Obituaries

Anna Park (McCartney)
Dec. 5, 1821-April 28, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 3, 1900, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. ANNA PARK

She Passed Suddenly Away on Saturday Evening

Mrs. Anna Park, a highly respected pioneer resident of this place, died suddenly of heart failure, on Saturday night at 5:30 o'clock, at her late home on Howard street, near Second.

Deceased had been in poor health for over a year, but her affliction was not considered serious and her death came as a shock to her relatives and friends.

Two of her daughters, Mrs. Wm. McBride and Miss Margaret Park were at the home of their mother at the time of her demise.  Mrs. Park appeared to be in ordinary health and was reading a newspaper when the ladies mentioned stepped out of the room, only to return a few moments later to find that she had passed away.  Dr. S. Belknap, who was passing the house just at that moment , was called in but the good lady was beyond human assistance―her soul had been released from its earthly cerements.

Mrs. Park was born in Ireland 78 years ago, and came to this country and settled in Niles in '61. Her late husband, Robert Park, passed away five years ago. She is survived by three daughters and one son, who are as fol[sic] Mrs. E.H. Power, Niles; Samuel Park, Mephis,[sic] Tenn.; Miss Margaret park and Mrs. McBride of this place.

The funeral was held from the home of Mrs. McBride this afternoon. Rev. J.G. Lowrie, pastor of the Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a devout member, conducted the service at 1:30 o'clock. Interment took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Park was a highly respected lady and was much esteemed throughout the community.

Note: DOB and Maiden name from Michigan Death Certificate

Joseph Pullman
1814-Aug. 17, 1900

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 20, 1900, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of Joseph Pullman occurred yesterday afternoon from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Coons, this city. Burial was at Silver Brook cemetery. A large concourse of friends attended.

Note: Died in South Bend, Indiana per Indiana Deaths.

Omar Laverne Ostrander
Aug. 7, 1915-Sept. 10, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, September 12, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR INFANT OMAR OSTRANDER

Funeral services for Omar, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Ostrander, who died Saturday evening after patiently suffering for several months, occurred yesterday afternoon from the residence, 905 South Fifth street.  Charles Kitterer read the impressive Christian Science service and a quartet from that church society sang. The following little cousins of the baby acted a pallbearers:  Malburn Hall, Glenn Mell, Carrol Mell and Robert Bachman. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery

Those present from out of the city for the services were Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Ostrander of Mishawaka, the grandparents of the child, Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Ostrander of South Bend, Mrs. F.F. Morros and Mrs. Dennis Carrier of Edwardsburg. 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 12, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

INFANT OSTRANDER

Omar Laverne, the 13 months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Ostrander, of south Fifth street, died Saturday night of cholera infantum. The funeral was held this afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home, under Christian Scientist auspices. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Ostrander is employed at the Daily Sun office.

Louis Walter
July 22, 1870-Sept. 12, 1916 

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, September 12, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FOUND DEAD ON TRACKS

Louis Walters, a young man well known about the city, died alone on the siding of the Big Four tracks at the foot of Bond street hill this afternoon and his body was found by a stranger who happened to be walking along the tracks.  Chief of police Francis was at once notified and he ordered the body brought to the Price morgue.

Mr. Walters had been dead less than an hour when found.  About 2 o'clock he visited the men working at the paper mill and asked for a job. There was none open for him and he continued his way down the Big Four tracks. He was subject to epileptic fits and it is thought that he was the victim of an attack which claimed his life.

Deceased was 35 or 40 years of age and unmarried. He worked at odd jobs about the city and has resided here most all his life. No inquest was held as Chief Francis, in view of Mr. Walters' affliction deemed it unnecessary.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 12, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

LOUIS WALTERS FOUND DEAD

Body Was Discovered Near the Old Chapin Paper Mills, Where He Was Employed for Many Years

Louis Walters was found dead along the Big Four side tracks near the river bridge at the paper mills this afternoon.

The body was lying in a path between two strings of freight cars. His face was buried in the sand. He was subject to epileptic spells and it is thought while in one of these, he fell on his face and smothered.

Mr. Walters was about 54 years of age and single. His only relatives are two brothers, Edward and Chris.  He made his home with the latter at 810 N. Third street.

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, September 13, 1916, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral service for the late Louis Walters, who was found dead yesterday afternoon along the Big Four tracks, near the river bridge at the paper mills, will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2 o;clock from the home of his brother, Chris Walters in Third street.  The services will be private. Rev. F. Rahn will officiate.

John W. Pears
Jan 14, 1868-Oct. 27, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 29, 1934, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

John W. Pears Dies of Paralytic Stroke

John W. Pears, 66, a resident of Niles for the last 60 years, died suddenly Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock at his home, 388 West Main street. His death was caused by a paralytic stroke.

Mr. Pears was born in England and came to Niles with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Pears, when he was six years old.   He had lived here continuously from that time until his death. For many years he had been employed at the Michigan Central railroad terminal.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Robert Miller, Kalamazoo, and a son, Max, at home, two brothers, Herbert, Niles, and Albert, Dowagiac, and one sister, Mrs. W.C. Rice, Niles.

The body was taken to the Price & Kiger funeral home, where friends are asked to call tonight and Tuesday morning.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

The Rev. A.R. Kuehn, pastor of the First Evangelical church, will officiate.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 30, 1934, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

PEARS SERVICES HELD

Pallbearers at the funeral of John W. Pears at the Price & Kiger funeral home at 2 o'clock this afternoon were George Francis, L.O. Bates, Walter Noble, William Knott, William Weiser and Norman Colete.  Mr. Pears died late Saturday afternoon following a paralytic stroke, at the family home 583 West Main street. The Rev. A.R. Kuehn officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Raymond Robbins
March 17, 1918-Aug. 1, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 1, 1934, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

RAYMOND ROBBINS DIES OF INJURIES

Youth Aged 16 Fatally Hurt Tuesday in Fall at Mushroom Plant

Raymond Robbins, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren D. Robbins, 29 North Lincoln avenue, was fatally injured about 11 o'clock Tuesday morning at the Michigan Mushroom company plant on South Third street when he fell 10 feet from a scaffold.

The youth was a water boy at the plant.  Although it was not thought his injuries were serious at the time, his condition became alarming and he was rushed to Pawating hospital at 4:30 o'clock this morning where he died at 11:40 o'clock today.  Death was the result of a fractured skull and internal injuries.

The deceased was born March 17, 1918, in Honor, Mich.  Besides his parents, he is survived by six sisters, Arnettie, Helen and Isabel, all at home; Mrs. George Robbins, Mrs. Hazel Horner and Mrs. Eva Fitzgerald, all of Niles; three brothers, Leslie, Floyd and Frank Robbins, at home.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 2, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

ROBBINS RITES FRIDAY

Funeral services for Raymond Robbins, 16, who died Wednesday morning from injuries received in a fall at the Michigan Mushroom plant, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Troost and Turner funeral home with the Rev. Brock, pastor of the First Baptist church, Hoskins, O., officiating.

Members from the Teamster's Sunday school class will act as pallbearers

and six scouts from troop 75, in which the deceased was an officer, will form an honor guard.

Burial will be held at Silverbrook cemetery where the scouts benediction followed by taps will be given.