Grant Robert Finch
Oct. 1, 1959-Feb. 22, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, February 23, 1993, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

G. Robert Finch
1959-1993
died in auto accident Monday

No funeral services are planned for G. Robert Finch, 33, of 17 N. Seventh St., Niles, who died Monday at 7:53 a.m., the result of an automobile accident at Business 31 and Ullery Road.

Born Oct. 1, 1959, at Berrien Center, he was a lifetime resident of the area.

He was an employee of Gateway Sheltered Workshop.

Survivors include his parents, Charles and Virginia Utter of Niles; a brother, Thomas Finch of Buchanan; and a nephew, J.T. Finch.

He was preceded in death by his father, Webster Finch, in 1971.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Association for Exceptional Citizens.

Virgil Fletcher
Nov. 26, 1889-Feb. 14, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 15, 1961, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Virgil Fletcher, 71, 1827 Pucker Street Drive, retired farmer, died at 8:36 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient since Feb. 8.

Mr. Fletcher was born Nov. 26, 1890, in Royalton, Ky., and had lived in this community since July 7, 1937, coming here from North Liberty, Ind. His wife, Mousie, preceded him in death on June 26, 1960.

Surviving are: seven sons, Walter Fletcher, Stockbridge; Jesse Fletcher, Chelsea, and Gemroe, Frank, Charles, Bruce and Chester Fletcher, all Niles; 24 grandchildren; two brothers, Henry and Lacey Fletcher, both Plainwell, and a sister, Mrs. Becky Risner, also Plainwell.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the Assembly of God Church with the pastor, the Rev. A.O. Marialke, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Vern C. Garst
April 12, 1906-Feb. 19, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 22, 1993, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Vern C. Garst
1906-1993
owner/operator of 3 Niles service stations

Funeral services for Vern C. Garst, 86, of 913 N. 13th St., Niles are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the First Presbyterian Church.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Garst died unexpectedly of natural causes at 10 p.m. Friday at his home.

Born April 12, 1906, in Wabash County, Ind., he had lived in Niles since 1940, coming from South Bend.

On July 21, 1928, in Gary, Ind., he married the former Amy E. Cloyes, who survives.

He was owner/operator of three Niles service stations. He also drove tank trucks and owned other stations from 1927-1979. Following retirement, he was a deliveryman for Williams Lumber for seven years.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the St. Joseph Valley Lodge #4 F&AM, the Knights Templar and Gasoline Retailers Association.

Other survivors include a son, Roger W. Garst of Grand Rapids; a daughter, Diana S. Miller of Niles; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or Michigan Heart Association.

Calista Borden
April 29, 1845-Nov. 9, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 10, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH MRS. BORDEN

Mrs. Calista Borden, widow of James Borden, former residents of Niles, died on Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rose Sutton in Kenosha, Wis. The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow at noon by way of the Michigan Central and will be taken to the Rutherford chapel where a prayer will be offered at 2 o'clock by the Rev. O.P. Miles, pastor of the First Baptist church. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Borden was born in Springfield, Mich., on April 29, 1845. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Lutton and by seven grandchildren.

George W. Bruce
April 19, 1859-Oct. 20, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 20, 1930, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles Daily Star

G. Bruce Drops Dead Late This Afternoon

George Bruce, 1530 Maple street, was stricken with a heart attack while walking on East Oak street this afternoon about 2 o'clock and dropped dead. Mr. Bruce was 71 years of age. He had been in the Main street section of the business district on an errand and was returned to his home when stricken with the fatal heart attack near Oak street. Mr. Bruce had long been afflicted with chornic[sic] heart trouble.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, October 23, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles Daily Star

Niles News in Brief; FUNERAL GEORGE BRUCE

Among those from out of the city who on Tuesday afternoon attended the funeral services for George Bruce were Horace Bruce and daughters, Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Cook, of Buchanan, Mrs. Guy Bruce, of Berrien Center, Marvin Odiorne and wife of Wyatt, Ind.

Margaret W. Burton
July 13, 1894-Feb. 16, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, February 16, 1961, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Margaret W. Burton, 66, 1610 N. 11th St., died at 9:12 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital where she had been a a patient for 27 days. She had been in failing health for one year.

Mrs. Burton was born July 13, 1894, in Lynchburg, Va., and came to Niles in 1950 from Chicago. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist church.

Surviving are: her husband, Abner; step-daughter, Mrs. Wilma Campbell, Tuskegee, Ala.; two sisters, Mrs. Josephine Ray, Wayne, Pa., and Mrs. Arrila Butler, New York City, N.Y., and two brothers, Charles Pettigrew, Niles, and Walter Pettigrew, Lynchburg, Va.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church with the pastor, the Rev. Theodis L. Hadley, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home.