Elias R. Day
July 9, 1922-March 28, 2001

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 30, 2001, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Elias R. Day, 78, of Niles, died at Lakeland Hospital, Niles after an extended illness.  He was born July 9, 1922 in South Bend, Ind. To Elias R. Day and Helen Johnson.

Day lived in Niles most of is life, coming from South Bend.  On May 31, 1952 in Angola, Ind., he married Betty L. (Mills) Day. She survives.

Day was a World War II veteran serving in the US Army. He enjoyed genealogy, electronics,and traveling especially to Alaska and Delaware.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: one son, Brian R. Day of Stevensville; a daughter, Patricia E. Day of Niles; two granddaughters, Crystal M. Day and Rebecca A. Day, both of Niles; one great-granddaughter, Kaylee B. Snyder of Alliance, Ohio. He is also survived by a sister, Claire A. Howell.  Day was preceded in death by three brothers: Howard E. Day who died in 1903, Charles F. Day who died in 1981, and Leo D. Day who died in 1987; and a sister Evelyn L. Barret who died in 1972.

The family will gather privately for services with Rev. Richard L. Rice of Nles officiating.  There will be no visitation.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April, 2001, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Elias R. Day, 78, of Niles died at Lakeland Medical Cetner, Niles, after an extended illness. He was born July 9, 1922 in South Bend, Ind. To Elias R. Day and Helen Johnson.  Day lived in Niles most ofhis life, coming from South Bend. On May 31, 1952 in Angola, Ind., He married Betty L. (Mills) Day. She survives.

Day was a World War II veteran serving in the US Army.  He enjoyed genealogy, electronics, and travellng, especially to Alaska and Delaware.  He was a retired employee of the Simplicity Pattern Company, Niles.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: one son, Brian R. Day of Stevensville; a daughter, Patricia E. Day of Niles; two granddaughters, Crystal M. Day and Rebecca A. Day, both of Niles; one great-granddaughter, Kaylee B. Snyder of Alliance, Ohio. He is also survived by a sister, Claire A. Howell.  Day was preceded in death by three brothers: Howard E. Day who died in 1903, Charles F. Day who died in 1981, and Leo D. Day who died in 1987; and a sister Evelyn L. Barret who died in 1972.

The family will gather privately for services with Rev. Richard L. Rice of Nles officiating.  There will be no visitation.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

James Deditch
Dec. 31, 1848-April 15, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 15, 1918, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

JAMES DEDITCH, A WELL KNOWN FARMER, DEAD

Was Born in Bohemia, 69 Years Ago—Funeral Wednesday

James Deditch, a well known and highly respected resident of this section , died about midnight last night at his farm home about two and a half miles southeast of Niles on the Edwardsburg road, after about three months' illness with heart disease.

He was 69 years of age.

Mr. Deditch was born in Bohemia. When he was about 16 years of age, he came to America and located in Chicago. Forty0two years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tickles of Joliet, Ill., who survives him.  Of the 11 children born to them, six survive their father as follows: John and Joseph Deditch of Laporte, Frank and Henry Deditch at home, Mrs. F.R. Wilcox of South Bend and Mrs. James Gamble of Cottage Hill, about 10 miles west of Niles.  One brother, John Deditch, of Chicago, and nine grandchildren also survive.

Mr. Deditch has lived on the farm where his death occurred about 14 years, going to Cass county from Terre Coupee prairie.  He has always engaged in farming.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate.  Interment will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 15, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

JAS. DEDITCH, WELL KNOWN FARMER, DIED THIS MORNING

James Deditch, a well known farmer residing three miles southwest of this city, died at his home early this morning. Deceased was born in Bohemia, Pilzen county, December 31, 1848, and came to America when he was 16 years of age and . .. [illegible].

Eleven years after he had been n this country, he was married to Miss Mary Kickles, of Joliet Ill., and unto this union  11 children were born, four of whom died in infancy, and one at the age of 21.

Deceased is survived beside his wife by six children, Joseph and John Deditch, Laporte, Ind., Frank and Henry Deditch at home, Mrs. T.R. Wilcox, South Bend, and Mrs. James Gamber of Cottage Hill. Nine grandchildren and a Chicago brother of Mr. Deditch also survive.

The funeral will be held from the farm home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Lyons officiating, with interment in the Silver Brook cemetery.

Clara Elizabeth Eckler
April 29, 1886-Oct. 5, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 7, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH ON SUNDAY OF MRS. JOHN ECKLER

Mrs. Clara Eckler, aged 31 years, wife of John Eckler, died Saturday night about 11:30 o'clock at their home on North Third street, after about six months' illness with tuberculosis, an illness patiently borne. She is survived by her husband.  Mrs. Eckler was born in Illinois. She had resided here about three years. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from H.E. Price's chapel.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. William Dey of Elkhart and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Washburn of Bertrand are among those here for the funeral services.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 7, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS CLARA ECKLER PASSES AWAY

After suffering for the past few years with tuberculosis, Mrs. Clara Elizabeth Eckler died Saturday evening at 11:30 o'clock at the home of Mr. Eckler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eckler, 406 North Third street.

Mrs. Eckler was born April 28, 1886 in Illinois, and came to this city in the year 1914.

She is survived by her husband, John Eckler.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Pirce chapel.  Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate.  Burieal will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Clarence “June” Finley
July 8, 1915-April 27, 2001

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 27, 2001, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Clarence “June” Finley, a longtime resident of Niles, Michigan, passed peacefully at home among family on Easter Sunday, April 15.

Clarence was born at home on July 8, 1915, in Howard Township, Cass County, Michigan. His great grandfather, Pasqual LaRue Finley, was one of Niles' earliest settlers arriving during the 1840s.

Clarence attended a one-room schoolhouse nearby and graduated from Niles High School in 1934.

During his youth, Clarence earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America.

Clarence was the 11th man in Niles to be drafted during World War II.

He was eventually promoted to 1st Lieutenant with the 94th Corps of Engineers.

After the war he worked for Clark Equipment Co., Studebaker Corp. and later retired after 19 years of service with the Michigan Department of Highway and Transportation in 1977.  Mr. Finley was one of the first equal opportunity compliance officers within the Highway Department.

Mr. Finley was also active in the Democratic Party and served as Chairman of its local chapter in the 1950s.

He was a volunteer for former Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams, U.S. Senator Phil Hart and numerous other state and local officials.

His other affiliations include: John W. Mason Lodge #42, with which he was a Master of the 33rd Degree; Berrien Kruzers and Good Sams Camping Clubs; and a lifelong member of Franklin AME Church.

Clarence, or June as he was known by his many friends and family, enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including hunting, fishing, creating handcrafted jewelry and camping.

His survivors include daughters Nancy (James) Waters, Muskegon; Sylvia Perkins, Haslett; sister Esther Woodford, Lansing; sister Norma (Parker) Taylor, Niles; brother Seth (Bennie Ruth) Finley, Seattle, WA; grandchildren Mark Waters, Stacie and Jchon Perkins; family of Vivian Egbert: Charles, Tyra, Edith, their children and grandchildren.

A memorial will [be] held Saturday, May 5th at 1 p.m. at the Franklin AME Church at 809 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan.

Visitation will begin at noon.

Grace Smith Haase
Sept. 29, 1881-July 23, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 26, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal rites will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Silverbrook Cemetery here for Mrs. Grace Smith Haase, 72, free-lance artist who died Friday in a Chicago hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Haase was born Sept. 29, 1881, in Niles the daughter of Charles E. and Grace Elizabeth Gustin Smith and had lived in River Forest, Ill.  She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Louise Marshall, Tryon, N.C. , and Miss Kathryn Jean Smith, Greenvilee[sic], S.C., both of whom are well-known in Niles.

Everett W. Horner
March 15, 1903-Oct. 29, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 30, 1975, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Everett W. Horner, 72, of 2330 E. Main st., died at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday after an illness of six months.  

A member of the Modern Woodsmen and the Loyal Stars, he retired in 1962 from the New York Central Railroad as a railroad car repairman.

He was born March 15, 1903 in Niles and had lived here his lifetime.  One June 17, 1922 in Niles, he married the former Minnie B. Williams, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Everett Jr. of Mattawan, N.J., Charles of Niles and Michael of Dowagiac; a brother, Clarence of Niles; three sisters, Mrs. Emma Worvey and Mrs. Ruby Felhauer, both of Niles, and Mrs. Lucille Deditch of LaPorte, Ind.; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Graham of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  

Friends are calling at the funeral home.