Monica Janet Reed
Nov. 18, 2004

Monica Janet Reed, daughter of Joey Reed of South Bend and Ramond Preswood of 1615 N. Fifth St., Niles, died at 11:46 p.m. Thursday at birth in Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo. Survivors include two sisters, Ashleigh Reed and Gabrielle Reed, both of South Bend. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Brown-Pifer Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lyle Earl Rector
Sept. 18, 1937-April 17, 2000

Lyle Earl Rector, 62, of Brookmede Drive, South Bend, Ind., died following a brief illness at 6:10 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2000 in his home.

He was born on Sept. 18, 1937, in Berrien Springs, Mich., to Cecil and Blanche (Harroff) Rector, and had lived in Niles, Mich., until moving to South Bend in 1974.

Mr. Rector had been employed at the French Paper Company, Niles, for more than 20 years, retiring in 1994.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Niles, and was a sports fan, particularly enjoying watching football and stock car racing on television.

On Feb. 8, 1958, in Niles, he was married to the former Patricia Ann Russell, who died on May 24, 1996. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Audrey Marr.

He is survived by six daughters, Cathy Padilla of Odessa, Texas, Julie DeWulf and Sally Rector of Mishawaka, Ind., Laura Brabec of Granger, Ind., Alice Chapman and Tammy May, both of South Bend; a son, Lyle E. Rector, II, of Elkhart, Ind.; 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and by two sisters, Grace Thurston of Pullman, Mich., and Joan Price of Cassopolis, Mich.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, April 20, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Reverend Scott Goodman of the First Baptist Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends in the funeral home from one hour prior to services.

Contributions in memory of Lyle E. Rector may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Alice E. Ray
Jan. 25, 1913-Aug. 6, 1994

Alice E. Ray, 81, of 123 Ironwood Drive,  Niles, died about 3:10 p.m. Saturday Aug. 6, 1994,  in Pawating Hospital of natural causes. Mrs. Ray was born Jan. 25, 1913, in South Dakota. In 1931 in Niles, she married Edwin F. Ray. He died in 1985. Surviving are a daughter, Clara Fergison of Niles; a son, Norman of Greentown, Ind.; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a stepsister, Peggy Waldron of Niles.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Rhonda K. Ransberger
Dec. 22, 1951-Dec. 7, 2007

Rhonda K. Ransberger, 55, of West River road, Niles, died at 11:08 p.m. Friday, Dec.  7, 2007, in Lakeland community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness.

Rhonda was born on December 22, 1951, in Niles, to Sheldon D. and Doris L. (Smallidge) Williams. She lived in Niles all of her life, and graduated from Niles High School in 1970. As a young lady, she was a member of the Daughter’s Auxiliary of the VFW in Saint Joseph, Michigan, and served as “Miss Poppy.

She was a former employee of the USDA Niles National Biological Control Plant Protection Center. She enjoyed flower gardening at home, and collecting antique home furnishings.

On Sept. 20, 1994, in Niles, she married John P. Ransberger. He survives.

Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Lesley (Kevin) Cast of Elkhart and Kelley (Brandon) Myers of Osceola; four step grandchildren and two sisters, Linda Watkins and Carolyn Irwin of Watervliet, Michigan and a brother, Ron (Kay) Williams of McKinney, Texas.  She was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Hartlery.

The funeral service for Rhonda K. Ransberger will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 13, 2007, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church officiating. Member of the family, Mr. Tom Jones, will present the eulogy. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Rhonda may be made to the Veteran’s Memorial at River Front Park.

Margaret Ranft (Miller)
May 28, 1826- July 16, 1910

Noble woman was Margaret Ranft

Died this morning at 4 o’clock

Resident over 50 years.

Kind Hearted, Loved by Everyone- A Blessing to Her Family and the Community.

Mrs. Margaret, wife of E. L. Ranft, passed away this morning at 4 o’clock (July 16, 1910) at the farm home, a mile and a half west of Niles, from old age, aged 84 years last May. Two weeks ago Mrs. Ranft fractured her right arm and this had a tendency to hasten death.

The deceased was born to Germany and came to America in about 1868. She was married in New York city the same year to E. I. Ranft, removing to Niels the next years, and together they have lived happily and at the same homestead ever since.Unto them were born eight children, two having died in infancy. Those remaining are George and Harry, Mrs. Dorsey Geishert, Mrs. Chas. Linsenmier, Mrs. Christopher Reum and Mrs. Oscar Wyant, all residing either in Niles or this immediate vicinity. There are 12 grandchildren and two great-grand children. The husband survives.

Mrs. Ranft’s death removes from the scenes of life one whose activities will ever be gratefully remembered by many recipients of her kindly charity. Born in the Old Country, she formed part of the immigration which to the early fifties built up this western county. Mrs. Ranft had the sterling virtues of her race. She was industrious hard working, Thrifty and kin Hearted. No case of distress ever appealed to her in vain. She has fed hundreds from her own larder, and thus aided many a person pressed to the crucial point of endurance. Her benevolent deeds were without ostentation, may of them know only to the recipients of her bounty. She was indeed a type of the ”mother in Israel” a blessing to her family and the community, and she has gone to her reward.The funeral will occur Monday afternoon, from St. John’s German Church, the funeral cortege to leave the house at 1 o’clock. A minister from South Bend will conduct the services. Interment at Silver Brook Cemetery.

Harry Ranft
1872-April 10, 1938

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 11, 1938, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Harry Ranft, 65, Ill 4 years, Dies

Native of Niles Township Stricken Sunday; Rites Wednesday

Ill for the last four years, Harry Ranft, prominent farmer who had lived in Niles Township all his life died at 5:30 o’clock Sunday morning in his home, four miles northwest of Niles. He was 65 years old.

Mr. Ranft was the son of the late Ernest and Margaret Ranft, pioneer residents of Niles Township. He was married to the former Margaret Shaffer in 1897. The ceremony was performed in St. John’s Evangelical church, Niles, by the late Rev. Rahn.

Beside his wife, Mr. Ranft leaves one sister, Mrs. Oscar Wyant, Niles.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger Funeral Home. The Rev. Theo Eisen of St. John’s Evangelical church, of which Mr. Ranft was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Ranft home until noon Wednesday.