Mary Ella Knott
Nov 22, 1880-Feb. 17, 1924

Mrs. L.C. Knott Mrs. Mary Ella Knott, wife of Louis Knott, living seven miles southwest of South Bend, died at her home last evening at 6 o’clock, following an illness since July, resulting in complications.

She was born in Penn twownship Nov. 22, 1880, and moved to the present residence from South Bend 11 years ago. She was married 21 years ago to Mr. Knott. She is survived by four daughers, Gertrude, Allene, Julia Fay and Isabelle, all at home. She also leaves a brother, Louis Altenberger of South Bend, and for sisters, Mrs. Bert Bailey of Dowagiac, Mrs. Grant Batchel, Chicago Heights; Mrs. Harvey Fisher, Niles and Mrs. Louis Zilky, South Bend.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the residence, Rev. J.H. Evans officiating. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook Cemetery, Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fred C. Knott
Oct. 6, 1875-Feb. 17, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 18, 1957, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Fred C. Knott, 81, died at 7 p.m. Sunday at his home, 317 Pokagon Street, after an illness of two months.

Born Oct. 6, 1875 in Niles, he spent his life in the area and was a retired steamfitter. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church.

Survivors are his widow, Lulu; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Payne of Hastings; a grandson; a great-grandson; two sisters, Mrs. Harry Blake, Niles and Mrs. Elizabeth Peck, Selma, Ala., and two brothers, Charles F. Knott, Niles and Louis Knott, Osceola, IN.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John’s Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Kenneth W. Knauf
December 3, 1937-June 3, 2008

Kenneth W. Knauf, 70, of Niles-Buchanan Road, Niles, died at 8:28 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

Mr. Knauf was born on December 3, 1937, in Niles, to Frederick Roy George and Iva Mildred (Sloop) Knauf, and lived in Niles most of his life.  He graduated from Niles High School, and earned bachelors and master’s degrees in Education from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. Throughout his student career, he participated in academic honors, services, and social organizations, and athletics, especially wrestling. As a teacher, Mrs. Knauf was employed by Bentley High School, Flint, MI, and Traverse City (MI) High School, teaching biology and history, and continuing his interest in athletics, coaching wrestling and football.  He came back to Niles to work for Kool-O-Matic where he served as vice –resident.

Ken was well-known as the owner and operator of the Dairy Queens in Niles since 1892. He was also a past president of the Michigan Dairy Queen Operators Association.  He was a member of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce for 14 years, was a past president of the board of the Niles Community Federal Credit Union, a member of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322, and a long time member of the Central Michigan University alumni association.

Ken had always enjoyed fishing and hunting, and more recently was enjoying spending time at their lake house with his family, including his dog, “Bear”.

On June 24, 1951, in Bay City, MI, he married the former Sandra L. Shaheen, who survives. Also surviving are their daughter, Kari (Michael) Reed of Niles; grandchdilren, Nicholas, Nichole, nd Michel II; his sister, Judy Tennison of Simpsonville, SC, and Sandra's brother and sisters, Sylvia (Ray) Cummings, Sonia Lownsbury, William (Sue) Shaheen, Helen (Faris) Cadora, Donna (Mrs. Daniel) Shaheen, and Cynthia Shaheen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a dear friend, Shair Neuman.

Ken and Sandra had been caring for his father, Fred, who died just two week ago.  Ken was also preceded in death by his mother, Iva in 1998; and by sisters, Phyllis Knauf who died in 2002, Delors Stevenson who died in 1957, and Iva Jean Kanuf who died in infancy.

The service for Kenneth W. Knauf will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Halbritter Furenal Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Nellie L. Knapp
July 24, 1921-Sept. 1, 2001

Nellie L. Knapp, 80, of 2289 S. 14th Street, Niles, MI, died at 7 a.m. Saturday, September 1, 2001, in her home of natural causes.

She was born on July 24, 1921 in Mode, IL. She was a waitress at Kuglers. She was also a member of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church, Niles.

On July 8, 1946, in Niles, MI, she married Ira Knapp and he survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Crystal R. (Eric) Napper of Niles; three sons, David Lee (Connie) Knapp, Robin L. Knapp and Dennis J. (Sherry) Knapp, all of Niles; seven sisters, Myrtle C. Hoese (Glen, deceased), Niles, Vesta V. Buckley (William dec.), Violet V. Sullivan (Joseph dec.), Florence F. Smith, (Joseph dec.), Charlotte I Masters (Darryl dec.), Jenny J. (Leroy) Snyder and Lois J. (Allen) Means, all of Decatur, IL; a brother, William F. (Lillian) Nichols of Mode, IL; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Terry L. Knapp; and two brothers, Max E. and John J. Nichols.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2001 at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Ed. Willalba officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ira Knapp
October 31, 1916-December 28, 2004

Ira Knapp, 88, of 2289 S. 14th St., Niles, passed away Tuesday December 28, 2004 at Buchanan Meadows following an illness.

Ira was born on October 31, 1916, to the late Louie L. and Emma E. (Hammond) Knapp in Tamaroa, Illinois, on July 8, 1946, Ira married Nellie L. (Nichols) at a ceremony in Niles, MI

Ira was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a son, Terry L. Knapp, a brother, Jim Knapp, and a sister, Mary Thompson.

He served his country proudly during World War II in the U.S. Navy. Many knew Ira as the owner of Knapp's Drywall for over 35 years. He was a member of the Niles American Legion Post 26 and attended Fulkerson Park Baptist Church. His hobbies included gardening, story-telling, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include three sons, David Lee (Connie) Knapp, Robin L. (Vicky) Knapp, and Dennis J. (Sherry) Knapp, all of Niles; one daughter, Crystal R. (Eric) Napper of Niles; two brothers, Irvin Knapp of Sawyer, MI and Howard Knapp of Sarasota, FL; two sisters, Alene (Charles) Weisenbach of Jacksonville, FL and Leona Zimmerman of Fort Lauderdale, FL; ten grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, December 31, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday December 30, 2004, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ira's memory to Buchanan Meadows, 809 Carroll St., Buchanan, MI 49107

Services have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services,

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Nancy Kitterer
Abt. 1841-Died June 16, 1931

Mother Chas Kitterer dies.

Mrs. Nancy Kitterer, widow of Frederick Kitterer, died last evening, June 16, 1931 at 8:30 in the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. R. Cauffman, in South Bend at the age of 90 years. She is survived by four children who are Mrs. John Strieble and Frank Kitterer of Pokagon, Charles Kitterer of Niles and Mrs. G. R. Cauffman of South Bend. The funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock in the Orvis Funeral Home at 334 N. Main Street. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown