James Madison Jones
Feb. 11, 1836-Feb. 23,1913

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 24, 1913, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SUDDEN DEATH OF J.M. JONES

Was visiting with a neighbor when he suddenly fell upon the couch dead

HE HAD NOT BEEN SICK

And appeared in excellent health. Was pioneer of this section.

Death came to James M. Jones, 1211 north Front street, without warning last evening about 5:40 o'clock and thus a pioneer and highly respected citizen is removed from this community.

During the latter part of the afternoon Mrs. Jones read favorite hymns of Mr. Jones aloud as has often been the manner of spending their Sunday afternoons. Toward evening Mr. Jones swept the snow from the walk in front of the house and returning he was about to tend the fire, when he dropped dead.

Mrs. Jones summoned a physician but Mr. Jones had expired almost immediately and was past human help.

Thos. Roach, a neighbor with whom Mr. Jones had spent many pleasant days during the summer fishing and hunting, for Mr. Jones was a skilled marksman, was talking with his friend when he was stricken with the fatal attack of heart disease.

James Madison Jones was born in Strawsburg, Va., Feb. 11, 1836 and was therefore aged 77 years and 12 days at the time of his death.  He came to Niles with his parents Mr. and Mrs. James Jones when a mere boy and has always since resided near or in Niles.

He enjoyed an extensive acquaintance throughout Berrien and Cass counties, having at one time resided near Sumnerville, and he was held in high esteem.  He came to Niles to reside two years ago.

Besides the widow, he is survived by nine children and grandchildren.  The children are Mrs. Wm. Fluke, Niles; Mrs. E.W. Moore, Salt lake City; Fred and Frank, residing near Dowagiac; Mrs. E.S. Hoover, Niles; Louis, Mobile, Ala.; Miss Alice E. Salt Lake City, Harvey residing near Niles and Carl Jones, of Niles. The following are brothers and sisters of the deceased: A.S. And John of Eureka, Nev.; Mrs. Eli Rodgers, Elkhart, Ind.; Mrs. Wm. Vanderbeck, Kirkwood, Ind.; Mrs. Eliza McCoy, Carson City, Mich., and M.W. Jones, residing near Barren Lake.

Mrs. Moore and Miss Jones will arrive in Niles on Wednesday.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mr. Jones has been a member of the Methodist church for many years.

The deceased was a member of the Woodmen of the World and carried a $1,000 insurance in that order.

Thomas McConnell
March 7, 1917-March 29, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 30, 1934, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES BOY DIES OF GYM SHOW INJURIES

Thomas McConnell, 17, Fails to Rally After Becoming Unconscious Wednesday

Injuries received while practicing for the annual gym show staged recently at the Niles high school resulted in the death of Thomas McConnell, 17, 1430 Sheridan avenue, high school junior, at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon in Pawating hospital shortly after he had been removed there in an ambulance.

At the time of his injury the youth was not considered in serious condition, however, following frequently reoccurring headaches, he was found to be suffering from intercrannial pressure. He lapsed into a coma Wednesday night and never regained full consciousness.

The student was very active in the physical education department of the high school and was prominent in Boy Scout activities of troops 70 and 71.

The deceased was born in Michigan City, March 7, 1917. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. McConnell; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer Bowers and Mrs. Frank Freeman, both of South Bend; a brother, Donald McConnell, 409 North Eighth street; and five brothers, Floyd Jr., James, Carl, Jack and Robert, all at home.

Charles Womble, William Brown, Paul Prenkert, Gerold Leet, Thomas Rice and Richard Strong, members of troops 70 and 71, will act as pallbearers.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  Friends may call at the Troost and Turner funeral home until Saturday afternoon when the body will be removed to the home.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 31, 1934, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

M'CONNELL RITES MONDAY

Funeral services for Thomas McConnell, Niles high school student who died Thursday as a result of head injuries received while practicing for the recent gym show, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home, 1430 Sheridan avenue, with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating. Members of Scout troops 70 and 71 will act as pallbearers.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 2, 1934, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Boy Scouts in Charge of McConnell Funeral

Funeral services for Thomas McConnell, high school student who died Thursday from injuries received recently while practicing for the annual gym show, were held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the home, 1430 Sheridan avenue with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating and the Boy Scouts of 70 and 71 in charge of the rites.

The scout guard of honor was comprised of Gordon and Howard Edwards, Richard Crouch and Clarence Thornton were the guards at the home. Charles [illegible] was the bugler.

Pallbearers were Jerome Leet, Thomas Rice, Paul Prenkert, Robert Charles Womble and William Brown.  The scout benediction was read at the close of the services. Interment was in Silverbrook cemetery.

James Rhea
March 15, 1874-Sept. 24, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 24, 1940, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

James Rhea, 66, Dies; Ill Two Years; Rites Thursday at 2 P.M.

James Rhea, 1220 South Fourteenth street, died at 3:30 this morning in the Berrien county hospital after an illness of two years of heart trouble. His condition had been serious since March.

Mr. Rhea, who was born March 15, 1874, in Grundy, Tenn., moved here 23 years ago from Summitville, Tenn. He was married Dec. 17, 1899, in Manchester, Tenn., to Dora Hobbs who survives.  Mr. Rhea was a former interurban switch tender.

Other survivors include three children, Mrs. Ira Hinkle and Herbert Rhea, Niles, and Elmore Rhea, Edgerton, Mich. He also leaves a brother, Mack Rhea., Mt. Vernon, Ind., and four grandchildren, Betty Lou Hinkle, Charles James, Nancy June and Jean Rhea.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2. Sister Ruth Lynch of the Old Faith Assembly will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Sarah Leona Wideman
Sept. 19, 1875-Oct. 21, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1940, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. WIDEMAN, 65, TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Sarah Leona Wideman, wife of Noah Wideman, Harger avenue, North Niles, died early this morning in Pawating hospital. Mrs. Wideman entered the hospital Saturday.

She leaves, beside her husband, six brothers, Frank, Wilson, Ray and Wilbur Carpenter, Niles; Earl Carpenter, South Bend, and Arthur Carpenter, Peru, Ind.

Mrs. Wideman, who was 65 years old, was born Sept. 19, 1875, in Fulton county, Ind. She came to Niles from Akron, Ind., 35 years ago.

The body is at the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call. The service will be Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in Price and Kiger chapel, the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 22, 1940, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Wideman Service Held at 2:30 Today

Six brothers of Mrs. Noah Wideman acted as pallbearers at her funeral services this afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger chapel. The brothers are Ray, Wilbur, Wilson, and Frank Carpenter, Niles; Earl Carpenter, South Bend, and Arthur Carpenter, Peru, Ind.

Mrs. Wideman died early Sunday morning. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiated at service and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Otto Zimmerman
Dec. 25, 1874-Sept. 3, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 3, 1940, page 1, col. 8, cont. page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

OTTO ZIMMERMAN, LIFE RESIDENT OF NILES, SUCCUMBS

Burns Inflicted by “Live” Wire Fatal to Kawneer Worker

Injuries suffered two weeks ago when he fell against a live wire s he was climbing a fence near The Kawneer plant, proved fatal today to Otto Zimmerman.

Mr. Zimmerman, who had lived in Niles all his life and been employed for 25 years by The Kawneer Company died in Pawating hospital at 5:15 this morning. He was 65 years old.

Feared Pursuit, Fell

The accident which caused his death occurred when Mr. Zimmerman, fearing that strikers or pickets at the Kawneer might bar his entrance to the plant, approached the factory from the rear. He was hastening to work, and climbed a fence to avoid contact with a person he believed was pursuing him.

As he climbed the fence he fell, striking a high tension wire and suffering severe burns. An arm was amputated and the victim suffered for two weeks from burns and loss of blood. Transfusions proved futile.

With Kawneer 25 Years

Mr. Zimmerman leaves his wife, Minnie; a brother, Edward, of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Edward Jacobs, Elkhart; also a niece, Mrs. Bessie Taylor, who has lived with the Zimmermans in their home at 1614 North Twelfth street.

He started work for The Kawneer Company 25 years ago and at the time of his death held a position in the crating room. He was a member of the Kawneer Twenty-Five Year club.

He was born in Niles, Dec. 25, 1874, and had lived here all his life.

Married Sept. 2, 1911

Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were married 25 years ago Monday. Mrs. Zimmerman, was the former Miss Minnie Wadel, of Niles. The ceremony was performed Sept. 2, 1911, in St. John's church here.

Funeral services will be Friday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger funeral home, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Friends may call that eh Price and Kiger funeral home.

Mr. Zimmerman was a member of St. John's church, St. John's Brotherhood, and the Maccabee and New Era lodges.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 6, 1940, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Otto Zimmerman's Rites Held Today

Services for the late Otto Zimmerman were held in the Price andKiger funeral home this afternoon at 2, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.

Mr. Zimmerman died Tuesday in Pawating hospital of injuries suffered when he came in contact with a live wire.

Pallbearers were six nephews, all of Niles—Harold, Clarence, DeVerne and Alfred Asmus, and Frederick and George Wadel.

Leland Pierson Funk, 92,
Nov. 23, 1921 — Feb. 13, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:56pm Sunday, March 9, 2014

Leland Pierson Funk, 92, a former longtime resident of Niles, Mich. died at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fla. following an extended illness.

Funk

He was born on Nov. 23, 1921, in Niles to Leland Ritter and Helen (Pierson) Funk. He was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State College (now University) at East Lansing.

While in college he served in the United States Army, and was a veteran of World War II. After graduation, he joined his father and uncle as an associate of the Funk Brothers Insurance Agency in Niles, and eventually owned and operated the Funk Insurance Agency of Southwestern Michigan.

Lee was a long-time member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles, where he sang and soloed with the choir and sang for many weddings and funerals. He had been a member of the Niles-Buchanan club of Rotary International since 1948, was president in 1961, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

He was also a member of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, and was instrumental in the fundraising for the building on West Main Street. He enjoyed golfing, often at Orchard Hills Country Club, and won their first flight championship. He enjoyed photography, always adding a thoughtful caption to the print before giving it to the person photographed.

As a graduate of Michigan State University, he supported the Spartans and was often seen wearing green and white, and tailgating with friends before games. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, and extended family at the Funk homestead on Diamond Lake, where he loved to sail.

At MSU he met his beloved wife, Jean Welch, and after graduation they were married on Sept. 25, 1948, in East Lansing, with whom he celebrated last year the 65th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Jean and their son, Dr. Leland Welch (Ruth Anne) Funk of Vero Beach, Fla. and their children Hailey and Jack; their daughter Linda Funk Vaintrub of Chicago, Ill. and her children, Isabel, Amelia, and Sonja; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his four siblings Don, Joe and Ellen Funk, and Martha Mennucci.

All will be invited to a public service for Leland P. Funk in Niles at a later date. Private services were held in Vero Beach, and burial has been completed at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Lee Funk may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church. Local arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com