Edward Lorenzo Aldrich
Oct. 6, 1895-June 24, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 24, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Edward Lorenzo Aldrich, 51, of 515 Huron street, died at 1:45 this morning at his home after an illness of six weeks.

A lifelong resident of Niles, he is survived by his wife, Cora, three sons, James, Oris, and Robert, and three daughters, Susan, Jule Ann,and Mrs. John Williams, of Detroit.

He also leaves three brothers, Woodrow Aldrich, Niles; Byron Aldrich, Vandalia; and James Aldrich, Mishawaka, Ind.; and a sister, Mrs. Celia Compton; Grand Rapids.

Aldrich was born in Niles on Oct. 6, 1895, and he was married here 22 years later to Cora Lundy of Vandalia. He was employed as a machinist. He was a mbmer of the First Presbyterian church and of the Eagles lodge.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home, where rites will be held on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe will officiate. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 25, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

ALDRICH RITES TOMORROW

Rites for Edward L.. Aldrich, who succumbed yesterday morning at his home here, will be held tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at the Kiger funeral home, the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating.

Besides the survivors listed yesterday in the Daily Star, he leaves another son, Edward R. Aldrich, of 1621 Huron street.

Lute H. Ranft
March 30, 1881-March 7, 1955

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 8, 1955, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Lute H. Ranft, 73, 517 First Court, former Niles alderman from the fourth ward, died Monday noon in the Tampa, Fla., Municipal Hospital.

Ranft, who for many years owned his own circus, was born March 30, 1881, in Niles and lived his entire life here. He was spending the winter in Florida at the time of his death.

Starting as a musician in 1900, Ranft was associated with circus life for almost 30 years. In about 1907 he bought his own circus, one of the old time dog and pony shows and travelled the country every year until 1927.

Ranft always took his family with him on the yearly caravans, and at times had up to 100 employes working with him on the show. The troop averaged 15 horse-drawn wagons and was known as the L.H. Ranft Society Circus.  Every year the routes would be changed and during all the years he was operating the circus played every one of the 48 states during the various seasons.

Surviving are: his wife, Wallesina, two daughters, Mrs. James Lewellen and Mrs. William Woods, both of Niles; and a son, Herman Ranft, of Niles; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and a brother, Art Ranft, of New Port Richey, Fla.

The body will be returned to the Pifer Funeral Home and arrangements are to be announced later.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 10, 1955, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

SET RANFT RITES

Services for Lute H. Ranft of 517 First Court, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pifer Funeral Home by the Rev. Ray McCoy, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

George E. Ranft
Dec. 12, 1857-April 16, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 16, 1929, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

GEORGE E. RANFT IS STRICKEN BY DEATH

Passes Away After Illness of Four Years at West Side Home

George E. Ranft, 71, a life long resident of Niles, and ex-alderman of the fourth ward, died this morning about 3:50 at his home 808 Brown avenue, West Niles. He had been in ill health for four years but his condition had been considered critical for about four weeks only. His death is attributed to a complication of diseases.

George Edward Ranft, a son of Ernest and Margaret Ranft, pioneer residents of this section, was born on Dec. 12, 1857 on a farm east of Niles on the Edwardsburg road. When he was about six months of age his parents moved to a farm north and west of Niles which has since been known as the Ranft family home. Mr. Ranft's father died 18 years ago or six months after the death of his mother.  Throughout his lifetime Mr. Ranft followed the occupation of a farmer although for many years a resident of West Niles and for two terms he served that ward as alderman. Until this year when he leased a portion of it, he had for a number of years engaged in farming on the 40 acres on which his present home stands and which was many years ago purchased by his father.

Mrs. Ranft was twice married.  Fifty years ago he was married to Miss Caroline Guska who died on March 2, 1919. Two children born of this marriage survive their father. They are Lute and Arthur Ranft, both of Niles.  On May 10, 1926, Mr. Ranft was married to Mrs. Stella Meldrim who survives him. Besides the sons, and the widow, Mr. Ranft is survived by one brother, Harry Ranft, of Niles, who is yellow commissioner of the city of Niles, and by two sisters, Mrs. Charles Linsenmier and Mrs. Oscar Wyant, both of Niles, and by three grandchildren.

Mr. Ranft was a musician of ability and was a member of the first band organized in Niles and for many years was a member of musical organizations. In the band he played the alto horn.

The funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the home. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Emma Ranft
Feb. 28, 1884-July 4, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 5, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. RANFT DIES

Mrs. Emma Ranft, 63, 517 First court, died suddenly at her home yesterday.

She was born in Leipsic, O., Feb. 28, 1884, and was married in 1902 and came here with her husband [illegible] Lute, she is survived by three children, Herman, Mrs. William Woods, and Mrs. James Lewellen, all of Niles; a brother, Edmund Evers, Leipsic, O., and six grandchildren.

Friends may call at the family residence. Services will be at St. Mary's Catholic church Monday at 9:00 a.m. with Father Joseph Rochford officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The Rosary society will meet at the family residence Sunday at 8 p.m.

Mrs. Ranft was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church.

Arthur L. Ranft
May 15 1887-May 20, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 20, 1975, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Arthur L. Ranft, 88, of 416 W. Main St., died at 3:12 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

A retired musician, he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and was a life member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Born March 15, 1887, in Niles, he lived here his lifetime. On March 17, 1925 in Niles, he married the former Mary M. Benning.  She died May 2, 1965.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Bernice Yarrick of Niles; one grandson and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, where a rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Catharine Eliza Ranft
1804-Aug. 8, 1879

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 20, 1879, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In Niles Township, on the 8th inst., of asthma, Mrs. Catharine Eliza Ranft, wife of Daniel Ranft and mother of E.L. Ranft, aged 75 years.

Mrs. Ranft arrived in this country with her husband from Germany 21 years ago, and has resided with her son on his farm ever since. Her funeral was largely attended on Sunday forenoon, 61 teams joining in the procession. Rev. Mr. Hoch delivered the funeral discourse. About a year ago, the worthy pair had their golden wedding. She was universally esteemed by all who knew her.