Darrell LeRoy Rockwell
Oct. 21, 1944-June 19, 1972

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 20, 1972, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Darrell LeRoy Rockwell, 27, of 3117 Detroit Rd., died at 11 a.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital after an illness of a few hours.

Born Oct. 21, 1944, in Niles, Mr. Rockwell had lived here all his life.  On Dec. 3, 1968,in South Bend, he married the former Sandra Scott, who survives.

Also surviving are his father, Harold Davis, and his step-mother, Mrs. Lillian Davis, both of Niles; his foster parents, Mr.and Mrs. Everett McBain of Niles; a stepdaughter, Deborah Wise, at home and a sister, Mrs. Sylvia VanKirk of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. William H. McVay of the Missionary church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Amanda Stroup
Aug. 18,1870-Oct. 22, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 24, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger chapel for Miss Amanda Stroup, 62, who died on Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock in her home at Thirteenth and Main streets.  She had been ill for several weeks preceding her death. She is survived by a brother and a sister, Daniel Stroup and Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, of Niles. She was born in Bertrand on August 18, 1870 and had spent her entire life in this community.

Michael A. Thornton
Feb. 17, 1947-Aug. 15, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 16, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Michael A. Thornton, 48, of 10909 Pucker St., Niles, died at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital, following a brief illness. Mr. Thornton was a 1965 graduate of Niles High School.

Arrangements are being completed by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 17, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Michael "Harvey" Thornton
1947-1995
fishing and hunting enthusiast

Funeral services for Michael "Harvey" Thornton, 48, of 10909 Pucker St.,Niles, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Lowell Black of First Church of Christ-Christian.

Burial will follow in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles.

Mr. Thornton died at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital in Niles, following a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 17, 1947, in Niles, and was a lifetime resident of Niles.

On Aug. 14, 1966, in Niles, he married the former Stephanie L. Brooks, who survives.

Mr. Thornton was a foreman for French Paper Co. in Niles.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. He graduated from Niles High School in 1965, and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam.  He was the recipient of the Purple Heart during that conflict.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Michele R. Jones of Niles; a son, Steven D. Thornton of Cassopolis; two grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Ernsberger of Niles and Christine Thornton of Battle Creek; and a brother, Mark Thornton of Niles.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Heart Association.

Paul Rudlaff, 87
June 24, 1925-Oct. 17, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:24pm Thursday, October 18, 2012

Paul J. Rudlaff, 87, of Niles, died at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center, following a brief illness.

He was born on June 24, 1925, in Berrien Springs, to Herman and Tillie (Ragus) Rudlaff. He graduated from Berrien Springs High School and lived in the area most of his life, including many years on Clarendon Avenue in Niles.

He was employed by Lutheran Mutual and Michigan Mutual life insurance companies as a local insurance agent. Paul was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. He was active at the Senior Center and enjoyed bowling and euchre. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army as a medical non- commissioned officer, leading a squad that was posted in Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and the former Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4025.

On Feb. 26, 1988, in Niles, he married the former Shirley (Baird) Wickler who preceded him in death on March 22, 2006. He was also preceded in death by a son,

David Rudlaff, on March 30, 2011, and several brothers and sisters.

Surviving family includes his children, Lowell Rudlaff of Idaho, Rebecca Jo (Tom) Tapley of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Gary Rudlaff of State Line, Nev.; two grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor Hoge of Baroda; many nieces and nephews; and a wonderful circle of friends, including Odie Stewart of Niles.

The funeral service for Paul J. Rudlaff will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett, of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Full military honors will be offered by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post 26.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Paul may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Anna Ream
1851-October 31, 1922

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 31, 1922, submitted by Candace Skalla

Funeral services for Mrs. Anna Ream will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home of her brother, Frank Skalla, St. Joseph Avenue. Burial will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery. The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow morning from Kalamazoo where Mrs. Ream's death occurred at Borgess hospital.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 1, 1922, submitted by Candace Skalla

The body of Mrs. Anna Ream was brought to Niles this morning from Kalamazoo and taken to the home of her brother, Frank Skalla, St. Joseph Avenue, where the funeral services were conducted this afternoon by Rev. Harold Holt. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery. Among those out of the city who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Hartsell of Cleveland, O; Fred and Albert Ream and their families of Kalamazoo; Frank Ream and family of Allegan; Mrs. Frank Taylor of Laporte, Ind; and Mrs. Rosa Koontz of South Bend.

Elizabeth Skalla
Oct. 18, 1896-Sept. 29, 1984

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 4, 1984, page 2, submitted by Candace Skalla

Elizabeth J. Skalla, 87, of 333 N. Lincoln Ave., Niles, died Saturday, Sept. 29 at 12:15 p.m. at State Line Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.

She was born Oct. 18, 1896 in Berlin, Germany and had lived in the area since 1902, coming from Germany. She was a homemaker and married Frank Skalla on Feb. 14, 1929
in LaPorte, Ind. He preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 1963.

Surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Liz Bruckman, of Carmel Ind.; for grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Services will be held Monday, Oct 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Rev. William Hamm of the Trinity Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be given to the Berrien County Cancer Service and the Michigan Heart Fund.