Obituaries

Grace Shoop 
Nov. 20, 1876-Oct. 29, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 30, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

ATTACK FATAL TO MRS. GRACE SHOOP

A heart attack resulted in death Sunday night to Mrs. Grace Shoop, 67, in her home at 307 Michigan street.

Born in Galien, Nov. 20, 1876, she was the former Grace Ingles.. She was married in St. Joseph in 1893 to William B. Shoop.

Mrs. Hoop was Past Noble grand of the Rebekah lodge, a member of the Berean class of the Methodist church and of the Mothers of World War II.

Surviving are the husband and two sons, Dr. Homer I. Shoop, Berrien Springs, and Ralph B. Shoop, electrician's mate third class, Washington, D.C.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster will conduct services at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 1, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

SHOOP RITES

Mrs. Grace Shoop, 67, of 307 Michigan street, was buried this afternoon in Silverbrook cemetery following services in the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiating.  Mrs. Shoop died following a heart attack Sunday night. Pallbearers were Cletus Myers, Lawrence Lorensen, Max Kasler, Earl Zechlin, Benjamin Smith and Verlin Williams.

Carl A. Shouder
Jan. 4, 1869-Dec. 20, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 21, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MAN FOUND DEAD OVER MUSKRAT TRAP

Carl A. Shouder, 75, of 68 Marmont street, was found dead at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday kneeling over his muskrat traps in Plym park. County Coroner William Pifer, attributed the death to a heart attack.

He was born in Germany Jan. 4, 1869, and when three months old came to Niles where he has since resided. Shouder was a member of the St. Johns Evangelical church.

Surviving are the widow, the former Anna Trockenbrod whom he married may 20, 1900; a son, Fred Shouder; a daughter, Mrs. Charles Krause, and a grandchild, Mason Shouder.

Friends may call at the family residence.  Services will be conducted in the Pifer funeral home Saturday at 3:30 p.m. by the Rev. Theo Eisen.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carrie I. Siebert
Feb. 7, 1880-Sept. 22, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 23, 1944, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Carrie I. Siebert Dies Suddenly in Home Friday Night

Mrs. Carrie I. Siebert, 64, died suddenly at 10:45 Friday night in her home at 621 North Fifth street.

Born in Pokagon Feb. 7, 1880, Mrs. Siebert lived in the vicinity of Niles all her life. She was a member of the Women's guild of the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church.

Her husband, Charles Siebert, survives, along with her two sisters, Mrs. Mary Webber and Mrs. Frances Miller, Kalamazoo.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral chapel. The Rev. Theo Eisen will conduct the services Monday at 2:30 in the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church. Burial will be in Silverbrook.

Pearl May Smit
Dec. 23 1889-June 16, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 17, 1944, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Pearl Smit, Taken by Death; Funeral Monday

Mrs. Pearl May Smit, 55, Four Flags hotel, died in Pawating hospital Friday afternoon at 2 after an illness of seven years.

She was born in Allegan county, Dec. 23, 1889, and came here from Battle Creek five months ago. She was married to John Smit, June 21, 1920, in Grand Rapids.

Surviving are the husband, chef at the hotel; two sisters, Mrs. Rosewell Scott, Breedsville, and Mrs. Dave Sweet, Gary, Ind., and three brothers, William Barnes, Portland, Ore., Galvin Barnes, Berkley, Calif., and Ellsworth J. Barnes, Plainwell.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home, where services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the First Methodist church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 20, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

SMIT FUNERAL

Pallbearers for Mrs. Pearl Smith, 55, who was buried Monday in Silverbrook cemetery were Henry Crandall, Michael Natinka and Thomas Coffinger, Niles; and Charles Halstead, Plainwell. Services were conducted n the Rutherford funeral home by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the First Methodist church.  Mrs. Smit died Friday afternoon.

Stafford Smith
Jan. 1892—June 19, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 20, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Stafford Smith, Native of Niles, Dies in Virginia

Stafford Smith, 52, died Monday in Hot Springs, Va., where he had been convalescing from a two-year illness.

A son of Mrs. Carmi R. Smith, 801 East Main street, and the late Mr. Smith, he was a graduate of the Niles high school, Northwestern university and Harvard law school.

For the last 20 years he had been assistant general counsel for the Socony-Vacuum Oil company, New York, and lived at Larchmont, N.Y.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his widow and a brother, Reginald Smith, Albion.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 21, 1944, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Stafford Smith Services Set in New York, Niles

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Thursday in Christ church, New York, for Stafford Smith, 52, who died Monday at Hot Springs, Va., after an illness of two years.

The body will be brought to Niles where a short service will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 in the home of is mother, Mrs. Carmi R. Smith, 801 eat Main street.  Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 24, 1944, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Stafford Smith Funeral Held in Mother's Home

Funeral services for Stafford Smith, 52, who died in Hot Springs, Va., Monday after an illness of about a year, were held here Friday afternoon in the home of his mother, Mrs. Carmi Smith, 603 East Main street.  Burial was in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery.

For 30 years Smith, whose home was in Larchmont, N..Y., served on the legal staff of the Socony-Vacuum Oil company.  He was senior counsel of the former company.

Smith, who was born in Niles, was a graduate of Niles high school. In 1913 he was graduated from Northwestern university with honor, and in 1916 from Harvard  law school where he was editor of The Law Review.

Prominent in Law Groups

He was a member of several law groups. . .[illegible]. .. Law club, Harvard club, Larchmont Yacht club, Downtown association, Son of the Revolution and Sigma Chi fraternity. He served on the board of Christs church, and chairman of the Self-Insurers association.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, who he married in 1939; his mother, Mrs. Carmi Smith, and a brother, C. Reginald Smith, Albion.

Henry Sterling
Feb. 17, 1871-Oct. 22, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 23, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Conduct Services Tuesday for Henry Sterling

Henry Sterling, 73, of 609 Front street, died Sunday morning at 6 in the Quick Convalescent home after a nine months illness.

Born in Niles Feb. 17, 1871, Sterling spent most of his life here. He was employed by The Kawneer Company.

Surviving is a half-brother, Harry Cummings, Portland, Ore.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor  of the First Evangelical church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook.