Obituaries

June Mary Swartz
Sept. 11, 1923-April 26, 2001

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 30, 2001, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

No funeral services are planned for June Mary Swartz, 77, of 251 Cass St., Niles, who died Thursday at 11:30 a.m.  at Lakeland Hospital, Berrien Springs.

She was born Sept. 11, 1923, in Michigan City, Ind.

On July 3, 1947, in Cassopolis, she married Howard R. Swartz, who preceded hear[sic] in death on July 14, 1980.

Swartz was in [retired] 1971 as an employee of the City of Niles.

Survivors include a son, Howard R. Swartz Jr. of Berrien Springs; a sister, Florentine Flannery of Niles; and two brothers, Richard Phillips and Nicholas Phillips, both of Niles.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association or Lung Association or to those interested in helping the developmentally disabled.

Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Mortimer Swartz
Oct. 22, 1869-May 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 27, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  Swartz Rites Today

Funeral services for Mortimer Swartz who died Saturday afternoon were held this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Price and Kiger funeral home.  Dr. Guy W. Simon officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Helen Willard
Aug. 21, 1838-Oct. 25, 1920

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, October 26, 1920, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS PIONEER RESIDENT

Miss Williard, Aged 82 Years, One of First Children Born in Howard Township

Miss Helen Willard died at her home on Yankee street at 9 o'clock last evening at the advanced age of 82 years.

She had long been a sufferer from an injury and the infirmities of age, but exhibited a patient fortitude through it all. She was of a generous and industrious disposition and endeared herself to a large circle of friends.

As a life long member of the First Baptist church she will be greatly missed from among the congregation.  Miss Willard's parents were among the earliest settlers in Howard township and she was one of the first children born in the neighborhood where she has always resided.

She is survived by one brother, J. J. Willard.

The funeral will be conducted by Rev. Trenerry at the residence at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Roy C. Wilcox
June 20, 1885-April 10, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 11, 1935, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

ROY C. WILCOX, 49, PROMINENT BARBER, IS TAKEN BY DEATH

Prominent Sportsman, Succumbs After Long Illness; Rites Sunday

Roy C. Wilcox, for 20 years a resident of Niles, a widely known barber and prominent in fraternal circles, died at his home, 216 St. Joseph avenue, at 6 o'clock Wednesday night.

Mr. Wilcox was 49 years old. He had been ill since last autumn with a lung ailment that resulted in his death.  He was born in Hesperia, Mich., June 20, 1885, and came to Niles from Chicago. For 19 years he had been connected with barber shops here, his last employment having been with the Main Cigar store, previously the  “52” operated by Chester Overcash.

A lover of all our of door sports, Mr. Wilcox was especially fond of fishing and hunting and had many friends here among the followers of the sports.  He also was active in the Elks lodge, which will have complete charge of his funeral services.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mabel Wilcox, three sons, Wesley of Chicago, L.J. Of Niles, and Clair Eugene at home; one daughter, Mrs. Ray Goodling, South Bend, a brother, Vern, of Hesperia, and a sister, Mrs. Ray Stuch, Charlotte.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where friends may call before the hour of the funeral.  Services conducted by the Elks lodge will be held in the Rutherford chapel Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 13, 1935, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Wilcox Rites Will Be Held in Elks Temple

Funeral services for Roy C. Wilcox, who died Wednesday night, will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Elks temple. The body will be taken from the Rutherford funeral home in the Elks [illegible] where it will lie in state from 1 o'clock Sunday until the hour of the funeral.

The funeral service will be in charge of the Elks lodge. Pall bearers will be Walter Skalla, Eli Overcash, Ray Clark, William Kell, Frank McIntire and Louis Goodsell.

Marie Wagner
April 3, 1915-Jan. 5, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 7, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Held Today for Mrs. Carl Wagner

Mrs. Marie Wagner, 19, wife of Carl Wagner, 709 Cass street, died Saturday at Pawating hospital after a three weeks' illness.  Funeral services were held this afternoon in the Rutherford funeral chapel.

Mrs. Wagner had lived in Niles for the last 14 years, coming here from Michigan City, Ind.  She was born April 3, 1915, in Jackson, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Porsosksa. She was married Dec. 22, 1931, in South Bend. Beside her husband and parents, she leaves a brother, John Porsoska, and a sister, Sally, all of Niles.  A son, George William Wagner, died June 3, 1933, at the age of 211 weeks. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical church.

The Rev. Theodore Laesch officiated at the services today and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 8, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  PALLBEARERS NAMES

Pallbearers at the funeral of Mrs. Carl Wagner held at the Rutherford funeral chapel Monday afternoon were Otto Fealock, Joseph Kotts, George Tickser, Jack Nafe, Joseph Walters and Andrew Gillinby.

Caroline Vetter
May 16, 1865-April 2, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 3, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. WM. VETTER CLAIMED BY DEATH

Aged Resident Succumbs in Hospital After Long Illness

Mrs. Caroline Vetter, 69, of 1213 Wells street, died Tuesday night at Pawating hospital after a long illness. She was the wife of William Vetter, who survives her.

Mrs. Vetter was born in Stuttgart, Germany, May 16, 1865, and left there when she was eight years old. She had been a resident of Niles for 61 years, having spent her entire lief here since leaving her old home in Germany.  She was a member of the Esther lodge.

Surviving are her husband, William Vetter, two sons, Fred, Sodus, and Ed., Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Babel Moody and Mrs. Minnie Bessmer, both of Niles, and two brothers, William Schneck, South Bend, and Ernest Schneck, Niles. One son, Frank, died in infancy, and another, George, was killed in service overseas during the World war.

The body was taken to the Price & Kiger funeral home, where friends may call prior to the funeral services. The funeral will be Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Price & Kiger funeral home.  The Rev. Theo Eisen will officiate., and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 4, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  TO ATTEND VETTER RITES

Members of the American Legion auxiliary are requested to meet at the Price and Kiger funeral home at 1:45 o'clock Friday afternoon to attend in a body the funeral services for Mrs. Caroline Vetter. The request was issued by the president, Mrs. Roy Gagne, this morning.