Mrs. J.W. (Louisa Young) Dixon
Feb. 1835-April 19, 1894

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 19, 1894, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

REAPER'S WORK

DEATH OF MRS. J.W. DIXON THIS MORNING EARLY

She Escapes from the House and drowns Herself in the St. Joseph River.

--Others Join the Immortal Throng

News came to the city this morning that Mrs. J.W. Dixon, whose mind had been unbalanced for the past year, had escaped her watchers and drowned herself in the St. Joseph river.

Most of our readers who are acquainted with the family of the deceased, will hear of their bereavement with deepest sorrow and extend universal sympathies.

In March, 1893, Mrs. Dixon recovered from an attack of fever which left her mind somewhat impaired, but it was thought by all that this would wear off and she would soon regain her usual good health and spirits, but she continued to grow worse, and about the first of September last she was taken to Kalamazoo for treatment, where she remained until about the middle of December when she was brought home much better.  She continued to improve until about a week ago, when it was noticed that she was frequently despondent and acted as though she would put an end to her life could she but escape the watchful eye of her family and friends, who fearing what happened this morning, kept a close watch of her.

Tuesday evening she left the house unobserved and went to the river (about a mile north) with the intention of drowning herself, but while in the water she came to herself, as she afterwards stated, and retraced her steps. She was met by the searching party, who had gone in pursuit of her as she was coming up the bank and with them returned to her home. Yesterday she visited in this city with her sister, Mrs. M. Stanley, returning home in the evening. Last night, as been the custom for the past week, watches were kept that she might not leave the house again. At 3 o'clock this morning the watch was changed and about daylight she was missed from her room, a hasty examination showed that the stole softly down the stairs, slipped in to a bedroom off the sitting room and jumped out the window. The neighbors who were at once aroused and started in pursuit, her son, Oscar, going immediately to the river, where from the bank, he discovered her body about twelve feet from the shore lying face down in about three feet of water. He waded in, raised the lifeless form up and did all that he could to bring her too, but to no avail. As soon as assistance arrived she was carried to the house.

The following brief sketch of the life of the deceased was obtained from members of the family:

Louisa Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Young, was born in February, 1835, in New York state, came to Michigan in 1836 with her parents, who settled on what is now known as the Ely farm north of Niles. She was married to John W. Dixon, they taking up their residence two miles west of the city where they have lived ever since.

Five children were born to them, four sons and one daughter, viz: Clarence, who lives on the Berrien Springs road; Wallace, in Oaks, South Dakota; Charles, in Ste. Sault Marie, and Oscar and Hattie, at home. Besides a husband and children she leaves two brothers and two sisters to mourn her death: John and Eli Young and Mrs. M. Stanley, of this city, and Mrs. Erastus Kelsey, of Buchanan.

Mrs. Dixon was known for miles around as one of the best of wives and mothers and a true and devoted Christian, having united with the Presbyterian church when she was quite young.

The family have the heartfelt sympathies of an exceedingly large circle of friends in their sad affliction.

Mrs. James L. (Catholine) Parent
1813-April 21, 1894

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 26, 1894, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. James L. Parent died at her home on Broadway last Saturday morning, aged 81 years. She had been sick since last Christmas with a complication of diseases, which terminated in consumption. Mr. and Mrs. Parent were married in Watertown, New York, Nov. 28, 1839. In the fall of 1842 they came to Michigan and settled in St. Joseph county, where they remained one year. They then moved to Berrien Springs, afterwards coming to Niles, where they had lived ever since.  The deceased leaves no immediate relatives except her husband. She was an estimable lady, a true Christian,and her death was peaceful.

C.H. Walter
Oct. 21, 1899-Jan. 21, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 22, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

C.H. Walter, 48, who lived in Niles all his life, died Wednesday at his home, 312 Pokagon street. He had been ill one month.

Funeral services are set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the First Methodist church. The Rev. George L. Beacock, pastor, will conduct the rites. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body will be at the home until 1:30 p.m Saturday when it will be taken to the church.

Mr. Walter, who had  been an appliance dealer here, was active in civic affairs. He was a member of the First Methodist church., St. Joseph Valley lodge of F. and A.M., No. 4, and St. Joseph Valley chapter No. 2 R.A.M.

Born in NIles Oct. 21, 1899, he married Lillian Burgoyne on March 23, 1924 in Berrien Springs.

Besides his widow, Mr. Walter leaves three sons, Keith, Blair and Scott, all of Niles, his mother Mrs. Minnie Walter, and a sister, Mrs. Edna Gridley, both of Niles.

Mathilda Martinson
Sept. 5, 1865-Jan. 18, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 19, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mathilda Martinson, 82, who came to Niles 37 years ago from Wisconsin, passed away at 2:50 o'clock, Sunday afternoon at her home at 640 South Third street. She had been in ill health for years.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until time of  services at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Martinson was born Sept. 5, 1865, in Oslo, Norway. Her husband, John, died a few years ago.

Surviving are five daughters, Joan Martinson, Mrs. Harvey Crouch, Mrs. Sam Foley, and Mrs. William Grafford, all of Niles; Mrs. Glen Waldorf, New London, O.; two sons, Niles Martinson, Bloomingdale; a brother, Godfred Schjoll, and a sister, Mrs. Magnus Erickson; both of Oslo, Norway; 18 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Martha Villwock, 92
Sept. 8, 1919-June 10, 2012

Niles Daily Star,Published online 10:37pm Monday, June 11, 2012

Martha A. Villwock, 92, of Jones Road in Berrien Township, died at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center following an extended illness.

She was born Sept. 8, 1919, in the home of her parents, Emil and Minnie (Preibe) Villwock in Berrien Township. She attended Oak Grove School, and had lived there most of her life, caring for her family and helping on the family farm.

Martha was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. She also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Berrien County Relay for Life.

She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States by train and automobile, and more recently, taking trips to the Four Winds Casino.

At home, “Mart” enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, feeding the hummingbirds and fishing from a rowboat. She is well remembered for gifts of afghans (crocheted while watching “Wheel of Fortune”), cooking and baking — especially the apple squares — and card games around the dining room table, where she was remarkably successful.

She is best remembered for her caring nature, putting everyone else first and every farewell ending with “be careful.”

On Sept. 24, 1938, at home on the farm, she married Henry “Hank” H. Villwock, with whom she celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary prior to his death on May 26, 2003.

She was also preceded in death by a great-grandson, Nolan Till, and by her siblings, Laura Gold and Albert, Lester and Max Villwock.

Surviving family includes four daughters, Alice (John) Conrad, of Churubusco, Ind., Carol (George) Schmidt, of Niles, Gwen (David) Stark, of Berrien Springs, and Marcia (John) Easton, of Niles; grandchildren, Sean Conrad, Paula (Jamie) Till, Lori (Rich) Byrd, George (Terri) Schmidt II, Stacey (Eric) Mierlak, Ryan (Katie) Stark and Erin (Pat Fortier) Easton; great-grandchildren, Corey Byrd, Keegan Till, Ava Schmidt, twins Jovi and Finn Schmidt and Ashley Burlingame; many nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

The funeral service for Martha Villwock will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, at St. John’s United Church of Christ with the Rev. Harry L. Clark, of the church, officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Martha may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ or to Hospice at Home.

Ruthie Williams, 72
Oct. 20, 1939-June 13, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:14pm Sunday, June 17, 2012

Williams

Ruth M. Williams, 72, of Niles, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

She was born Oct. 20, 1939, in Eau Claire to the late Rev. M.C. Cullen and Dennell (Morgan) Williams.

After graduating Niles High School, Ruth worked for several local companies, including Simplicity Pattern and National-Standard. She also worked as a security guard at Niles High School. She married Willie Williams at a ceremony on Feb. 14, 1980, in Niles.

Ruth was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for many years serving on the Mother’s Board along with various other positions, wherever she was needed. She loved reading God’s word and had a deep love for the Lord. Ruth was a kind and generous person always caring for the sick and helping others. She also enjoyed bowling and recently bowled with the Niles Senior League.

She is survived by her husband, Willie Williams, of Niles; children, Sherrie A. (Benjamin) Daniel, of Niles, Kimberly (Maurice) Hicks of Las Vegas, Michael Sea, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Earl K. Bostic Sr. of Niles, Gregory Williams of Sioux City, Iowa, Nicole Williams of Las Vegas, and Van (Nicole) Bostic, of California; three sisters, Dorothy Moore, of Niles, Janice Hall, of South Bend, and Cheryl (Henry) Singleton, of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother, Vernon Williams, of Peoria, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a hosts of nieces, nephews and many other lives she has touched.

Her parents; a son, Robert Brown; a sister, Martha Miller; a brother, Mack Williams Jr.; and two grandchildren preceded Ruth in death.

A time of visitation will be Monday, June 18, at Brown Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, at noon, with visitation beginning one hour prior at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St. in Niles, with Pastor Bryant Bacon officiating. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Photos, memories or condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.