Gerald Bradley Wedel
April 11, 1903-July 2, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 6, 1970, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Gerald Bradley Wedel, 67, a Niles native living at Hendersonville, Tenn., died Thursday at a Hendersonville nursing home after an extended illness.

A retired farmer, Mr. Wedel was born April 11, 1903, in Niles, and had lived in Hendersonville for three years, moving there from Dowagiac. On June 15, 1930, he married Pauline Trusner, who survives. He was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include a son, Jerry of Vasser, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Mills of Niles and Mrs. Karen Renfro of Hendersonville; a sister, Mrs. George Thurston of Niles, and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Arlan Schlundt of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating.  Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Rev. George Wickware
April 5, 1907-Oct. 9, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 10, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

The Rev. George Wickware, 55, of 514 Ironwood drive, died Tuesday at 10 p.m. at his home following an illness of several months.

He was born April 5, 1907, in Evansville, Ind. He came to Niles from that city in 1940, and lived the rest of his life here.

Survivors include his widow, Marie; his father, Vincent Wickware Sr., Evansville; a brother Vincent Wickware Jr., also of Evansville; and two sisters, Mrs. Naomi Davis and Mrs. Helen Austin, both of Indianapolis.

He was an active pastor of the Church of God in Christ in Burlington, Vt., for six years. After coming to Niles, he began the mission, The Church of God in Christ, on Ironwood Road.  His illness forced him to retire as active pastor, although he was still active in an advisory capacity.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, with place of services to be announced. Elder James S. Lee of Kalamazoo will officiate; burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 11, 1962, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Rev. George Wickware, 55, of 514 Ironwood Drive, who died Tuesday, will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, in the Trinity Church of God in Christ, 17th and Cherry Sts.  Elder James S. Lee of Kalamazoo, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

William A. Wolford
Feb. 11, 1870-Jan. 2, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 3, 1940, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

W.A. WOLFORD DIES IN TAMPA

Willliam A. Wolford, native of Niles and a resident of the city until 1921, died suddenly Tuesday morning at his home, Ballast Point, Tampa, Fla.

Word of his death was received Tuesday by Mrs. Allan Benjamin, 1435 North Twelfth Street.  Mrs. Benjamin is a sister of Mr. Wolford.

Mr. Wolford was born in Niles, Feb. 11, 1870, the eldest son of the late Martin and Christina Knott Wolford, pioneer residents of Niles. The family home was at 1201 North Twelfth street.

Mr. Wolford was a farmer in early life, later working at the Kawneer plant. He was twice married --in 1894 to Linda Eggleston, who died in 1918, and in 1924, soon after he moved to Tampa, to Mrs. Mary Sanders, who survives.

Beside the widow and Mrs. Benjamin, Mr. Wolford leaves John, Edward, Carl, Louis and Charles Exner, brothers, all of Niles.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced. The body probably will be brought to Niles for funeral and burial.

Walter G. Woodruff
Jan. 24, 1916-March 21, 1984

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 22, 1984, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Walter "Bud" G. Woodruff, 68, 1530 Inner Dr., Niles, died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend, following a brief illness.

Born Jan. 24, 1916, in Niles, the lifetime area resident was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Army veteran of World War II and an employee of Williams Home Centers, Niles. On Sept. 17, 1955, in Eau Claire, he married Ruth E. Yetter, who survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Martha S. Woodruff and Ellen L. Woodruff, both of Niles; one brother, Robert of Pontiac; and one sister, Mrs. Ann Louise Pryce of Canby, Ore.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. David N. Henderson of that church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.  Memorials may be give to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

Paul G. Baker
April 2, 1883-March 16, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 17, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Paul G. Baker, 76, of 1731 Oak St., Died at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday in the Oak Grove Manor rest home. Ill three months, he had been in the rest home only three days prior to his death.

Mr. Baker was born in North Manchester, Ind., on April 2, 1883. He moved to this area 50 years ago and was a retired yard conductor for the New York Central railroad.

Mr. Baker was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Masonic lodge and the Pioneer Assn.

His wife, Laura Eyclesheymer Baker, died on Feb. 9, 1956.

Surviving are children, Mrs. Ardis Palmer and Burdette Palmer of Irving, Tex., and Charles Bucknell of Burr Oak; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Georgia Kingston of Niles, and Mrs. Ruth Mack of Three Rivers.

Friends may call at the Kiger & Halbritter Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. John MacLachlan officiating. Masonic services will be held at graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Harry J. Benning
Sept. 2, 1894-Aug. 19, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 19, 1970, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla.--Harry J. Benning, 75, of New Port Richey, a former Niles resident, died at 1:15 a.m. today in the Cambridge Nursing Home, after an illness of six months.

Born Sept. 2, 1894, in Logansport, Ind., Mr. Benning had lived in Florida for the last 25 years, coming from Niles. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Eagles, and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church of New Port Richey.

Survivors include a son, Bernard F. of Greenwich, Conn.; two brothers, George of Tarpon Springs, Fla.and Bernard of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. Kathryn Fries of Niles, and three brothers.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 20, 1970, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Funeral services for Harry J. Benning, 75, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Benning, a former Niles resident died Wednesday at New Port Richey, Fla.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Slowey will officiate at the funeral services and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 8 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home, where friends may call after 7 tonight