Sarah Leona Wideman
Sept. 19, 1875-Oct. 21, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1940, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. WIDEMAN, 65, TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Sarah Leona Wideman, wife of Noah Wideman, Harger avenue, North Niles, died early this morning in Pawating hospital. Mrs. Wideman entered the hospital Saturday.

She leaves, beside her husband, six brothers, Frank, Wilson, Ray and Wilbur Carpenter, Niles; Earl Carpenter, South Bend, and Arthur Carpenter, Peru, Ind.

Mrs. Wideman, who was 65 years old, was born Sept. 19, 1875, in Fulton county, Ind. She came to Niles from Akron, Ind., 35 years ago.

The body is at the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call. The service will be Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in Price and Kiger chapel, the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 22, 1940, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Wideman Service Held at 2:30 Today

Six brothers of Mrs. Noah Wideman acted as pallbearers at her funeral services this afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger chapel. The brothers are Ray, Wilbur, Wilson, and Frank Carpenter, Niles; Earl Carpenter, South Bend, and Arthur Carpenter, Peru, Ind.

Mrs. Wideman died early Sunday morning. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiated at service and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Otto Zimmerman
Dec. 25, 1874-Sept. 3, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 3, 1940, page 1, col. 8, cont. page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

OTTO ZIMMERMAN, LIFE RESIDENT OF NILES, SUCCUMBS

Burns Inflicted by “Live” Wire Fatal to Kawneer Worker

Injuries suffered two weeks ago when he fell against a live wire s he was climbing a fence near The Kawneer plant, proved fatal today to Otto Zimmerman.

Mr. Zimmerman, who had lived in Niles all his life and been employed for 25 years by The Kawneer Company died in Pawating hospital at 5:15 this morning. He was 65 years old.

Feared Pursuit, Fell

The accident which caused his death occurred when Mr. Zimmerman, fearing that strikers or pickets at the Kawneer might bar his entrance to the plant, approached the factory from the rear. He was hastening to work, and climbed a fence to avoid contact with a person he believed was pursuing him.

As he climbed the fence he fell, striking a high tension wire and suffering severe burns. An arm was amputated and the victim suffered for two weeks from burns and loss of blood. Transfusions proved futile.

With Kawneer 25 Years

Mr. Zimmerman leaves his wife, Minnie; a brother, Edward, of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Edward Jacobs, Elkhart; also a niece, Mrs. Bessie Taylor, who has lived with the Zimmermans in their home at 1614 North Twelfth street.

He started work for The Kawneer Company 25 years ago and at the time of his death held a position in the crating room. He was a member of the Kawneer Twenty-Five Year club.

He was born in Niles, Dec. 25, 1874, and had lived here all his life.

Married Sept. 2, 1911

Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were married 25 years ago Monday. Mrs. Zimmerman, was the former Miss Minnie Wadel, of Niles. The ceremony was performed Sept. 2, 1911, in St. John's church here.

Funeral services will be Friday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger funeral home, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Friends may call that eh Price and Kiger funeral home.

Mr. Zimmerman was a member of St. John's church, St. John's Brotherhood, and the Maccabee and New Era lodges.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 6, 1940, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Otto Zimmerman's Rites Held Today

Services for the late Otto Zimmerman were held in the Price andKiger funeral home this afternoon at 2, the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.

Mr. Zimmerman died Tuesday in Pawating hospital of injuries suffered when he came in contact with a live wire.

Pallbearers were six nephews, all of Niles—Harold, Clarence, DeVerne and Alfred Asmus, and Frederick and George Wadel.

Leland Pierson Funk, 92,
Nov. 23, 1921 — Feb. 13, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:56pm Sunday, March 9, 2014

Leland Pierson Funk, 92, a former longtime resident of Niles, Mich. died at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fla. following an extended illness.

Funk

He was born on Nov. 23, 1921, in Niles to Leland Ritter and Helen (Pierson) Funk. He was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State College (now University) at East Lansing.

While in college he served in the United States Army, and was a veteran of World War II. After graduation, he joined his father and uncle as an associate of the Funk Brothers Insurance Agency in Niles, and eventually owned and operated the Funk Insurance Agency of Southwestern Michigan.

Lee was a long-time member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles, where he sang and soloed with the choir and sang for many weddings and funerals. He had been a member of the Niles-Buchanan club of Rotary International since 1948, was president in 1961, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

He was also a member of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, and was instrumental in the fundraising for the building on West Main Street. He enjoyed golfing, often at Orchard Hills Country Club, and won their first flight championship. He enjoyed photography, always adding a thoughtful caption to the print before giving it to the person photographed.

As a graduate of Michigan State University, he supported the Spartans and was often seen wearing green and white, and tailgating with friends before games. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, and extended family at the Funk homestead on Diamond Lake, where he loved to sail.

At MSU he met his beloved wife, Jean Welch, and after graduation they were married on Sept. 25, 1948, in East Lansing, with whom he celebrated last year the 65th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Jean and their son, Dr. Leland Welch (Ruth Anne) Funk of Vero Beach, Fla. and their children Hailey and Jack; their daughter Linda Funk Vaintrub of Chicago, Ill. and her children, Isabel, Amelia, and Sonja; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his four siblings Don, Joe and Ellen Funk, and Martha Mennucci.

All will be invited to a public service for Leland P. Funk in Niles at a later date. Private services were held in Vero Beach, and burial has been completed at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Lee Funk may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church. Local arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Carol Ruth Pearman, of Niles
Nov. 7, 1956- March 18, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:56am Thursday, March 20, 2014

Carol Ruth Pearman, 57, of Niles, died at 8:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at her home surrounded by family following a long battle with cancer.

Pearman

She was born on Nov. 7, 1956, in Edison, Ga. to Johnny Frank and Joan (Swords) Giles. She was graduated from Hailey Turner High School in Columbus, Georgia, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Faith Bible Theological Seminary in Milton, Fla.. She has lived in this area since 1991, and has taught school in South Bend, Ind. and previously in Georgia. She also helped in a commercial laundry service.

She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles and was a Commander of the Awana program shared by Bethel Baptist and First Baptist Church. She enjoyed the fellowship of table games, and the challenges of playing electronic games. She was a proficient pianist and had completed her solo flight as a pilot. Her greatest interest and joy was caring for her grandchildren.

On May 30, 1981, in Americus, Ga. she married Randall J. Pearman with whom she celebrated last year the 32nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving are her husband, Pastor Randy Pearman and their children, Laura (Jason Fernwalt) Pearman of Niles, Gregory (Tracey Wreggelsworth) Pearman of Buchanan and James (Melanie) Pearman of Niles; grandchildren, Dillon, Landon and Bentley Pearman; Carol’s parents, Johnny and Joan Giles of Lumpkin, Ga.; Carol’s sister, Anita Usher of Richland, Ga.; brother-in-law, Travis Usher of Trotman, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Carol Pearman will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. R. Allan Poage of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Carol may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Mary Ellen Layman Radka, of Niles
April 3, 1928 — March 22, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:32am Monday, March 24, 2014

Mary Ellen Layman Radka

Mary Ellen Layman Radka, 85, of Niles, died at 3:55 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, after a day full of family and visitors celebrating her life at the home of her daughter in Granger, Ind., following an extended illness.

She was born on April 3, 1928, in Jackson, Mich. to Carl V. and Constance (Gnoza) Lee.

She was graduated from Jackson High School, and has lived in Niles since 1959. She was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles for 30 years prior to retirement. She was then employed for many years at Tyler Automotive, often transporting customers in the courtesy car. She enjoyed winters in Florida, and the last several weeks at her daughter’s home in Granger.

Mary was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. She was a prolific cook and baker. Her cooking was an extension of her love for her family, who will continue to share the love through a “Memory Cookbook” that she developed. Her baking is well remembered by fellow employees at Simplicity and Tyler’s, and many other neighbors and friends throughout the community.

She had a loving, caring, and fun personality, and never turned-away anyone in need.

She was first married in February of 1948 to George Cowe. Later, on September 26, 1961, in Niles she married Pierre Andre “Pete” Layman, who preceded her in death on April 14, 1985. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Ann Houser.

Surviving family includes her children, Ann Cowe of Granger, Robert (Loraine) Cowe of Richland, Mich., George Cowe of Del Ray Beach, Fla. and David (Nancy) Cowe of Niles; grandchildren Jacob Cowe, Chelsea Cowe, Ben (Jenn) Cowe, Shailah (Jason) Nowlin, Jody (Waylend) Tittle, Mathew Cowe, and Jillian Cowe; great-grandchildren Aria Nowlin, Serynn Nowlin, Halee Tittle, Jacoy Powell, and Sierra Cowe; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Layman Radka will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Saint Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. David Otto. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Taivon Ashton Ladd, of Niles
Infant, Died March 13, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:34am Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Tai’von Ashton Ladd died Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Tai’von is survived by his mother Ashley Croom and father Kevin Ladd, Jr., siblings Kyran Croom, Ivyon Croom and Jayvon Shirell, maternal grandmother Theresa Croom of South Bend, paternal grandparents Felicia Jackson of Niles and Kevin (Carol) Ladd, Sr., of South Bend, maternal great-grandparents Edna Croom of Niles, Matt (Diane) Croom of Berrien Springs and Mamie Davis of Niles, paternal great-grandmother, Juanita Jackson of Niles, nine uncles, two aunts and many cousins.

Tai’von was preceded in death by a brother, Braelon Lee Croom.

The family will gather privately for services.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

www.halbritterfunerals.com