Otto J. Burkhart
July 28, 1903-July 15, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 16, 1980, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Otto J. Burkart, 2808 Beebe Road, did at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday at the Berrien General Hospital, Berrien Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 17, 1980, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Otto J. Burkart, 76, of 2808 Beebe Road, died at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday at Berrien General Hospital, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.

A member of the Niles Moose Lodge, he was a  retired employee of the National-Standard Company.

Mr. Burkart was born July 28, 1903 in Sheboygan, Wis., and had lived here since 1946, coming from Chicago.

Survivors include seven brothers, Victor of Indianapolis, Joe of Lakeland, Fla., Eugene and David, both of Dubuque, Ia., Al of Mason City, Ia., James of Cucumonga, Calif., and Norman of Animosa, Iowa; and six sisters, Mrs. Hilda Gross of Bellevue, Iowa, Mrs. Helen Efferding of Wauksha, Wis., Mrs. Viola Arbugast of Corinth, Miss., Mrs. Frieda Putra and Mrs. Ann Lozinski, both of Oak Park, Ill, and Mrs. Ange Weaver of Wyoming, Ill.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Mooseheart for Children's Fund.

Note: Obituaries spell name Burkart but cemetery record spells it Burkhart.

Malcolm E. Collins
Nov. 5, 1913-July 5, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 7, 1980, page 3, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Malcolm E. Collins, 66, of 222 Owens, died at 6:35 a.m. Saturday

at Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness.

A retired Kawneer company employee, he was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Air Force, and was a member of Niles American Legion Post 26.

Mr. Collins was born Nov. 5, 1913 in Niles, and had lived his lifetime in the area.

On June 8, 1951 in Niles he married Lillian M. Polly, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, John Hiter of Jonesboro, Ga.; a daughter, Mrs. Vernon (Aline) Shaner of Niles; a brother, Vernon L. Collins of Marion, Ind.; a sister, Mrs. Robert Stephens of Niles; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Mary Ann Deegan
June 12, 1896-July 24, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 25, 1980, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Mary Ann Deegan, 84, formerly of 412 N. Fifth St., died at 11:45 a.m. Thursday at the Schato Nursing Home, Dowagiac, following an extended illness.

She was born June 12, 1896 in North Liberty, Ind., and lived her lifetime in the area.

Her husband, Bernard A. Deegan, died Nov. 26, 1974.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Vera P. Petri of South Bend; a sister, Mrs. Glennie Beron of South Bend; and a granddaughter, Mrs. Pam Ackerman of Stevensville.

Private services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

Jack L. George
July 25, 1940-July 20, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 22, 1980, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Jack L. George, 39, an apparent suicide victim, died at 11:12 p.m. Sunday. He was dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital.

He resided at 1950 Pucker Street Drive and was an employee of National Standard Co.

Mrs. George was born July 25, 1940 in Reeds, Mo. and had lived in the area since 1961 coming from Buchanan.

On July 22, 1961, he married Janet L. Smiedendorf in Niles, who survives.

Other survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ocie George of Buchanan; three sons, Brian, Toby and Terry, all at home; four sisters, Mrs. Drucella Rhodes of New Paris, Ind., Mrs. Bonnie Deeds and Mrs. Vivian Crider, both of Buchanan and Mrs. Lillian Sunman of Niles, and three brothers, Charles of Niles, Glen of Buchanan and David of Farmington, Ark.

Services will be at 10 :30 am. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Alfred Deeds of the Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle in Buchanan officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Herbert E. Gerth
Sept. 28, 1898-July 17, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 18, 1980, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Herbert E. Gerth, 81, of 1733 Oak St., Niles, died at 5:05 p.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Long active in community affairs, he was the retired owner of Gerth Chevrolet in Niles.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, St.Joseph Valley Lodge number four of the F&AM, Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids, Scottish Rite Valley of Grand Rapids, the Niles Shrine Club, South Bend Shrine Club, Fraternal Order of Police and life member of the South Bend Elks Lodge.

He was born Sept. 28, 1898 in Peoria, Illinois, and had resided in Niles since 1942.

He was married in Niles on Oct. 1, 1949 to Crystal C. Albert, who survives.

Also surviving are a brother, Felix Gerth, and a sister, Miss Ruth Gerth, both of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Sunday. The family requests that memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Carrie Reum Gillett
March 13, 1869-April 13, 1959

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 14, 1959, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Carrie Reum Gillett, 90, a former Niles resident, died at 1:15 a.m.  Monday in the Dunkelberger Nursing Home, Bangor.

Mrs. Gillett was born near Jones March 13, 1869. She came to Niles and married George F. Reum, a Niles businessman for many years. Mr. Reum died in 1916.  She later married Frank Gillett, of Lawton, and left Niles eighteen years ago to live in Lawton. Mr. Gillett died sixteen years ago.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Verna Taylor, of Niles; a niece, Mrs. Vivian Shreve, of Kalamazoo; and three nephews, Laverne Guyott, of Niles, Harold Dodge, of South Bend, and Frank Dodge, of Elkhart.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Prindle Funeral Home, Lawton. Burial will be in Niles at Silverbrook Cemetery.

*Note: Carrie Mikesell married George F. Reum in Niles October 30, 1889.