Myron E. Barrett
Dec. 28, 1827-March 11, 1901

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, March 11, 1901, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DROPPED DEAD

Myron E. Barrett Expires While

PLAYING CHECKERS

Heart Disease Is Given as the Cause

Mr. Myron E. Barrett dropped dead at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, while playing checkers at R.J. Jones' barber shop on Second street., Heart disease is given as the cause.

Deceased was 73 years old. He leaves a wife, nee Angeline H. Tuttle, and two children, Mrs. Lelia Gregory, of this city, and Mrs. Bertha Miller, of Gobblesville, Mich. Mr. Barrett was born in Kingsville, Ohio, and came here when 22 years of age. A year ago, while in the employ of Wells & Higman, of St. Joseph, he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never recovered.

Mr. Barrett ate a hearty dinner this noon, and being in good spirits, walked from his home on Barrett street, West Niles, to Mr. Jones' shop, a distance of a mile. Upon his arrival there, he entered in to game of checkers with John Dillon. He won the first game and remarked that was pleased. The second game had just begun, when he threw back his head and expired, without uttering a word. Death was instantaneous. Dr. Baldwin was called, but his services were not needed. Deceased was removed to Price's undertaking establishment and afterward conveyed to his home.

An inquest was held and verdict rendered that he died from natural causes.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Wednesday, March 13, 1901, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of M.E. Barrett was held at the residence in West Niles at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, at which Rev. F.A. Chapman, of the Methodist church, officiated. A large number of friends were present and followed the remains to their last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery

Jack Gephart
June 10, 1835-Oct. 15, 1902

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, October 16, 1902, page 2 col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

JACK GEPHART

Well-known Resident Passes Away

Last evening at 7 o'clock, Jack Gephart passed away at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Robert Gephart, aged 67 years. His demise is attributed to heart trouble.

The deceased who was a well-known resident of Niles for several years, was born in Elkhart, Ind. He remained in Elkhart until after he was married, when he moved to Kansas and later settled in Washington Territory. Some eight years ago he returned to Niles and had since resided here.

Of the surviving relatives there are three children, Harry, who is a druggist in Oklahoma; Minnie who is married, and resides in Kansas, and Carl, who also lives in Kansas, also a half-sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Beardsley of Elkhart, and two aunts, Mesdames Robert Gephart and E. Starkweather, both of this place.

Jack was with the boys in blue when they nobly fought to preserve this glorious union, and it is said of him that he drove the first stage coach that ever passed between here and St. Joseph. He was withal a genial, good-hearted soul, and his many friends will deplore his demise.

Funeral announcement later.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, October 18, 1902, page 3 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Jack Gephart took place from the residence at 10 o'clock this morning, Rev. C.J. Decoux officiating. Interment took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Caroline Gilley*
Jan. 6, 1826-March 9, 1901

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, March 11, 1901, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Caroline Dilley[sic], aged 75 years, died Saturday morning at her home, three miles east of the city, on the upper Barren lake road. Thursday, she ran a nail in her hand causing blood poisoning from which she died. She leaves a son and two daughters. The funeral took place from the house at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. Lowrie officiated.

*Obit reads "Dilley" but it is apparently a typo; both cemetery record and Michigan Death Certificate say Gilley.

Frank M. Gleason
June 24, 1885-July 17, 1955

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, July 18, 1955, page 2 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Frank M. Gleason, 70, of 36 River Street, died at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Berrien County Hospital at Berrien Center following an illness of about six years.

Gleason, an employe in the maintenance department of the New York Central Railroad here was born June 24, 1885, in Ireland and came to Niles 40 years ago from Chicago. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Carmen.

Surviving are his wife, Nellie, five sons, Donald, Clyde, Robert, and Lawrence of Niles, and Keith of Kalamazoo, and two sisters, Miss Coleen and Miss Doris Gleason, both of Niles, and 15 grandchildren.

Funeral services wil[sic] be held at 2 p.m Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home here with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Alex Petro, Jr.
July 9, 1912-July 18, 1955

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, July 18, 1955, page 2 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Alex Petro, Jr., 43, 1518 Sheridan Ave., died suddenly at 2 a.m. today at Franklin, Ind. Details of the death were not available this afternoon.

Petro, who was employed by the Kawneer Co., was born July 9, 1912 at South Bend and lived most of his life in Niles. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors are his widow, Beatrice; two daughters, Judith and Sharon Petro, both at home; his mother, Mrs. Alex Petro, Eau Claire, a sister, Mrs. LeRoy Hand, Berrien Springs, and a brother, Lewis Petro, Eau Claire.

Removal was made to the Kiger Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete. Burial will be at Silvebrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Tuesday, July 19, 1955, page 2 col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Presbyterian Church for Alex Petro, Jr., 43, of 1518 Sheridan Avenue, who died at 2 am.. Monday in Franklin, Ind. The Rev. Carlyle Carson, pastor of the Buchanan Presbyterian Church will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Petro was born July 9, 1912, in South Bend and had spent his entire life in Niles. He was an employe of the Kawneer company and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are: his mother, Mrs. Rose Petro, of Berrien Center; his wife, Beatrice; two daughters, Judith and Sharon, both at home; a brother, Lewis Petro of Berrien Center, and a sister Mrs. LeRoy Hand, of Berrien Springs.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Willard Sherwin French
March 7, 1887-Dec. 26, 1959

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan), Monday, December 28, 1959, page 24

Advertising Man Dies in Detroit

DETROIT, Dec. 28 (UPI)--Funeral services were scheduled for tomorrow for Willard French, 72, prominent advertising executive who died at his home Friday.

French was chairman of the firm of Brooke, Smith, French and Dorrance. He was born in Three Rivers and attended the University of Michigan before moving into the advertising business in Detroit in 1916.

He is survived by the widow, Natalie, a son, Sherwin, and a daughter, Mrs. Jack Bennett, of Rolling hills, Cal.

Funeral services will be held and Detroit and burial will take place in Niles.

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan), Monday, December 28, 1959, page 26

FRENCH

Willard S., Dec. 26, 1959, of 2239 Burns, Husband of Natalie B. French; father of Mrs. Jack Bennett of Rolling Hills, Calif., and Sherwin B. French; brother of Joseph W. French of Chicago, Ill.; also survived by five grandchildren. Funeral services at chapel of the Wm. R. Hamilton Co., 3975 Cass Ave., Tuesday at 11 a.m.