Robert R. Blake
Nov. 4, 1868-Nov. 12, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 13, 1952; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Robert R. Blake, 84, of 934 North Fifth street, a retired railroad carpenter, died Wednesday morning at Pawating Hospital following a six months illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe officiating, and Masonic rites will be conducted at the grave site in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the residence.

A foster daughter, Mrs. Harry Williams, Niles, two foster granddaughters and seven great grandchildren survive.
Blake was born Nov. 4, 1868, in Buchanan and had resided in Niles for 50 years.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 2 F and A.M., R.A.M. Chapter No. 3, Niles Commandry, Knights Templers and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Ruth C. Blackmun
June 7, 1898-Sept. 22, 1985

Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 23, 1985; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Ruth C. Blackmun, 87, 2371 Yankee St., died at 4:25 a.m. Sunday at the Cass County Medical Care Facility following an extended illness.

She was a retired teacher from Niles Community Schools and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Colonial Dames and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

Born June 7, 1898 in Spencerville, Ind., she lived here since 1929, coming from Buchanan.

On Nov. 1, 1919 in Bloomington, Ind., she married Harold C. Blackmun, who died Feb. 28 of this year.

Surviving are two sons, William H. Blackmun of Niles and Robert C. Blackmun of Hilton, N.Y.; a daughter, Mary E. Crouch of South Bend, Ind.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, the Niles Community Library or the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Harold C. Blackman
Oct. 21, 1895-Feb. 28, 1985

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 1, 1985; page 2, col. 2, cont. col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Harold C. Blackmun, 89, 2371 Yankee Street, Niles, died at 12:55 p.m. Thursday at the Cass County Medical Care Facility following an extended illness.

Born Oct. 21, 1895, in Lake Township, Berrien County, he was a retired employee of the Herald-Palladium newspaper, and member of the Disabled American Veterans, Sons of the American Revolution Michigan Chapter, Mayflower Organization, First Presbyterian Church and was a World War I Army veteran.  On Nov. 1, 1919, in Bloomington, Ind., he married Ruth C. Carnes, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Robert C. Blackmun of Hilton, N.Y. and William H. Blackmun of Niles; one daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Crouch of South Bend; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services are 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Edward N. Boucree
March 6, 1904-Nov. 14, 1974

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 15, 1974; page 2, col.  3, microfilm, Niles District Library

NILES – Edward Boucree, 70, of 2846 Detroit Rd., died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in South Bend Osteopathic Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Swem Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home in Buchanan.

Also,

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 16, 1974; page 2, col.  5, microfilm, Niles District Library

NILES – Services for Edward N. Boucree, 70, of 2846 Detroit Rd., who died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday will be held Monday at Mark’s Catholic Church.  The Rev. Julius L. Hengebach will officiate.   Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Pifer Chapel, Swem-Smith Funeral Home.  Military rites will be conducted at graveside by Members of the LaRue Messenger Post No.26, American Legion.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Sunday at the Pifer Chapel, Swem-Smith Funeral home.

Robert Bartrum Burns
June 28, 1907-April 18, 1927

Benton Harbor News Palladium, April 19, 1927; page 15, col. 1, www.newspaperarchives.com

CLAIMS BODY OF HIS DEAD SON

No Motive Apparent for Suicide of Robert Burns At Centre College

(Special to the News-Palladium) 

NILES, April 19 – Accompanied by his father, Attorney Wilber N. Burns, the body of Robert Burns, 19-year old Niles boy who was a student at Centre college, Danville, Ky., will be brought home Wednesday for burial.

According to advices received here young Burns shot himself to death in the presence of his bride at their apartment in Danville Monday noon.

No Motive Apparent

The family here could give no motive for the young man’s act. So far as they knew the young couple, who were both attending Centre college, were happy and contented.

It is understood, however, that young Burns was of a moody disposition and it is surmised that in a fit of despondency he took his life.

Attorney Burns, the father, prominently known here and in the county at large, left yesterday afternoon for Danville. He drove by auto and was accompanied by Dr. Robert Henderson and Charles Smith.

Miss Mary Burns, only daughter of the Burns and a sophomore at the University of Michigan, was about to return to school Monday afternoon when news of the tragedy came.

Well Known Athlete

Bob Burns was one of the graduating class of 1925 from the Niles high school where he was a leader in school activities and an athlete of exceptional ability. He was the two-mile runner on the Niles track team, which won the state championship, with which team he won first place in this event and was considered one of the most promising athletes in the state at that time.  At Centre college he had continued his athletic work.  Bob also had made quite a record as a student during his two years at the college.

Young Burns was married last June to Miss Loy Neiman, of Louisville, Ky. He brought his bride here for a visit at the home of his parents on Oak street during the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Burns visited with her son and his wife at Danville but a few days ago.

Arlie P. Bowers
Dec. 31, 1904-Dec. 18, 1974

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 18, 1974; page 2, col. 2, cont. col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

NILES – Mrs. Arlie P. Bowers, 69, of 1328 Park Ln. died at 7:04 a.m. today in Memorial Hospital in South Bend after an extended illness.

Born Dec. 31, 1904 in Niles, she lived her lifetime here.  On March 22, 1948 in Angola, Ind., she married William M. Bowers, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Clarence (Jean) Beasecker of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Harold Treesh of Niles and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald Cozadd of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4pm. Thursday at the funeral home.