Obituaries

Gordon Whalen*
May 7, 1892-July 30, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1929, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

GORDON WHELAN DIES AT LEGION HOSPITAL 

Son of Well known Niles Family Passes Away After Long Illness

Death brought to a close the long illness of Gordon Whelan last evening at 7 o'clock I the American Legion hospital in Battle Creek. Mr. Whelan first entered the hospital in October, 1927, for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Mr. Whelan, a few months ago was taken by his sister, Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman to Whipple, Ariz., but about two months ago as his condition seemed hopeless he was brought back to the Legion hospital in Battle Creek in order that he might be nearer relatives and friends. For the last two weeks Mrs. Zimmerman has been in constant attendance upon her brother as his death had been daily expected. The body was brought t o Niles during last night.

James Gordon Whelan was born on what was for many years the Whelan homestead about three miles north of Niles, on March 7, 1892, and grew to young manhood there. On March 29, 1918, he enlisted for service for the world war in an engineering corps and was sent over seas. He was in service for 1 months. After returning to Niles he worked as a dispatcher for the Michigan Central Railroad company until his health prevented him. He had been home form Europe after the world war but one month and one year when he met with an accident near his home, having been struck by an interurban car and his right leg was so mangled that it was amputated. In spite of the handicap of ill health, Mr. Whelan was of a cheerful Happy disposition and his friends were legion, in railroad circles, in his fraternal groups and in the hospital where he had spent so many months.

Mr. Whelan was one of the seven children of James and Mary Whelan and his is the first death among the seven children. The surviving brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Wallace Smith, of Dowagiac, Max, Niles, Forest, Flint, Mrs. L.M. Curtis, Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Grace Higgins and Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman, of Niles. Their mother died five years ago and their father one year later.

Fraternally Mr. Whelan was identified with the LaRue Messenger American Legion post and also of the Niles lodge of Elks.

The funeral services will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock (standard time). Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 1, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES G. WHALEN

A change has been made in the plans for the funeral services for Gordon Whelan. instead of being held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman as planned the services will be held in the Troost and Augustine chapel tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock (standard time). The body is in the chapel and friends may call there to view it until the hour of the funeral. The services will be under the auspices of the Elk lodge with the Rev. Harry Staver, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Buchanan as officiating minister.

*Spelled Whalen in cemetery records and on gravemarker

Henry Fisher
March 2, 1847-July 30, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1929, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

HENRY FISHER, 82, SON OF ONE OF BERTRAND'S FIRST SETTLERS, DIES

Henry Fisher, 82, a highly respected and lifelong resident of this section, died on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Weaver, 122 Parkway, where he had made his home since the death of his wife 22 years ago. His death followed several months of severe illness with heart disease.

The funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, and at 2:30 o'clock in the Evangelical church in West Niles. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Mr. Fisher was born in Bertrand on March 2, 1847, a son of Godfrey Fisher who had come to America from Germany and settled in Bertrand more than 100 years ago.  The father, Godfrey Fisher, left Bertrand during the gold rush to Alaska in '49, and never returned, having joined the gold rush to Alaska and died while there.  Mr. Fisher engaged in farming upon attaining young manhood and until 30 years ago when he retired.  Mrs. Fisher, who maiden name was Mary Catherine Young, died in 1907.

Surviving Mr. Fisher are two sons, John and Harvey, and one daughter, Mrs. Weaver, all of Niles; also by 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

The deceased was a member of the Buchanan lodge of Masons, Berrien county lodge, No. 6, I.O.O.F., New Century Rebekah lodge, Niles chapter Order of Eastern Star, Calanthe lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Niles temple Pythian Sisters. The funeral services will be under Masonic auspices. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Fisher was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and had served as a member of the vestry. The services are held in the Evangelical church in accordance with his request that he services for him be as similar as possible as those held for this wife.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 1, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL HENRY FISHER

Funeral services for Henry Fisher were conducted this afternoon in the Evangelical church in West Niles after a prayer at the home of Mr. Fisher's daughter, Mrs. William Weaver, 122 Parkway, where he died on Tuesday afternoon.  The funeral services and committal were under the auspices of Buchanan Masonic lodge with the Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the church, as the officiating minister.  Many beautiful flowers attested the esteem in which Mr. Fisher was held. The pallbearers were selected from among the members of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Harry Edwards and Mrs. Arthur Smith sang. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery in the family lot where Mrs. Fisher was buried 22 years ago

Stewart Simons
May 13, 1856-July 27, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 29, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF STEWART SIMMONS

Funeral services for Stewart Simmons, 73, who died on Saturday afternoon at 2:10 at th home of his sister, Mrs. R.E. Stitts, Platt street, were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford Funeral Home. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the Evangelical church, officiated.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Simmons had spent most of his life in Chicago until five years ago when he came to Niles of live with Mr. and Mrs. Stitts.  He was a victim of paralysis. He is survived by his mother, who is 94 years of age and who lives with Mrs. Stitts, and by one sister, Mrs. Stitts.  Another sister, Mrs. Mary Garner, died at Mrs. Stitts home in April of his year.  Mr. Simmons had been married but his wife died 15 years ago.

Note:  Name is spelled “Simons” on Michigan Death record and in cemetery record; dob from death record.

Bette Calder
July 24, 1929-July 25, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 25, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH INFANT CALDER

The daughter born last evening to Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Calder, (June Wetherspoon), 414 N. Second street, at Pawating hospital, died at 6 o'clock this morning. Burial was made this afternoon in Silver Brook cemetery.

James Kehrer, of Niles
1931- April 16, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:45pm Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly, of Niles
March 25, 1940 — Oct. 5, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14am Friday, October 10, 2014

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly, 74, of Niles, went to be at her eternal rest on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Kelly was born on March 25, 1940 in Caruthersville, Missouri to Earnest and Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler.

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly

At a young age Emma accepted Christ into her life and was baptized. She has been a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church since 1961, where she has served in many capacities. After graduating from Niles High School, Mrs. Kelly furthered her education at Lake Michigan College. She worked for several years at both Simplicity Pattern and AT & T. She enjoyed her time working at Howard Ellis Elementary where she worked in the Food Service department.

On Nov. 29, 1958 Emma married Edward E.W. Kelly at a ceremony in Buchanan. The couple have enjoyed almost 60 years together.

She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler and two brothers Bruce and James Odell Fowler.

Mrs. Kelly leaves to cherish her memory her father, Earnest Fowler of Niles; beloved husband, Edward E.W. Kelly of Niles; five children, Deborah Kelly of South Bend, Brian A. Kelly of Niles, Jheri (Marcus) White of South Bend, Vernita Kelly of South Bend and Angela Kelly of Niles; seven grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; her sisters, Marilyn Fowler of Niles and Ruby Smith of South Bend; brothers, Leonard Fowler of Atlanta, Georgia and Ernie (Deborah) Fowler of South Bend; and three special childhood friends, Helen Hurd, Eileen Yarber and Marvine Nicks.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 601 Ferry St. in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the services. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Mrs. Kelly or send their condolences may do so at our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.