Robert Alexander Walton
Nov. 11, 1832-June 25, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, June 25, 1915, page 1, col. 8 (microfilm Niles District Library)

R.A. WALTON PAYS DEBT OF NATURE

Respected Citizen Lived 79 Years in This Vicinity—Served His Country in Civil War and Leaves a Good Name as Best Heritage.

Robert Alexander Walton, respected citizen, civil war veteran, and successful farmer in the days of activity, answered the final summons at 6 o'clock this morning after several months of ill health, but which had only reached a critical stage since last Monday.  Death was due to the natural infirmities of age.

The deceased was a man of the most sterling integrity, upright in all his dealings with his fellow man,and he leaves the rich heritage of an unsullied reputation to the members of his family and many friends.

Born November 11, 1832, at Milford, Delaware, he came with his parents when a child of four to Michigan. Joseph Walton, his father, settled on a farm just over the Cass county line in Howard township, which was known later as the Rice farm.

He remained at home until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion when he answered the first call of President Abraham Lincoln for 75, 000 volunteers and he enlisted in Company F of the Twelfth Michigan infantry at Niles.  He served four years altogether, although disabled by wounds and ill health for a considerable portion of the time.  He was struck in the shoulder by a fragment of a rebel shell during a sharp skirmish.

He was mustered out as a sergeant at the closed of the war and returned to Niles. October 4, 1866, he was united in marriage to Melvina Ribble of Berrien township and the following spring they took possession of a 120-acre farm that Mr. Walton bought two miles north of Niles and which continued to be his home until a few years ago he retired and moved to town, leaving his son Herbert to manage the farm.  His original holdings were increased as years went on and prosperity came to him and at the time of his death the Walton farm comprises upwards of 200 acres.

Mr. Walton was always a devout and active member of the Methodist church, and is believed to be the last of the original band who contributed to the fund for the erection of the present Methodist church in this city.

The was during the war, about the year 1863, while Mr. Walton was at home for a short time on furlough on the account of disability.  He was a trustee of this church for many years and maintained his interest throughout his long and useful life.

He is survived by Mrs. Walton and their six sons, Byron E. Walton of Aberdeen, South Dakota; J.E. Walton of Green River, Utah; Herbert F. Walton, who resides on the homestead; D.M. Walton of Dowagiac and Roy H. and Arthur Walton of Niles.  Mrs. F.H. Rice of West Niles is the only surviving sister.

The funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock, being deferred until that time to give ample time for the son, J.E. Walton to reach Niles from Utah.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, June 26, 1915, page 4, col. 2 (microfilm Niles District Library)

Members of the W.R.C. Are requested to meet at the home of R.A. Walton Mondy morning at 10o'clock to attend the funeral services. . .

same column

The funeral services for the late R.A. Walton will be held at 10 o'clock Monday morning from the residence, Rev. R.A. Wright officiating. The six sons of the deceased will act as pallbearers, J.E. Walton, a son, left Green reiver, Utah, for Niles the night before his father died and he is expected tonight or early in the morning.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, June 26, 1915, page 4, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

The funeral services for the late R.A. Walton were conducted this morning from the residence on South Fourth street by Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church in the presence of a large gathering of relatives and old friends and neighbors. The six sons of the deceased were the pallbearers. The official board fo the Methodist church attended the services in a body. The body was laid to rest at Silver Brook cemetery.

Sarah S. Barber
May 6, 1847-Aug. 29, 1924

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 29, 1924, page 4, col. 5 (microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. H.O. Barber Claimed by Death

Mrs. Sarah S. Barber, 401 N. Fourth street, widow of H.O. Barber, and mother of Mrs. F. J. Plym and E.E. Barber of Niles, passed away this morning at 10 o'clock, after a brief illness. Her condition was considered alarming only since last evening.

The funeral plans have not been completed pending word from the children who reside at a distance.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 30, 1924, page 1, col. 5; continued page 8, col. 5 (microfilm Niles District Library)

Funeral Services On Monday For Mrs. H.O. Barber

Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah A. Barber, widow of H.O. Barber, will be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock at  the home, 201 N. Fourth street, Rev. James E. Wilkinson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will conduct the service.  Burial will take place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Barber passed peacefully away Friday morning at 10o'clock after a brief illness with complications developing from gall stones, which were not considered alarming until late Thursday afternoon, and her death was entirely unexpected.

Mrs. Barber was born in East Settlement, Ontario Province, Canada, May 6, 1847  Her maiden name was Sarah A. Kneeshaw.  She was married in Champaign, Ill., (Continued on Page 8) March 1869, to Herbert O. Barber, and continued to reside in that city for more than 12 years, when they moved to western Nebraska. In 1914, his business interests as vice-president of the Kawneer company brought Mr. and Mrs. Barber to Niles, moving here from Lincoln, Nebraska. They purchased the house at 201 N. Fourth street, a place which is associated with the happy memories of the gracious hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Barber by the many friends they made during their residence here and elsewhere. It was in Niles that Mr. and Mrs. Barber observed their golden wedding anniversary.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Barber took a keen interest in the business, church and social activities of Niles, and each contributed in no small way to these different phases of community life. Mr. barber passed away on February 23, 1923. Their influence as splendid citizens, their charitable interests, and kindly deeds will long be an inspiration and happy memory to the large group of friends, who mourned the death of Mr. and Barber, and now that of his widow.

Mrs. Barber is survived by four children, who are: E.E. Barber, Niles; Mrs. F.J. Plym, Niles; C.E. Barber, San Benito, Texas; Herbert Barber, Detroit. Three brothers, R.D. Kneeshaw, of Decota, Calif.; A.G. Kneeshaw,of Escondido, Calif.; and W.C. Kneeshaw, of Oxford, Neb., also survive, and by three nieces who mourn Mrs. Barber's loss as that of a mother, they have received her care and devotion since their infancy, following the death of their parents.  They are: Miss Gladys Kneeshaw, Mrs. Fred Kompass and Miss Ora Kneeshaw, all of Niles,  One grandson and four granddaughters also mourn her death.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Barber were members of the Presbyterian church.  Mr. Barber at the time of his death was an elder in the Niles Presbyterian church, and both he and his wife were deeply interested and actively identified with the work of this church.  In the absence of the pastor, Rev. H.T. Scherer, who is in Portland, Ore., and unable to reach Niles in time for the service, Dr. Wilkinson will officiate at the funeral as stated.

Marcus Cooper
1879-July 2, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 7, 1915, page 4, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

The remains of Marcus Cooper were brought to Niles this afternoon from the Michigan state hospital at Kalamazoo and taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. P.S. Marks conducted the committal service. The widow of the deceased was here from Chicago for the services. Mrs. Cassious Gault of Niles is a sister of the deceased.

Allen Benjamin
Feb. 12, 1899-Feb. 11, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 12, 1980, page 2, col. 8 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Allen Benjamin, 80, of 925 Silverbrook, died at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital, following an illness of two years.

The former plant manager of the Green Giant plant, Mr. Benjamin retired in 168. He was born Feb. 12, 1899 in Niles and lived her his lifetime.

A veteran of the U.S. Army in World War I, he was a member of the Four Flags Barracks 1093 of the Veterans of WWI, the Elks Lodge 1322 and the LaRue messenger American Legion Post 26.

In January 1923, he married Lillian Wolford Egbert. She died Jan. 5, 1970.

Survivors include two brothers, Charles Benjamin of Cassopolis, and Robert Benjamin of Buchanan; and a sister, Mr. Larry Nielsen of Niles.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are calling at the funeral home.

Mildred Dunek
Jan. 21, 1907-Feb. 1, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 1, 1980, page 3, col. 5 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Mildred M. Dunek, 73, of 1405 Park Lane, died at 5:21 a.m. Today at Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and was born Jan. 21, 1907 in Niles, and lived here all her lifetime.

On April 1, 1924, in St. Joseph, she married John P. Dunek, who survives.

Also surviving is a son, Richard D. Dunek of Niles.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home wit the Rev. Vincent J. Anderson of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.  Burial will be at the Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

Gordon D. Eggert
Aug. 1, 1898-Feb. 6, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 7, 1980, page 3, col. 6 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Word has been received here of the death Wednesday of Gordon D. Eggert, formerly Niles, of Deltona, Fla.

Mr. Eggert died at 8 p.m. at the Seminole Memorial Hospital, Sanford, Ala., following an extended illness.

A member of the United Methodist church of Deltona, and a retired farmer and former Member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors, he was born Aug. 1, 1898 in Berrien County. He lived in Niles until 1971.

On July 29, 1961, in Kalamazoo, he married Helen E. Williams, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Gerald D. Of State College, pa., and Edward E. of Kelseyville, Calif.; a daughter, Mrs. Jack Sauer of Schoolcraft; two brothers, Myron F. Eggert and Russell R. Eggert, both of Deltona; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Graham of the Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m Sunday at the funeral home.