Obituaries

Walter B. Orr
Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 7, 1935

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

Walter B. Orr, Retired Farmer, Dies This A.M.

Walter B. Orr, who had lived in Niles for more than 70 years, died at 7:30 o'clock this morning in Pawating hospital.  Mr. Orr had been ill about five weeks.  His death was caused by an infection. He was 74 years old.

Mr. Orr was born in Eagle, Wis., Oct. 24, 1861, and came to  Niles with his parents when he was about two years old. He was a retired farmer and since his retirement from active work had lived with his sister, Mrs. Fannie B. McBain, 8 North St. Joseph avenue. Mrs. McBain is his only living relative.

The body was taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home, where services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, of which Mr. Orr was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Albert Schmidt
March 18, 1868-Dec. 12, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 13, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

HEART ATTACK FATAL TO ALBERT SCHMIDT
Michigan Central Employe Stricken at Work Late Thursday Afternoon

Albert Schmidt, 67, died suddenly at 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon, at Lake and Eleventh street, a few minutes after he was stricken with a heart attack.

Mr. Schmidt, who has lived in Niles more than 50years, was an employe of the Michigan Central railroad track department. His home was at 717 North Third Street. He was a brother of Ernest Smith, Michigan Central conductor who died of apoplery[sic] and exposure while on duty last month.

Mr. Schmidt was born in Schoolcraft, Mich., March 18, 1868. He came to Niles from Kalamazoo, and was affiliated with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Emma Schmidt, a step-daughter, Mrs. Sylvia Van Collen, Flint; two brothers, Herman and Charles, Niles, and two sisters, Emma of Niles, and Mrs. Annie Rhoades, Burbank, Calif.

Funeral services will be held in the Rutherford-Phillips mortuary Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Emma Jane Scribner
Sept. 15, 1849-Dec. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 26, 1935, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Emma Scribner Dies on Xmas Day

Funeral services for Mrs. Emma Jane Scribner, 86, who died Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, will be held from the Price and Kiger funeral home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Mrs. Scribner died suddenly of a heart attack. Her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eugene Hibbard, 303 South St. Joseph avenue, with whom she lived.

She was born in Monroe, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1849, and had lived in Niels more than 40 years. She had been active in G.A. R. circles during her earlier years.  Mr. Scribner died in 1911.

Surviving are three sisters and one brother in Ohio, also three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Harry Nicholson will officiate at the funeral service Saturday and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  The body will be at the Price and Kiger funeral home, where friends may call until the hour of the service.

Aurista Mariah Servis
Feb. 4, 1844-Dec. 22, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 24, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

RITES SET FRIDAY FOR MRS. SERVIS
Pioneer Woman Came to Niles in Infancy, Dies at 91, Pneumonia Victim

Funeral services for Mrs. Aurista Mariah Servis, 91, will be held in the Turner-Pifer funeral home Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with the Rev. T.O. Lee officiating.

Mrs. Servis was one of the oldest residents of Niles. She died Sunday morning after a brief illness with pneumonia. Her death occurred in the family home, 1364 Ferry street, where she had lived for more than 70 years. The home was built by her husband a few years after their marriage.

Mrs. Servis was born in Holyoke, Mass., and was brought to Niles by her parents while still in infancy. Mr. Servis died 35 years ago.

In her younger days Mrs. Servis was active in the Methodist church of which she was, at the time of her death, one of the oldest members.  

She leaves two sons, Fred, who lives at the family home here, and H.W. Servis, of Oakland, Calif.  Mrs. W.T. Graham, Niles, is a niece.

The body was taken to the Turner-Pifer funeral home where friends may call prior to the hour of the funeral. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 26, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  SERVIS RITES FRIDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Aurista Mariah Servis, 91, who died Sunday, will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Turner-Pifer funeral home. The Rev. T. O. Lee, pastor of the Methodist church, of which she was a member, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note:  DOB and maiden name from Michigan Death records.

Charles William Shafer
1870-Dec. 10, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 11, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  BURIAL IN NILES

Funeral services for Charles William Shafer, 65, who died at his South Bend home Wednesday, will be conducted at the Hay mortuary in South Bend, at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery here.

Robert George Wenzel
Sept. 16, 1935-Oct. 23, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 24, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Wenzel Infant Ill, Three Weeks, Dies

Robert George Wenzel, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Wenzel, 315 South St. Joseph avenue, died late last night, after a there[sic]-weeks' illness.

The child was born September 16 in Niles. He is survived by his parents, one sister, Marilyn, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wenzel and Mr. and Mrs. Chester McOmber.

Funeral services will be held in the Rutherford-Phillips Mortuary Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Dr. G. W. Simon, officiating.  The body will be at the mortuary until after the service. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.