Obituaries

Luther Otto Nelson
Sept. 13, 1914-Sept. 3, 1982

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 7, 1982, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

L. Otto Nelson, 67, of 711 Niles Ave., Berrien Springs, died Friday at 11:40 p.m. at his home.

He was born Sept. 13, 1914, in Covington County, Alabama. He is a retired custodian from Lakeshore Public Schools and retired from Scope security.

He is survived by the former Mildred Vandenburg, whom he married on Sept. 13, 1936 in South Bend, Ind. One son, Larry Nelson of Berrien Springs, and one daughter Mrs. Donald (Francis) Bowerman of Lansing, survive along with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and five step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. One brother also survives, Ramon Nelson of St. Joseph and one sister, Mrs. William (Mary) Brown of Benton Harbor.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. At McLauchlin-Willitt Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, with Rev. Gaylord Hall of United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorials can be made to either the Berrien County Cancer Service or the Central County Senior Citizen's Center.

Dolores E. Schrumpf
March 21, 1918-Sept. 4, 1982

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 7, 1982, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Dolores E. Schrumpf, 64, of 103 Northview Lane, Niles, died suddenly at her home early Saturday morning.

Born March 21, 1918 in Petoskey, she has lived in the area since 1941, She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, a member of the Lady Elks and was a retired employee of Michigan Bell Telephone Company. On Nov. 8 1942 in Niles, she married Lawrence L. Schrumpf, who preceeded her in death on July 21, 1972.

A sister, Mrs. Dolan (Helen) Shaler of Niles survives.  Also surviving are two nieces, Mrs. Judy Gleason and Mrs. Shelley Homer, both of Niles.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, with Rev. Frederick S. West of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating.  Burial will follow in the Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 7-0 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Niles Community Library.

Note:  Gravemarker spells last name "Schrump"

Elsie Schmierer
March 22, 1912-May 4, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 5, 1995, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Elsie Schmierer
1912-1995
homemaker

Memorial services for Elsie Schmierer, 83, of 1605 Bell road, Niles, will be Sunday at 5 p.m. at Niles Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, by speaker Richard Gerisch of the congregation.

Mrs. Schmierer died at 7 a.m. Thursday.

She was born March 22, 1912, in New York city, and had lived here since 1987, coming from Queens, N.Y.

On June 9, 1835, at New York City, she married Howard Schmierer, who preceded her in death on Dec. 9, 1967.

Mrs. Schmierer was a homemaker.

She was a member of Niles Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Survivors include two daughters, Arlene Hargis of Niles and Diane Doekker of New York city; a son, Warren Schmierer of Casselberry Fla.; and six grandchildren.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were completed by Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan.

Ernest Lyle Seward Jr.
Dec. 13, 1929-Aug. 31, 1982

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 1, 1982, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Ernest Lyle Seward, Jr., 52, of 22401 Bertrand Rd., Milton Township, Cass County, died Tuesday at 11:55 a.m. At St. Joseph Medical Facility in South Bend, Ind., after an extended illness.

Born December 13, 1929 in South Bend, he was resident of Cass County for 16 years, coming from South Bend. He was a truck driver for Domestic Sales of South Bend and retired in 1979.  On October 19, 1949 in South Bend, he was married to Marie Susan, who survives.

A daughter, Miss Linda Seward of Niles, and a step-son, Don Susan of Mishawaka, Ind., survive, along with four grandchildren.  A sister, Mrs. Francis Davis of Niles, also survives.

He was a lifetime member of the Hart Club (highway aid by radio); a member of the National Rifle Association; a member of Eagle Lodge No. 465 of South Bend; a member of the Fraternal Order of Police in South Bend; a member of American Legion No. 365 in Edwardsburg; and a member of the Michigan Sheriff's Association.

Funeral services will be held at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home on Thursday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ralph Holman of County Line Assembly of God of Nappanee, Ind.  Place of burial is pending.  Friends may call at the funeral home between 5-9 p.m on Wednesday.

Earle Duane Smith
April 14, 1915-Aug. 31, 1982

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 2, 1982, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Earle Duane Smith, 67, of 2301 Emerald Dr., Niles, died at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born on April 14, 1915 in Milton Township and was a resident of the area all his life.  He was a retired machinest from National-Standard.

On July 25, 1950 he was married to Deloras I. Meek in Benton Harbor. His wife survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Eugene (Shirley) Fender, Niles; Ms. Judy Hartman, Elkhart; Mrs. William (Nancy) Eminger, Howe, Ind., and Mrs. Karen Madou, Mishawaka.  Surviving brothers and sisters are Mrs. Fred (Florence) Sunlin, Gobles; Mrs. William (Josephine) Dove, Plymouth, Ind. And H.K. Smith of Niles, along with six grandchildren.

Services will be held t 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Gregory Gerendas of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating.  Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call after 4 p.m. Thursday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.

James Bradford Stahl
March 12, 1909-May 3, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 3, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

James Bradford Stahl
1909-1995
retired truck driver

Funeral services for James Bradford Stahl, 86, of 2011 Lake St., Niles, will be Friday t 1:30 p.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, where graveside military rites will be conducted by American Legion LaRue Messenger Post No. 26 of Niles.

Mr. Stahl died at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, at Pawating Hospital in Niles.

He was born March 12, 1909 in Bremen, Ind.

On Jan. 24, 1942, at Niles, he married the former Ann A. Hibberd, who survives.

Mr. Stahl retired in 1970 as a truck driver for Silvercup bakery in Chicago.

He was a member of Peoples Church in South Bend, Ind. He was a veteran of The U.S. Army, serving during World War II. Mr. Stahl was a member of American Legion LaRue messenger Post No. 26, Niles; Auburndale Club, Auburndale Fla., and Teamsters Union Local No. 364, South Bend, Ind.

Other survivors include two brothers, Robert Stahl of Phoenix, Ariz. And Thomas Stahl of Mesa, Ariz.

Visitation sill[sic[ be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.