Obituaries

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.

Alberta Love
May 24, 1925-Aug. 12, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 15, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Alberta Love, 70, of 251 Cass St., Niles, will be Friday at 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Niles by the Rev. Fletcher McAfee, pastor.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Mrs. Love died at 3:30 a.m Sunday at Berrien General Hospital in Berrien Center.

She was born May 24, 1925 in Newbern, Tenn., and had lived in Niles for over 50 years.

She married Thuruin Love in South Bend, Ind. He died July 17, 1980.

Mrs. Love was a homemaker.

She was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Niles.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Love of Benton Harbor,and Johnnie Carpenter of Gary, Ind.; a son, Richard Thompson of Niles; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Arrangements were completed by Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan.

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.