Clifford E. Flora
July 10, 1900-April 12, 1991

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 17, 1991, page 2, col. 6-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Clifford E. Flora, 90, of 2019 Baldwin Drive, Niles, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home by the Rev. Everett R. McCormick of Mapleview Free Methodist Church.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Flora Died at 6:40 p.m. Friday at Teresa's Harvest Home in Berrien Springs, following an extended illness.

He was born July 10, 1900 in Chicago.  A retired machinist, he moved to the Niles area in 1974.

Survivors include a niece, Margaret McClintic of Houghton Lake; a nephew, Robert Flora of Dallas, Texas; a sister-in-law, Mrs. George (Ethelyn) Flora of Niles; and two great-nieces.

Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.

Jean Gentry
July 23, 1929-Oct. 5, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 5, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Jean Gentry, 6, Dies Today of Diphtheria

Jean Gentry, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Gentry, died early this afternoon at the family home, 1529 Maple street.  Private funeral services will be held in the family home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 7, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: SERVICE HELD SUNDAY

Private funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the family home for Jean Gentry, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Gentry, 1529 Maple street.  Jean died Saturday afternoon of diphtheria.  The Rev. Harry Barnes, of the Pentecostal church, officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carl A. Gesland
April 19, 1920-July 23, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 24, 1951; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Carl A. Gesland, 31, of Oakland, Ill., father of Carol and Judy Gesland, of Niles, was killed at 2:30 a.m. Monday in an auto accident 14 miles east of Michigan city, Ind., on US-20.  His body was found under a car which had rolled down a ravine.

Gesland was born April 19, 1920, in Gage, Okla. He was a railroad lineman for the New York Central system and a veteran of World War II.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Karn, of Dowagiac; his daughters; and two sisters, Mrs. Edith Lundgren, of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Violet Merrill, of Dowagiac.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home after Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  The Niles American Legion post will conduct graveside rites at Silverbrook cemetery.

Murrell Griffith
Feb. 4, 1904-Jan. 14, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 14, 1952; page 2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Gunshot Wound Proves Fatal to Niles Man

Murrell Griffith, 47, of 509 South Fifth street, died about 9 a.m. today while en route to Memorial hospital in South Bend for treatment of a severe gunshot wound in the head. A preliminary police report said the wound was self-inflicted.

Niles Police were called to the home at 8 a.m. after Mrs. Griffith found her husband mortally wounded in a bedroom of the home.

He was admitted to Pawating hospital at 8:10 a.m. and examination indicated that an emergency operation was necessary.  He died enroute to the South Bend hospital.

Police said the coroner’s report would not be available until later today.

Mrs. Griffith told police that she did not hear a gunshot, but her attention was drawn by an unusual noise in the bedroom. She found her husband lying near the door when she investigated.

Police said a 22-calibre rifle was found nearby.

Mrs. Griffith told police that her husband had been despondent because of illness. He had not worked since Jan. 3.  He was employed as a machinist at The Kawneer company.

Griffith was born Feb. 10, 1904 in Cass county and had lived in Niles for 28 years.  He was a member of the Eagles lodge here.  His wife Ruth, and two sons, Robert L. and Larry L., all at home.  He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Griffith, also of Niles, and one sister Mrs. Kathleen  Miller,  of South Bend.

The body was returned to the Kiger funeral home where funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Elmer T. Hatton
March 3, 1873-Feb. 2, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 2, 1952, page 2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Elmer T. Hatton, 79, of 312 North Third street, died at 3 a.m. today in Pawating hospital after an illness of two weeks.

Hatton was born in Illinois on March 3, 1873, and came here from Buchanan 18 years ago.  He was a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Surviving are: his wife, Margaret; one daughter, Mrs. Frank Hajicek, of Milwaukee; and one grandson.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where Peter Malander, of South Bend, will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Monday.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery.

Paul W. Hass
Nov. 2, 1888-Feb. 6, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 6, 1952; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Paul W. Hass, of rural route two, owner of Hass’ resort at Barron lake, died at 1:45 a.m. today in his home. He had been ill since Sept.30, 1948.

Surviving are his widow, Jessie; three daughters, Mrs. Arden Rudisill, of Sturgis, Mrs. Eugene Raatz, and Mrs. David Lawson, of Niles; five grandchildren; one brother, Charles Hass, of Benton Harbor, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Exner, of Niles.

Hass was born on Nov. 2, 1888, in Germany, and came here from that country 60 years ago. Hass was a member of the Elks temple.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home. Services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Friday by the Rev. Leo Zavatsky at St. Mary’s Catholic church.  Burial will in Silverbrook cemetery.