Jean Marie Foss
1924-1926

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 18, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY

Funeral services for Jean Marie, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Foss, 910 Sycamore street, were conducted this afternoon by Rev. G.W. Webblink, pastor of St. John's church. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.  Among those from out of the city who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Matt Phillips, Leo Phillips and family, Mrs. Katie Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. John Nyloff, Michigan City; Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Stear, Mr. and Mrs. W. Tim and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stroup, Buchanan; Mr. and Mrs. R. Muntz, Sturgis; Mrs. F. P. Burt,  Chicago.

Nellie Forsythe
1866-Apr. 30, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 30, 1926, page 1, col. 6 & &, cont. page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. A.W. FORSYTHE DIES THIS MORNING AFTER BRIEF ATTACK OF HEART TROUBLE

The announcement of the death this morning of Mrs. A.W. Forsythe, 15 S. Third street, came as a shock to her relatives and wide circle of friends in this city. The immediate cause of death was heart disease, from which Mrs. Forsythe had long been a sufferer, but as she bravely and cheerfully discharged the duties of her home and in connection with other activities, the seriousness of her condition was not often realized by friends. She became ill a few days ago with a severe cold which aggravated the heart trouble and on Wednesday evening her condition became alarming. Yesterday an improvement was noted by this morning she passed away at 1:30 o'clock as she slept.

Mrs. Forsythe's maiden name was Nellie Pinegar. She was born in Detroit, but when very young she moved to Jackson, and had since lived in Jackson and Niles. She was married to Mr. Forsythe in Jackson. The husband survives her as do also two children, Miss Marian and Oren, both at home. Besides the husband and children. Mrs. Forsythe is survived by three sisters and three brothers. They are: Mrs. C.W. Schempf, A.C. Pinegar, William H. Pinegar, Hollis F. Pinegar, Mrs. Verne Wade Badgley and Mrs. Clifford Nixon, all of Jackson.

Mr. Forsythe was transferred to Niles from Jackson about 18 years ago as division foreman of buildings and water supply for the Michigan Central railway company, and the family had since resided here.  Mrs. Forsythe was interested in a number of activities but outside of the home to which she was devoted she gave most attention to activities of the Presbyterian church. She had long taught in the Sunday school, had served in various capacities in the Ladies Aid society as an officer, and had been at the head of several other departments of work in the church at various times, giving untiringly of her time and strength to these duties. She was a member of the Niles Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and had served as an officer in that order.

Mrs. Forsythe had once written . . . [illegible] . .of a friend, "a beautiful life does not end in death," and the beautiful memories which her grief stricken family and friends will cherish concerning her emphasizes this truth.

The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church. Rev. H. T. Scherer will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 3, 1926, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MANY ATTEND FUNERAL FOR MRS. FORSYTHE

Funral[sic] services for Ms. A.W. Forsythe were conducted Sunday afternoon in the Presbyterian church before a large gathering of sorrowing relatives and friend. The high esteem in which Mrs. Forsythe was held was attested in part by the numerous beautiful floral tributes.  The services was conducted by Rev. H.T. Scherer, pastor of the church, in which Mrs. Forsythe had for many years worshipped and actively assisted in its work.  Mrs. Albert Vettre and Rex Leach sang, "Tarry With Me," and "Jesus Lover of my Soul."

The following carried the casket to its last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery: N.H. Bacon, T.C. Hance, C.E. Moon, Roy Merritt, George Earl and Fred Peters.

Among those from out of the city who attended the services were the following Michigan Central officials as an expression of sympathy for Mr. Forsythe, head of the building and water supply department of the railway company, and his family: H.A. Horning, superintendent of buildings; John Harden, assistant superintendent of buildings; Al Neice, building architect; Frank Hodge, building department's chief clerk, George Collie, chief steam fitter and plumber; William Etic, shop foreman, and William Hart, scale inspector, all of Jackson.

Among the relatives and other friends present were: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Miller, Dr. Charles Frankfurth, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kaiser and Miss Elma Forsythe, Detroit; William Hollis, William Cummings, Charles Pooley, Lou Johnson, Chicago: Mrs. Otto Tagsold, Blissfield, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Hessellink, Kalamazoo, Hollis, William and Alfred Pinegar and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Pinegar, Jr., and daughter; Mr. and Mrs. V.W. Badgley, C.W. Schempf, Russell Schempf, Merle Shipley, Mrs. George Bradshaw, W.L. Pinegar, Mrs. C.E. Nixon, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Rudolph, of Jackson; and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christy and daughter, Mildred, and Dale Murphy, Dowagiac.

Fred O. Gephart
Nov. 1857-May 5, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 6, 1926, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FRED O. GEPHART DIES SUDDENLY AT MARION IND.

Former Niles Merchant is Taken in Heart Attack

OWNED STORES ON MAIN STREET

Body to Be Brought Here for Burial

Fred O. Gephart, a native of Niles, and who has valuable property interests here, died suddenly of heart disease Wednesday morning at his home in Marion, Ind. While Mr. Gephart had long been in ill health, his condition has been considered serious only within the last month. Mr. Gephart was about 70 years old.

The body will be brought to Niles Friday afternoon on the Big Four train due in Niles at 5:03, and will be taken to the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms where it may be viewed on Saturday from 10 to 12 o'clock. On Saturday afternoon the body will be place in the vault at Silver Brook cemetery. Funeral plans will be announced later.

Mr. Gephart was a member of a pioneer Niles family. He was the son of Orris S. Gephart and Martha Platt Gephart, a daughter of George Platt, deceased. For a number of years Mr. Gephart engaged in the restaurant and confectionery business in Niles. He engaged in the same business, with a bakery in connection, at Marion, for a number of years, but for some time had been retired from business activities.  He is survived by a widow and one son, R.F. Gephart, of Marion. Mrs. Gephart, the widow, was formerly Miss Ella Rodgers, of Niles, and a sister of Mrs. George Cameron.

On account of his property interests in Niles, Mr. Gephart made frequent visits to Niles, and he was deeply interested in its affairs. He was the owner of the Hildebrand hotel building, and had recently remodeled it and built an addition to it. He owned the store occupied by the Fox Brothers dry goods business, and had other property interests. He had at one time owned a large farm near Pokagon, but he had sold it.

Mr. Gephart had served as city treasurer and as chief of the fire department, of Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 8, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BRING BODY HERE

The body of Fred O. Gephart was brought to Niles from Marion, Ind., Friday afternoon, accompanied by Roger Gephart, son of the deceased. The body was taken to the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms, and this afternoon will be removed to the vault in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Gephart is ill and unable to come to Niles, and plans for the commital service will not be made until she is able to come [to] Niles.

Charles “Chuck” R. Brown, 66
Aug. 21, 1946-Feb. 10, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:02pm Monday, February 11, 2013

Charles “Chuck” R. Brown, 66, of Niles, Mich., passed away on Feb. 10, 2013 at Lakeland Community hospital in Niles.

Services will be held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at Hoven Funeral Home, Inc. in Buchanan, Mich., with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Also, submitted by family member:

South Bend Tribune, Tuesday, February 12, 2013.

CHARLES RICHARD BROWN, JR.

Aug. 21, 1946 - Feb. 10, 2013 NILES - Charles "Chuck" R. Brown, 66, of Niles, MI, passed away on February 10, 2013, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, MI. He was born on August 21, 1946, in Weston, West Virginia. He married Karon Underwood in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on June 25th, 1967.

He was a proud Boy Scout leader for 13 years, a U.S. Army veteran, and he also loved spending time with his grandkids who knew him as "Gaga." Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Brown; his mother, Virginia Williams; his brother, Roger McHenry; and his sister, Rosealie McHenry. He is survived by his wife, Karon Brown; his two sons, Eric (Doris) Brown of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Jason Brown of Niles, Michigan; his daughter, Melissa (Jeff) DeMunck of Mishawaka, Indiana; and his seven grandchildren, Collin, Schyler, Kristen, Alexis, Ian, Derrick and Cameron.

Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Hoven Funeral Home, Inc., in Buchanan, Michigan, with visitation one hour before the services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI.

Floyd Johnson, 85
July 23, 1927-January 22, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:09pm Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Floyd L. Johnson, 85, of U.S.12 in Niles, Mich., died at 7:39 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on July 23, 1927 in Mishawaka, Ind., to Kenneth and Florence (Hamman) Johnson, and has lived in Niles most of his life.  He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 364, and drove for Russom Transfer for 27 years, retiring from its successor, Bender Loudon Motor Freight.

Floyd expressed a strong Christian faith.  He earned an airplane pilot’s student license which allowed him to fly solo.  He enjoyed the fellowship and activities at the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport in Niles, and enjoyed fishing in the area.

On Nov. 4, 1946 he married the former Mary Lou Kelver, who preceded him in death on September 9, 1982.  He was also preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth Johnson and Karl Johnson; and by two sisters, Helen Kring and Irene Williams.

Surviving family includes his children, Linda (& Michael) FunNell of Niles, Keith (& Ava) Johnson of Saint Petersburg, Fla., and Kerry Johnson of Niles; daughters-in-law, Diana (Mrs. Kenneth) Johnson of Elkhart, Ind., and Pamela (Mrs. Karl) Johnson of Niles; Floyd’s brother, Joe Hirsch of Mishawaka and sister, Gloria (& Bert) Houghton of Decatur, Mich.; several nieces and nephews; and a neighbor and friend, Sue Johnson.

The family of Floyd Johnson will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2013 from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Interment will be later, privately at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Rick L. Zache, 56
Jan. 5, 1957-Feb. 12, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:09pm Friday, February 15, 2013

Rick L. Zache, 56, of Niles, was called home by his Lord on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at The University of Chicago Medical Center.

Rick was born on Jan. 5, 1957 to Arthur and Beverly (Miller) Zache in South Bend, Indiana. He was a proud Brandywine graduate class of 1975. Rick received his BSA from Central Michigan University in Business Management and his EMBA from the University of Notre Dame. Rick was employed at Minute Maid/Coca-Cola where he served as plant superintendent until his retirement in 2012. On Aug. 30, 1986 Rick married Debra Wright at a ceremony in Portage, Mich.

Rick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who exemplified conviction, courage, loyalty, humility and love even in his final moments.  The attributes that will be missed the most are his character, boundless strength and selflessness for his family.  His priority in life was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is best known for his leadership and coaching in the community. He was an accomplished athlete who, like his daughters Kelli and Kendra, was awarded Athlete of the Year at Brandywine.

Rick excelled in many sports, was a successful businessman, and a dedicated family man.

He was a past member of the Brandywine School Board.  He also served countless years as a coach for the Niles Brandywine Girls Softball Association in addition to starting the first travel softball team (Intensity) in the Niles Brandywine district. Rick was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Rick’s family will always remember the time they spent together; playing family whiffle ball, celebrating holidays, engaging in recreational water sports, and traveling to his daughter’s swimming and softball competitions.

He is preceded in death by his father Arthur Zache Sr. and his brother Gary Zache.

Rick is survived by his wife Debra Zache of Niles, a son Bobby (Leslie) Zache of Niles, three daughters; Amie Zache Kinkade of Mishawaka, Kelli Zache of Niles and Kendra Zache of Niles, his mother Beverly Zache of Niles, five grandchildren; Ben, Aaron and Taylor Kinkade and Riley and Berkley Zache, a brother Arthur Jr. (Judy) Zache of Niles, a sister-in-law Chris Zache Gowen of Niles, and five nephews; Adam, Brian, Mark, Brad and Bruce Zache.

Funeral services to honor Rick’s life will be held on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1340 Sycamore Street in Niles with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to Stem Cell Research or to a Brandywine Scholarship Fund being established in care of Brown Funeral Home.

Those wishing to leave a message for Rick’s family, upload a photo of him or send a letter of condolence may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.