Obituaries

Lena Bogardus Lardner
June 2, 1843-May 2, 1918

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, May 2, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

MUCH BELOVED WOMAN PASSES AWAY THIS MORN

Niles mourns today the loss of one of her most beloved residents, Mrs. Lena Bogardus Lardner, widow of Mr. Henry Lardner, Sr., who died September 12, 1914.
Mrs. Lardner has been in failing health since Christmas, but her condition did not become alarming until Sunday, since which time she grew weaker, until the end came this morning about 7:30 o'clock.

Lena Bogardus Phillips was born in Catskill, N.Y., June 2, 1843, and come to Niles with her father, Rev. Joseph F. Phillips, who was rector of Trinity Episcopal church from 1858 until his death, 1867. His influence for good in the church and community was continued by his daughter, the memory of the work of both being a blessed benediction

. In 1861 Rev. Mr. Phillips officiated at the wedding of his daughter to Mr. Henry Lardner, founding a home which has been for over half a century all that the word implies—an abiding place of love, and unbounded hospitality. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lardner, of whom the following six survive: William P. Lardner, Duluth, Minn; Henry Lardner, Jr., Miss Lena Lardner and Mrs. R.G. Tobin, Niles; Rex and Ring Lardner, Chicago. A niece, Madame Fernand Serre of Montpelier, France, and her children are the only other near relatives living.

Until recent years, when her health would not permit, Mrs. Lardner was a tireless worker in the church, being prominently connected with all its activities, her home being always open to its social gatherings, and meetings of its different organizations. Although unable to leave her home for many years she kept up her interest in the life of the city and continued to keep warm her great friendship for old and young alike. Niles will seem strange, indeed, without Mrs. Lardner, to whose home former residents coming back to Niles, always turned first of all.

Mrs. Lardner was a woman of rare literary ability. Many of her verses and stories appeared in print. A number were collected and published in two volumes. She was a member of the Woman's Press association of Michigan and also the Michigan Authors' club.

The community at large feels the loss of the lovable woman and sincere sympathy is extended to the family in the passing of the mother.
The funeral will be held at Trinity Episcopal church Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. Harold Holt officiating. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Joseph F. Phillips
1803-Jan. 31, 1866

Niles Republican, February 3, 1866, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED Suddenly of Conjestion of the heart, on Tuesday evening last. Rev. JOSEPH F. PHILLIPS, Rector of Trinity Church, aged 63 years.

Mr. Phillips was one of the best educated men in the State and was very highly esteemed in this community. His like cannot easily be replaced. An appropriate obituary will appear next week, written by parties who have known Mr. Phillips a number of years.

The promised Obituary can be found at:  

Niles Republican, February 17, 1866, page 2, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

[It is effusive and lengthy (more than 10,000 words) taking three full columns in the newspaper so it is not reproduced in its entirety here.]

Richard Kupper
Jan. 1, 1904-Jan. 12, 1989

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday. January 12, 1989, page 2, col 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Richard Kupper, 85, of 8798 Wright Road, Niles, Died at 1:07 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

He was retired from the Green Giant Co. He was born Jan. 1, 1904 in Germany. He lived in Niles since 1925, where he settled after coming from Germany.

On Jan. 3, 1935 in South Bend, Ind. He married Rose E. Schneck. She survives.

Also surviving are: two daughters, Amelia Richmond and Kathryn Horvath of Niles; a son, Richard of Niles, a sister Melchen Schneider of Ann?, Germany and seven grandchildren.

Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home. The Rev. Leo Kostizen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will conduct the services. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice, Inc.

Mary I. Miller
Jan. 5, 1907-Jan 15, 1989

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Wednesday, January 18, 1989, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary I. Miller, 82, 28070 County Road 24 West, Elkhart, Ind. died Monday, Jan. 16, at 11 p.m. at Hubbard Hill Estates in Elkhart following an extended illness.
She was born Jan 5, 1907, in Berrien Center, and lived in Niles until 1987. She was a registered nurse at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.

She married Alton B. Miller, July 31, in Plymouth, Ind. He died in August of 1933.

Survivors are: two daughters, Margaret Cousins of Milford, Ind., Elizabeth Davey of Norfolk, Mass.; a sister Margaret Trattles of Elkhart, Ind.; and four grandsons.

Services are Thursday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Dr. Ray Pannabecker, Chaplain, Hubbard Hill Estates, will officiate. Friends may call Thursday between 1-2 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hubbard Hill Estates Memorial Fund.

Note:  Year of Marriage is not in original.

Lois B. Milthaler
Oct. 23, 1919-Jan. 28, 1989

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, January 30, 1989, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Lois Blanche (Waite) Milthaler, 69, of 13338 E. Monroe St., South Bend, Ind., and formerly of Niles, died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

She was born Oct. 23, 1919 in Joliet, Ill. And had lived in South Bend since 1973, moving there from Niles.
She retired in 1967 after working 34 years as a telephone operator. She was a member and deacon of the First Christian Church in South Bend.

On June 28, 1952, in Niles she married Harvey E. Milthaler; he survives.

Also surviving are a stepson, the Rev. Michael Milthaler of Picqua, Oho; a daughter, Brenda Jo Milthaler of Indianapolis; a brother Gordon Waite of Hubber Heights, Ohio; a sister, Julie Porenta of Sebring, Fla., and two grandchildren.

Services are1 p.m. Tuesday at the Forrest G. Hay Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend. The Rev Richard Spleth of the First Christian Church will conduct the services. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Stanard Leroy Phillips
Sept. 19, 1915-Jan. 5, 1980

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday. January 7, 1989, page 2 col 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Stanard Leroy Phillips, 73, 24875 US 12 East, Edwardsburg, died Thursday, Jan 5, at 12:40 a.m. At Elkhart (Ind.) General Hospital, following an extended illness.
He was born Sept. 19, 1915, in Bridgman and lived in the Michiana area all his life. He was a [illegible] World War II veteran and a member of the Edwardsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the DAV in Elkhart, Ind., and a member of the Dowagiac Moose Lodge. He owned several businesses: Grace's Place, Grace's Soda Shoppe, and Phillip's Place in Edwardsburg.

He married Grace Elizabeth Warburton Dec. 2, 1945. She survives.

Other survivors include: one son, Laurence of Mishawaka, Ind.; two daughters, Linda Saxton of Belton, Texas, and Sharon Kendale of Edwardsburg; one sister, Gladys Molberg of Galien, and 11 grandchildren.

Cremation took place Thursday.