Obituaries

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.

Dora M. Shepard
Aug. 4, 1869-Nov. 20, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 20, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

OLD RESIDENT DIES

Mrs. Dorothy Sheppard, 65, died this morning at 7 o'clock at her home, 336 North Lincoln avenue.  Mrs. Sheppard was born in Royalton township, Berrien county, Aug. 4, 1869, and had lived her entire life in this county. She was married Dec. 17, 1889, to A. L. Sheppard, who died March 3, 1932.  Surviving are two children, Mrs. Mary Drake, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Mrs. Dorothy McIntyre, Niles; six grandchildren, three brothers, Merrick Hoskins, Lakeville, Ind.; Charles and Clarence Hoskins, Chicago; one sister, Mrs. Roy Nagle, Niles.  Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Price & Kiger funeral home, the Rev. James F. Goodman, of the baptist church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Price & Kiger funeral home.

Note:  Death record and grave marker have name as Dora M. Shepard

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 21, 1934, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SHEPARD RITES THURSDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Dora Shepard, 65, who died early Tuesday at her home, 585 North Lincoln avenue, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock int eh Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. James F. Goodman of the Baptist church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Pallbearers will be Adrian Leach, Cleveland McClary, Basil Barnes, Clyde Deever, Frank Butts and Edward Larson. 

Mrs. Shepard was born in Royalton township, Berrien county, Aug. 4, 1869 and had been a lifelong resident of this county. She was married Dec. 27, 1889, to A.R. Shepard, who died march 3, 1932.  Surviving are two children, Mrs. Mary Drake, Ft. Wayne, Ind. And Mrs. Dorothy McIntyre, Niles; six grandchildren, three brothers, Merrick Haskins, Lakeville, Ind., Charles and Clarence Haskins, Chicago, and one sister, Mrs. Neva Nagle, Niles. The body may be viewed at the Price and Kiger funeral home before the hour of the funeral.

Charles Sterling 
Aug. 12, 1898-Nov. 25, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 26, 1934, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DIES AT INFIRMARY

Charles Sterling, 36, died Sunday morning at the Berrien county infirmary after a long illness. He was born in Lakeview, Iowa, Aug. 2, 1898. Surviving are his widow, Fannie, and five children, Delma, William, Robert, Hugh, and Marcella, two brothers, Wiley and Alton, and one sister, Minnie, all of Iowa. Arrangements for the services, which will be held in the Troost and Turner Chapel have not been completed.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 27, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

STERLING RITES WEDNESDAY

Funeral services for Charles Sterling, 36, who died Sunday at the Berrien county infirmary, will be held Wednesday morning t 20:30 o'clock in the Troost and Turner funeral chapel.  The Rev. James F. Goodman, of the Baptist church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note: DOB from Michigan Death records

Daniel Stroup
Sept. 17, 1861-Sept. 21, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 21, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DANIEL STROUP DIES

Daniel Stroup, 73, 647 North Twelfth street, died at his home at 10:30 o'clock this morning after a long illness.  The deceased was born in Bertrand and has lived int his district his entire life.

Besides his wife Albertine, he is survived by one son, Albert, at home, and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, Niles.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Friends may view the body at the Price & Kiger funeral home.

Note:  DOB from Death Record