Gertrude Smith
Sept. 20, 1873-Feb. 23, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 23, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

GERTRUDE SMITH TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Gertrude Brown Smith, 69, member of a pioneer Niles family and life-long resident of the city, died this morning at 5 in her home, 1915 North Fifth street, after an illness of four years.

Daughter of the late William A. and Clara Brown, Mrs. Smith was born in Niles Sept. 20, 1873. Her grandfather, the late Jacob Kingery Brown, came to Niles as a contractor in 1828.

Among Mrs. Smith's many interests were her flower garden, antiques and needlework. Her antiques were considered one of the finest general private collections in the country.

Funeral Thursday

Surviving are her husband, W.A. Smith, to whom she was married June 22, 1894 in Elkhart; two daughters, Mrs. G.D. Benson and Mrs. John M. Babbitt, Niles; a brother, Lawrence Brown, Lexington, Ky., and two granddaughters, Patricia Benson and Judith Babbitt.

Friends may call in the Price and Kiger funeral home where the service will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Harry  L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church of which she was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mary Louise Smith
March 22, 1854-Jan. 7, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 8, 1943, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MARY SMITH, 88, DIES IN HOME; RITES 2:30 MONDAY

Mrs. Mary Louise Smith, 88, resident of this community more than 80 years, died Thursday afternoon at 1 in her home, 726 North Fourth street. She had been ill of arthritis and complications since April.

Daughter of the late Anna Marie and Carl Gerblich, Mrs. Smith was born in Falkenberg, Germany, March 22, 1854, and came here at the age of four.

Wed in Edwardsburg

She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Frederick C. Smith to whom she was married July 30, 1871, in Edwardsburg.  The Smiths lived for many years on the property now occupied by the municipal airport.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Laura L. Taylor; a son, W. Arthur Smith;  two grandchildren, Mrs. John Babbitt and Mrs. Dwight Benson and two great-granddaughters, Judith Ann Babbitt and Patricia Benson, all of Niles.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where the service will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, of which she was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook abbey.

Mary Walker
abt. 1857-Feb. 4, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 4, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary Walker, 85, Niles Ex-Resident, Stricken in Illinois

Mrs. Mary Walker, 85, mother of David N. Walker, north of Niles, died this morning in the home of another son, Clyde S. Walker, Rock Island, Ill.

As the former Miss Mary Cameron, Mrs. Walker came to Niles during her childhood and lived here until eight years ago when she went to Rock Island.

Other survivors are two brothers, George Cameron, near Sumnerville, and Frank Cameron, Chicago.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 5, 1943, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Walker Funeral Set for Saturday

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Walker, who died Thursday morning in Rock Island, Ill., will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger chapel.

The Rev. O.W. Carr, Fennville, will officiate with burial in the Silverbrook mausoleum. Friends may call at the funeral home after  noon today.

Mrs. Walker, long a resident of Niles, was the mother of David N. Walker, North of Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 6, 1943, page 2, col. 2microfilm Niles District Library

Walker Rites

Three grandsons of the late Mrs. Mary Walker served as pallbearers this afternoon at 2 when funeral rites were conducted by the Rev. O.A. Carr, Fennville, in the Price and Kiger chapel.  They were Clayton, Elwood and Ray Walker; who served with Fred Frost, Albert Frost and Max White, all near Niles. Burial was in the mausoleum in Silverbrook cemetery.

Minnie Young
April 7, 1860-Feb. 1, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 2, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MINNIE YOUNG, 82, DIES IN BERTRAND

Mrs. Minnie Young, 82, widow of the late James Young, died Monday afternoon at 3:40 in her Bertrand home. She had been a resident of the community 25 years.

Born April 7, 1860, near Butler, Ind., Mrs. Young was married Oct. 12, 1907. Mr. Young died in 1939. The only survivor is a nephew, Paul Maxwell, Bertrand.

Friends may call at the residence until Wednesday afternoon when the body will be taken to the Bertrand Community church, of which she was a member, for services at 2:30.

The Rev. Joseph Hyink will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Norah B. Cox
Nov. 6, 1884-Oct. 19, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 19, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Nora B. Cox, 219 Sycamore street, died at 12:01 a.m. today at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. The body  was brought to the Kiger Funeral Home here where funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 20, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

COX RITES SET

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary's Catholic Church here for Mrs. Norah B. Cox, 68, of 219 Sycamore street, who died Monday in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.  The Rev. Lawrence Davis will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Kiger Funeral Home, where friends may call. Mrs. Cox was born Nov. 6, 1884,in New Troy and lived most of her life in Niles.  She was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, circle 45 and St. Mary's Catholic Church. There were no survivors listed.

Members of circle 45 of the GAR are requested to meet at the funeral home at 8 p.m. Wednesday for memorial services.

Bror C. Erickson
March 29, 1892-Sept. 19, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 19, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Bror C. Erickson, rural route three, Stafford road, died at 5 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital. He had been ill for three weeks.

Surviving are his wife, Anna; one daughter, Mrs. Leo O'Connor, South Bend; one son, Eric, in the Navy at Norfolk W. Va.; another daughter, Helen, at home; one grandchild, and one brother, Edwin, of Waukegan, Ill.

He was born on March 29, 1892, in Sweden, and came here from Chicago about eight years ago.  He was a farmer and was a member of the Berrien County Farm Bureau and of the Gloria Dei Swedish Lutheran Church South Bend.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home beginning Sunday noon. Services will be held at the Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Paul Berggren, of the Gloria Dei Church, presiding, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.