Gertrude Wolford
June 10, 1878-March 22, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 23, 1936, page 1, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. E.A. WOLFORD DIES IN PAWATING

Widely Known Niles Woman, Active Church Worker, Ill Less Than Week

Mrs. E.A. Wolford, 1001 Cedar street, died Sunday night at 5:45 in Pawating hospital after an illness of less than a week.  Mrs. Wolford was 57 years old and had lived in Niles all her life.

Mrs. Wolford's condition had been favorable and she was believed to be progressing rapidly when pulmonary metabolism Sunday afternoon  resulted in her death.

Last week while she was in the hospital she was elected president of the Whatsoever class of the Presbyterian church. She had long been an active worker in the church and its organizations.

She was also a member of the Progress club, of the National Auxiliary of the Switchmen's Union, and the Maccabees.

Surviving are her husband, E.A. Wolford; three daughters, Mrs. D.R. Beiger, Coldwater; Mrs. Lowell Benson, Benton Harbor, and Mrs. H.C. Langston, Niles; a son, E.A. Wolford, Jr., Kalamazoo; four sisters, Mrs. Lena Kenney, Decatur; Mrs. Betty Smith, Buchanan; Mrs. Ella Palmer, Marion, Ind., and Mrs. Susie Soleberger, Decatur; and two brothers, Fred Couch, South Bend, and Albert Couch, Chicago.

The body was taken to the Turner-Pifer funeral home and will remain there until Tuesday night when it will be removed to the family home.  On Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock it will be taken to the Presbyterian church.  Funeral services will be at  2:30 o'clock in the afternoon with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  Rev. Dr. G.W. Simon will officiate.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 24, 1936, page 1, col 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Clubs Will Attend Funeral Services For Mrs. Wolford

Two organizations of which Mrs. E.A. Wolford was a member will attend the funeral services in the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon.

The Progress club will meet in the vestibule of the church at 2 o'clock. The Niles Auxiliary of the Switchmen's Union will meet in the church at 2 :15 o'clock.

Pallbearers are E.W. Hunter, Fred Babcock, A.F. Eycleshymer, Paul Thayer, Dr. J.G. Brodie and W.E. Barron.

Note: DOB from Michigan Death Certificate

Fred B. Hanchett
Nov. 4, 1854-April 14, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 15, 1936, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Fred B. Hanchett, 81 Former Niles Resident, Stricken

Fred Beebe Hanchett, Sr., former resident of Niles, died at his home, 440 Cass street, Berrien Springs, Monday afternoon at 12:40 o'clock, after a three weeks' illness.

Mr. Beebe was 83 years old. He was born in Beloit, Wis., moving afterward to Chicago, then to Niles, after ward to Buchanan and about nine years ago went to Berrien Springs.

His wife, Mrs. Della Hanchett, survives, also one daughter, Mrs. Zennetta Hunter, Niles, and two sons, Fred B. Jr., Detroit, and Merrick, Holland.  Had he lived until May 15, Mr. and Mrs. Hanchett would have celebrated their 53d wedding anniversary.

Funeral services will be in the Price and Kiger chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. T.O. Lee officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note:  DOB from Michigan Death Certificate

Catherine Jewett
March 3, 1813- May 15, 1883

Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 19, 1883, page 5, col. 4 (microfilm Niles District Library)

Death of Mrs. Chas. Jewett

Mrs. Jewett spent the afternoon of Tuesday last in the company of a large number of lady friends at the home of Mrs. Chelwell Knox. She was apparently in the enjoyment of her usual health, conversed pleasantly with her friends and seemed to enjoy everything.  She bade the company a cordial good night, and entering her carriage started alone for her home but a short distance away.  A little while after a young man noticed the horse feeding in front of her house and upon examination it was discovered that she had been seized with a disease of the heart and had fallen to the bottom of the carriage, physicians were summoned but life was extinct.  The step was a brief one from the delightful companionship for her friends on earth  to the enrapturing presence of her friends in Heaven. To those who remain behind, the shock was a terrible as the blow was sudden, but to her whose lamp was always filled and whose light was constantly burning, it was but the long looked for invitation to another entertainment, “The marriage supper of the Lamb.”  Mrs. Jewett was the widow of the Hon. Chas. Jewett,and had resided here for about 45 years, and had exterted[sic] an influence for good in this community from the time of her first advent among this people until the day of her death; nor will the influence of her earnest, consciencious, christian example cease with the close of her earthly career. For none can estimate the influence which such a life exerts.  The day of final reckoning alone shall reveal it.  She possessed a fine mind and had a liberal education, but above all was an earnest, devoted, whole souled christian.  She was a devoted an consistent member of th presbyterian church, and was seldom absent from it services, but her religion was broad, and not circumscribed by church lines.  She was a willing laborer in any field where work was to be done for the Master she loved. Our citizens generally will be sincere mourners, as they gather beside her open grave, and the sons and daughter will receive the heartfelt sympathy of all. The deceased was 71 years of age.  Funeral to-day (Saturday_ at 2 o'clock from her residence.

Donna Mark, formerly of Buchanan
June 1, 1927 — July 25, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:24 pm Thursday, July 28, 2016

Donna Mark, 89, formerly of Buchanan, Michigan died peacefully at 9:04 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2016 with family members gathered around her bedside at The Hearth at Juday Creek in Granger, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on June 1, 1927 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Frank and Rose (Schneider) Tiemann, and was graduated in 1945 from Mary E. McCahill Institute in Lake City, Minnesota. She began her college studies at the University of Minnesota, and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University at South Bend after moving to this area in 1961. She owned and operated Mardona’s String of Pearls at the Thieves’ Market Mall in South Bend, Indiana.

Donna Mark

Donna was a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in South Bend; the Cardinal Newman Society for Catholic Education, which she served as the National Recording Secretary; and founded a parents’ association for the hearing impaired community in South Bend. In Niles, she had been a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church. She was certified through the Gemological Institute of America, had studied the genealogy of her family, and had studied the history of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indian Nation – donating her work to the Band. She enjoyed knitting and crochet, keeping up with current events, and – most importantly – caring for her family.

On April 26, 1952, in Newark, New Jersey she married Edward H. Mark whose partnership in parenting ten children was strong and devoted. One evidence of his affection was the beautiful chapel he built for her in the woods behind their home on the Saint Joseph River. They had celebrated the 55th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on April 23, 2008. She was also preceded in death by their son, Steve Mark on Nov. 13, 2010.

Surviving family includes their children, Catherine (Alfredo Toraño) Mark of Spain, Mary Mark-Herbach and Louis Mark, both of Michigan, Julia Mark of Colorado, John (Vera) Mark of Illinois, Karen Mark of Indiana, Daniel (Carole) Mark of Wyoming, Jacob (Jill) Mark of Indiana, and Thomas Mark of Montana; grandchildren Raquel, Francisco, Michael, Layne, Elias, Angelina, Sarah, Sophia, and Samuel; and Donna’s brothers, Robert Tiemann of California and Sidney (Louise) Tiemann of Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Donna Mark will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles by the Rev. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C. of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in South Bend. Committal Rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Donna Mark may be made to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 922 East Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana 46617.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Vivian Rose Tharp, of Niles
May 28, 1912 — July 21, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:33 am Monday, July 25, 2016

Vivian Rose Tharp, 104, of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born May 28, 1912, in Van Buren County, Michigan to Thomas and Carrie (Benwire) Sherburn.

Vivian was a cook for Brandywine Public Schools for over 15 years, retiring in 1974. She was a former member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary in Niles and member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She enjoyed playing Yahtzee and cards, her butterfly collection, putting together jigsaw puzzles, crocheting projects for her family, watching NASCAR her Cubbies baseball. She really enjoyed spending her birthday money on trips to the casino and her time with family and friends.

Tharp

On May 9,1936, Vivian married Stanton Miller Tharp, with whom she celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary Nov. his death on November 7, 1992. Vivian was also preceded in death by a son, Roger Tharp; two sisters, Viola Brewer and Veva Rodgers and 5 brothers, William, Lloyd, Pete, Max and Carrol Sherburn.

Surviving family includes daughters Selva (Earl) Garson of Mishawaka, Indiana and Lois (Richard) Sherman of Niles; one son, Robert (Gee Gee) Tharp of North Manchester, Indiana; 13 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is daughter-in-law Sandra Tharp of Niles, special friend Doris Brewer; dear family friend Judy Vinnedge, caretaker and long-lost granddaughter Belinda Wooden and former daughter-in-law Jeanie Gescheidle.

The funeral service for Vivian Rose Tharp will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Faith United Methodist Church in Buchanan officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Vivian may be made to Hospice at Home. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Eugene J. Downey Jr.
July 30, 1935 - Dec. 7, 2015

NILES - Eugene J. Downey Jr., 80, passed away December 7th at West Woods of Niles after an extended illness with his loving family by his bedside.

He was born in Dowagiac, MI, on July 30, 1935, to the late Eugene and Lucille (Wetzel) Downey Sr. His mother, Lucille, died when he was five years old. His father married Wanda Leach and together they raised Eugene and his brothers and sisters..

On December 15, 1961, Eugene married Dolores Jean Corkins in Grand Rapids, MI, who survives..

Mr. Downey is survived by his loving wife, Dolores; their daughter, Pamela (Jim) McLean, Baroda, MI; their sons, Jeffery Downey, Phoenix, AZ, Blake (Rita) Downey, Baroda, MI, and Eric (Teri) Downey, South Bend, IN. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren whom he loved and cherished. He is also survived by two sisters, Judy and Pat; and three brothers, Marvin, Terry and Tim..

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom and Larry..

Eugene loved to go fishing, bowling, being on the computer, and especially enjoyed being a coach for the Special Olympics and being with his family and friends. In the past he served as a church deacon..

He was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Navy and especially loved the Aircraft Carrier USS Leyte on which he served.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions be made to 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 12th, at 11:00 AM at the First Church of God, 33180 U.S. 12, Niles, MI, with Pastor Bob Jackson officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI..

Condolences may be expressed online through our website: .

The HANLEY & Sons Funeral Home “Southwest Chapel” handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Downey family.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?pid=176820322