Deborah Kay Howells
Sept. 1, 1952-April 30, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 2, 1981, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Deborah Kay Howells, 28, of Ludington, formerly of Niles, died Thursday evening in the Memorial Medical Center in Ludington from injuries suffered in an auto mishap.

She was employed as a planner-coordinator for the Mason County Intermediate School District in Ludington.

A 1970 graduate of Niles high school and a 1974 graduate of Grand Valley State College, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and a member of the Association of Physically Handicapped.

She was born Sept. 1, 1952 in Niles and had lived in the Ludington area for the past six years.

She was the daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Alfons A. Verwilst of Niles and the late Thomas E. Howells.

Survivors include her grandparents are Mr.and Mrs. John Weaver of Niles; a brother, David Howells of Ann Arbor, two stepbrothers, Michael Verwilst of Rochester and Richard Verwilst of South Bend; a sister, Mrs. Jan Marshall of West Lafayette, Ind., two step-sisters, Mrs. Nancy Queen, of Saratoga, Calif., and Mrs. Carol Eckstein of Menominee.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. The Rev. William J. Fuerstenau will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

James T. Howells
June 30, 1958-June 30, 1972

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 30, 1972, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--James T. Howells, 14, of 2025 W. River Rd. died at 3:45 this morning in St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend, as a result of injuries suffered Monday in a bicycle-car accident.

He was born June 30, 1958, in Niles, and had just completed the eighth grade at Ballard Junior High School. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the youth choir.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfons A. Verwilst, of 2325 W. River Rd. His father, Thomas E. Howells, preceded him in death.

Also surviving is a brother, David; and two sisters, Deborah and Jane; two step-brothers, Michael and Richard Verwilst at home; two step-sisters, Carol and Nancy Verwilst, all at home; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Weaver, of NIles, and a great-grandmother, Mrs. Iva Weaver, of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John R. Wyngarden and the Rev. Donald E. Gordon officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the James T. Howells Memorial Fund to be administered at Ballard Junior High School.

Thomas Earle Howells
Feb. 3, 1922-June 4, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 6, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Thomas Earle Howells, 38, who was found dead on his West River road farm Saturday night, died of a coronary occlusion heart attack, according to Dr. Russell Vastine, Berrien County medical examiner, who ordered an autopsy.

He was found about 7 p.m. by his widow, Joan, who had returned home from a wedding. He was reported to have died while working on fences.

Born Feb. 3, 1922 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he moved to Niles from South Bend in 1940. He was a design engineer for the Bendix Aviation Corp.

Surviving besides his widow, whom he married Sept. 1, 1951, in Niles, are four children, Deborah, Jane, David and James, all at home and a sister, Mrs. John A. Melloy of Niles.

Following cremation, memorial services will be conducted by the Rev. John P. MacLachlan at the First Presbyterian Church of which Mr. Howells was a member. The Kiger & Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 7, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SET HOWELLS RITES

Memorial services for Thomas Earle Howells, 38, who died Saturday, on his West River road farm, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, church pastor, will officiate.

Elizabeth G. Huff
Aug. 20, 1871-June 9, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 10, 1960, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Elizabeth G. Huff, 88, of Niles died at 12:440 .m. Thursday at the Berrien County Hospital after a two-month illness.

She had moved to Niles from Baroda and lived here several years before returning to live with relatives two months ago. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Niles.

Mrs. Huff was born Aug. 20, 1871 in Chicago. Her husband, Henry B. Huff, died March 24, 1945. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Painter of Baroda and two grandsons, Donald Painter, Baroda, and Ralph Painter who is stationed with the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Friends may call at the Kiger & Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday by Dr. Maurice D. McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Lizzy Ellen Johnson
Nov. 24, 1919-May 7, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 8, 1981, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Lizzy Ellen Johnson, 61, 1612 Superior St., Niles, died 3 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at home after a lengthy illness.

Born November 24, 1919, in Missouri, she was a resident of Niles for three years, coming from Galien. She retired in 1974 from Gerber Plastic Wear, Three Oaks.

She was married to Eulis Lee Johnson, who preceded her in death in 1945.

Surviving are two sons and a daughter, Eulis Billy Gene Johnson, of New Taswell, Tenn.; Jimmie Dale Johnson, Niles; and Mary Ann Whitehead, Mishawaka.

A sister, Mrs. Eugene Ryall, of South Bend, also survives her.

Mrs. Johnson had 13 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m .Saturday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, the Rev. Walter Bellis III, officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 9 p.m Friday.

Carrie Keltz
March 8, 1888-May 28, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 29, 1981, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Carrie Keltz, of 1423 Broadway, Niles died at 9:50 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born March 8, 1888 in Michigan City, Indiana and has lived here since 1921. She married Jesse M. Keltz on July 9, 1913 in Michigan City. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1971. Mrs. Keltz belonged to the Lady Engineers and was a former member of the Lady Elks.

Survivors include a son, Howard R. Keltz of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Welsh of Gobles; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11: 00 a.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Reverend Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. The place of burial will be the Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Niles Community Library.