Juanita Phillips, 79, of Niles
March 13, 1934 — Nov. 12, 2013

Niles Daily Start, Published 7:35am Thursday, November 14, 2013

Juanita Phillips, age 79 years, of Niles, Michigan died at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 at her home following an extended illness.

Phillips

She was born on March 13, 1934 in Niles to Albert and Grace (Brubaker) Schrader. She was graduated from Niles High School, and lived here all of her life. She was employed for many years by Niles Community Schools as the secretary at the former Central Elementary School, and later assisted her husband at the Farm Bureau Agency in Cassopolis, Michigan.

Juanita was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles, and was very active “behind the scenes” especially with interior decorating. She enjoyed traveling including several international destinations, and quilting, sewing, painting in all media, flower gardening, and watching and feeding the wildlife in her yard. Her greatest interest was her family, who she loved.

On Aug. 30, 1952 in her parents’ yard she married Lodner C. Phillips with whom she celebrated the sixtieth anniversary just months prior to his death earlier this year on January 23, 2013.

Surviving family includes their children, Vicki (& Mick) Kidwell of Niles and Patrick (& Jody) Phillips of Edwardsburg, Michigan; grandchildren Michael P. (& Kellie) Kidwell, Adam (& Hannah) Kidwell, Kyle Kidwell, Ryan P. (& Karen) Phillips, Julianne Phillips, and Alexandra Phillips; great-grandchildren Raegan Joanne Kidwell, Cameron Michael Kidwell, and Sydney Rose Kidwell; and Juanita’s sisters, Edith Snyder and Emma Jean Schrumpf, both of Niles, and brother, Robert (& Dixie) Schrader of South Bend, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by brothers Lawrence, Peter, and Richard Schrader and sister, Virginia Stover.

The funeral service for Juanita Phillips will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Wing of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Juanita may be made to the First Baptist Church, or to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Colombe F. Harding, 100, of Niles
May 19, 1913-Nov. 17, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:06pm Sunday, November 17, 2013

Harding

Colombe F. Harding, 100, of Niles passed away, after an extended illness, with her family by her side.

On May 19, 1913 Colombe Flora Tessier was born in Embrum, Ontario to the late Philias and Eva (Hebert) Tessier.

After graduating from high school Colombe was swept off her feet by Roy Joseph Harding. At a ceremony in Millerton, New York Colombe and Roy exchanged vows and on May 19, 1934 became husband and wife.

A very talented woman, Colombe enjoyed creating many oil paintings and also ceramics. For many years she was also a part of the Sweet Adeline’s and one of her favorite melodies was “You Are My Sunshine.” Another of Colombe’s delights was the time she spent with Roy on their long strolls, and if by chance there was a yard sale nearby, Colombe was frequently seen perusing the items.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband, her son Roy Harding, five brothers, Charles Tessier, Eugene Tessier, Raymond Tessier, Donald Tessier, and Henry Tessier. Colombe is also preceded by her three sisters, Salange Archer, Gloria McAvoy and Janette Walter and two very special companions, her cat, Misty Rose and her dog, Beaut.

Colombe will be deeply missed by her daughter, Lorraine Harding and special friend Faith Orem, two sisters, Yvonne Tessier of Chester, Pennsylvania and Theresa Wilson of Ft. Myers, Fla. and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013 at Brown Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. with services following at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father David Otto.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Colombe may do so to the St. Mary Food Pantry.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Adrian Aldrich
June 5, 1875-June 19, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 21, 1943, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

ADRIAN ALDRICH IS HEART VICTIM; ILL THREE WEEKS

Adrian Aldrich, 68, who worked 40 years for the Michigan Gas and Electric company, died Saturday night at 9:15 in his home, 1644 Maple street. He had been ill three weeks of a heart ailment.

Son of the late James and Susan Garwood Aldrich, he was born in St. Joseph June 5, 1875. Mr. Aldrich worked in the Niles gas plant until it was closed and then transferred to Three Rivers where he remained until 1939 when he was forced to retire because of ill health.

He was a member of the Dowagiac Methodist church.

Surviving is Mrs. Aldrich, the former Mrs. Leona Powers, to whom he was married March 8, 1924, in South Bend. The former Miss Effie Shattuck, to whom he was married in Niles in 1897, died in 1910.

He also leaves three children, Mrs. Glenn Morford, Niles; Mrs. Georgia Wilson, Dowagiac, and Ollie Aldrich, who is serving with the army overseas; four stepchildren, Mrs. [illegible]. .Robert Penny, both of Chicago; . .[illegible] .. Mrs. Boyd Buchanan, East Lansing; two sisters, Miss Musetta Aldrich, Niles and Mrs. Walter Simpson, Grand Rapids, four brothers, Edward and Woodrow Aldrich, Niles, and Byron and James Aldrich, Vandalia.

Friends may call in the home until 10 Tuesday morning. The service is set for Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Rutherford funeral home. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, Pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Ralph Asmus
1896-April 10, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 10, 1943, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

RALPH ASMUS, 47, TAKEN BY DEATH

Ralph Ausmus, 47, died this morning at 9:30 in this home, 315 1/2 North Second street, after a five weeks' illness of heart trouble.

He was born in Niles, had lived here all his life and was last employed by the Woods Beverage company.

Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Rose Evick; a daughter, Mrs. Vera Deditch; a brother, Carl Evick, and a sister, Mrs. Ardella Gentry, all of Niles.

Friends may call in the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2. Burial will be in Siverbrook cemetery.

Benjamin Theodore Ausbrook
Nov. 22, 1897-June 9, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 10, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

AUSBROOK, FORMER DEPUTY, STRICKEN

Benjamin Theodore Ausbrook, 45, member of the Berrien county sheriff's department for four years, died at midnight Wednesday in his home at 1154 Lambert street.

Mr. Ausbrook, familiarly known as "Ted", had been ill five months and returned to Niles from Sturgis when he was forced to give up his post as chief of plant protection police for the Kirsch Manufacturing company.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and of the Benton Harbor Elks lodge, No. 1459, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Drum and Bugle corps, and of the Masonic lodge of Bridgeport, Ill.  A native of Clay City, Ill., he was born Nov. 22, 1897.

Rites Saturday

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Ausbrook; his father, Thomas L. Ausbrook, West Union, Ill.; two daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Mantke and Mrs. Robert Steele, Niles; a sister, Mrs. E.D. VanPetten, Niles, and one grandchild.

Friends may call in the Pifer funeral home until noon Saturday when the body will be taken to the Methodist church for the funeral at 2. The Rev. Howard A. Blanning, pastor of the Benton Harbor Congregational church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 12, 1943, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Ausbrook Funeral

Funeral servcies for Benjamin Theodore Ausbrook, 45, former member of the Berrien county sheriff's department, were conducted this afternoon at 2 in the Methodist church. The body lay in state from noon until the hour of service. The Rev. Hoard A. Blanning, pastor of the Benton Harbor Congregational church, officiated with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mary and Marie Bolton
May 25, 1943-May 25, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 25, 1943, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Twins Stillborn to Boultons; Rites at 2 Wednesday

Twin daughters, Mary and Marie, were stillborn this morning at 9:30 in Pawating hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Irving Boulton, 752 Hickory street.

Surviving, with the parents, are a brother and sister, Norman and Marlene Boulton.

Private funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 in the Rutherford funeral home with the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.