, Calif., and four grandchildren.

Mrs. Tautphaus was born Oct. 24, 1859, in San Jose, Calif.  He was married April 17,1894 in Niles, to Miss Wilhelmina Munz; who survives him.

He came to Niles 33 years ago from California.  Following his marriage, Mr. Tautphaus went to Gem, Idaho, where he was proprietor of a large hotel in one of the first silver mining towns. Later he moved to San Francisco, where he engaged in business.

Owned Store 15 Years

For the past 15 years, prior to disposing of his grocery and market here, he was proprietor of the store now known as the Laberteaux grocery and market.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rutherford chapel Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends of the family are asked to call at the Rutherford mortuary today and Wednesday before the hour of the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 24, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  PALLBEARERS CHOSEN

Pallbearers for the funeral of Charles Henry Tautphaus, who died at his home, 10 South Tenth street, Monday, were selected today. They are, Thos. Leonard, Roy Clark, Harold Laberteau, Milo Webster, James Madden and Herman Dittmer. The Rev. G.W. Simon will conduct the services at 3 o'clock Wednesday in the Rutherford mortuary.

Charles Wedel
July 24, 1868-Sept. 25, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 25, 1936, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

LIFELONG RESIDENT OF NILES SUCCUMBS

Charles Wedel, 68, Dies Here Following Attack of Peritonitis

Following a two weeks' illness of peritonitis which followed an operation for appendicitis, Charles Wedel, 922 North Third Street, died at Pawating hospital at 2:15 o'clock this morning.

Born in Niles 68 years ago Mr. Wedel never married. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Elmer Calkins, Toledo. O.: three nieces, Mrs. Fred Miller and Miss Jane Calkins, Niles, and Mrs. C.H. Miller, Toledo; also one nephew, Don Calkins, Toledo.

Two other sisters and one brother, Mrs. Jack Francis, Mrs. Kate Schroeder and Edward Wedel, preceded him in death.

Mr. Wedel had been retired for the past 10 years previous to which time he was employed by the Niles Gas Light and the French Paper companies.  He was also a member of the Elks and Odd Fellow lodges.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Rutherford chapel with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Services at the grave will be conducted by the Elks. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 26, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: WEDEL RITES TODAY

Funeral services for Charles Wedel, 922 North Third street, who died at Pawating hospital Friday morning, were conducted at the Rutherford chapel at 3:30 o'clock this after noon by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Services at the grave were in charge of the local Elks lodge.  Lawrence Lorensen, Ambrose Davis, Frank Steimley, Tom Swain, Charles Eisenbeal and Carl Reum acted as pallbearers.

DOB from Michigan Death record

John August Reum
June 16, 1876-Aug. 3, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 4, 1936, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN AUGUST REUM DIES MONDAY NIGHT 

Long Illness Ends in Death for Man Born in Niles 60 Years Ago

John August Reum, who was born in Niles 60 years ago, died Monday night at 9:30 in the home where he had lived all his life, at 602 Cass street.

Failing health five years ago made it necessary for him to discontinue his work at the National-Standard where he had been employed for 16 years.  His illness became serious about three years ago.

Mr. Reum was born in Niles June 16, 1878. He was married in 1900 to Miss Rose Kline, also of Niles, who survives him. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Paul Malone, and Miss Wavel Reum, Niles, and six sons, Clifford, Herbert, Donald, Carl, Leo and John, all of Niles; also one brother, Christopher and a sister, Mrs. Caroline Keegstra, both of Grand Rapids.

Funeral services have been tentatively set for Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Price and Kiger chapel.  Miss Wavel Reum, daughter, is in Alabama on a vacation trip.  Definite arrangements await word from her.

The Rev. Theo Eisen will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 5, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  SONS ARE PALLBEARERS

The six sons of Mr. and Mrs. John August Reum acted as pallbearers this afternoon at the funeral of their father.  Services were held at 2:30 o'clock in the Price & Kiger chapel, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Miss Wavel Reum, who was visiting friends in Alabama, arrived in Niles today.

William August Knott
Dec. 19, 1856-Sept. 25, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 25, 1936, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

W.A. KNOTT, RETIRED RAIL MAN, STRICKEN

Resident of Niles 74 Years Dies After Long Illness

William August Knott, a resident of Niles for 74 years died at his home, 1309 Lake street, at 7:20 o'clock this morning following a three year illness. Apopolexy[sic] was given as the cause of his death.

Born in Germany on Dec. 19, 1856, Mr. Knott moved to Niles at the age of five and has remained here ever since.  On Oct. 16, 1862 he as married to Elizabeth Bachman in the local St. John's Evangelical church.

Beside his iwfe[sic], he is survived by three children, Mrs. George L. Ausmus, George Knott and Mrs. Minnie Woodruff, all of Niles, also seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Having been employed by the Michigan Central railroad, prior to his failing health, Mr. Knott was a member of the M.C.R.R. Pioneer association.

Funeral services will be conducted at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock by the Rev. Theo Eisen.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the home to view the body.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 28, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  KNOTT RITES HELD

Funeral services for William August Knott, who died at his home, 1309 Lake street, Friday morning, were conducted at the home at 2 o'clock this afternoon by the Rev. Theo Eisen.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Charles Exner, Charles Walters, Paul Hastings, Fred Walters, Carl Wedel and Arthur Lilly acted as pallbearers.

Walter A. Noble
Aug. 29, 1864-Aug. 9, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 10, 1936, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Walter A. Noble, Pioneer Merchant, Is Dead

DIES IN UNIVERSITY  HOSPITAL, ANN ARBOR, AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Recently Retired After Closing Niles' Oldest Shoe Store, His Father Founded.

Walter a. Noble, pioneer in the shoe business in Niles and a resident of the city for more than 50 years, died early Sunday morning in the University hospital at Ann Arbor, Mr. Noble was 72 years old.

Mr. Noble's death occurred after an illness of about six months. He was taken to the University hospital early last month and had been there continuously since that time, except for two weeks which he spent in Niles recently.

Surviving are his son, Donald A. Noble, and a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Barclay, both of Detroit; a brother, George W. Noble, Chicago, and a sister, Mrs. F.J. Setchell, Chicago.  Mrs. Noble died about a year ago. 

Lived Here 50 Years

Mr. Noble was born in Albion, N.Y., Aug. 29, 1864. He came to Niles from Buchanan when he was about 20 years old.  For many years, he was associated with his father, George Noble, in the shoe business here, afterward succeeding him as proprietor.

The store, until the time of Mr. Noble's retirement early this year, was the oldest shoe store in Niles and the only shoe store conducted by its original owner. It was one of the few businesses in Niles which had continued under its original ownership for more than 50 years.

Mr. Noble had for many years been a member of the Elks lodge. Although he had  been a sufferer for many months and had undergone several operations, he retained his interest in Niles and the world at large until the last.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the  Price and Kiger chapel.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 11, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  NOBEL FUNERAL TODAY

The Rev. A.R. Kuehn officiated at the funeral services for Walter A. Noble in the Price and Kiger chapel this afternoon.  Pallbearers were Harry Dick, M.S. Brickel, Harold Laberteaux, Arthur Stone, James Patterson, and G.F. Price.  Mrs. Noble's son, George and his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Barclay, both of Detroit, were in Niels for the services.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.