Obituaries

Charles Thomas
Aug. 4, 1908-July 24, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 24, 1963, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library.

Charles Thomas, 54, Found Dead in Garage Early Today

CHARLES THOMAS, 54, of 821 Federal Court was pronounced dead on arrival about 8 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital.

His body was found in his garage about 7:50 a.m. by his wife, according to Niles police.  Police said there has not been a ruling on the cuse[sic] of death.

Thomas was seated in a lawn chair in the closed garage, between his auto, which was running, and the garage door. The police were summoned by Niles Police  Officer Paul Winquist, 825 Federal Court, who was contacted by Mrs. Thomas after she discovered her husband in the garage.

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Thomas, employed as parts manager at Bob Schultz Motor Sales here, was born Aug. 4, 1908 in Cleveland, Ohio.  He came to Niles from South Bend in 1953.

Surviving are his widow, Doris; a son, Michael C., at home; and two sisters, Mrs. Al Marsh, Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Edward Monroe, Independence, Ohio.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home, where arrangements are being completed.

Friends will be received there beginning Thursday morning

Elsie Trimble
March 31, 1881-Nov. 13, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 13, 1953, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library.

Mrs. Elsie Trimble, 72, died at 2 a.m. today in her home at 206 Eagle street.

Mrs. Trimble was born March 31, 1881 . .[illegible] . . to Niles in 1905, coming here from Eaton.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. George Masten of Poy Sippi, Wis.; Mrs. Fred Kirby of Klamath Falls, Ore.; one son, John of Niles; three brothers, Ray Clatterbuck of Pasadena, Calif., and Harlan and Glenn Clatterbuck of Niles; and one sister, Mrs. Bertha Stiles of Niles.

Funeral arrangements will be announced Saturday by the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 14, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

Trimble Rites Set

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home here for Mrs. Elsie Trimble, 72, who died Friday at her home on 206 Eagle street.  The Rev. R.L. McCoy, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

August Trockenbrod
Aug. 12, 1868-March 19, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 20, 1963, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

August Trockenbord, 94, of 925 N. 5^th St., died at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday in the Parker Rest Home, Berrien Springs. He had been ill three years.

Mr. Trockenbord was born Aug. 12, 1868, in Detroit. He came to Niles from that city when he was 15 years old and served as an alder man for the City of Niles from 1911 to 1916. He retired from service as a switchman with the New York Central Railroad in 1936.

Survivors include his widow, Henrietta, and two brothers, William, Elkhart, Ind.; and Charles, Reeder, N.D.

He was a life member of the Elks Lodge and St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed.)

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Fraser, pastor of his church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Note: Name is spelled Trockenbord in obituary but is Trockenbrod in cemetery records and grave marker

William H. Vetter
April 1, 1862-Aug. 19, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 20, 1943, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM VETTER, 81, ILL YEAR, DIES

William H. Vetter, 81, Route 3, a lifelong resident of the near Niles community, died Thursday night at 6:15 in Pawating hospital after a year's illness.

Born in Bertrand township April 1, 1862, he had spent his life farming. He was a member of Modern Woodmen of America.

Surviving are four children, Mrs. Minnie Bessemer, Mrs. Robert Moody and Edward W. Vetter, all of Niles, and Fred Vetter, Sodus, a member of the Berrien county sheriff's department.

He also leaves a brother, Frank Vetter, and a half-sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Schambacher, both of Niles, and eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call in the Price and Kiger chapel where services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Marian F. Wood
Aug. 16, 1883-June 12, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 13, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Marian F. Wood, 69, of 725 South Third street, lifetime resident of this city, died at 10:18 p.m. Friday in Pawating Hospital following an illness of five years.

Mrs. Wood was born Aug. 16, 1883, in Niles, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Seepewa Reading Club and a former member of the Niles Club of Home Gardens and Order of Eastern Star.

She was married May 31, 1906, in the Presbyterian Church here to Floyd J. Wood, who survives. Also surviving are: two sons, Lucian F. Wood of Burlingame, Calif., and Roger J. Wood of Demarest, N.J., and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.

William F. Walker
July 1, 1869-Aug. 30, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 31, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library.

WILLIAM WALKER TAKEN BY DEATH

William F. Walker, 74, native of Niles and step-father of George Masten, Niles, died Monday night at 8:15 in his farm home southeast of South Bend. He had been ill four weeks.

Born in Niles July 1, 1869, Mr. Walker had . . [Illegible] . . all his life.

Surviving with his wife, Mrs. Mary E. Walker, are two stepchildren, Mrs. Gladys Batey, South Bend, and Mr. Masten, Niles; two brothers, Louis Walker, South Bend and Fred Walker, Watervliet, and a sister, Miss Elizabeth Walker, Watervliet. He also leaves seven grandchildren.

Friends may call in the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 1, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

Walker Funeral

Funeral services for William F. Walker, 74, were conducted this afternoon at 2 in the Pifer funeral home by the Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Mr. Walker, a native of Niles, died Monday night in his farm home near South Bend.