Merton "Mike" Keech
Died September 16, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16, 1931, page 4, col. 2


    Merton (Mike) Keech, 66, was found dead at 9:30 o'clock this morning in the bathroom of his boarding house at 521 Cedar street.  A sudden heart attack is thought to have caused his death, which occurred probably three hours before the body was discovered.  His step-niece, Mrs. N.S. Oaks, residing three miles northeast of Niles on M-40, with whom he had lived for four years until a month ago when he moved into Niles, was summoned, but no funeral arrangements were made.  Keech returned from Chicago yesterday where he had been in search of employment  and to visit with friends.  He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Eagles.  A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson of Central City, Neb., a niece, Mrs. Cleo Miltonberger, of Niles, a half-sister, Mrs. P.M. McClaughry, of Chicago, and Mrs. Oaks survive him.  He was divorced several years ago.  The body is at the  Rutherford Funeral home, having been taken there at the direction of Mr. Miltonberger.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 4, col. 3


    Plans for the funeral services for Merton Keech, 66, who was found dead in the home at 521 Cedar street, yesterday morning, will be delayed until a daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, arrives from Center City, Neb.  M.A. Rutherford was advised by telegram today that Mrs. Johnson expected to reach Niles early this afternoon to make the funeral plans.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 18, 1931, page 4, col. 1

    Funeral services for Merton Keech were held this morning. The services were in charge of officers of the Niles aerie of Eagles.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mr. Keech was found dead in the bathroom of the house at 521 Cedar street on Wednesday, having suffered a heart attack.  A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, of Center City, Neb., arrived in Niles yesterday and made the funeral plans.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)

David Miller
Sept. 10, 1934-May 5, 1988

    David Miller, 53, 1364 Eagle St., Niles, died Thursday, May  5, at 3:30 a.m. at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.,
    He was born Sept. 10, 1934 in Niles and was a lifelong resident of Niles. He was a member of the Teamster's Retiree Association, the Michigan Sheriff's Association and was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was employed as a truck driver with Associated Truck Lines.
    He married the former Jo Ann Dunahee Sept. 29, 1953 in Niles. She survives.
    Other survivors include: three sons, Gary of Charlotte, Michael and David of Niles; two daughters, Stacey Ann Lintz and Helen Miller of Niles; six grandchildren; and three sisters, Vera Coleman and Trudy Petersen of Niles and Loretta Unger of Edwardsburg.
    Services are Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Assembly of God, where the Rev. Paul Fisher will officiate. Burial will  be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.  Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God, Niles.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 7, 1988, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

William Saathoff
March 29, 1884-October 22, 1954


    William Saathoff, 70, of 1319 Hickory street, veteran Niles dairy operator and businessman, died at 12:08 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital after a nine-week illness.
    Owner and operator of United Dairies, he has been in the dairy business here since 1925.
    Born March 29, 1884 at Walshville, Ill., he came here from Staunton, Ill. March 29 1925, and purchased the Forburger Dairy.  The next year he purchased the Hunter Co. Dairy and operated them as City Dairy.
    In 1949, he purchased the Niles Creamery and the consolidated firms became the United Dairies.
    He was named a director of the First National Bank when it was re-organized in August, 1933.  Saathoff was one of the founders of the Niles Credit Assn. which was formed in 1927 and has been member of the association's board of directors since that time.
    He is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the South Bend Milk Council for many years.
    Saathoff also is a past president of the local Lions Club and member of the St. Joseph Valley Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 4, White Shrine, Masonic Consistory, Eastern Star, Niles-Cass Shrine Club, Grand Rapids Shrine and Niles BPO Elks Lodge.
    He married Lena Highlander in July, 1909.  She died in November, 1949. He married Betty Mallot in July, 1950.  She survives.
    Other survivors are a son Arthur Saathoff, of Niles; two step-daughters, Mrs. Ted Bakeman of Fort Riley, Kan., and Mrs. Kenneth Krichner, Elkhart, Ind.; five grandchildren; three brothers, Walter Saathoff of Niles, Henry Saathoff, Litchfield, Ill. and George Saathoff, Monrovia, Calif., and one sister, Mrs. Everett Lowe of Litchfield, Ill.
    [Illegible]  services at 3 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Chruch.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Bearers will be employes of United Dairies.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 22, 1954, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Daniel Garnhart
January 17, 1880-October 26, 1954

    Daniel Raymond Garnhart, 251 Bond street, died at 7:10 pm. Tuesday in Pawating Hospital. He was been ill since last February.
    Surviving are his wife, Mary; one daughter, Mrs. Harry W. Stover, of Marshall; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren; a brother, Samuel, of Stillman Valley, Ill., and one sister, Miss Katherine Garnhart, of Stillman.
    Garnhart was born on Jan. 17, 1889, in Duart, Pa., and came here from Holcomb, Ill., 30 years ago.
    Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 27, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Anna Malsch
January 15, 1869-October 22, 1954

    Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. Anna Malsch, 85, of 520 1/2 Oak street, Kalamazoo, who died at 4 p.m. Friday at Borgess Hospital after a four-day illness.
    She was born in Germany Jan. 15, 1869 and had lived in this country 68 years.  She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
    Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Augusta MacDonald of Kalamazoo; two sons, Rudolph Malsch, Niles, and Carl Malsch, Dowagiac; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Her husband, August, died in 1925.
    Prayer services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Trusdell Funeral Home, Kalamazoo. Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home after 1 p.m. Monday.  Services will be conducted at 2 p.m.. Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church by the Rev. Theodore Laesch.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 23, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Clara Ray
April 9, 1891-October 23, 1954

    Mrs. Clara Ray, 63, of 1332 Eagle street, died at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of her son, Edwin Ray, Kokomo, Ind., following an illness of two years.
    Mrs. Ray was born April 9, 1891, in Michigan City, Ind., and came to Niles in 1919.  She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
    Surviving besides her son are: her husband, Norman; her stepmother, Mrs. Polly Trunk, Michigan City; a daughter, Mrs. Peter Ciula, South Bend; six grandchildren; one great grandchild, and three brothers, Frank, Carl and Ollie Trunk, all of Michigan City.
    Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Cletus Rose, pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m today at the Kiger Funeral Home here, where friends may call.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 25, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library