F. William Felden Jr., of Niles
Aug. 18, 1918 — March 26, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14 am Wednesday, March 29, 2017

F. William Felden Jr., 98, of Niles, died peacefully at 5:51 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017, with his family gathered around at his home, following a brief illness. They are grateful for the compassionate and dignified care provided by the staff of Heartland Hospice Services of Kalamazoo.
He was born Aug. 18, 1918, in Detroit, to Floyd William Sr. and Gertrude Louise (Exner) Felden.

F. William Felden

He graduated from Niles High School, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the former Chicago Technical College. He began his career at the former Buchanan offices of Clark Equipment Company, but after a few years volunteered for the war effort by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was sent to the Technical Training Command at Yale University, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He moved from aircraft maintenance to design and development, and completed his active duty as a first lieutenant, and a veteran of World War II. His service continued in the reserves, from which he earned the rank of captain, and eventually retired.

Bill returned to Clark Equipment, moving from plant engineering and maintenance, to property acquisition and development. He continued his education to help keep the plants and operations at the leading edge of technology, and was promoted to the position of Corporate Manager of Properties. As governmental oversight began to impact the manufacturing environment, he took on the responsibilities for compliance, adding safety and security to his title. He retired after 30 years of participating in the successful international expansion of Clark Equipment.

In retirement, he served as a consultant and continued his interest and memberships in many state and national safety and professional associations. He also enjoyed using his management and engineering skills on a much smaller scale, overseeing the family farm and maintaining its much smaller equipment.

He was a life member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, where he served as a trustee, an elder and an usher. He was also a member of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks 1322, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95 in Niles, the Retired Military Officers Association and the Greater Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, and volunteered as a community representative to Lake Michigan College. He had been a member of the former Pickwick Club in Niles, and the former Summit Club in South Bend, Indiana. More recently, he enjoyed fellowship over coffee at Martin’s, often at the head of the table, discussing and offering solutions to the world’s problems.

Surviving family includes his wife, Allene Felden, and their daughter, Jane (Thomas, Ph.D.) Jeltes of Ada, Michigan; a granddaughter, Sarah Jane Jeltes of Dade City, Florida; Bill’s sister-in-law, Mary (Richard) Felden of Barrington, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Felden Sr. and Gertrude (Harley) Garland, and by his brothers, George D. Felden and Richard L. Felden. A funeral service for William Felden Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence officiating, assisted by the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. Committal will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Felden may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, or to Heartland Hospice Services, 8075 Creekside Drive, Ste. 120, Portage, MI 49024. halbritterfunerals.com

Elizabeth Ausmus 
Feb. 25, 1868-Nov. 3, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 3, 1936, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. E. Ausmus, 78, Resident of Niles 74 Years, Stricken

Mrs. Elizabeth Ausmus, age 68, of 1201 North Sixth street, died at 7 o'clock this morning at her home.  Mrs. Ausmus had been ill for the past six years, seriously for the past five months.

Born in Germany Feb. 25, 1868, Mrs. Ausmus moved to Niles at the age of four.  On April 14, 1884 she was married to Adam Ausmus in the St. John's Evangelical church by Rev. Walter.  The couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1934.

Besicde her husband she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Rex Leach, and one sister, Mrs. Charles Deutsch, both of Niles.

Mrs. Ausmus was a member of the St. John's Evangelical church and also the St. John's Ladies Aid.

Funeral services will be conducted at the home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the home to view the body.

Note:  Age/Date in headline do not match dates/age in body of obituary.  Date of birth on Death record is Feb. 25, 1868.  

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 5, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  ASMUS RITES FRIDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Ausmus, 68, who died at her home 1201 North Sixth street, Tuesday morning will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the home by Rev. Theo Eisen.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  George L. Ausmus, George F. Ausmus, Ernest Timm, Frank Kaiser, Geo. Schrumpf and Dan Yaupp, Chicago, will serve as pallbearers.

Janette Babcock
Nov. 14, 1865-Dec. 2, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 2, 1936, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

JANETTE BABCOCK, 71, NATIVE OF NILES, DIES

Former Resident Had Wide Acquaintance Among Older Citizens

Miss Janette Babcock, 71, former Niles resident and a graduate of Niles high school, died at 10:30 o'clock this morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Mary C. Wadel, 216 South Fourth street.

The daughter of the late Mortimer C. and Mary E. Babcock, Miss Babcock was born in Niles on Nov. 14, 1868.

Educated in the Niles public schools she had a wide acquaintance here among the older residents.

Twenty-eight years ago she moved from Niles to Gary, Ind., where she lived until recently when she moved to South Bend.

Besides her sister, at whose home she died, she is survived by one other sister, Harriet Marston, Atlanta, Ga., also one brother, Royal E. Babcock, South Bend.

She was an active member of the Gary Presbyterian church and also Olive chapter 396, Order of Eastern Star, in Gary.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete, but friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home.

William F. Bernahl
April 18, 1866-Oct. 25, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October  26, 1936, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District 

William F. Bernahl, Resident of Niles 20 Years, Succumbs

William Frederick Bernahl, 22 South St. Joseph avenue, died suddenly at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon at his home.

Born April 18, 1866 in Germany Mr. Bernahl moved to Niles from Chicago about 20 years ago, where he had been employed by the International Harvester company.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, Four sons, Otto, New York; Richard, Grand haven; after and Gustave, both of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Emily Lanier and Mrs. Charlotte Priebe, Chicago; also two sisters: Mrs. Gustave Wilke and Mrs. William Koblenz, Chicago.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Price and Kiger chapel by the Rev. T. O. Lee. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October  27, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District 

Niles News In Brief:  BERNAHL RITES TODAY

Final rites for William Frederick Bernahl, who died at his home, 22 South St. Joseph avenue Sunday afternoon were conducted at the Price and Kiger funeral home at 2:30 o'colck[sic] this afternoon by the Rev. T.O. Lee.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Ina Edith Bookwalter (Higbee)
March 20, 1887-Oct. 8, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 9, 1936, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. C.W. Bookwalter Of Bertrand, Succumbs

Mrs. C.W. Bookwalter, 49, died at 5:17 o'clock Thursday afternoon at her home in Bertrand where she had been ill for the past nine weeks.

Born March 20, 1887, she was married to C.W. Bookwalter, April 27, 1910.  Beside her husband, she is survived by one son, James, and her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Higbee.

Prayer service will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home followed by funeral services at 2:30 o'clock in Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. H.L. Nicholson officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 10, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  BOOKWALTER RITES MONDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. C.W. Bookwalter, 49, who died at her home in Bertrand late Thursday afternoon, will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon in the Trinity Episcopal church by the Rev. H.L. Nicholson. A prayer service will be held at the home at 2 o'clock. Archie Morley, Buchanan; John Summe, Mishawaka; Robert E. Malone and Willard Schroeder, Jr., both of Bertrand; T. Bowyer Campbell, Notre Dame, and Richard Morris, Niles, will act as pallbearers.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 12, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  BOOKWALTER RITES MONDAY

Final rites for Mrs. C.W. Bookwalter were conducted this afternoon at the home in Bertrand, where she died Thursday and at Trinity Episcopal church here.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson conducted the services, followed by burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  Floyd Sellenberg, South Bend; John Summe, Mishawaka; Robert Malone and Williard Schroeder, Jr., Bertrand; Archie Morley, Buchanan; and T. Bowyer Campbell, Notre Dame, serviced as pallbearers.

William V. Burch
March 9, 1880-Oct. 21, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 21, 1936, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

William V. Burch, 56, Dies After Long Period of Illness

William V. Burch, 56, died at 1:12 o'clock this morning at his home on Clark street where he had been ill for the past several months.

Born in Brunersburg, O., March 9, 1880, Mr. Burch came to Niles about 10 years ago. He was employed at the Simplicity Pattern company until ill health forced him to give up his work.  

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and one brother, James, Rockford, Ill.; also a niece, Frances Hayden, and a nephew, Claude Bisby, both of Niles.  Another niece, Ivy Eklund, resides in Rockford.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Turner & Pifer chapel by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 23, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  BURCH RITES HELD

Funeral services for William V. Burch, who died Wednesday morning were conducted at 2 o'clock this afternoon by the Rev. Theo Eisen at the Turner and Pifer funeral home. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.