Margaret Wedel
Dec. 4, 1840-May 23, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 24, 1900, page 6, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


From Wednesday's Sun.

    Mrs. Margaret Wedel, for many years a resident of this city, died this morning about five o'clock; the cause of death being dropsy of the heart.
    Deceased was born in Saxony, Germany, in  1840, and came to this country at an early age. She was married in this city when quite young and had resided here for nearly 40 years, and leaves a husband to mourn her death.
    She was the mother of ten children, six of whom survive, Mrs. Jno. Francis, Miss Louisa, Charles, Mrs. Jno. Hastings, Miss Minnie and Edward, all residing in this city.  She was a loving mother and neighbor, and her death will be mourned by all.
    The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at two o'clock, the Rev. F. [illegible] officiating.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Anna M. Harris
abt. 1832-July 29, 1886

Niles Republican, Thursday, July 29, 1886, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. George Harris died at her residence on Oak street this morning.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 4, 1886, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mrs. A.M. Harris, widow of George Harris, deceased, died at her residence in this city, on Thursday morning July 29.  Mrs. Harris was afflicted and suffered severely for the past year or more with a cancer.  She was in the 54th year of her age, and leaves one daughter and three sons to mourn her untimely loss.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 7, 1886, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Anna M. Harris, relict of Geo. W. Harris, died at her home on Oak Lane, on Wednesday of last week, and was buried at Silver Brook cemetery on Friday.

George Harris
1827-Sept. 2, 1877

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, September 5, 1877, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

    GEORGE HARRIS died at twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock on Sunday night at the age of 50 years. He came here from Sumnerville about 1845, and worked at shoemaking ever since.  He leaves a wife, four sons and two daughters.  The oldest a son of about 25, the youngest a son of about 15.  He has been for the past eight years in the store of Mr. William Wares, and he has ever been considered one of the most competent, honorable and honest men.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, September 8, 1877, page 2, col.  3, microfilm Niles District Library

    George Harris, whose death occurred at his residence in this city on Sunday evening last, has been a citizen of Niles for many years, and during all the years of his sojourn among our people, proved himself to be an honest and honorable man, fair and just to all. He had his faults as all have theirs, but notwithstanding, he was a man for all that.  He leaves a wife and six children, as well as many friends, to mourn his death.  He was in the 50th year of his age.
Niles Republican, Thursday, September 6, 1877, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Geo. H. Harris, for a number of years a merchant in this City, died last Sunday night.  His funeral took place from his late residence on Tuesday.

Mary Jane Forney
March 1, 1816-May 6, 1900


    Mrs. Jane Forney, one of the earliest settlers of Niles, passed away yesterday morning, at the home of her brother, P.P. Perkins, near Barron lake.
    She had seen four score years and four and old age is ascribed as the cause of her demise. Deceased was the wife of the late John Forney and was one of the earliest residents of these parts, having come here about 50 years ago.  She had made this city her home up to within a short time ago when she went to live with her brother and his people, near Barron lake.
    The funeral will occur on Tuesday and services will be conducted by Rev. Chapman, at the M.E. church, of which church the deceased was a devout member, on Tuesday next, at 2 o'clock p.m.
    The remains will be laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Forney is also survived by an adopted daughter, Mrs. Cann, of Chicago.

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 10, 1900, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
    

John Forney
December 21, 1811-July 28, 1886

Niles Democrat, Saturday, Aug. 7, 1886, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Another early settler of Niles, another old citizen has passed away.  John Forney was born December 21, 1811, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he grew up to manhood, receiving a good common school education, and learned the trade of a harness maker, which trade he followed through life, while able to work, and always had the name of a good, honest workman.
    He came to Niles in 1835 more than fifty years ago, and has always been a resident among us since that time, until his death which occurred July 28, 1886.
    He was married to Mary Jane Perkins, daughter of Ira A. Perkins, August 30, 1840, and his widow still survives, where all her life from early girlhood has been passed.  John Forney was a quiet unobtrusive man of industrious habits, attending always to his own business, never interfering in affairs of his neighbors, and all through life enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him.  He was well known to all the early residents of Niles and vicinity, and respected by every one, and his death will be deeply regretted by all acquaintances.
    The sympathy of surviving friends is tendered to the respected widow in her bereavement.
Niles Republican, Thursday, July 29, 1886, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mr. John Forney, one of Niles' oldest and most highly respected citizens, died Wednesday afternoon. The funeral will take place tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 4, 1886, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    John Forney, a resident of this city for 40 years, died last evening at his residence, corner of Howard and 6th streets, aged 76 years.  Mrs. Forney survives him.  There is only one child, a daughter, who resides in Chicago. Mr. Forney was of German descent, and came to this city from Pennsylvania.

Same page and column

    Mrs. Alice Cann, of Chicago, is in the city, called here by the death of her father, Mr. John Forney.

Berrien Springs Era, Wednesday, August 4, 1886, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    John Forney, of Niles, died last Wednesday.
____________________

James Robert Duval
Oct. 7, 1957-June 12, 1993

James R. Duval
1957-1993
Partner/operator of Michiana Rebuilders

    Funeral services for James Robert Duval, 35 of 980 S. 14th St., Niles, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Leo E. Kostizen, of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Duval died at 12:52 p.m. Saturday at Lee Memoral Hosptial in Dowagiac following an accident.
    Born Oct. 7, 1957, in Muskegon, Duval was a resident of the area since 1966, coming from Muskegon.
    On March 5, 1988, in Niles, he married the former Dawn R. Howard, who survives.
    He was a partner and operator of Michiana Rebuilders in South Bend.  He was a Niles High School graduate. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan and was active in the Elks Bowling League.
    Other survivors include three sons, John L. Fisher, Brandon E. Duval and Kyle R. Duval, all living at home; his parents, Everett and Lois Duval of Niles; his grandmother, Alma Hughes of Muskegon; five brothers, Leon Duval of Auburn,Ind., Larry Duval of Muskegon, Joe Duval of Niles, Richard Duval of Niles and Jerry Duval of Mishawaka; a sister Mary Kannenburg of Buchanan; an aunt, Ann Noone of Kalamazoo and an uncle, Ron Hartman and his wife Phyllis of Muskegon.
    Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 14, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library