Lynette Hamilton, 81
April 11, 1929 – May 1, 2010

Lynette I. Hamilton, 81, of Portage, Mich. and formerly of Niles, died at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

Mrs. Hamilton was born April 11, 1929 in Niles to Frank and Treva (Weed) Smith. She graduated from Niles High School in 1947, and moved to Jackson, Mich. in 1948, where she lived most of her life.

In 2004, she moved to Portage to be closer to family. She retired in 1991 after 20 years of service from Ameritech. Lynette was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Jackson.

On Jan. 18, 1948 she married Ralph Hamilton Jr., who preceded her in death on March 18, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alfreda Steinbauer.
Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her daughters, Diana Chappel, of Alabama and Denise (Tom) Thomas, of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Joshua (Amy) Hamilton, of St. Leonard, Md. and Elisa (James) Oulch, of Jackson; five great-grandchildren; sister, Fran Farver, of Mishawaka; and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Lynette I. Hamilton will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Nile with the Rev. Edwards H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Internment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave., Portage and beginning one hour prior to services at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lynette may be made to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:59pm Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Lester J. Villwock, 86
March 26, 1924 – May 16, 2010

Lester J. Villwock, 86, of M-140 Niles, died at 4:25 a.m. Sunday May, 16, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on March 26, 1924 in Berrien Springs to Emil Villwock and Minnie Priebe. He was a lifetime area resident.

A farmer all his life, he enjoyed hunting in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, fishing and ice fishing.

On Nov. 12, 1949 he married Betty M. (Kiger) Villwock, who survives.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Max and Albert Villwock, and a sister, Laura Gold.

He is survived by his sister, Martha Villwock, of Berrien Springs; two sons, Dale (Marlene) Villwock, of Buchanan and Dennis Villwock, of Niles; daughter Patricia Villwock, also of Niles; and grandsons, Adam (Brandy) Villwock and Brian Villwock.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and will gather privately for services. Don Fleischman of Fairland Christian Church will be officiating and burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeland Specialty Hospital Auxiliary in Berrien Center, Mich.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 11:08pm Monday, May 17, 2010

 

Edna Lindsley, 83
Dec. 29, 1926 – May 14, 2010

 

 

Edna Lindsley, 83, of Almaugus Drive, Niles died at 2:50 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010 at her home following an extended illness.

She was born Dec. 29, 1926 in Goshen, Ind. to Fred Lehman and Eva Plake. She was raised in South Bend and moved to Niles in 1956.

Edna had been employed at Duke Harrah Aviation. She enjoyed camping at Mini Mountain in New Carlisle; going to the casino; playing bingo at the senior center; playing cards at home with family and friends; but most of all, caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She married Raymond R. Lindsley on March 29, 1942 in South Bend. He died Oct. 1, 1989.

She is survived by her sons, Raymond Lindsley Jr., of Myrtle Beach, Fla., Ronald (Shirley) Lindsley, of Niles, Richard (Shirley) Lindsley, of Roseland, Ind. and James (Boots Baker) Lindsley, of Niles; daughters, Pat (Junior) Larrew, of Walkerton, Ind. and Eva Hamilton, of Niles; 28 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughters, Betty Hickey and Jean Bybee; brothers, Glen Lehman, Donald Lehman, Floyd Lehman and Lloyd Lehman; and sister, Sophie Lehman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with John Young of Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:43pm Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Charles Williams
Feb. 12, 1868-April 11, 1909

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 12, 1909, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Hulda Williams received the sad news Sunday of the death of her son, Charles at San Antonio, Texas.
    Mr. Williams was born Feb. 12, 1868, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthis Williams, the former now deceased.
    By occupation he was a telegraph operator having learned his trade in this city under the direction of E.C. Dana.  At 17 he left Niles to begin his duties in a larger field and continued in this work until his last sickness.  Mr. Williams was considered amoung the most expert operators in the United States and has held many fine positions in the large cities.  When his health began to fail he was employed as wireless telegraph operator on a steamer running between New York and Porto[sic] Rico.  Being compelled to give up this work he returned to an office in New York and later held a position in Philadelphia until his health made in[sic] necessary for him to retire entirely.
    He came to Niles Nov. 11, 1908, and four months later on March 11 on the advice of physicians he left for Texas.  But in his weak condition, the long journey and change of climate was too great a tax upon his strength and he passed away April 11.    
    Besides his widowed mother, one sister, Miss Mabel Williams of Niles, survive him.
    The deceased was of a kind and genial disposition, always ready to help those less favored than himself, and thus made a host of friends to mourn his demise.
    The remains will be brought to Niles for interment.

Frances Claudine Smith
1883-1909

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, April 8, 1909, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Miss Claudine Frances Smith of Niles, who attempted to commit suicide at South Bend by taking morphine but who was thought to be recovering, died yesterday at her apartments in that city.
    The remains were brought to Niles last evening by Undertake Price and taken to the home of a half-sister of the deceased, Miss Mary Smith, 723 Grant street.
    The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 o'clock, Rev. F.H. Clapp, officiating.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
    The unfortunate young woman was 26 years of age and had spent almost her entire life in Niles until she went to South Bend a few years ago.
    Besides her mother who is Mrs. Ed. Shepherd of West Niles, three sisters and three brothers besides two half-sisters survive her.
    Despondency over an unrequited love affair is said to have prompted the girl to take her life.  That the rash deed was premeditated is shown . . .[illegible]. . . procured the poison on a physician's prescription which she claimed she wanted for her sick mother.  After having the prescription filled the second time, she took the two fatal doses at once.
Niles Daily Sun, Monday April 12, 1909, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    South Bend, April 12--The recent death of Miss Frances Smith of Niles in an east side rooming house under rather suspicious circumstances, has attracted much interest and many wondered why a more thorough investigation was not made.  The woman died of morphine poisoning according ot the death certificate of Dr. Burget, but the question as to how the morphine was administered whether by her own hand with suicidal intent or not, was never investigated.
    Coroner Stanley Clark says he was not notified and the body having now been taken out of Indiana he has no jurisdiction.

Barbara Rose (Baker) Slates
Aug. 28, 1840-May 9, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, May 9, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Rose Slates, aged 75 years, wife of George Slates, died this morning about 2:15 o'clock at 599 Pokagon street, where they have resided for the past 12 years.  Mrs. Slates was stricken with apoplexy a week ago last Tuesday, but rallied somewhat. Shortly after noon yesterday, she was again stricken and remained in a comatose state and did not regain consciousness.
    Mrs. Slates was born in New York state in 1841. She had been a resident of Niles for the past 40 years with the exception of short time when she lived in Dailey.  She was twice married.  her first husband was killed at Bowling Green, Ky., while serving the civil war. Thirty-three years ago she was married to Mr. Slates, the wedding occurring in this city.
    Mrs. Slates is survived by her husband, one son, by the first marriage, John Northrup, who home is near Dowagiac, but who is at present in Illinois, and by one sister, Mrs. Mary E. Gray of Three Rivers, who came to Niles Monday night at midnight on account of her sister's condition.
    Mr. Slates was an employe of the Michigan Central for about 25 years prior to September, 1914, when he was injured in the local yards and has for the past 85 weeks been unable to walk without the aid of crutches on account of the accident.
    Mrs. Slates was highly esteemed among a large circle of friends.
    The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon from the home. Rev. George Huntington of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.