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.

Georgie Reinhart Jr.
1872-Dec. 13, 1872

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

DEATHS

On Saturday last, Georgie, a little son of Geor. and Mary Reinhart, aged six years.

John F. Ribble
Oct. 27, 1845-Oct. 27, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 27, 1932, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN F. RIBBLE, 87, DIES IN SOUTH BEND

Was Born on Farm in Howard Township, Cass County in 1845

John F. Ribble, a former resident of Niles, died in his home, 227 Williams street, in South Bend, this morning at 8 o'clock. Today marked the 87th anniversary of his birth.  The body was brought to Niles and is at the Rutherford Funeral home. The services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silverbook cemetery. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, will conduct the services.

Mr. Ribble was born on a farm in Howard township on Oct. 27, 1845 and grew to young manhood in this community.  He moved to South Bend 14 years ago. He was married 48 years ago to Jennie Haas, of Howard township, who survives him. Besides the widow he is survived by two twin sons, Fred Ribble of Chicago and Frank Ribble of Niles, and by three sisters who are Mrs. Charles H. Johnson and Mrs. Julia Childs of Niles and Mrs. Frank Willard of South Bend. Mr. Ribble was a twin brother of Amos Ribble who died in Niles on Dec. 31, 1931. Two granddaughters also survive Mr. Ribble, Miss Marian Ribble, a Niles high school student, and Mrs. Walter Milslagle, of Indianapolis, the latter a daughter of Mrs. Clarence Parmallee, who died seven years ago.

Howard Rickard
June12, 1881-May 5, 1947

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

Howard Rickard, 65 of 612 1/2 South Lincoln avenue, succumbed today at 3:30 a.m at the Berrien Center hospital, where he had been ill since March 17.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1881, he came to Niles from there in 1918. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ida Rickard, Ni and five brothers and sisters: Mrs. Mabel Huffman, Berrien Center; William Rickard of Florida; Charles Rickard and Mrs. Margaret Trego, both of Philadelphia, and Walter Rickard, Chicago.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted on Tuesday at 2 p.m. by the Rev. G.A. Steeeby. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carl F. Rodgers
July 17, 1889-May 13, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 13, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Kiger funeral home for Carl F. Rodgers, who died yesterday in Akron, O. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery with the Rev. [illegible] officiating.

Surviving are his wife, the former Blanche Dougan; and aunt, Mrs. Grace Tuesley, Edwardsburg; and three cousins, Peter Rodgers, Niles; Paul Tuesley, Edwardsburg; and Malcolm Tuesley, South Bend.

Rodgers had been ill several months in Akron where he had been employed for 20 years by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company.

The body will arrive in Niles Friday afternoon. Friends may call at the funeral home.