Obituaries

Joseph Slezinger Sr.
April 13, 1880-Oct. 1, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 2, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Joseph Slezinger Sr., 73, who was found earlier this week lying in a coma on the floor of his room in the Kugler Hotel here, died at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Berrien County Hospital at Berrien Center where he was transferred from Pawating Hospital here.

According to officials at Pawating Hospital, Slezinger had suffered a possible stroke and a possible head injury.

He was born April 13, 1880, in Czechoslovakia and came here 18 years ago from Edwardsburg. He is survived by a son, Joseph Slezinger Jr.,  Westchester, Ill., and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger Funeral Home here.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Edward O. Vinson
Jan. 30, 1868-Oct. 26, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 27, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

BUCHANAN--Edward O. Vinson, 85, of 105 Moccasin avenue, died at 7:15 p.m. Monday in the Clear Lake Woods Rest Home, where he had been a patient since June. He had been ill for two years.

Vinson was born Jan. 30, 1868, in Indiana and came to Buchanan in 1928 following his marriage to Nettie Arney in South Bend.  She died June 26, 1953.

Surviving are: a step-daughter, Mrs. Louise Tuttle of South Bend; a grandson, and a nephew.

Funeral services will be held at 1: 30 p.m  Wednesday in the Swem Funeral Home here with the Rev. H. Carlyle Carson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Wilbur F. Wilken
July 15, 1906-Aug. 27, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 28, 1953, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Wilbur F. Wilken, 45, of 1830 Sycamore street, died at 6:20 p.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital after a six-month illness.

He was born in Michigan City, Ind., on July 15, 1906, and lived most of his live[sic] in Niles. He was employed by the New York Central Railroad here. He was a member of the Carmen of America, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Surviving are: his mother, Mrs. Minnie Wilken of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. William Pearson of Bellingham, Wash.; a son, Robert who is serving with the Air Force in Hawaii; a brother, Charles of Niles; three sisters, Mrs. Donald Walters of Michigan City, Mrs. Roy Hoadley of Three Oaks and Mrs. Robert Gleason of Niles; a grandmother, Mrs. Paul Arch of Michigan City; two grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook but arrangements for funeral services are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 29, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

WILKEN RITES SET

Funeral services for Wilbur F. Wilken, 1830 Sycamore street, who died Thursday, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Kiger Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Members of the Rebekah Lodge will meet at the Funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Monday to attend the funeral.

Harry H. Williams
July 2, 1875-Aug. 15, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 15, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Harry H. Williams, 78, of 818 Emmons street, retired carpenter, died at 7:20 a.m. today at his home. He had been ill two years.

Williams was born July 2,1875, in Niles and lived here all his life. He was married May 31, 1903, in South Bend to Clara A. Morehouse, who survives.

Also surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Melvin Brown, Colorado Springs, Colo., and three sons, Floyd and Orville, both Niles, and Thomas, Camden, N.J.

Funeral services will be held at the Kiger Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

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.