William H. Umholtz
June 14, 1881-April 7, 1934
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 4, 1934, page 1, col. 2 and continued page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
WILLIAM H. UMHOLTZ SUCCUMBS SUDDENLY
Suffers Heart Attack While on Operating Table in Physician's Office
William H. Umholtz, 52, partner with his elder brother, Charles, in the Umholtz Brothers Feed store, 319 Front street, died at 11 o'clock this morning on an operating table in the office of Dr. B.D. Giddings.
Death was due to a heart attack, Dr. Giddings said and occurred almost immediately after the physician began administering an anaesthetic for extraction of a number of teeth. The patient was conversing with the physician and an attendant when the attack came. Death was instantaneous and without a warning sign.
Mr. Umholtz had been in ill health the last six years and had been under continuous treatment for asthma and the heart affliction for many months. Also he recently had been suffering acutely with bad teeth. This morning at 9 o'clock he left his farm home two and one-half miles southwest of Niles, going first to the feed store and later to the doctor's office.
He consulted for some time with Dr. Giddings about removal of the teeth, which were causing him intense suffering. Extraction of a number of the teeth was decided upon and the patient was placed upon the physician's operating table. Death came almost immediately, breaking off conversation in the middle of a sentence the patient was uttering.
Mr. Umholtz was born June 15, 1881, (continued on page 2) on the Indiana side of the state line on the west side of and near the St. Joseph river. The family home at the time stood upon the state line. He was the son of George Umholtz, now a resident of Niles. His mother died two years ago.
Mr. Umholtz was married June 14, 1904, to Miss Maude Young, only daughter of Walter D. and Sarah Cameron Young, widely known Bertrand township farmers. No children were born of the union, but a foster son, Jack Sigwold, has lived with the family many years. They had for some years resided on the Young farm and were preparing to move into Niles.
Surviving besides the widow, foster son, brother, Charles, and the father, are two sisters, Mrs. Edward Steinbauer, 444 South St. Joseph avenue, Niles, and Mrs. Howard Neib, residing in Niles township west of the St. Joseph river.
Mr. Umholtz was a member of the Blue lodge and Royal Arch Masons, Eastern Star, and for 25 years a member of the Presbyterian church in Niles. The body was taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 10, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
UMHOLTZ FUNERAL HELD
Funeral services for William H. Umholtz, who died Saturday morning, were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.