Stella Lou Hammond Zell
Nov. 29 1901-Feb. 1, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 4, 1957, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Accident Kills Former Teacher
Rites Here for Mrs. Stella Hammond Zell

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home for Mrs. Stella Lou Hamond[sic] Zell, 55 of Pontiac, form Niles public school music teacher who was killed in a truck-car crash Friday night on M-60 east of Homer, Mich. The Rev. L. C1901George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Zell and another teacher, Mrs. Chrlotte[sic] Harphan, of Decatur, Mich., were killed while they were driving to Niles to spend the weekend.

The former Niles teacher was born Nov. 29, 1901, in Dowagiac and received her masters degree in music from the University of Detroit. She taught school for a number of years here before going to Pontiac in 1929 where she had taught since that time.

Surviving are her husband, John, of Pontiac, and her stepfather, George White, of Niles.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Orrill Pettingill Coolidge
Feb. 8, 1881-Feb. 18, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 18, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

First Niles Librarian Dies

Miss Orrill Pettingill Coolidge, the first librarian of the Niles Carnegie Public Library which was opened in 1094, died at 3:30 a.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital after on illness of six days. She was 76.

Miss Coolidge, who resided at 10 Grand Avenue, was the last member of a pioneer family which came west from Massachusetts in the 1830's, settled in Edwardsburg and later moved to Niles. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church and several women's and historical societies.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church by the Rev. John MacLachlan, church pastor. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Miss Coolidge was born in Niles, Feb. 8, 1881. Her father was Judge Orville W. Coolidge, who was presiding judge of Berrien County Circuit Court many years. Her grandfather, Henry Coolidge, also served had served [as] county circuit court judge.

Miss Coolidge was graduated from Niles High School. She attended the University of California and was graduated from the University of Illinois Library School in 1904. Upon graduation she was named first librarian a the newly opened Carnegie Public Library in Niles and served in that position until she retired in 1939. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Niles Club of Home Gardens, the Ladies Historical Society and the Fort St. Joseph Historical Association.

A sister, Miss Florence Claudine Coolidge, died in August, 1956. A brother, Clarence A. Coolidge who was in attorney in Chicago, died in June, 1946. Several cousins, member of the Chapin family, reside in Massachusetts, California and the Midwest.

John Gipner
June 24, 1861-Feb. 11, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Monday, February 11, 1957, page 1, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

HIS FLOWERS HELPED PUT NILES ON THE MAP

'Old John,' Colorful Gardener Dead at 95

John Gipner, who put Niles on the map as the “Garden City” by giving a rose to every woman passenger on the old Michigan Central Railroad, died at 1:45 p.m. , Sunday at his home, 921 North Fifth Street, at the age of 95. He had been ill about one year.

“Old John' as he was known affectionately by railroad men, planted and cared for the rose gardens and other trees and plantings at the New York Central depot here for many years.

He instituted in 1893 the custom of giving a rose to every woman passenger on trains which stopped in Niles. The flower gardens which gave travelers their first pleasant impression of Niles became known far and wide through the custom.

When Mr. Gipner came to Niles from Detroit in the 1890's, the area surrounding the depot was almost barren. However, he planted floral gardens, built a fish pond and set out sapling which he watched grow into stately shade trees.

He officially retired from railroad service in 1927 but kept on tending for many years the floral gardens which have now disappeared.

Mr. Gipner was born June 24, 1861, in Germany, came here from Detroit and had lived here 72 years. He was the oldest member of Herman Odd Fellows Lodge of Boston, Mass., and was a member of the local Rekebah Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church.

His wife, Amelia, is deceased. Survivors include a son, Dr. John F. Gipner of Rochester, N.Y., and two grandsons.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Note: The Niles Garden Club revived the gardens at the Niles Depot and continues to maintain them (although the greenhouse, pond, et al. are gone.) The Garden Club also planted and maintains a small garden at the grave of Mr. Gipner in the City section of Silverbrook.)

Paul L. Howes
Aug. 7, 1907-Feb.18, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 18, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Paul L. Howes, Niles Bank Official Passes Away Today

Paul L. Howes, 49, vice president of the First National Bank of Niles, died at 12:50 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital, where he had been a patient since Feb. 11.

He had been associated with the bank since it opened in 1933 and was elected to the board of directors in January, 1955. He resided at 124 Michigan Street.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed. Services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church by the pastor, the Rev. John MacLachlan. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

. . .[Illegible]. . .He married Mary Eleanor Moon March 28, 1929, at Michigan City, survivors are his widow, his father, John W. Howes of Niles; three sons, Paul L. Howes, Jr., South Bend, J. Sidney Howes, Grand Rapids, and David C. Howes, at home; three grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. John F. Tolan, Seattle, Wash.

Mr. Howes entered the banking business in June, 1930, joining the City National Bank & Trust co. After the depression bank holiday, he joined the First National Bank. IN May, 1943 he was promoted to assistant cashier and in October of the same year was appointed cashier. He was appointed vice-president in January 1956. He was graduated from Dowagiac high School and attended the University of Michigan and Western State College.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles Rotary Club, Pickwick Club, Orchard Hills Country Club, trustee and treasurer of the Pawating hospital board and director of the Modineer Co., Of Niles.

It is requested that flowers by omitted and contributions made to the Berrien County Cancer Society.

Markus Hatcher, of Niles
Feb. 9, 1971-Feb. 14, 2023

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:50 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2023 

Markus Hatcher, 52, of Niles, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.  

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/02/15/markus-hatcher-of-niles/

Published on Brown Funeral Home website

Obituary of Markus Lee Hatcher

Markus Lee “Breed” Hatcher, 52, of Niles, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, following a lengthy illness that he fought till the end, with his family by his side.

Markus was born in Niles, Michigan on February 9, 1971, to Al Townsend and Opal Fay Hatcher.  He attended Howard Elementary School, Ring Lardner Middle School and Niles High School.  He played basketball, earned several certificates for making the Honor Roll and won first place in the school talent show, his famous Tic. 

Markus enjoyed fishing, laughing, being with friends and family, and listening to music.  Markus had a passion for Pit Bulls, Markus “Breed” was what they called him.  Back in the day he would ride around in a silver two door Buick, blasting MC Breed – that’s where the name comes from.  Markus was great at listening and giving advice, always motivating others and had a great sense of humor.  He loved making others laugh.  Above all, he loved his family and the Lord with all his heart.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Opal Hatcher and Harold Hatcher and his father, Al Townsend.

Markus will lovingly be remembered by his mother, Opal Faye Hatcher of Niles; his children, Mahoganie Hatcher (Daniel Torres) of Niles, Marquel Thompson of Indianapolis, and Marcus Hatcher of Niles; his granddaughter, Silver Hatcher; siblings, Dorian Hatcher of Niles, Damion Townsend, Mark McKinney, Stacey Hatcher of Niles, Sheryl Townsend, Hillary Townsend, and Al Townsend Jr.; Godchildren, Shalonda Burger, Dominique Murphy, Marissa Miller, Eric Humphries, and Dontazia Groves; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.  He will also be missed by a special friend, Shawnette (Cricket) Robinson. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church at 601 Ferry Street in Niles at 2:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and officiated by his uncle, Pastor Tracy Hatcher. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memories of Markus may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.         

Bryce Phillips
August 31, 1978 ~ January 29, 2023 (age 44)

Published on Palmer Funeral Home website

Obituary

Bryce Phillips age 44 born August 31, 1978, in South Bend, Indiana. He transitioned from his life on January 29, 2023.

Bryce’s beloved parents are Eugene Phillips, who went to be with the Lord recently on 11/15/2022, and his mother Minerva B. Phillips who is here with us today. Bryce had one brother, Alan Phillips who he loved dearly.

If you knew Bryce you knew he was very unique, and talented, truly God’s creation he was. He was gifted in so many ways, there was pretty much nothing he couldn’t do. Many people in the community relied on Bryce. There wasn’t very much that Bryce couldn’t fix or build. From houses to buildings to cars, he could do it all! Bryce took a special interest in mechanics at an early age due to his Father and his Grandfather and it definitely stuck with him. Bryce had a 67 Chevelle that he adored. Bryce also loved his dog, Massive, that he lost a few years ago. He also loved fishing, playing video games and old school muscle cars. In his childhood, Bryce spent most of his time with his brother, Alan and his cousins, Chucha, Felipe and Macky.

Bryce leaves behind his mother Minerva B. Phillips, brother; Alan Phillips, nephews; Alan Phillips, Jr., and Samuel Phillips and one niece Ayrieana Phillips along with several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and a host of friends.

Services for Bryce will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home-West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will take place immediately following at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 E. Main Street, Niles, MI.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.