William D. Slates
Dec. 9, 1853-Oct. 23, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 27, 1930, page 4 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

William D. Slates, 76, of South Bend, formerly a resident of Niles was brought to Niles from South Bend on Saturday afternoon for committal in Silver Brook cemetery. He is survived by three sons, Leon and Robert, South Bend, John Slates of California and one daughter, Mrs. Etta Cook of Dailey, Michi.

Martin Swenson
Nov. 13, 1861-Oct. 25, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, October 28, 1930, page 1 col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

SWENSON FUNERAL WILL
BE HELD AT RUTHERFORD CHAPEL
WEDNESDAY A.M.

Funeral services for Martin Swenson, 68-year-old victim of a hit and run automobile, will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning at the Rutherford Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Silver Brook cemetery.

Authorities succeeded in locating a son, Starkey Swenson of Milwaukee, from whom the dead man has not heard from more than 30 years. The son was expected to arrive here this afternoon. A step-daughter, Mrs. Daisy Strait of Kalamazoo, arrived here this morning and made tentative arrangements for the funeral.

No inquest date has been set by Justice R.S. Pangburn of Cassopolis, who with Sheriff Jesse Auston of Cass county took charge of the case after the body was found Saturday night on the pavement of M-60 a mile east of the city limits, with the skull fractured, the right leg severed and the body badly battered, apparently from being run down by an automobile. A burning flashlight lay beside the body. The severed leg and the man's shoes lay near the body in a position to indicate they had been placed there. Authorities also were of the opinion the accident many have occurred some distance from where the body was found.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, October 29, 1930, page 4 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: FUNERAL MARTIN SWENSON

Funeral services for Martin Swenson who met a tragic death on Saturday night, evidently having been struck by a hit and run driver were held this morning. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church, officiated. Burial was in Silver Brook cemetery.

Samuel S. Messenger
Dec. 19, 1821-Oct. 27, 1908

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Wednesday, October 28, 1908, page 3, col. 4 (microfilm Niles District Library)

DEATH TAKES OLD RESIDENT
Samuel Messenger Passes Away
--Also Mrs. Rodgers

At 12 o'clock last night, Samuel S. Messenger, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Niles, passed away at his home on south Fourth street, after an illness of about a year. A more extended obituary will be given later. The arrangements are not completed but it is probable that the funeral will occur Saturday.

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Thursday, October 29, 1908, page 2, col. 2 (microfilm Niles District Library)

FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY
The Late Samuel Messenger Had Resided Here

Samuel Messenger was born at Easton, Northhampton county, Penn., of German parents. When one and a half years of age his family moved to the state of New York, settling on a farm near Ithaca, where Samuel spent his early boyhood and received his education in the common district school, supplemented by a year's study at a private school in Lewiston. In the early forties, his elder brothers and sisters had caught the western fever and moved to Michigan and Ohio, after which his mother and he decided to come west also and try their fortunes, arriving in Niles in may of that year. Shortly after, he bought the farm in Portage Prairie now owned by his son, Schuyler C. Messenger.

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anna Wood, who died in 1874 after a brief illness. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Lavinia Willite Kellogg, who survives him.

Possessed of a generous heart, amiable disposition and gently ways, he gained an extensive circle of friends, who are deeply grieved by his death, which occurred Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, 1908, at his late residence on south Fourth street.

In religion he was an active and faithful Presbyterian, and for more than 30 years was a zealous member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church of this city.

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Friday, October 30, 1908, page 3, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

The funeral of the late Samuel Messenger will take place from the house, 308 south Fourth street, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church will conduct the services. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Saturday, October 31, 1908, page 3, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

The funeral of the late Samuel Messenger took place from the home on south Fourth street, this afternoon at 2 o'clock. The last sad rites were performed by Rev W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church. Interment took place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Eli Nicoloff
Sept. 15, 1883-Aug. 24, 1960

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Daily Star, Wednesday, August 24, 1960, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Eli Nicoloff, 74, 110 N. 4th St., died Wednesday morning in Pawating Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lou, who died in 1957.

Surviving is one daughter, Marie Evenoff in Bulgaria.

Mr. Nicoloff operated a restaurant in Niles for 25 years prior to his retirement in 1955.

The body is at the Pifer Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Daily Star, Thursday, August 25, 1960, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NICOLOFF SERVICES

Funeral services for Eli Nicoloff, 74, 110 N. 4th St., will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday in the Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, South Bend, with the Rev. Georfe Vukcovich officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Nicoloff died Wednesday morning in Pawating Hospital. His wife, Lou, died in 1957. Surviving is one daughter, Marie Evenof in Bulgaria.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Lena Lardner
July 27, 1875-Aug. 27, 1960

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Saturday, August 27, 1960; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library

Miss Lena Lardner, 85, one of nine children of Henry Lardner, pioneer resident of Niles, died at 2:15 a.m. Today in the Steinbarger Nursing Home on Fourth Street where she had been a patient for the past four years.

Miss Lardner was the sister of Ring Lardner, one of the most widely known short story writers of his era who died in his East Hampton, Long Island home on Sept. 25, 1933, at the age of 46.

Prior to her admittance to the nursing home, Miss Lardner lived at 103 S. 4th St., now the site of the Trinity Episcopal Church rectory. The property had been deeded to the church about two years ago by Miss Lardner.

For many years she served as organist at Trinity, retiring in 1947 or 1948. Following her retirement she was given the title of organist emeritus of the church where she had been a life member.

Miss Lardner was born in Niles on July 27, 1875, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lardner. The old Lardner home still stands at 519 Bond St.

Surviving are: a sister, Mrs. R. G. Tobin, Dougleston, Long Island, N.Y., and several nieces and nephews, including Miss Ellen Lardner, 518 S. 3rd St., and Fred W. Lardner, Washington, D.C., George E. Lardner, Bayside, N.Y., Rex Lardner, New York City, and the son and two daughters of the R.G. Tobins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday in Trinity Church with the rector, the Rev. John G. Carlton, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.

John B. Michelson
June 7, 1913-Aug. 28, 1960

Niles (Niles, Berrien Co, MI) Daily Star, Monday, August 29, 1960; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library

John Beverly Michelson, 57, 527 Eagle St., died at 4:50 a.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient since Aug. 23. He had been in failing health for six months.

Mr. Michelson was born June 7, 1913, in Benton Harbor and came to Niles in 1932 from South Bend. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World.

Surviving are his father Andrew B. Michelson, Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Bernice Green, Chicago.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home with Elder M.V. Fleming of the Niles Seventh-day Adventist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemtery[sic]. Friends may call at the funeral home.