Obituaries

Irma Koons
July 25, 1899-Jan. 2, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 2, 1986, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library (Wm. Brackett)

Irma I. Koons, 86, 13 1/2 S. Third St., Niles, died at 6:20 a.m. today at her residence following an extended illness.

For 25 years she was Democratic Chairman of the Election Board of the city of Niles. Koons also was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and the Philathea Class of Church.

Born July 25, 1899 in Niles she was a lifetime area resident.

On April 25, 1917 in St. Joseph she married John A. Koons, who died June 25, 1960.

Surviving is a daughter, Beverly Welsh of San Jacinto, Calif.

Services are 3 p.m. Friday at the Mausoleum at Silverbrook Cemetery with Rev. Lloyd A Phillips of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Inc., the Berrien County Cancer Service or the Wesley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of the Lacal[sic] arrangements.

John A. Koons
April 9, 1896-June 25, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 27, 1960, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library (Wm. Brackett)

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home for John A. Koons, 54, who died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Pawating Hospital, where he had been a patient since June 3. Death was caused by a heart attack.

Rites will be conducted by Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the Methodist Church, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Koons was born in Buchanan on April 9, 1896, the son of John Thomas and Alice Miller Koons. he moved to Niles from Buchanan 23 years ago.  Mr. Koons had been an employe of the Clark Equipment Co., of Buchanan, whre he originated the 20 Year Club.

Survivors are the wife, Irma; a daughter, Mrs. W.C. Welsh of Berrien Springs, and two brothers, Will Koons of Kalamazoo and Charles Koons of Buchanan.

John H. Myers
July 12, 1871-May 25, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 26, 1954, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

John H. Myers, 82, of 1109 Bertrand road, died at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday in his home following an illness of 18 months.

Myers was born July 12, 1871, in Highspire, Pa., and came to Niles from South Bend 42 years ago. He was a retired employe of the O'Brien Varnish Works.  His wife, Mary, died in 1933.

Surviving are: a son, Walter F. Myers, Mishawaka, Ind.; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kiger Funeral Home here with the Rev. Orlen Njus, pastor of the Bertrand Bible Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.

Elizabeth Dora Meile
May 31, 1888-Nov. 2, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 3, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Elizabeth Dora Meile, 164 Cherry street, died at 7:30 p.m Tuesday in her home. She had been ill one day.

Surviving are, her husband, Evert; three daughters, Mrs. Carl Smith, Mrs. Guy Walls and Mrs. Alene Cavanaugh, all of Niles, and four sons, Elmer, Paul, Robert and Arthur Regenos, all of Niles; 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ida Blakeley, of May, Okla., and one brother, Nicholas Lauer, Niles.

She was born on May 31, 1888, in Elkhart, Ind., and came here from Elkhart 48 years ago. She was a member of the Salvation Army.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Friday by George Seger, retired lieutenant of the Salvation Army. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 4, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

All Women of the Moose are requested to meet at 3:45 p.m. Friday at the Kiger Funeral Home here to attend funeral services of Mrs. Elizabeth Dora Meile, who died Tuesday at her home.

Ada Amon Bernahl
May 15, 1889-Oct. 9, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 9, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Ada Amon Bernahl, 65, of 1411 Ferry street, died at 6:45 o'clock this morning at Pawating Hospital after a two-week illness.

Born in Niles May 15, 1889, she spent most of her life here.  She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Survivors are her husband, Gustave; two brothers, Theodore Amon, South Bend, Ind., and William Amon, Elkhart; four sisters, Mrs. Mildred Schenk, Detroit; Mrs. Gertrude Weltzien, Niles; Mrs. Alice Lockey, Buchanan, and Mrs. Genevieve Archambalt, Michigan City, Ind.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home where the Rev. John Carlton will conduct services at 2 p.m. Monday.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Orren F. Bressler
June 6, 1896-Nov. 9, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 10, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Orren F. Bressler, 58, died at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday at his home in the Kugler Hotel after a long illness.

He was a retired Niles fireman.  Born here June 6, 1896, he lived all his life in the area.

A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the local American Legion Post He also was a member of the FO Eagles Aerie.

A sister, Mrs. Hattie Bolton of Niles, is the only immediate survivor.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home.  Arrangements are incomplete.