John W. Burton
Aug. 25, 1904-May 14, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 15, 1946, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

John Burton, 41, Dies Suddenly

John W. Burton, 41, who had made his home at 1401 Ferry street, died suddenly Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in Pawating hospital.

Burton had returned Monday from Tucson, Ariz., and upon becoming ill was taken to the hospital where he died immediately.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burton, he was born in Pollock, Mo., Aug. 25, 1904. He came to Niles 20 years ago from Milan, Mo.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Zona Burton; one daughter, Mrs. Eugene Brockway, 1401 Ferry street; five sisters, Mrs. Lloyd Christman, Kirksville, Mo.; Mrs. John Cheyeney and Mrs. Ola Clark, both of Milan, Mo.; Mrs. Clarence Powell, Carlton, Mo.; four brothers, Paul Burton, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Raymond Burton, Arlington, Va.; Oliver Burton, Jackson; and Earl Burton, Milan, Mo.

Funeral will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. in the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock of the First Methodist church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Lula M. Barman, 66
1878- May 15, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 17, 1946, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Dated Monday for Mrs. Lula Barman

Former Niles Resident

Services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. in the Pifer funeral home for Mrs. Lulu[sic] Barman, 66, former Niles resident, who died Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis, Mo.

Mrs. Barman left Niles five years ago to make her home with her son, John, in St. Louis. She was born in Grand Rapids.

Survivors are her son, John, one brother Enos Laffler, Warsaw, Ind.; and three grandchildren.

The Rev. Harry Nicholson will conduct services and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home.

Paul Radke
Sept. 7, 1877-May 19, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 20, 1946, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Resident Dies Early Sunday; Funeral Scheduled for Tuesday

Paul Radke, 68, of 935 Michigan street, died in his sleep early Sunday morning.

He was born in South Bend, Sept. 7, 1877, and came to Niles 34 years ago from South Bend.  He was a plumber.

Survivors include one son, Walter Radke, 521 North Thirteenth street; one sister, Mrs. Frank Morris, Dowagiac; and two grandchildren.

Services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Pifer funeral home, with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Henry B. Bowerman
Jan. 9, 1864-May 21, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 21, 1946, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Henry Bowerman Succumbs Today; Funeral Thursday

Buchanan, May 21--Henry B. Bowerman, 82, died today at 8:30 a.m. in his home west of Buchanan on the Wagner road following an illness of several months.

Born Jan. 9, 1864, in Steuben county, Ind., he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowerman. His wife, Marie, died Jan. 28, 1946.

Surviving are three sons, Fred, Chicago, Lyle, Buchanan; and Ray, 626 North Seventh street, Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Vivian Longnecker, Niles; and three sisters, Mrs. Laura Helms and Mrs. Carl Whitmore, South Bend, and Mrs. Arvilla Taylor, Niles.

He was a member of the Bethel Temple in Buchanan.

Services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the Swem funeral home with the Rev. W.D. Ruff, Bethel Temple, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery in Niles.

Bruce H. Collmer
July 6, 1919-Nov. 10, 1984

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 12, 1984, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Bruce H. Collmer, 65, of 2630 Huntly Rd., Niles, died at 9 a.m., in his home Saturday after an extended illness.

Collmer, a veteran of WW II in the US Army and a retired employee of the Bendix Corp., was a lifetime resident of the area. He was born July 6, 1919 in South Bend, Ind., and married Evelyn R. Banach, March 22, 1941 in Bryan, Ohio.  She survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Rhea Henderson of Niles; two sons, John Anthony and Michael H. Collmer, both of Niles; and two brothers, Aurel Collmer of South Bend, Ind., and Hugh Collmer of Niles.

Services will be held Tuesday, 2 p.m., at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Reverend Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg, officiating.  Burial will be held at the Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., today at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the local TB and Emphysema Association of Berrien County.

Carl G. Smallwood
July 10, 1905-Nov. 13, 1984

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 13, 1984, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Carl G. Smallwood, 79, of 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind., died at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday , at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Smallwood, a retired employee of National Standard Company, was a lifetime resident of Niles until moving to South Bend in 1980.  He was born July 10, 1905 in Logansport, Ind. and married Mae Gebby in Niles, April 16, 1955. She survives. Also surviving is a brother, James R. Smallwood of Niles.

Smallwood was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder and former usher. He was past chairman of the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels, a veteran of WWII in the US Army, belonged to the St. Joseph Valley Lodge number four, F. & A.M., and a 32-degree member of the Mason Lodge Council Chapter Consistory of Grand Rapids.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend William J. Fuerstenau officiating.  Friends may call from 2-4 and from 7-9 p.m. , Wednesday, at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be held at the Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church.