Sylvester Gross, 86
July 16, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:50pm Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sylvester E. “Sly” Gross, 86, of Stateline Road, Niles, passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Health System in St. Joseph following an extended illness. A time of visitation will be on Wednesday, July 20 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. A private interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery a later time.  Memorial contributions may be given to the family.  Memories, photos and condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

William Gombosi Jr., 84
Feb. 18, 1927-July 19, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:34pm Thursday, July 21, 2011

William Gombosi Jr., 84, of East Bertrand Road in Niles, Mich., died at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Buchanan Meadows Living Center of an extended illness.

Mr. Gombosi was born on Feb. 18, 1927 in Buchanan, Mich., to William and Mildred Ann (Yeoman) Gombosi Sr. He graduated from Niles High School and lived in this area most of his life. He hired-on with the New York Central Railroad and served 41 years before retiring from Conrail.

William was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army.

He was a member of Community Baptist Church in South Bend, Ind., and American Legion Post #53 in Montana.

On Sept. 11, 1954 in Niles, he married the former Wanda (Weaver) Gano, who survives.

Surviving family also includes their children, James (Leslie) Gambosi of Delanco, N.J., Peggy (Westin) Hutchings of Dickson, Tenn., Nancy (John) Jones of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Thomas Gombosi of Niles; grandchildren, Paul, Carla, Jeffrey, Maegan, Lisa, Jeremy, Andra, Nathan, Stefani, and Thomas; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Jack, Ella, Karrisa, Erin, twins Madilyn and Angela, twins Nolan and Morgan, Hunter and Lili.

He was preceded in death by his brother, David Gombosi.

The funeral service for William Gombosi Jr. will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2011 at Community Baptist Church in South Bend, Ind., with Rev. Steven Stadtmiller of the church officiating, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” in the churchyard performed by the United States Army Honor Guard.

Committal Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 24 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to Hospice at Home.

Alice Louise Farris, 85
March 25, 1926-July 19, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:35pm Thursday, July 21, 2011

Alice Louise Farris, 85

Alice was born March 25, 1926 in Manchester, Tenn. to Jesse and Iza Orrick, who preceded her in death.

She worked as a waitress.

Surviving family includes her sons, Joe Sarratore of South Bend, Ind., and Jack Coffinger of Edwardsburg; step-daughters Judy Richter of Michigan and Monica Gould of Michigan; two special grandsons, Christopher Sarratore and Steve Gillespie; her sister, Lola Mozell Nelson of Niles; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by three husbands, Tom Coffinger, Frank Sarratore and James R. Farris; three brothers, Cecil Orrick, Joe Orrick and Russell Orrick; and her sister, Frances Sellers. A special thanks goes to Richard and Marian Binns, as well as the nurses, doctors and staff of West Woods of Niles.

Services for Alice will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan. She will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan.

Vernon Dale Kline
Dec. 15, 1928 – July 20, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:33pm Friday, July 22, 2011

Vernon D. Kline passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in his home with his loving family in attendance.

He was the son of the late Jerry and Clara Kline.  Vern was born in Buchanan on Dec. 15, 1928.  He married the former Marcia Wilson on Oct. 29, 1965.  He worked for 38 years at Simplicity Pattern Company before retirement.

He is survived by his wife Marcia; three children, Barbara Lucker, Scott (Sarah) Kline of Niles and Ellen Kline of Plymouth, Minnesota; sisters, Virginia (Paul) Asmus of Niles, Betty (Don) Cornwell of Buchanan and Laura Graham of North Carolina; brothers, Ed (Karen) Kline, Fred (Roxie) Kline, both of Buchanan and Jerry (Pauline) Kline of Florida; eight grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by a sister, Wanita Kline and a brother, Larry Kline.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, July 25 at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with a visitation before the service starting at 1 p.m.  Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery at a later date.

Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice at Home, Inc. in Buchanan or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Clarence Shockley
Dec. 6, 1872-Aug. 15, 1907

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 17, 1907, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Nightwatchman Clarence Shockley will take place from the home at 1:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.  The last sad rites will be performed by Rev. F. Rahn, pastor of the Evangelical church. The members of the Modern Woodmen of America will attend in a body, and members of the sheriff's force from about the county will attend as well as members of the South Bend police force, the local police, and members of the common council. Burial will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 19, 1907, page 1, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

"DUST TO DUST; ASHES TO ASHES"

FUNERAL OF THE LATE OFFICER SHOCKLEY

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WAS ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS

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City Officials, Lodge Members and Visiting Police in Procession

One of the largest funerals ever held in Niles was that of the late Policeman Clarence Shockley, which occurred from the house, corner of Sycamore and 11th streets Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.

Long before the appointed hour friends began to assemble and within a short time a multitude was in evidence.  The streets for half a block distant were crowded.  The Modern Woodmen of America, of which deceased was a member, were in charge of the arrangements. The Woodmen left their hall 150 strong at 1:15 o'clock, followed by the Niles police force, members of the South Bend police department, Niles' city officials, board of public works, business men and citizens in general.

Halting at the Shockley home the remains, reposing in a handsome oak casket, were viewed for the last time.  Mounds of beautiful roses and flowers of every description were in evidence.

The Modern Woodmen of America, city of Niles, Garden City Fan company and the South Bend police furnished floral pieces, while friends piled flowers all about the casket, making one solid floral bank. In fact, the casket was fairly covered with the most beautiful designs ever wrought.

The music rendered was such as to soften all hearts and moisten all eyes, and was furnished by a quartette consisting of Messrs. John Hamilton and L.S. Chase, Mesdames Mary Porter and John Hamilton.

Rev. F. Rahn of St. John's Evangelical church, conducted the services and paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of the deceased.

At the close of the services the long procession followed the funeral car to Silver Brook cemetery. At the open grave "farewell" was said by the officiating clergyman and the Modern Woodmen of America. The vaulted tomb was decorated with white muslin and evergreens.

Rev. Mr. Rahn, at the graveside, reminded the mourners that Clarence Shockley is not dead; he is only asleep--resting after a well spent life; that he could not, and would not if he could, ever return to us; but we can, if we will go to him; when the summons comes may we say as did he, "All is well;" and the last words to a faithful wife, "I have done my duty."

There were, no doubt, 1,000 or more in attendance.  Those from the South Bend police force, in full uniform, were: Inspector Alex. Bodkin, Sergeant Guy L. Bunker, Patrolmen Wm. Lisenberger, Lemuel Essix, Fred Strong, Edward Lour, George Baer, Geo. Pinter, Stephen Urbanski, Nicholas Lakouski, Edward Defrees and Swan Strom.  Detectives Chas. Keller, Guy Clark and Thos. Butler in citizen clothes, from South Bend, also attended.  Also Fred W. Eldredge, city marshal of Buchanan, and Deputy Sheriff Frank Stryker of Buchanan. Woodmen from South Bend and Buchanan, and members of the Royal Neighbors of Niles, attended, In the line of march the Foresters carried axes, leading the way. Surrounding the funeral car was an escort of policemen.  The pallbearers were: H.B. Laberteaux, Geo. Henkel, Thos. Walsh, Geo. Champion, Carl Fox and Wm. Schulte.

(Note:  Officer Clarence Shockley was shot three times near Main and Front streets around 10:20 p.m. on August 14, 1907 and died of his wounds at 1:20 p.m. on August 15, 1907.  The newspaper accounts of the incident are lengthy and are not transcribed here.)

Nancy Colby Summers
Jan. 30, 1835-June 20, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, June 21, 1915, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FALL RESULTS IN LADY'S DEATH

Mrs. N. Summers, Aged 80 Was Stricken With Paralysis Sunday as She Was Leaving the Church.

The sudden death of Mrs. Nancy Colby Summers occurred at noon Sunday as she was leaving the Evangelical church, where she had attended morning service, although by faith she was a member of the Baptist church with which she united while a young woman and had always been a faithful member.
Mrs. Summers was seen by passersby to stand on the top of the church steps for a moment and then suddenly to fall to the sidewalk below, striking upon her head. She was carried to the home of Fred Lingafelt, nearby and the ambulance was summoned to take her home, but she had already passed away by the time the ambulance arrived. The attending physicians attribute her death to a fractured skull and the fall no doubt resulted from a stroke of paralysis.
About four years ago Mrs. Summers had a fall that left her a cripple, but she was always cheerful and spent her declining years in doing for others and often spoke of her thankfulness that she could work with her fingers though deprived of more active work.
She reared a large family of children, some of whom have gone before her and those left to mourn for her can truly mourn--not alone her children, but her many friends of all ages, for she loved everyone.
She was born in Wellington, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1835, and was deprived of her own mother when three days old. She was brought to Niles in her infancy and had practically always reside here.
After her marriage to George W. Summers they at once took up their residence on a farm west of Niles and she continued to reside there for a number of years after his death, about 38 years ago.
Mrs. Summers is survived by four daughters, Mesdames Charles Potter, Charles Sinclair and S.G. Deam of Niles and Mrs. Ralph Clement of Kalamazoo.
The funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Potter, with whom she had resided for the past seven years.
Those services will be private.
The friends wishing to view the remains may do so from 2 until 5 Tuesday.
Rev. Lyons and Rev. Renner will conduct the services.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.