Frederic W. Richter, Sr.
Aug. 28, 1866-Sept. 30, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 1, 1943, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

F.W. RICHTER, 77, FORMER MAYOR AND BUSINESSMAN, DIES

Frederic W. Richter, Sr., 77, a resident of Niles for 53 years, died in his home at 554 Hickory street at 11 Thursday night. Although he had been in failing health for two years, death came after an illness of two hours, caused by heart trouble.

He was widely known in Niles, having been in the drug and insurance business. He was also mayor of Niles for two terms beginning in 1896 and served as postmaster for two terms during the administration of President Wilson.

Here 53 Years

Born in Rochester, Ind., Aug. 28, 1866, he came to Niles 53 years ago from Huntington, Ind., and started a drug store at Front and Main streets in the location now occupied by the Paris candy store.  The store later was moved to between Second and Third streets and was sold to his brother, Harry, when he was appointed postmaster.

In 1923 he entered the insurance business which he sold to his son, Frederic, Jr., in 1939 when he retired.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal church, Niles Commandary No. 12, Knights Templar; St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4, F. and A.M., St Joseph Valley chapter No. 2, R.A. M., and Niles Council No. 19, R. and S.M.

Funeral Saturday

He is survived by his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Paul Thayer and the son, Frederic, Jr., both of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Charles Smith, Huntington, Ind., and four grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home until noon Saturday. The body will lie in state in Trinity church from 1:30 to 2:30 Saturday afternoon, when services will be conducted by the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson.

Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Because of Mr. Richter's death, the Paul Thayer jewelry store will be closed all day Saturday.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 2, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

CASKET BEARERS

Fred R. Eaglesfield, Jack Young, Arthur Stone, Wilbur Joseph, W.S. Wright, and Alfred Pfister were pallbearers this afternoon for the funeral of Frederic W. Richter, Sr., who died suddenly in his home Thursday night. Services were held at 2:30 in Trinity Episcopal church and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

David Lee Russell
July 30, 1963-July 31, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 1, 1963, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Kalamazoo-- David Lee Russell, day-old son of Mr and Mrs. Malcom Russell, 4702 Westfield Ave., died at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Bronson Hospital here.

He was born here July 30.

Other survivors include two sisters, Patricia Ann and Leinette Joyce, both at home; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cletis Bybee, Niles, and paternal grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Irvin Russell, Decatur, Ala.

Committal rites were conducted at 4 p.m. today in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The Rev. Ralph Pletcher, pastor of Coulter's Chapel there, officiated.

Walter Sample
Aug. 2, 1933-Aug. 2. 1933

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 2, 192=33, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

INFANT SAMPLE DIES

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Vearle Sample, 1635 Silverbrook avenue, died at 4:30 o'clock this morning at Pawating hospital following its birth two hours before. The child was one of twins born this morning. The other twin is living.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Silverbrook cemetery with the Rev.. W.H.  Turner, pastor of the First Baptist church, offering prayer.

Marie D. Schelkopf
May 1, 1914-June 12, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 13, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Marie D. Schelkopf, 39, rural route six, died at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Pawating.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.N. Ells, Chicago; her husband, Adolph; five children, Ronald, Michael, Robert, Donna and Craig, all at home; one sister, Mrs. Steve Lacoco, Chicago, and two brothers, Edward Lawlor, Glidden, Ia., and Thomas Lawlor, Chicago.

Mrs. Schelkopf was born on May 1, 1914, in Chicago and came to Niles from there 10 years ago.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be head at 2 p.m. Monday.  The Rev. Orlan Njus, pastor of the Bertrand Bible Church, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Marie Schmidt
July 11, 1897-July 14, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 15, 1963, page 1, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Woman Killed in Missouri Crash

Mrs. Marie Schmidt, 66, 1611 Howard St., was one of three person killed Sunday in a two-car head-on collision on US-50, a mile east of Gerald, Mo., about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Mrs. Schmidt was a passenger in an automobile being driven by Otto Wehmeyer, 68, of Gerald.  He was also killed. Driver of the other car was Johnny Blankenship, 19, of Cuba, Mo., who was killed.

A passenger in the Blankenship auto, William Timlin, 23, of Sullivan, Mo., was injured seriously and was not expected to live.

It was reported the auto with the young men came around a curve, was unable to stay in its own lane of traffic and crossed into the oncoming lane, hitting the Wehmeyer car.

Mrs. Schmidt, who was born in Tea. Mo., July 11, 1897, not far from Gerald, was visiting cousins in the area, and was staying at Owensville.

Mrs. Schmidt is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Bennie Szweda, 724 Broadway, Niles; five brothers, Martin and Leonard Sieckman, both of Gary, Ind.;  Ray, of Bitely,Mich.; Edwin, of Valparaiso, Ind.; and Chester, of Lemon Grove, Calif.; as well as three sisters, Mrs. Joseph W. Wilson, Los Angeles; Mrs. Tillie Blade, Palm Springs, Calif., and Mrs. Linda English, El Cajon, Calif., and six grandchildren.

Mrs. Schmidt came here in  1837 from Gary, Ind., with her husband, Charles.  They bought a tavern at 701 N. 13th Sat. and operated it together.  He died in  1942 and Mrs. Schmidt continued to operate the tavern until she sold it in November, 1961, to John Frucci.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Theodore Laesch, pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 16, 1963, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Friends of Mrs. Marie Schmidt, 66, of 1511 Howard St., who died Sunday, are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Mrs. Schmidt was killed in a two-car head-on collision a mile past Gerald, Mo.

John F. Seagreaves
1876-Aug. 10, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 12, 1943, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Brother of Niles Women to Be Buried in Niles Saturday

Committal rites for John F. Seagreaves, Cincinnati, will be conducted late Saturday morning in Silverbrook cemetery by the Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.

The body will arrive at the Michigan Central station at 11:09 Saturday morning and will be taken directly to the cemetery, it was announced today.  The funeral will be conducted in Cincinnati.

Mrs. Seagreaves, brother-in-law of Mrs. Harry Barman and Mrs. Silsbee, both of Niles, died Tuesday in his home in Cincinnati.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 14, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal Rites

Thomas Cain, Arthur Stone, L. S. Storms, Frank French, Robert Roebeck and P.L. Karling served as pallbearers late this morning at committal rites for John P. [sic] Seagreaves, Cincinnati, in Silverbrook cemetery.  The Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiated.