James A. Donnelly
abt. 1830-Sept. 20, 1871

Niles Democrat, Saturday, Sept. 23, 1871, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In this city, on the 20th inst., JAMES A. DONNNELLY, aged about 40 years.
He was a private in Company K. 11th Regiment Michigan Cavalry, and a good soldier; was severely wounded in battle at Mt. Sterling, Ky., July 9th 1864, while in the line of duty, and honorably discharged from service by order of Major-General J.M. Palmer. He had his faults as most men have. He had the misfortune to be poor, but was honest. May he rest in peace.

Donald Samuel, 76
April 19, 1935 — Aug. 8, 2011

Donald E.”Don” Samuel, 76, of DeWitt Ave. in Niles, died at 3:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 at his home following a brief illness.

Samuel

He was born on April 19, 1935 in Buchanan to Roland Prentist and Virginia May (Jerue) Samuel and attended Buchanan Schools. He enlisted in the United States Navy, returning from service as a veteran of the Korean Conflict and lived in Buchanan and Niles all of his life. He was self employed in several enterprises. In retirement, he was a greeter at Walmart.
Don enjoyed fishing in local lakes and rivers. He built and piloted scale model radio controlled airplanes and was a member of the Sky Raiders Radio Control Air Club.
On Dec. 21, 1973 in South Bend, he married the former Sybil L. “Sandy” Powell who preceded him in death on Jan. 30, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Robert Samuel.
Surviving family includes his son, Dale (Theresa) Dandurand of Elkhart; grandchildren, Jennifer (Shawn) Kolonich, Bryan (Christi) Dandurand, Joe (Heidi) Dandurand, Andela Dandurand, and Stephanie (Mark) Norcross; great-grandchildren; his sister, Karen (Ed) Scamehorn of Conn.; Sandy’s brothers and sister, including Doris Eileen (Floyd) Manley who provided Don’s care.
The funeral service for Donald Samuel will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor Daniel A. Greegor of Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and “Taps” by an honor guard of the United States Navy.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Don may be made to Lakeland Hospice or Lakeland Home Care.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:04pm Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Gary Shinholt, 71
Feb. 27, 1940 — Aug. 10, 2011

Gary E. “Gary Edwards” Shinholt, 71, of Forestbrook Street in South Bend and formerly of Niles, died at 1:45 p.m.

Shinholt

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness.
He was born Feb. 27, 1940 in Niles to George and Helen A. (Collins) Shinholt and graduated from Niles High School in 1958. He lived in this area all of his life.
Gary was an entertainer all of his life, taking the stage name “Gary Edwards” as a singer and songwriter. He also owned and operated the National Entertainers Association and Talent Agency and Four Flags Records. His record company produced “Tear Down the Berlin Wall” and it was recognized by President George H. W. Bush.
Off the stage, he enjoyed fishing, especially with his wife. He attended Ontwa Baptist Church in Edwardsburg.
He was married on Oct. 12, 1973 in South Bend to the former Barbara Ann Miller who preceded him in death on Jan. 12, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his parents, George Shinholt and Helen and Robert Stephens; and by a brother, Richard Shinholt.
Surviving family includes his children, Richard Hurd of Advance, Mo., Robin (Dale) Dubbs of Goshen, Ron Roberts of LaPorte and Randy Roberts of South Bend; grandchildren, Justin, Skyler, Ariel, Sylvia, Heather, Devin, Dustin, Tyler, Amber, Autumn, Isabelle, Kole, Logan and Angel; great-grandchildren, Ayden, Gavin, Austin, Marissa and Nathan; his sister, Barbara (Charles) Parks of Niles; sisters-in-law, Janice Marie Hagood of South Bend, Carolyn Miller of Niles and Halli Jenkins of Wichita Falls, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Services for Gary will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles with Pastor Mike Elsie of Ontwa Baptist Church officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Contributions in memory of Gary may be made to the donor’s choice. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published online  6:31pm Friday, August 12, 2011

Emily E. Davis
Feb. 24, 1845-June 24, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 24, 1935, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES AGED RESIDENT OF NILES

Mrs. Emily E. Davis, 90, Dies Today at Home of Daughter

Mrs. Emily E. Davis, 90 years old and one of the oldest residents of Berrien county, died this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence J. Vetter. 1210 North Front street.

Mrs. Davis had been a resident of Niles for more than 60 years, coming here from Meadville, Pa., where she was born Feb. 24, 1845. She was the widow of William E. Davis, whose death occurred in 1920.

Two sons and two daughters survive, Mrs. Clarence J. Vetter, Mrs. W.H. Cutting, Ambrose Davis, all of Niles, and Sidney Davis, of Neosho, Mo.  She leaves also one sister, Mrs. Ella Skeel, Meadville, Pa.

The body was removed to the Rutherford funeral home where friends may call before the hour of the funeral. Services will be held at the Rutherford chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 25, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: DAVIS RITES WEDNESDAY

The Rev. Lawrence C. Ferguson, of South bend, will officiate at the funeral services for Mrs. Emily E. Davis, who died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence J. Vetter, 1210 North Front street. The services will be held at the Rutherford funeral chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The Journal-Era (Berrien Springs, Mich.), Thursday, June 27, 1935, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Emily E. Davis, 90 years old, one of the oldest residents of Berrien county, died Monday at the home of a daughter in Niles. She had been a resident of that city over 60 years.

Henry Ambrose Davis
July 24, 1869-Jan. 17, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 18, 1962, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Henry Ambrose Davis, 92, a retired farmer, died at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday at his home 1216 Phoenix St., after a week's illness.

He was born July 24, 1869, in Decatur, and spent most of his life in the Niles area. He was married Nov. 27, 1890, in Niles to the former Wilhelmina Miller, who died in 1957.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. John Koons, 110 N. 5th St., several grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Clarence Vetter, 512 Union St.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will conduct services at 3 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Henry Davis
1844-July 9, 1920

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 10, 1920, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR HENRY DAVIS, SUNDAY

Deceased Was Born in Edwardsburg 76 Years Ago.

Henry Davis, who died yesterday at South Bend, after several weeks of illness from a complication of diseases, was born in Edwarsburg, in 1844. He came to Niles in his youth and had practically always since made his home here, engaging for the greater part of his life in trucking, and general gardening on an extensive scale.

The deceased is survived by five children who are: Sidney Davis, Catesby, Okla.; Frank and Ambrose Davis, Mrs. William Cutting and Mrs. C.H. Vetter, all of Niles.

The body was brought to Niles last evening by Undertaker Augustine, and today was removed to the home of Ambrose Davis in Phoenix street, where the funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 o'clock. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.