Abigail Watson, 26
Aug. 13, 1984 — March 27, 2011

Abigail Christine Watson, 26, of Leet Road in Niles, died Sunday morning, March 27, 2011 in Chicago following a motor vehicle accident.

Abigail Watson, 26

Miss Watson was born Aug. 13, 1984 in Niles to Thomas D. and Tamela J. (Munger) Watson. She graduated from Niles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Chicago. She managed a major apparel showroom in Chicago.

Abby was a member of various local and state professional organizations of the apparel trade. She volunteered at Columbia College as a mentor and was recognized by her colleagues for helping those entering the trade. She enjoyed international travel and gathering with her family, especially at the lake house.

She is survived by her parents, Tom Watson of Niles and Tammy Watson of Niles; sisters, Kara (Nick) Gessinger and Allison Watson, and a brother, Lyle Watson, all of Niles; niece, Grace Gessinger; grandparents, Mercyde and Jack Walls of Niles and Ruth Watson of Niles; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and her fiance, Christopher Peth of Chicago.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Warren Watson.

The funeral service for Abigail Christine Watson will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Steven L. Schuneman of The Church of the Holy Nativity in Chicago officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Abby may be made to the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:52pm Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Meltha B. Weaver
Oct. 1, 1908-March 31, 2002

Meltha B. Weaver, 93, of 1333 Wells St., Niles died Sunday, March 31 at 3 a.m. at Riveridge Manor in Niles, following a brief illness.

Private interment services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

There will be no visitation.

Weaver was born Oct. 1, 1908 in Dowagiac to Fred and Meltha M. (Abbott) Barney. She was married to John V. Weaver, who preceded her in death on March 24, 1982.

Survivors include: three daughters, Joan (and Alfons) Verwilst of Niles, Ann (and Walter) Meyer of Fayetteville, Ark., and Kay (and Thomas) Howson of Carrollton, Ga.; one son, John B. (and Diane) Weaver of Niles; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by: one grandson, James Howells, who died in 1972; one granddaughter, Deborah Howells, who died in 1981; two brothers; and two sisters.

Arrangements are by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 2, 2002, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Ruth J. Dick
March 6, 1894-April 13, 1973

NILES--Mrs. Ruth J. Dick, 79, of 112 N. 13th St., died at 9:45 p.m. Friday in Hackley Hospital, Muskegon, after an illness of several months.

A retired employe of the Medical Center, Mrs. Dick was born March 6, 1894, in St. Joseph County, Ind. and had lived here since 1922, coming from Jackson.  On Oct. 29, 1914, in Niles, she married Harold C. Dick, who died in 1948.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, John A. Dick of Buchanan and Fred L. Dick. of St. Louis, Mo.; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Fischer of Muskegon, and Mrs. Ruth E. Woodruff of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a brother, John Anderson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ; a sister, Mrs. Esther Miller of Overland Park, Kan., 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral HOme, with the Rev. Robert M. Trenery of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are calling at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 16, 1973, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

Lester J.Memmott Logan
May 2, 1911-April 19, 1973

NILES--Lester J. Memmott Logan, 61, of 2528 Lilac Ave., died at 3:35 a.m. Thursday in the Michigan Skilled Care Center, after a lengthy illness.

An employe of the Tyler Refrigeration Division of Clark Equipment Co., Mr. Logan was born May 2, 1911, in Niles, and had lived here his lifetime. On July 6, 1948, in Searcy Ark., Mr. Logan married the former Martha E. Lloyd, who survives.

He was a member of the Niles Moose Lodge and the South Bend Teamsters Union.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, John, at home, three daughters, Mrs. Carrie Gelow of New Carlisle, Ind., Mrs. Jo Ellen Starkweather of Benton Harbor and Mrs. John Ford of Detroit; his mother, Mrs. Norma Dahlstrom of Bremen, Ind. and his father, Lester J. Memmott of Sturgis; a sister, Mrs. Virginia Miller of Bremen and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with Rev.John Wyngarden of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church and the Berrien County Cancer Society.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 19, 1973, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Allene Wright
July 12, 1896-Aug. 2, 1983

Mrs. Allene Wright, 87, formerly of Niles, died Aug. 2 in Columbia, S.C.

Born July 12, 1896, in Cass County, she married Earl F. Wright in 1916 in St. Joseph. He preceded her in death Dec. 18, 1974.

Surviving are a son, Dr. Walter Wright, of Columbia, and a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Allene Forbes of Atlanta, Ga.

Graveside services are 3 p.m Thursday at Silverbrook Cemetery with Rev. John Charter of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Thursday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 3, 1983, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Donna Warr, 60
Nov. 1, 1950 — Jan. 28, 2011

Donna D. Warr, 60, of North Front Street, Niles, died at 1:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born Nov. 1, 1950 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. to Marvin E. Miller and Verna P. (Martin) Miller. She moved to Niles from Livingston, Calif. 12 years ago.

She enjoyed shopping and attending many outdoor activities at varies venues and local festivals.

She married George M. Warr on June 7, 2003; he survives.

She is survived by her son, Richard Empie of Modesto, Calif.; daughters, Stephanie Empie of Modesto and Michelle Butler of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Miller, Jr. of Fremont, Calif.; and two sisters, Patricia Miller of Bakersfield, Calif. and Linda Striplin of Queens Creek, Ariz.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2011 at Halbritter Funeral Home of Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

There is no visitation.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 1:15pm Saturday, March 26, 2011, paper Monday, March 28, 2011, page 2