Genevieve Cornelia Ort Steere
Nov. 28, 1907-Jan. 9, 2000

Funeral services for Genevieve Cornelia Ort Steere, 92, of 911 S. Third St., Niles, are 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Niles, by Pastor Scott Goodman of the church. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Steere died Sunday, Jan. 9 at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.

Born Nov. 28, 1907, at Mecosta, she had lived in Niles most of her life. She attended First Baptist Church in Niles and belonged to the Pythian Sisterhood.  She enjoyed handcrafts and fishing, and was always helping others. She was employed at the former Barlow's Laundry located at Fifth and Sycamore Streets in Niles.

On Sept. 4, 1924 at Big Rapids, she married Harold Louis Ort, who preceded her in death Jan. 22, 1961.

She later married Courtney Steere, who preceded her in death in June of 1982.

She was also preceded in death by: two daughters, Melvina Marie Thompson, on Dec. 29, 1999, and Mary Louise Ort; two sons, Harold Russell Ort and Louis George Ort; a sister, Lois Melvina Shore; and two brothers, Russell Quartus June and Lyman Henry June.

Surviving family includes: a daughter, Treva Vollman of Niles; a son, Jack Henry Ort Sr. of Niles; 21 grandchildren; and many great and great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may go to First Baptist Church, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 11, 2000, page 2, col. 1-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Laura L. Scofield
May 28, 1903-Oct. 4, 2000

Funeral services for Laura L. Scofield, 97, of 12668 Burgoyne Road, Buchanan, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Scott A. Goodman.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Scofield passed away at 8:03 a.m. on Wednesday at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph following a brief illness.

She was born on May 28, 1903 in New Troy to Everett D. Scofield and Ora Hart.  Miss Scofield was a lifetime area resident.

Scofield is survived by two sisters, Ethel Place and Mabel VanSickel; several nieces and nephews; several great-nephews and great-nieces.

Miss Scofield was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles. She loved to crochet and knit.

She retired in 1965 after 37 years of employment with Michigan Bell Telephone company.

Friends may call one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 4, 2000, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Floyd W. "Red" Linville
Oct. 21, 1917-Aug. 23, 1999

Private funeral services were held for Floyd W. "Red" Linville, 81, formerly of 1412 Merrifield ave., Niles, who died unexpectedly on Monday at 8:04 p.m. at St. Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka, Ind.

Linville was born Oct. 21, 1917, in Nelson, Neb. He was a resident of the Niles area since moving here from Nebraska in 1940.

On Aug. 14, 1940, in Niles, he married the former B. Jean Knoll, who survives.

Linville was a retired employee of the National-Standard Co., in Niles.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four sons, Terry Linville and Tim Linville, both of Granger, Ind., Larry Linville of Nashville, Tenn., and Kim Linville of Southlake, Texas: 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Frances Flickenger of Hastings, Neb.

Halbritter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 26, 1999, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

James D. Tickfer
July 6, 1926-Aug. 24, 1999

Funeral services for James D. Tickfer, 73, of 815 Bryant St., Niles, will be on Saturday, Aug. 28, at noon at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles.

Tickfer died Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 8:45 a.m. at his home.

He was born July 6, 1926, in Niles.

On June 12, 1954, Tickfer was married to the former Louise Moeller, who survives.

Tickfer was a lifelong resident of Niles, having graduated from Niles High School in 1944. U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  He was a member of the Saint Mary Catholic Church, the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge No. 1322 and the United Transportation Union.

Tickfer was retired in 1987 after serving 35 years on the railroad with the former Penn Central, with Amtrak and Conrail.

He designed and built his current house in 1965. He also enjoyed oil painting. He was an avid pool and billiards player, having won local Elks tournaments. He also enjoyed local league golfing and deer hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Louise (Moeller) Tickfer; two daughters, Patty (Dave) Fred, Granger, Ind. and Mary Tickfer, Grand Rapids; two grandchildren, Eric and Katie Fred, Granger, Ind., and a sister, Mary Louise Luth, Titusville, Fla.

There will be no visitation.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 25, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, and republished Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 26, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Eleanor Louise Richie Lepel
May 19, 1913-Aug. 25, 1999

Funeral services for Eleanor Loiuse Richie Lepel, 86, of 52654 N. Ironwood Road, South Bend, Ind., are Friday at 11 a.m . at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore, NIles.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Lepel died Wednesday of natural causes at her home in South Bend.

She was born May 19, 1913 in South Bend.  On Jan. 19, 1931, in Cassopolis, she was married to Walter W. Lepel, who preceded her in death in 1979.

She was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potowatomi Indians and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Niles.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Minard and Linda Martin, both of Niles, and Deanna Jacobson of Walkerton, Ind.; a son, James Lepel of South Bend; two sisters, Myrtle Regenos and Rosemary Clark-Low, both of Niles; a brother, Howard Clark of Jackson; six grandchildren, David Stark, Pam Meyers, Robin Burton, Denise Martin-Hoadley, Pam Arndt and Chris Jacobson; four great-grandchildren, Travis Meyers, Nicole Meyers, Lee Burton, and Raquel Burton; and on great-great-grandchild, Courtney Meyers.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the services. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Pifer-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 26, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Frances L. Best
Dec. 12, 1892-April 8, 1973

NILES--Mrs. Frances L. Best, 80, of 1815 Miller Dr., died at 9:32 a.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after a four-months illness.

Mrs. Best was born Dec. 12, 1892, in Bolton, N.C. and had lived here for 18 years, coming from Franklin, Va.  In 1919, in Whiteville, N.C., she married John Wesley Best, who died in 1939.  She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a son, William of Niles; four daughters, Mrs. Bessie Noble, Mrs. Ruby Corban and Mrs. Juanita Davey, all of Niles, and Mrs. Ruth Russell of Avon, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Donald Cozadd of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 9, 1973, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library