Obituaries

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

Albert N. Berkompass
Oct. 18, 1888-Aug. 21, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 22, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Albert N. Berkompas, 81, of 1325 Oak Street, Niles, died at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill four months.

He had lived at Niles since 1933. He was retired.

Mr. Berkompas was born October 18, 1888 in Hull County, South Dakota. On March 24, 1913, he married Winnie Farma, who survives.

Other survivors are two sons, the Rev. Elwood J. Berkompas of Monroe, and Alfred J. Berkompas of New York City; a sister, Mrs. Ella DeVries of Holland; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m .Monday at the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 p.m., Saturday.

Ursula Bingham
1887- March 9, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 11, 1960, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of Mrs. Ursula Bingham, who died Wednesday in Atlanta, Ga. is being returned to Niles for burial at 4 p.m. Saturday in Silverbrook Cemtery, it was announced today by the Pifer Funeral Home.