Obituaries

Simeon Belknap
April 13, 1872-Aug. 3, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 4, 1944, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

SIMEON BELKNAP, EX-RAILMAN, DIES

Simeon Belknap, 72, of 122 North Eighth Street, for 28 years an employe of the Michigan Central railroad, died at 9:30 Thursday night in Pawating hospital.  For many years he served as ticket clerk at the depot before his retirement in 1941.

A member of the Niles “Old-Timers” association, Belknap owned and operated a jewelry store at Main and Front streets where the Bear Cat store now is located. He was a watch and clock maker. The Belknap block was named after the establishment. His father, Dr. Simeon Belknap, was a physician in Niles for many years.

Native of Vermont

Belknap was born April 13, 1872 in South Royalton, Vt., and came to Niles from Vermont at the age of three. The was married to Caroline Knott in 1902.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Frederic Richter, Niles; three sons, Simeon K. Belknap, Niles; Allen P. Belknap, Chicago, and Donald W. Belknap, St. Paul, Minn.,and six grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted Saturday at 2:30 by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Amos Bolinger
Feb. 6, 1859-June 13, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 13, 1944, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

AMOS BOLINGER TAKEN BY DEATH

Amos O. Bolinger, 85, retired carpenter and for 20 years a resident of Niles, died in his home at 322 South St. Joseph avenue at 2:30 this morning after an illness of several years.

He was born in Rome city, Ind., Feb. 6, 1859, and came to Niles from Berrien Springs 30 years ago.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; two daughters, Mrs. Laura Hahn, Niles, and Mrs. Rose Myers, Sacramento,Calif.; two sons, Fred Bolinger, Nils and Robert G. Bolinger, Rochester, Mich.; a sister, Mrs. Cora Copeland, Larwill, Ind.; a brother, Eli Bolinger, Columbia, Ind.; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral chapel, where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. O.H. Gerstenkorn, pastor of the First Baptist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Bolinger was a member of the Baptist church in Berrien Springs.

Edgar F. Burke
June 27, 1877-May 9, 1938

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 9, 1938, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Edgar F. Burke, 60, Lifelong Resident of Berrien Co. Dead

Edgar F. Burke, 60, lifelong resident of Berrien county, died at 1 o'clock this morning in his farm home seven miles north of Niles on Rural route two, Berrien Springs. He had been in ill health for several weeks.

The body was brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, with Charles Kitterer, Christian Science reader, officiating. Burial will be in  Silverbrook cemetery.

Born in Berrien township, Mr. Burke had engaged in farming until ill health forced his retirement.

Surviving are his wife, Olive, and one son, John G. Burke, Chicago; two brothers, Dr. Lewis Burke, Grand Rapids, and Frank Burke, Berrien Springs; also four sisters, Mrs. E.M. Reading, Miss Ruth I Burke, Mrs. Robert Ludwig and Mrs. William A. Stevens, Michigan City, Ind.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 10, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BURKE SERVICES

Charles Kitterer, Christian Science reader, will conduct services at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home for Edgar F. Burke, 60. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. A lifelong resident of Berrien county, Mr. Burke died early Monday morning at his farm home, seven miles north of Niles. He had been in Ill health for several weeks.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 11, 1938, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVE AS PALLBEARERS

Robert F. and Irving S. Burke, Thomas Farrell, Warren Reynolds, Ralph Smith and Wallace Cole served as pallbearers at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon for the funeral services of Edgar F. Burke, 60. Rites were conducted by Charles Kitterer, Christian Science reader, in the Price and Kiger funeral home. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Elizabeth Janet “Jean” Clark
Oct. 10, 1871-July 14, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 14, 1944, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. JEAN CLARK, ROUTE 3, STRICKEN

Mrs. Jean Clark. . .[illegible]  . . .township, died in her home at Route 3 at 7:30 this morning after an illness of three weeks.

Mrs. Clark was born in Genesseo, Ill. Oct. 10 1871, and came to Niles from Chicago in 1911. She was married in Chicago, June 6, 1900, to John W. Clark, who survives.

Friends may call at the Price and kiger funeral chapel after Saturday afternoon where the funeral will be conducted at 2 Monday by the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Clark was a member of the Seepewa club and the Bend of the River grange.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 17, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Clark Services

Funeral for Mrs. Jean Jameson Clark, 72, of Route 3, the first woman clerk in Niles township, was conducted this afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home by the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson.  Burial . . .[illegible].

Lena A. Collins
April 12, 1884-July 4, 1971

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 6, 1971, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Mrs. Lena A. Collins, 87, of 641 N. Sixth St., died at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the Dor-A-Lin Nursing Home, after an illness of several months.

Born April 12, 1884, in Niles, Mrs. Collins had lived here all her life. On Sept. 16, 1907, in Niles, she married Malcomb E. Collins, who preceded her in death. She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and the USNA Switchmen's Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Malcomb E. Jr. and Vernon L. Collins, both of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Robert Stephens of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Henrietta Clark of Niles; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Calvin A. Schmid officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Gordon Andrew Conrad
Feb. 11, 1882-March 24, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 24, 1944, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

GORDON CONRAD TAKEN BY DEATH

Gordon Andrew Conrad, 62, died this morning in the home of his son, Everett Conrad, 427 South Lincoln avenue, after an illness of two years.

Born in Bristol, Feb. 11, 1882, he had lived most of his life in this community.  A carpenter, he formerly was employed by the French Paper company.

Surviving are a brother, Otis Conrad, Route 1, Niles, and three grandchildren.

Services will be conducted at 2 Monday in the Price and Kiger chapel by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.