Obituaries

Rowdy Karn
Sept. 18, 1953-Feb. 1, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 2, 1954, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Rowdy Karn, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Karn, 2745 East street, died at 10:30 a.m. Monday in his home. He had been ill for some time.

Surviving besides the parents are his grandmothers, Mrs. Emma Karn, of Niles; two brothers, LeRoy and Eugene, at one and one sister, Darlene, at home.

He was born on Sept. 18, 1953, at Berrien Center.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Goheen Infant
Jan. 28, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 29, 1954, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Silverbrook Cemetery here for the  stillborn daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Goheen, 60 South Third street. The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the . . . [illegible]  . .  4:30 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Surviving besides the parents are: the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Goheen, Tyner, Ind., and Mrs. Gordon Poe, Niles, and a great-grandmother, Mrs. Clara Staples, Niles.

The body is at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Mary Jane Badger
March 26, 1856-Dec. 27, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 12, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Private funeral services were held last week at Lemon Grove, Calif., for Mrs. Mary Badger, 97, former Niles area resident who died a week ago Sunday in a rest home.  Mrs. Badger lived on a farm west of Niles from 1875 to 1909 when her husband, Charles Badger, died and she moved to California. Her survivors include a daughter, two sons, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. The body reportedly was to be returned to Niles for burial.

Note: DOB/DOD and maiden name from California Death records

Ruiz Infant
Feb. 22, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 22, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

An eight and a half ounce baby boy was born four months prematurely at 12:30 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital and died one hour later. The parents are Mr. and Mrs. Tony Ruiz, 17 ½ Parkway.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Arthur E. Thomas
July 5, 1889-Feb. 21, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 22, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Arthur E. Thomas, 116 Edwards street, died Sunday morning at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill three weeks.

Surviving are his wife, Bonnibel; three sons, Marion, of Marshall, Ernest, of Ferndale, and Daniel, of Pennsylvania; two daughters, the Misses Lois and Marilyn Thomas, of Detroit, and seven grandchildren.

He was born on July 5, 1889, in Bowen City, Mich., and came here from Detroit three years ago. He owned a service station and lunch counter on US-112 east.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Elizabeth Whisman
Jan. 20, 1879-Jan. 8, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 8, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Whisman, 66 South Third street, died at 6 a.m., today in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Gardner, 118 Forest avenue.  She had been ill a short time.

Surviving are her children, Mrs. Robert Gardner, of Niles, Mrs. Fred Corbin, of Flint, Mrs. Fred Kirby, of Detroit, and Mrs. George Abbott, of Chicago; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one brother, Delbert Sill, of .. [Illegible] . . . Jan. 20, 1879, in Marshall County, Ind., and came her from Buchanan 1919.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.