Obituaries

Jessie V. Harris
June 11, 1898-July 19, 1977

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 19, 1977, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Mrs. Jessie V. Harris, 79, of 2354 Yankee St., died at 6:25 a.m. Today at South Bend Osteopathic Hospital following an extended illness.

A member of the Yankee St. Neighbor Club, she was born June 11, 1898 in Fawn River, Mich., and had lived here since 1928, coming from Howe, Ind.

On Oct. 15, 1919 in Sturgis, she married Sidney H. Harris, who died July 29, 1972.  Survivors include three sons, Paul, Gale and Daryle, all of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Whitacre of Union Mills, Ind.; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Trinity United Methodist church with the Rev. Lowell Walsworth of Trinity United officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Memorials may be made to the Cancer Service of Berrien County.

Elizabeth Caroline Schanbacher (Vetter)
Jan. 21, 1871-April 19, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 20, 1945, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Saturday for Elizabeth Schanbacher, 74

Mrs. Elizabeth Caroline Schanbacher, 74, died suddenly at 11:30 am.  Thursday in her home at 334 Woodruff street.

She was a member of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church, and of the Womens' guild of that church. She was born in Bertrand township Jan. 21, 1871, and spent her life in the Niles vicinity.

She is survived by a son, Frank Schanbacher; a daughter, Mrs. Henry Kist, both of Niles, and three grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday.  The body will lie in state from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church where the Rev. Theo Eisen will officiate at services at 2:30 p.m   Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Per DC, parents Fred Vetter and Sophia Hess)

Patricia Benson Bachman
July 28, 1915-Sept. 3, 2007

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 4, 2007, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Patricia Benson Bachman, 92, of North Fifth street, Niles, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at Riveridge Manor, Niles.

Arrangements are being completed by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 5, 2007, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Patricia Benson Bachman, 92, of North Fifth Street, Niles, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at Riveridge manor, Niles, following an extended illness.

The funeral service is pending and will be announced later by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

She was born on July 28, 1915 to George Dwight and Jeanne C. (Smith) Benson at their home on North Fifth Street in Niles. Sh maintained that same residence until moving to Riveridge.

She graduated from Niles High School in 1933 and continued her education at Western Michigan University of Kalamazoo, Wayne State University in Detroit, Gallaudet College school for the Deaf, Washington, D.C. and LaSalle Extension University.  She earned several certificates and undergraduate and graduate degrees.

She initially taught school at Pokagon and her education enabled her to serve in professional positions at both the Coldwater and Lapeer, Michigan State Homes, at the Genessee county Schools in Flint and the Lewis Cass School District, Cass County.

She received an award for professional achievement from the Michigan Association for Better Hearing and was published in the Who's Who of American Women, 1975-76.

Bachman was a natural historian following five generations in Niles, beginning with Jacob K. Brown, who began building stores and houses in Niles in 1860.

She authored “Carey Mission,” “Early Niles,” “Reddick Building,” “Niles memorabilia” and “Ode to Propinquity.”

She recently provided 150-year-old columns from the former Michigan Inn of Niles to be incorporated in the new Chemical Bank building at Fifth and Main streets in Niles.

Bachman was a life member of the Historical Society of Michigan and was honored at the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society Historian of the Year 2007.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles.

Bachman is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Tannis) Watson of Niles; her grandchildren, Michael Dwight Jones and Carla Jane Reiman; great-grandchildren, Karen Jones and Erica Jones; step-grandchildren, Tannis Watson II and Perry Watson, Sr., ; step-great-grandchildren, Amber, Perry, Leandra, Catie, Demica, Abrial and Tristiny Watson and cousins, Allen Brooks and Judith Babbitt Ruetz, both of Niles.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, or to the Fort Saint Joseph Historical Society.

Arrangements are by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Jeanne C. Benson
March 5, 1895-July 17, 1977

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 18, 1977, page 2, col. 1-3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Mrs. Jeanne C. Benson, 81, of 1915 N. Fifth St., died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at her home, following an extended illness.

A member of one of Niles pioneer families, the Jacob K. Brown family, she was a retired co-owner of Benson's Antique Restoration.

Mrs. Benson was born March 5, 1895 in Niles and had lived here her lifetime. On Oct. 8, 1914 in Niles she married George Dwight Benson, who died Jan. 13, 1974.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Patricia Bachman of Niles; one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 .m. Wednesday at the Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. William P. O'Leary of Trinity officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Gordon E. Anderson
1932-July 27, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 7, 1952; age 2, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Rites for Pfc. Gordon E. Anderson, killed in Korea on July 27, 1950, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

The body arrived last weekend in San Francisco, and will arrive here at 10:41 a.m. Saturday. A military escort from the depot to the funeral home and full military rites are planned.

Anderson was the son of Mrs. Homer Pierce, 1327 Maple street.  All members of Mothers of Marines are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m. Monday to attend the rites at the funeral home.

Mrs. Louise Astley
July 27, 1881-Sept.  28, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 29, 1952; page 2, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Mrs. Louise Astley, 71, of 1432 Cedar street, a resident here for 34 years, died suddenly Sunday morning at Buffalo, N.Y., where she had been visiting a brother.

The body is being returned here for funeral services Wednesday at the Kiger Funeral Home. Complete funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Mrs. Astley was born in Canada on July 27, 1881, and married William Astley, a railroad employee, who died in 1935.

Survivors include: two daughters, Mrs. Fay Wozniak of Niles, and Mrs. Fred Blanker of Morganville, J.J.; two sons, Robert Astley of Springfield, Ill., and Vern of Port Credit, Ontario, Can.; two brothers, Henry Pohlman of Buffalo, N.Y., and Herman Pohlman of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Can.; a sister, Mrs. Emil Kroll of New York City; and eight grandchildren.