Obituaries

David O. Crandall
April 17, 1883-June 11, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 12, 1951; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

David O. Crandall died at 2:50 p.m. Monday in the Berrien county hospital, Berrien Center, after an illness of five months.

Surviving are his children, George W. Crandall, of Niles (illegible) Ill., Mrs. James Truift, of Carbon Cliff, Ill., and Mrs. Daniel Guyman, of Manila, Ark.; seven grandchildren, three brothers, Henry Walter, Kurt and Ray Crandall, of Niles, and three sisters, Mrs. Felicia Stewart, of Marion, Ind., Mrs. Mary Leslie, of Waco, Tex., and Mrs. Ida Athey, of Davenport, Ia.

Crandall was born on April 17, 1883, in Niles, and had lived here all his life.  He was employed by the Salvation Army and was a member of that organization.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday by Capt. Herbert Jensen, of Kalamazoo. Place of burial is undecided as yet.

William H. Cutting
Oct. 9, 1862-Sept. 17, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 17, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

W. CUTTING, FORMER POLICE OFFICER, DIES

Stricken After 10 Years of Failing Health; Rites Thursday Afternoon

William H. Cutting, 72, of 903 Oak street, died early this morning at his home, following a long illness. Mr. Cutting was born near Niles on what is now the Spansail farm Oct. 9, 1862,.  He had lived here all his life.

Mr. Cutting served on the Niles police force for 13 years before his retirement. Prior to joining the police force he had operated a baggage transfer line. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Jada Davis Cutting, to whom he was married May 11, 1887, in Buchanan.

Other survivors are three sons and two daughters, Roy W. Cutting and Mrs. Harry Paddock of Niles and [illegible] H. Cutting and Clarence J. Cutting, Detroit, and Mrs. Paul Etzcorn, of Clawson. One daughter, Mrs. Lee Ridley, died six years ago.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 178, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  CUTTING RITES THURSDAY

Funeral services for William H. Cutting, who died early Tuesday morning will be held in the Rutherford funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Two of his associates on the police force before his retirement will act as pall bearers. The other bearers will be members of the present force.  They are: George Francis, former chief of police; Frank Skalla, former member of the department, and Lawrence Elder, Fred Solloway, Marion Peterson and Lester Barbour.

Ida P. DeForest
Feb. 1860-Nov. 18, 1866

Niles Weekly Times, Tuesday, November 22, 1866, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

On the 18th last, IDA P. DEFOREST, aged 5 years and 9 months.

Kenneth W. Dittmar
May 18, 1912-April 24, 1991

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 25, 1991, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Kenneth William Dittmar, 78, of 610 Howard St., Niles, died at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at his home following a brief illness.

He was born May 18, 1912 in Niles and had lived in this area all his life. A retired U.S. Postal Service employee, he was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. 

In 1945 in Niels, he married the former Velma P. Long, who survives.

Other survivors include a step-son: Cordon Sears of Niles: a sister, Elaine Reum of Niles; three grandchildren; Michael Lee sears, Kenneth Paul Sears, and Diana Rose McComber, all of Niles; three great-grandchildren; a nephew: William Reum of Niles; and a niece, Mary Reum of Niles.  A sister, Delores Molnar preceded him in death.

There will be no public services or visitation. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home.

NOTE;  In city db under DITTMER but gravemarker and obit say DITTMAR.

William Espey
Sept. 6, 1856-Nov. 30, 1914

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1914; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

The body of Will Espey was brought to Niles today and is at Paul Skalla’s undertaking rooms.  He passed away last evening from general debility.  Mrs. Jack Korwin of Niles is a sister of the deceased and John Espey a brother, also Mrs. Tom Kaley of Freeport, Kan., a sister and Walter Espey of Vandalla, a brother survive.

Robert and Arthur Espey of Kalamazoo are sons.  Funeral arrangements have not been completed, although they will be held from the undertaking rooms and internment will be made in Silverbrook Cemetery some time tomorrow.

Note: DOB/DOD from Michigan Death Record

 Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1914; page 4, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Arrangements have been changed relative to funeral services for Will Espey and instead of being held from Paul Skalla's undertaking rooms as stated elsewhere in this issue, they will be held from the home of his brother, John Espey, 599 St. Joseph avenue, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, W.F. Putnam officiating and interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

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.