Nellie Mason
Jan. 16, 1874-Nov. 17, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 18, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Nellie Mason, 80, formerly of . . .[illegible] . . .Wednesday at Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph.

She came to Niles in 1918 from Bay City and lived here until she recently moved to St. Joseph where she resided at 517 Whittlesey avenue.

She was born Jan. 16, 1874, at Bay City. Her husband, C.H. Mason, died in 1935.

Survivors are two sons, Charles Mason, Niles; and Henry G. Mason, Benton Harbor; three daughters, Mrs. A.J. Hastings, St. Joseph, Mrs. Fred Shouder, Niles, and Mrs. Keith . . . [illegible] . . .six grandchildren; two half brothers, Dr. Harold Gay, Midland, and William Gay, Bay City; two half sisters, Mrs. Al Nesbitt and Miss Lillian Gay, both of Bay City.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where the Rev. George Beacock will conduct services at 2 p.m. Saturday.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Helen Maxine McConnell
March 7, 1914-March 26, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 26, 1980, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Helen Maxine McConnell, 66, of 1331 Sheffield, died at 3:05 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness.

A member of St. John's United Church of Christ, the Women's Fellowship of the church and the Senior Citizens, she was born March 7, 1914 in Charleston, Ill. She has lived here since 1921, coming from Michigan City, Ind.

On Jan. 3, 1931 in Roseland, Ind.; she married Donald R. McConnell, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Robert  (Sandra) Ryan, of Kalamazoo, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the St. John's United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Robert L. Livingston officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the St. John's United Church of Christ memorial fund.

James W. Meldrum
July 26, 1909-Oct. 9, 1977

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 19, 1977, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Chef James W. Meldrum 68, of 619 N. Clark St., died at 9:27 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

A retired chef at Mott's Apple Core restaurant, Mr. Meldrum had an accomplished career. He was a member of the American Culinary Federation and was an AAA Executive Chef de Cuisine. He was a veteran of World War II in the Canadian Air Force.

Mr. Meldrum was born on July 26, 1909, in Scotland, and lived in this area since 1955, moving from South Bend. On June 24, 1967, he married Ruth L. Lehman, in Niles. She survives.

Other survivors include a step-son, Gene Hunt of Byron, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Larry (Eleanor) Clymer of Niles; a step-daughter, Mrs. Betty Cavender of South Bend; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, the Rev. Arnold C. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Alta Merritt
Sept. 11, 1864-Sept. 11, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 12, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS MERRITT DIES ON 78TH BIRTHDAY

Mrs. Alta Merritt, a Niles resident 60 years, died Friday night at 10:10 in her home, 749 Maple street, on her 78th birthday anniversary. She had been ill a week of complications.

Surviving are a son, Roy Merritt, Chicago, and five grandchildren,  Mrs. C. William McOmber, Decatur, Ill.; Miss Eileen F. Merritt and Mrs. Thomas Marshall, both of Chicago, and Thomas and Henry R. Merritt, both of whom are serving in the army.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home, where the service will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Sarah E. Merritt
Dec. 25, 1846-Oct. 9, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Friday,October 9, 1942, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

SARAH MERRITT, 95, TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Sarah E. Merritt, 95, believed to be Niles' oldest resident, died this morning at 4:45 in her home at 1522 Cherry street. She had been ill nine weeks.

Mrs. Merritt was born in Elizabeth City, N.J. Dec. 25, 1846, and came to Niles during her childhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Merritt, who died in 1917.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Arthur Thompson and Mrs. James Ray; a son, Frank Merritt, and a step-son, Arthur Gregg, all of Niles.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home, where the funeral will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday,October 12, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MERRITT PALLBEARERS

Marvin Clark, Elton Rodgers, Floyd Leet, Robert Carey, Thomas Sanford and Richard Deibler served as pallbearers this afternoon at funeral servcies for Mrs. Sarah Merritt, 1522 Cherry street, in the Price and Kiger chapel. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Merritt, 95, who died Friday morning, was believed to be Niles' oldest resident.

Robert Messner
June 6, 1925-Dec. 8, 1987

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 10, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert W. Messner, 62, 1208 Breezy Beach Road, Niles, died at 5:56 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital follwing a brief illness.

He was a retired employee of Penn Central Railroad and a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in World War II.

Messner was born June 6, 1925 in Niles and was a lifetime resident of this area.

On Oct. 6, 1947, in Woodstock, Ill., he married Ruth C. Schultz, who died June 7.

Survivors include: a son, William of Niles; a daughter, Roberta Sportel of Kalamazoo; two brothers, Louis of Niles and Donald of Benton Harbor, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Leo Kostizen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Michigan Heart Fund.