Elva Lillie Miller
Sept. 11, 1862-Nov. 28, 1879

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 24, 1879, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS

Of scarlet fever, Elva Lillie, eldest daughter of Ansel and Almena Miller, on the 28th of November, aged 17 years, 2 months and 17 days.

As she neared the cold, dark river,
And our hearts with anguish tossed,
"Do not weep," she said, "dear mother,
For I'm not lost, I am not lost.

And methinks the shining angels
Bore her happy soul away,
To the mansions of the blessed,
The the realms of endless day."

O, blessed assurance! glorious home!
To us below is given
When such as she from earth is taken.
That Jesus guides them safe to Heaven.

Then dry your tears, good parents dear,
For your broken household band
Soon in Heaven, when grief is over
You'll clasp again dear Elva's hand.

Frank Mitchell
Jan. 7, 1884-Jan. 19, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 21, 1978, page 2, col, 5, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Frank Mitchell, 94, of 2570 Terminal Rd., died at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in his home following a brief illness.

Mr. Mitchell was born on Jan. 7, 1884 in Clarksdale, Miss., and had lived in Niles since 1942 coming from Jolliette, Ill. In 1904, in Jackson, Miss., he married the former Annie Reynolds who preceded him in death.

He is survived by two sons, Ulyssess of Chicago, and Oliver of Sun City, Calif.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was a retired employee of George Fuller Construction Co. of Chicago.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Hazel Laura Parks
Oct. 8, 1911-Aug. 19, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 20, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Hazel Laura Parks, 85, 2722 Horton Court, Nils, are Friday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Pastor Dan Gregor of Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Parks died Tuesday at 11:45 a.m., at her home following an extended illness.

She was born Oct. 8, 1911, in Odon, Ind., and had lived in Niles since 1950, coming from South Bend, Ind.

In Oct. 1934, she married Harry L. Parks, who survives.

Mrs. Parks was a former employee of Rowley's Family Shoe Store in Niles; and was a member of Pithian Sisters.

Survivors include a son, Donald H. Parks of Niles; a grandson, Michael Parks of South Bend; four granddaughters, Donna Jo Parks of South Bend, Sierra Parks of Niles, Gina Heatherington of Houston, Texas, and Joanie McMillan of Estacada, Rre.; and a sister, Gay Holbrecht of Washington, Ind. She was preceded in death by a son, James L. Parks, who died Oct. 4, 1994; a brother and two sisters.

Friends may call Thursday from 2-4 p.m and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

James (Infant Son) Peterson
May 13, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 14, 1947,  page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal services were held today at Silverbrook cemetery for the infant son of Mr.and Mrs. Verne Peterson, rural route four, Niles. The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe was in charge of the service.
The child was stillborn at Pawating hospital.

Martha L. Porenta
Dec. 14, 1928-Jan. 19, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 20, 1978, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Martha L. Porenta, 49, of 1428 Howard St., died at 10 a.m. Thursday at her home, following an extended illness.

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, and was sponsor and member of the Michiana "Miniature" Guild. She was the owner of the Martha Louise Miniatures of South Bend.

Mrs. Porenta was born Dec. 14, 1928 in South Bend, and had lived here her lifetime. On Nov. 18, 1950 in Niles, she married Gabriel E. Porenta, who survives.

Also surviving are her mother, Mrs. James Reed of Niles; her grandmother, Mrs. Dora Hull of Niles; a son, Monte A. of Ypsilanti; a daughter, Maebeth L. Porenta of East Lansing; two brothers, Max Hickerson of Edwardsburg and Michael Hickerson of Montclair, Calif.; a half-brother, Charles Reed of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and a sister, Mrs. Mildred Arnett of Montclair.

Private funeral services are scheduled, and burial will be in Silverbook Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Halbritter Funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Niles Community Library or the Cancer Service of Berrien County.

Kathleen Reeves
Jan. 23, 1895-Jan. 11, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 12, 1978, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Kathleen Reeves and Conrad Fitzgerald

NILES--Dual funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smtih Funeral Home for Mrs. Kathleen Reeves and Conrad Fitzgerald, both of Niles.

Mrs. Reeves, 86, of 514 Ironwood Drive, died at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday at the Bry-Fern Nursing Home, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Reeves' grandson, Conrad Fitzgerald, 49, of the Morris Hotel, Fourth St., died Monday.

Mrs. Reeves was born Jan. 23, 1895 in Atlanta, Ga., and was a chef.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Kathryn King of Niles; three grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be officiated by the Rev. Ebenezer Spencer of the Jesus Live here Church of Bangor. Mrs. Reeves will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery.

A wake service will be held from 7 to 8 p.m.  today for Fitzgerald and Mrs. Reeves at the Pifer chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.

Mr. Fizgerald was a CETA surveyor for the Niles Cmmunity Schools. He was born Jan. 18, 1928 in Chicago and had lived here from 22 years, coming from Chicago.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Kathryn King of Niles; three sons, Leonard Fitzgerald, Tyrone Fitzgerald and Baron Fitzgerald, all of Los Angeles, Calif.; and three sisters, Mrs. Veronica Spencer, Mrs. Charlotte Thomas and Mrs. Karen Williams, all of Niles.