Obituaries

Nellie M. Wolfinger
Aug. 17, 1903-July 29, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 30, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Nellie M. Wolfinger, rural route six, died at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Pawating Hosptial. She had been ill two years.

Surviving are her husband, Frank; two sons, Bennie and Burton Wolfinger, both of Niles; two grandsons, and three sisters, Mrs. Nona Funnell, Mrs. Cora Stewart and Mrs. Hazel Vanderboegh, all of Niles.

Mrs. Wolfinger was born on Aug. 17, 1903, in Kouts, Ind., and had lived here for 40 years.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m Saturday, with the Rev. Raymond L. McCoy, First Baptist Church pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Cecilia M. Amundson
May 14, 1902-June 26, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 27, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Cecilia M. Amundson, 51, of 1026 Margaret street, died Sunday in the Berrien County Hospital at Berrien Center.

Mrs. Amundson was born May 14, 1902 in Aurora, Ill., a daughter of Mrs. Jennie Watery, now of Buchanan. Mrs. Amundson lived almost all her life in this community.

Surviving in addition to Mrs. Watery are three daughters, Mrs. Mary Krabill of Niles, Mrs. Anna Mae Birdsel, of Roseberg, Ore., and Miss Joanne Amundson at home; two sons, Joseph A. and Edward J., both of Niles; six grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Mabel Smith, Mrs. Catherine Skinner, and Mrs. Agnes Weldon, all of Buchanan, and Mrs. Ann Liggett of Niles; and two brothers, Frank and James Watery, both of Buchanan.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Theordore Laesch, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Edwin Armstrong, Jr.
Aug. 20, 1953-Aug. 20, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 20, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Edwin Armstrong Jr., 908 North Fifth street, died 10 minutes after his premature birth at about 7:05 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital.

His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Armstrong Sr., of the same address; a grandmother, Mrs. Tressa Browning, of Buchanan, and three sisters, Virginia, Jane and Brenda Dobson, at home.

A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Elizabeth Bidwell
March 25, 1891-Aug. 20, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 20, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Elizabeth Bidwell, 715 Cass street, wsa found dead early this morning in the basement of her home. Coroner Franklyn G. Rice ruled the death a suicide.

Mrs. Bidwell had been in poor health for some time. Her husband, Henry, died on May 30, 1952.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Howard Hughes, Rock Rapids, Ia., and Mrs. Fred Petty, of Roann, Ind.; one son, E.L. Bidwell, of Diamond Lake, Cassopolis; three grandchildren; two brothers, Everett and Clarence Horner, of Niles, and four sisters, Mrs. O.M. Worvey and Mrs. Albert Felhauer, Niles, Mrs. John Deditch, of Laporte, Ind. and Mrs. Henry Deditch, Carp Lake, Mich.

She was born on March 25, 1891, in Niles, and had lived here all her life. She was a member of the Loyal Star and of the First Presbyterian Church.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, with the pastor, the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mary C. Bracken
1868-Aug. 8, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 10, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary C. Bracken, about 87, a former Niles resident, died at 7:40 p.m. Saturday at the home of her son, Harold, in Wabash, Ind. Three grandchildren in Wabash and a brother, Frank Blodgett of Tampa, Fla., also survive.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Silverbrook Cemetery here.

George P. Eisele, 71
Oct. 31, 1881-July 31, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 1, 1953, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

George P. Eisele, 435 South Fifth street, died at his home at 6:50 p.m. Friday.  He had been in poor health for a year.

Surviving are his wife, Eva, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Forrest, Niles. He was born on Oct. 31, 1881, in Buchanan and came to Niles from there. He was lived here most of his life and was a machinist at the National Standard Company.  He was a member of Modern Woodmen of America.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday. The Rev. H.A. Meussling, pastor of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.