Ryan Anthony Hartman, 26, of Niles
Sept. 28, 1987 — Feb. 4, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:41am Friday, February 7, 2014

Ryan Anthony Hartman, 26 passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, from complications from DSRCT, a rare, pediatric cancer. He was born on Sept. 28, 1987, to Julie and Ray Hartman. He graduated in 2006 from Brandywine High School and attended Southwestern Michigan College.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Ray and Julie, his three brothers, Eric, Tyler and Evan, his grandparents Wava Hartman and Barb and Johnie Rodebush, aunts and uncles Donna and Ray Corum, Merva and Jim Zaleski, Bob and Toy Young, Brad and Becky Young and Joe and Carol Young, his girlfriend, Kailee Checkley and her son Karter, along with many extended family members and friends. He will be missed by his cats, Lilly and Lizzy and family pets Misty and Breezy. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Mervin Young and Charley Hartman and his uncle, Charles Hartman.

While in school, he played percussion in the band and was a member of the basketball team and the track and field team. Ryan’s proudest accomplishment was breaking his high school’s discus record. When his record was broken, he was even prouder of his younger brother, Evan, when he succeeded in getting the record back in the family and in the process, became a two-time state champ. Ryan was a Michigan State University fan and he was very pleased when Evan made the MSU track team. Ryan enjoyed coaching his brother in the discus and also helping his dad through the years coach little league baseball and midget basketball. He also played little league baseball himself and when older, he umpired for the same league. Ryan was a big sports fan, with the Detroit Tigers being his favorite team. He also loved disc golfing, fishing, cooking and visiting casinos.

Ryan was an inspiration to many during his four-year battle with cancer. His ‘never give up’ attitude was awe-inspiring and showed how much he wanted to live. He never complained and endured all the treatments with bravery, strength and determination to beat his invisible enemy. Many thanks go to his care providers at I.U. Simon Cancer Center, University of Michigan Sarcoma Center, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Michiana Health and Rehab and especially Michiana Hematology Oncology.

Ryan was a gentle giant who was always more concerned about others’ well being, than his own. He will be dearly missed. Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Team Ryan: Stay up, be strong, believe and have hope.

The funeral service for Ryan Hartman will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at the First Church of Christ – Christian on Yankee Street with the Rev. Dan Miller of the First Missionary Church officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the church, and on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Contributions in memory of Ryan may be made to the Southwestern Michigan College Scholarship Fund for Brandywine Students. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Marguerite E. Adams, 89, of Niles
May 12, 1924 — Feb. 10, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:48am Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Marguerite E. Adams, 89, of Niles, died at 10:20 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. following a brief illness.

Adams

She was born on May 12, 1924 in Niles, Mich. (in the parsonage of Franklin A.M.E. Church) to Fred and Arneal (Brown) Shepard, and has lived in Niles all of her life.

Marguerite was a member of Franklin A.M.E. Church. Music was always an important part of her life. In high school she sang in the choir and played the bells in the band. After graduating from Niles High School in 1942, she continued her love for music by singing in the church choir of which she still participated. As an adult she sang in a trio named “The Melody Maids” with Marion Finley Scruggs and Norma Finley Taylor.

She had worked in downtown Niles at Larry Zock’s Laundry as well as Simplicity Pattern Company. In 1988 Marguerite retired after 22 years of services with the Cass County Department of Human Services. She enjoyed Senior Center activities, traveling with them and was a volunteer with Love, Inc.

On Nov. 23, 1944, she married Nelson Woodford in Niles, who preceded her in death on Sept. 12, 1973. She later married Irven L. Adams on Jan. 4, 1975 in Niles, who preceded her in death on Sept. 29, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her brother, David Shepard.

Surviving family includes her sons, Larry Woodford of Reno, Nev. and Brian Woodford of Sparks, Nev.; step-daughter RuthAnn (Myron) Frasier of Southfield, Mich.; grandchild DeMarco Doxie; 5 step-grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Services for Marguerite Adams will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles with Rev. Rebecca R. Mitchell of the church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions in memory of Marguerite may be made to the church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

George Edward Harris
Oct. 4, 1851-Jan. 2, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 2, 1934, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

G. Edward Harris, 82, Dies at Home Today

George Edward Harris, 82, lifelong resident of Niles, died at his home, 739 Oak street, at 10:45 o'clock this morning, following an illness of three years.

Mr. Harris worked for many years as an attendant at Silverbrook cemetery. Three years ago he suffered a stroke and had since then been an invalid. A sister, Ella, who lived with him, died about six years ago.

He was born in Niles on Oct. 4, 1851. He never married. The only known surviving relative is a brother, Fred Harris, Butte, Mont.

The body is at the Rutherford funeral home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 3, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

SET HARRIS FUNERAL

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon for G. Edward Harris, aged Niles resident who died Tuesday.  The Rev. M.R. Everett will conduct the service at the Rutherford Funeral home, and burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery, where Mr. Harris worked for many years.

Cleo Clapsaddle
March 28, 1891-Feb. 15, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 16, 1934, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Clapsaddle Dies in West Virginia City

Mrs. Cleo Clapsaddle, 43, died at 1:30 o'clock Thursday morning at Point Pleasant, W. Va., where she was teaching in a mission school. Death was caused by a brain ailment.

The body will arrive in Niles tonight in charge of S.H. Kiger of Price and Kiger who left here yesterday to take charge of the remains.

The deceased was born in Niles March 28, 1891, was reared to womanhood here. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mary Brandenburg who live five miles north of . . . [illegible] . . .five brothers, Frank, Grover, Fred, Henry and Lester Brandenburg also at home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. W.H. Turner in charge.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 17, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

CLAPSADDLE RITES HELD

Funeral services for Mrs. Cleo Clapsaddle, who died Thursday morning as Point Pleasant, W. Va., where she had been teaching in Heights mission, were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. W. H. Turner officiating.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Mrs. Clapsaddle was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Vandenbrug[sic], living five miles north of Niles.

Rev. John Stanley Collins
June 5, 1859-Feb. 23, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 23, 1934, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Rev. Collins Dies; Funeral Set for Monday

The Rev. John Stanley Collins, prominent retired Baptist minister and pioneer resident of Niles, died at 9 o'clock this morning at this home, 1088 Oak street, after an illness of several months.

He is survived by the widow, Stella.

Born in Niles on June 5, 1859, when the city had been incorporated for only 30 years, the deceased lived here all his life . . . [illegible] . . work took him to other cities.  He . .. [illegible] . . county in church circles.

His former schoolmate, Prof. George Taft, president of the Northern Baptist seminary, Chicago, will officiate at the funeral services which will be held at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 24, 1934, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

COLLINS RITES MONDAY

Funeral services for the Rev. John Stanley Collins, prominent Baptist minister who died Friday morning at his home here, will be held at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home.

Professor George Taft, a former schoolmate and president of the Northern Baptist seminary, Chicago, will be in charge of the services. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home until time for the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 23, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

COLLINS RITES TODAY

Funeral services for the Rev. John Stanley Collins, who died at his home here Friday morning, were held at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home with Prof. George Taft, president of the Northern Baptist seminary, Chicago, in charge of the services.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 28, 1934, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

ATTEND FUNERAL

Dr. L.H. Stewart, Bronson hospital, Kalamazoo; Dr. Sherman Gregg and family, Mrs. Ella Dye, all of Kalamazoo; J.H. Laravee, Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Worth Reese and John Reese, Mishawaka; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Collins, Osceola, Ind., and Dr. O.R. Miles, Winona Lake, Ind., attended the funeral services of the Rev. John Stanley Collins here Monday afternoon 

Rosanna B. Collins
Jan. 20, 1858-March 1, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 1, 1934, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Michael Collins Succumbs at Hospital

Mrs. Michael Collins, 76, 601 North Fifth street, mother of Fire Chief C. S. Collins, died at 9:20 o'clock this morning in Pawating hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Collins, who were married in Little Rock, Ark., June 11, 1877, have lived in Niles for the past 57 years.  Mrs. Collins was born in Nottinghamshire, England, on Jan. 20, 1858 and came to the United States with her parents when she was five years old.

Besides her husband and son, the deceased is also survived by four other children, Malcolm Collins, Mrs. C.A. Shepherd, Willard Collins, all of Niles; and Mrs. Leroy True, New York City; a brother, Willard Bircumshay, Salt Lake city, Utah; and five grandchildren.  Mrs. Gertrude Scofield, Niles, preceded her in death five years ago.

Although funeral services will be held Saturday, complete arrangements have not been made.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 3, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

COLLINS RITES SATURDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Michael Collins, 501 North Fifth street, who died in Pawating hospital Thursday morning, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Presbyterian church.  The services will be in charge of the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.