William Krueger, 67
Oct. 19, 1885-July 31, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 1, 1953, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

William F. Krueger, rural route one, died at 1:45 p.m. Friday at Blodgett Hospital, Brand Rapids. he had been in poor health for one and one-half years.

Surviving are his wife, Bertha; his children, Wilbert Krueger, Mrs. Harley Frantz, Mrs. Jack Layman, and Henry Kreuger[sic], all of Niles, LeRoy Kreuger[sic], of Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Robert Clark, of Edwardsburg, and 26 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Levina Spencer and Mrs. Anna Beal, and one brother, Arthur Krueger, all of Michigan City, Ind.

He was born on Oct. 19, 1885, in  Michigan City, and came to Niles from there in 1919. He was a car repairman for the New York Central Railroad Company, and was a member of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. John's Church, with the pastor, the Rev. H.A. Meussling, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Dorothy C. Harger
May 21, 1917-Dec. 3, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 4, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Memorial services or Dorothy C. Harger, 81, 3548 North Fifth Street, Niles, will be Monday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Niles.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Harger died Thursday at 8:25 a.m. at Fountainveiw Alzeimer's Center, Buchanan, of natural causes.

She was born May 21, 1917 in Niles.

On Sept. 3, 1938, in Niles, she married Don E. Harger, who survives.

Mrs. Harger was a secretary for 3 years at Tyler Refrigeration Co., Niles, prior to marriage and secretary for 16 years at Harger Accounting Service, Buchanan, after raising her children.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a Sunday school teacher for 15 years.

Mrs. Harger was a Niles High School graduate in 1935. She was a member of Delta Ti Gamma Sorority, Orchard Hills Country Club, Seepewa Club, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge no. 1322, Niles.

She enjoyed golf, bridge, cross stitch and the art of decoupage.

Mrs. Harger was preceded in death by a brother, Derek Crippen, in 1969.

Survivors also include a daughter, Luann Hargreaves of Niles; a son, D. Richard Harger of Niles; fiver grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family of Mrs. Harger will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church.

Maxine Irwin
Oct. 25, 1916-Dec. 21, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 23, 1998, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Maxine Irwin, 82, 134 Huron Street, Niles, will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Irwin died Tuesday at 3:35 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, following a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 25, 1916, in Buchanan, and had lived in this area all of her life.

On Oct. 20, 1935, in Roseland, Ind., she married Winston Irwin, who preceded her in death on April 5, 1970.

Mrs. Irwin retired in 1981 after 30 years of employment with the French Paper Co., Niles.

She enjoyed gardening and yard work.

Mrs. Irwin was also preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.

Surviving family includes a son, Phillip Irwin of Bitely;; two grandchlldren, Greg and Scott Irwin; trhee great-grandchildren, Britny, Scott, and Krista Irwin, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

L. Reynald Wood
July 10, 1902-Dec. 18, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 19, 1998, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for L. Reynald Wood, 96, formerly of Topinabee Road, Niles, will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church presiding.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Wood died Friday at 8:07 a.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes.

The lifelong Niles resident was born July 10, 1902 to Jay Walter Wood and Alta E. Rice in Niles.

On Aug. 22, 1922 in Dowagiac, he married the former Margaret Cuddy.  She preceded him in death June 5, 1985.

Survivors include: a son, J.C. Wood of Marco Island, Fla.; grandsons Robert Wood and Terrence Wood, both of Niles; great-grandson Eric Wood of Niles and great-granddaughters Jennifer Wood of Niles and Bethany Wood of Marco Island.

Wood attended Niles High School, Culver Military Academy and the University of Michigan.  He joined the family business, the Niles Steel Tank Company in the early 1930s, becoming the corporation's secretary/treasurer.

He was a long-time supporter and participant in local sports.  He pitched  for the famed Niles Elks Traveling Baseball Team in the 1930s and recorded the first perfect game in sectional play.

In 1937, Wood helped found and became president of the Pickwick Club. At his death, he was the oldest living member of the founding group.

He was a former trustee and past president of the former Pawating Hospital board, now Lakeland Health System, Niles.

He had also served as director of the First National Bank of Southwestern Michigan, now Old Kent Bank.

Wood was a former member and president of the Orchard Hills Country Club board of directors and was a  life member of the B.P.O. of Elks Lodge 1322, Niles.

Wood also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to B.P.O. of Elks Lodge 1322, Niles.

Phillip John VanDenBerg, D.D.S.
Jan. 16, 1947-Nov. 22, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 24, 1998, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Phillip John VanDenBerg, D.D.S., 51, 901 Weesaw Road, Niles, will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, by the Rev. Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church.

VanDenBerg died suddenly at 8:01 p.m. Sunday at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born January 16, 1947, in Kalamazoo. He had lived here since 1975, coming from Detroit.

On January 20, 1968, in Kalamazoo, he married the former Elizabeth A. Webster, who survives.

VanDenBerg was a doctor of dental surgery in his own practice in Niles.

He was a 1965 graduate of Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo. He was a 1969 graduate of Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, as well as Wayne State University in 1973 and the University of Detroit in 1975.  He was currently enrolled in the University of Notre Dame's Masters of Business Administration program.

VanDenBerg was a member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, and the Lakeland Valley Dental Association. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, chairman of the Church Finance Committee, and member of the Pastoral Personal Relations Committee.

VanDenBerg was a member of both Noon and Breakfast Optimist Clubs, past-president of the Noon Optimist Club, State of Michigan Lt. Governor and Governor, former Vice-president of Optimist International, and was instrumental in the formation and growth of the Optimist Soccer League of Southwest Michigan (growth of approximately 100 young people participating to approximately 1,800).

VanDenBerg was the past-president of the Park and Recreation Board, Niles.

In addition to his dental practice, he recently had purchased the Niles Racquet Club and re-named it "Lakeland Racquet and Health Club."

Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah Glass of Richmond, Va., and Miss Lauren VanDenBerg of Notre Dame, Ind.; a son Tim VanDenBerg of Washington, D.C.; his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Max VanDenBerg of Kalamazoo; a brother, Allan VanDenBerg of Seabrook Island, S.C.; and a sister, Julie Grausam of Grand Rapids.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or the Niles Community Library.

Velma L. Teague
Dec. 25, 1910-Nov. 13, 1998

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 16, 1998, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Velma L. Teague, 87, 2274 Mulder Drive, Niles, will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Franklin A.M.E. Church, Niles, by the Rev. Harry D. Pierson of Franklin A.M.E. Church.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Teague died Thursday at 9:50 p.m. at Woodfield Manor, Niles, following an extended Illness.

She was born Dec. 25, 1910, in Almo, Ky. She had lived in Niles since 1944, coming from Murray, Ky.

On Feb. 3, 1951, in Niles, She married James C. Teague, who preceded her in death on July 10, 1985.  Ms. Teague was a member of Franklin A.M.E. church, where she also served on the Stewardess Board.

She provided child care for several families in this area who remember her kindness.

She had been a waitress in several area restaurants.    She was also preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.

Surviving family includes several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin A.M.E. Church.