Cecil Moyser
Oct. 6, 1905-April 20, 1999

Mr. Cecil Moyser, 93, of Cedar Street, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20,  1999, in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born to Percival and Elizabeth (Hind) Moyser on October 6, 1905, in Cape Town, South Africa, and had lived in Niles since 1950, coming from Comstock, Mich.

Mr. Moyser retired in 1978 as vice president of Herlihy Mid-Continent Construction Company in Chicago, Ill.

A Veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy, he was also a 32nd Degree Member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, St. Louis, Mo., a member of B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge 1322 and American Legion Post 26 of Niles, and a Niles Airport Board Member. Mr. Moyser was involved in the construction of many buildings in Niles, including the addition to Eastside School. During retirement, he enjoyed reading, music, and gardening.

On Dec. 20, 1952, in Niles, he married the former Marian Walker, who survives.

He is also survived by two nephews and a niece.

Funeral services for Mr. Cecil Moyser will be at 2 p.m. on Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Reverend Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church of Niles officiating. Interment will follow in Niles at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Moyser may be made to Fernwood Botanic Garden or to the Niles Community Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lucile Zimmer Morse
March 19, 1902-Nov. 1, 2003

Mrs. Lucile (Housh) Zimmer Morse, 101, of Colony Court, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 2003 in Riveridge Manor, Niles.

She was born on March 19, 1902, in Oskaloosa, Kan., to Frank Charles and Daisy (Tedrick) Housh, the owners of the local general store. She graduated from high school and junior college in Kansas City, Kan., and attended the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

On Dec. 1, 1928, in Kansas City, she was married to Henry W. "Heine" Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer came with his bride to Niles to work as an accountant for fellow University of Illinois alumnus Mr. Lawrence Plym at the Kawneer Company after it had moved from its founding "near the Kaw" River, Kansas. Mr. Zimmer served many years as executive vice president and chairman of Kawneer, and preceded Lucile in death on May 20, 1962.

During most of this time Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer lived in the former Kimmel Mansion at Topinabee and Chicago roads. That property is also the home of the gazebo from Castle Rest, which Pawating Hospital needed to remove as the hospital expanded beyond the walls of that mansion. Mrs. Zimmer was proud to have rescued the gazebo, which added to the family's frequent entertaining of family and friends.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and was the last founding member of the Niles Service League and her Bridge Club. She and her husband were also founding members of Fernwood Botanic Garden, the Signal Point Club, and the former Pickwick Club, and she was a member of the Pawating Hospital Auxiliary and the Niles Garden Club. In all of these memberships she chose to be quite active and volunteered many hours.

She was a summer resident of Walloon Lake, Mich., where she was a member of the Walloon Lake Association. She was an avid reader, and was known for her loving spirit which she shared with all.

On April 29, 1967, at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana), she was married to Franklin A. Morse, who preceded her in death in 1973. In addition to her two husbands, she was also preceded in death by a son, David Housh Zimmer; her sister, Margaret "Peg" Hayward; and by a brother, Tedrick Housh.

She is survived by her sons, H. Tedrick Zimmer of Naples, Fla., John W. (Sally) Zimmer of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Charles F. (Gail) Zimmer of Jacksonville, Fla.; stepsons, Charles (Lynn) Morse of South Bend, Ind., and Steve Morse of Suttons Bay, Mich.; a stepdaughter, Kitty Duncan of La Veta, Colo.; eight grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Emmy Lou Sears of Kansas City.

Services for Mrs. Lucile H. Zimmer Morse will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the church officiating. A reception will follow at the Signal Point Club, Niles. The family will gather at a private time for committal services at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Lucile Zimmer Morse may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, to Fernwood Botanic Garden, or to the Walloon Lake Association.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles

Franklin E. "Ben" Morse
Jan. 14, 1916-Aug. 28, 2005

Franklin Edward "Ben" Morse Sr., 89, of 900 Moble Boulevard, Niles, died of natural causes at 4 a.m. Sunday, August 28, 2005 in West Woods of Niles Nursing Home.

He was born January 14, 1916 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. On April 12, 1941, in Benton Harbor, he married Evelyn Fae Fulton. He worked as a meat cutter for Buy Low Super Market in Cassopolis, Mich. And was a life member of the Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Fae; a daughter, Francis Ann Lee; two sons, Franklin (Kathy) Morse Jr. Of Three Rivers, and Douglas (Tina) Morse of Niles; eight grandchildren, Karen, Sharen, Jessica, Jessica, Jeffery, Amy, Jeremy, Michael and Rebecca; two great-grandchildren, Nolan and Riley; and a sister, Neita Wilson of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, Michigan. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services on Wednesday. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice at Home, Buchanan, Michigan.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Evelyn F. Morse
Sept. 16, 1921-Jan. 23, 2006

Evelyn Fae Morse, 84, of 900 Mobile Blvd., Niles, died of natural causes at 2:44 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2006  in Lakeland Hospital, Niles, Mich.

She was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Benton Harbor, Mich., retired from Sunstrand Corporation in Dowagiac, Mich., and had lived in Niles since 1975, coming from Cassopolis.

On April 12, 1941, in Benton Harbor, she married Franklin "Ben" Morse Sr., who preceded her in death on Aug. 28, 2005.

Surviving are a daughter, Frances Ann Lee; two sons, Franklin (Kathy) Morse Jr. of Three Rivers, Michigan, and Douglas (Tina) Morse of Niles, Michigan; a sister, Eva Peters of Salt Springs, Fla.; a brother, R.J. Fulton of England; grandchildren, Karen, Sharen, Jessica, Jeffrey, Amy, Jeremy, Michael and Rebecca; and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Riley.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 27, in the Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front St., Buchanan, with Pastor Sean Kidd of Buchanan Christian Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home and one hour before services on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Cass County on Aging, 60525 Decatur, P.O. Box 5, Cassopolis, MI 49031

William W. Morris
July 1, 1847-Jan. 3, 1913

William Westly Morris died this morning (Jan. 3, 1913), at 8:45 o’clock, at his home, 728 North Front Street, after a short illness. Monday he was stricken with an attack of acute indigestion which developed into congestion of the lungs. Mr. Morris was born July 1, 1847, in Dayton, Ohio. He came to Michigan when but a small boy. Feb. 1, 1873 he married Miss Anna Brown of Buchanan.  In 1888 they came to Niles and have since made this their home. Mrs. Morris was employed as foreman of the sorting room at the French Paper Mills, having held that position seven years. He was a trusty workman and was held in high respect by all who knew him.

Deceased is survived by the widow, three daughters, Mrs. Beulah Zahn, Mrs. Frank Morris and Mrs. Laura Sloam, all of Niles; two sons, George of Detroit and Frank of Portland, Ore. Mr. Morris was a civil war veteran and was in the 12 Regiment Company I of Michigan. He belonged to the order of Loyal Americans, carrying an insurance. The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the late home. Rev. R. A. Wright officiating. Interment at Silver Brook.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Wm. Morris died from Exposure.  Body found in Railroad Culvert---Jury Impaneled---Funeral Private.

William Morris, more familiarly known to his friends and associates about town as “Peeny” was found dead March 20, 1913, in a railroad culvert under the Michigan Central tracks south of Lincoln Avenue crossing late this morning.

The body was rigid and it was quite evident he had been dead several hours. Two strangers made the discovery and summoned Chief Francis to the scene.

Coroner Skalla impaneled a jury which rendered a verdict that Mr. Morris died from exposure.

Mr. Morris was born in this city 59 years ago. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Morris, wealthy and pioneer residents of Niles. Deceased is survived by a sister and brother, Mrs. Adelaid King and Frank Morris, both of this city. The funeral will be private from the home of Mrs. King, 499 South fifth Street, Saturday afternoon. Interment at silver Brook Cemetery.