Obituaries

Mrs. Alta Shaner
1876-July 18, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 19, 1952; page2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Cassopolis, July 19 – Mrs. Alta Crandall Shaner, 75, of Cassopolis, died at 8:45 p.m. Friday at her home.  Friends may call at the Connelly funeral home after 7 p.m. today. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Leone Akins, of Marcellus, Mrs. Wilbur Harkins, of Penn township; three sons, Melvin, of (illegible), of Hillsdale, and William, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and one sister, Mrs. Belle Bahr, of Marion, Ind.

Wilbur Lawrence Thursby
Nov. 1, 1930-Oct. 24, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 24, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  THURSBY CHILD SUCCUMBS

William Lawrence Thursby, four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thursby, former residents of Niles, died this morning at the family home in New troy. He had been ill only two days.  Surviving are the parents, a sister, Margaret Louise, and two brothers, Donald Louis and Robert Eugenn[sic].  The family moved to New troy about a month ago.  The body was brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be held. The funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 25, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  THURSBY RITES SATURDAY

Funeral services for William Lawrence Thursby, four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thursby, of New Troy, formerly of Niles, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. James F. Goodman, of the Baptist church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 26, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  THURSBY RITES TODAY

The Rev. James F. Goodman officiated this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the funeral services for Wilbur Lawrence Thursby, four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thursby, of New Troy, formerly of Niles. The services were held in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

James Edward Turner
Jan. 2, 1927-Dec. 5, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 5, 1935, page 1, col. 8, cont. page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

CHILD PLAYING TAG KILLED BY TRUCK

Lad of 9 Years Victim of Fall On Main Bridge 

2 Playmates See Jimmie Turner Fatally Hurt

Stumbles Over Steel Guard Rail on Walk

Driver Carries Dying Boy to Hospital

Apparently stumbling over the steel guard rail on the Main street bridge as he played tag while homeward bound with two companions, Jimmie Edward Turner, eight years old , who lived with Mrs. Ray Taylor, 361 West Main street, was fatally injured at 5:44 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, when run over by a truck driven by Carol Fraser of Benton Harbor.

The child's death, which occurred at 1:44 o'clock this morning, was the 36th motor fatality in Berrien County since Jan. 1.

The boy, who physicians said sustained a ruptured kidney, retained consciousness until the end. Death was due to internal hemorrhages.

The youth's father, Clarence Turner, a Michigan Central railroad employe, of Oak and Main, was called immediately to the hospital

Driver Released

Fraser, after questioning by police, was permitted to resume his work. No charges were filed against him.  Police chief L.O. Bates said he plans to confer with Coroner Louis Kerlikowske, but it was not considered likely an inquest will be ordered.

According to the story given to police, Fraser, employed by the Michigan Tri-state Motor Co., of Benton Harbor, was driving a partially loaded semi-trailer west over th bridge at the time.

He said he notice d the Turner boy and his companions—two sons of Mr. and Mrs. David Grice, 45 North State street, walking along the north side of the bridge near the center of the span.

The driver asserted he had no thought of tragedy until he felt a jot as the trailer wheels passed over the boy.  He had apparently fallen against the side of th trailer, and been thrown under the rear wheels.

Finds Dying Victim

Fraser, without looking back, continued over the bridge, parking the truck on St. Joseph avenue, out of the path of other cars. He rushed back onto the bridge, and finding the Grice boys standing horror-stricken near the victim, Fraser picked the injured youth from the road, and carried him on foot to Pawating hospital.

The boy, a third-grade student at the Fourth ward school, was born in Niles, Jan. 2, 1927, and had lived here all his life. Survivors, beside the parents, include a sister, Elizabeth Ann Turner; a step-sister, Joan Taylor; his grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Alm, Bertrand, and his great-grandmother, Mrs. Jennie [illegible]. . Member of the Sunday school of the First Evangelical church.

The funeral will be held at the Rutherford-Phillips mortuary at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with Rev. A.R. Kuehn, of the Evangelical church officiating.  Bureail will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body may be viewed at the chapel.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 7, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  TURNER RITES TODAY

James Edward Turner, eight-year-old child who died early Friday morning after an accident in which he was crushed under the wheels fo a truck, was buried in Silverbrook cemetery this afternoon. Services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford-Phillips murtuary, the Rev. A. R. Kuehn, of the First Evangelical church officiating.

Mary Jane Van Dyke
Jan. 14, 1918-Oct. 28, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 29, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary Jane Van Dyke, 17, Dies of Diabetes

Mary Jane Van Dyke, 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Van Dyke, died late Monday afternoon at the home of her parents, 1242 South Thirteenth street.  Death followed an illness of two months with diabetes.

Surviving are the parents, three brothers, Peter, Frederick and Donald, and a sister, Audrey, also a cousin, George Van Dyke, all living at home.

Funeral services will be held in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. T.O. Lee, of the Methodist church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends of the family may call at the family home until the hour of the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 31, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  VAN DYKE RITES WEDNESDAY

Funeral Services for Mary Jane Van Dyke, 17, daughter of rm. and Mrs. Fred Van Dyke, 1242 South Thirteenth street, were held at the Price and Kiger chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. T. O. Lee of the methodist church officiating.  Pall bearers were John Griffith, Russell Kaser, Keith Hamarck, Lennie Bybee, Robert Thompson and Cecil Stewart.  Flower girls were Barbara Higgins, Rema Crocker and Marion Krieger.

Mary Katherine Van Skiver
Aug. 3, 1911-Jan. 27, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 27, 1936, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary Van Skiver Dies At Home of Parents

Mary Katherine Van Skiver, 24, died at 3 o'clock this morning at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Van Skiver, 1505 Clarendon avenue.  She had been ill for about a year, her condition becoming serious abut two months ago.

Miss Van Skiver was born Aug. 3, 1911, in Logansport, the family moving to Niles about 14 years ago. She attended Niles high school and afterward was a saleswoman in the Montgomery Ward store.

Funeral services will be in the family home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Charles Kitterer reading the Christian Science service. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 29, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: VAN SKIVER FUNERAL

Funeral services for Mary Katherine Van Skiver were conducted this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the family home, 1505 Clarendon avenue.  Charles Kitterer read the Christian Science service and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Pallbearers were Kenneth Meyer, Peter Krajci, Vern Wilkins, Fred Gifford, Roy Bachman and Robert Bachman.

Solomon Walker
April 19, 1848-June 8, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 8, 1935, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES PASSES

Solomon Walker, 87, Stricken at Home of Son in Rock Island, Ill.

Solomon Walker, 87, a native of Berrien county, died Friday night at the home of his son, Clyde Walker, in Rock Island, Ill. Mr. Walker, who was born in Niles township, April 19, 1848, had been a lifelong resident of Niles and vicinity until two years ago when he went to his son's home in Rock Island.

Mr. Walker was married in 1876 to Mary Cameron, who survives him. Other surviving relatives are his two sons, Clyde, Rock Island, and David, who lives north of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Maria Smith , of Berrien Center; a brother, David, near Niles; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The body will brought to Niles Sunday night, arriving here at 7 o'clock. It will be taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. O.W. Carr, of Stevensville, officiating.