Obituaries

Anna Siefer 
Oct. 23, 1876-Feb. 28, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 2, 1951; page 2, col.  5, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Mrs. Anna Siefer, 251 Bond street, died suddenly of a heart attack sometime on Wednesday, Feb. 28.  She was found in her home Thursday morning. (illegible) William Weiser, of Niles.  Mrs. Siefer was born on Oct. 23, 1876, in Niles, and has lived here since returning from California six years ago.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Anna C.  Schmidt
June 8, 1892-Feb. 27, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 28, 1951; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library (From K. Alton)

Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. Anna Schmidt, 58, of Detroit, who died Tuesday morning in Harper hospital, Detroit, after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Schmidt was the widow of Dr. Harry B. Schmidt, who died in November of 1950.  She was a sister-in-law of Karl B. Schmidt, of Niles, and among her nieces and nephews who survive are Mrs. Sheridan A. Cook and Martin I. Schmidt, both of Niles.  Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Harold Slayton, of Benton Harbor, and a brother, Herschel Church, of Oak Harbor, (illegible)

Services will be held in Detroit and the body will be brought here Friday for burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  Committal services will be conducted at approximately 3:30 p.m. at the cemetery, the minister to be announced later.

Note:  DOB/DOD and maiden name from Michigan Death record.

Stephen H. or Shepard Wheeler
1825-Dec. 12, 1880

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 16, 1880, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Shepard Wheeler, a former resident of this city, died at Lagrange, Indiana, and was buried in this city on Tuesday last.

Note:  In cemetery database as Steven H. Wheeler; in 1870 census in Cass County as Shepard H. Wheeler.

Frank Wise
Dec. 7, 1882-July 12, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 15, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  WISE SERVICES TUESDAY

Funeral services for Frank Wise, 52, of 28 South Fifth Street, will be held in the Rutherford funeral chapel Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The Rev Guy W. Simon will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Wise and son Herbert arrived in Niles from Kentucky Saturday night.

William Astley
August 10, 1877-July 23, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 24, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM ASTLEY, 56, M.C. EMPLOYE, DIES

Resident of Niles for 19 Years

Succumbs at University Hospital

William Astley, 56 years old, a car inspector for the Michigan Central railroad, died Tuesday night in the University of Michigan hospital at Ann Arbor, after a prolonged illness.  His body was returned to the Rutherford funeral home here today in the Rutherford ambulance.

Mr. Astley was born in London, England, and came to Niles from Kewanee, Mich. 19 years ago.  He leaves his wife, Louise, and four children, Vernon, of Niles; Robert, of Hartford, Mich.; Mrs. Dorothy Blanken, New York City, and Miss Alice Astley, of Niles.

Mr. Astley was a member of the Elks lodge, the United Spanish-American War Veterans and the Brotherhood of Railroad Carmen of America.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Friends of the family may call at the Rutherford funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 25, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  ASTLEY RITES FRIDAY

Funeral services for William Astley, 56, who died in the University hospital at Ann Arbor Tuesday night will be held at the Rutherford funeral chapel Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will officiate and the services at Silverbrook cemetery will be conducted by the Spanish War Veterans, of which Mr. Astley was a member.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 27, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  ASTLEY RITES FRIDAY

Services for William Astley, Michigan Central railroad employe who died Tuesday night in the University hospital at Ann Arbor, were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford funeral chapel. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, officiated.  Services at the grave were conducted by the United Spanish War Veterans assisted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Mr. Astley's sister, Mrs. Edward Clubner, of Toledo, O., and Mr. Clubner, were in Niles to attend the services.  Pallbearers were C.B. Bisby, George Harmison, Frank Jann, Allen Morehouse, John Papal and Carl Shouder.

Note: DOB from WWI Draft Registration record; death record only has approx. year.  

Oliver Barker
Nov. 22, 1864-Dec. 21, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 21, 1951; page 2, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Orville Barker, of near Niles, died at 5:30 a.m. today in the Berrien county infirmary at Berrien Center.  He had been an infirmary patient since 1941.

Surviving are one son, Charles of Berrien Center, and two brothers, Samuel and Shelby Barker, both of Frankfort, Ind.

Barker was born on Nov. 22, 1864, in Indiana.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.

Note:  Cemetery records and Michigan Death record have first name as Oliver.