Mary Jane Harker, 85
July 15, 1927-Aug. 21, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online  1:01am Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mary Jane Harker, 85, of Niles, died at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, at her home following an illness.

She was born July 15, 1927, in Berrien Springs to Delbert D. and Lillian Mary (Dunn) Fox, and graduated from Niles High School.

She was employed at Clark Equipment as an administrative coordinator, first in Berrien Springs and then in Jackson, retiring after 30 years of service.

She moved to Niles in 1983, living for many years on Ruth Layne before moving to Bond Street.

On Aug. 13, 1949, in Niles, she married Donald Eldon Harker, who preceded her in death on March 22, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert L. Fox and Delbert D. Fox Jr., and their sister, Gloria M. Helpingstine.

Mary Jane is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Delbert M. Werner, who helped provide her care.

Services for Mary Jane Harker will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the graveside of Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with the Rev. Randy Pearman of First Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

No visitation will be offered.

Contributions in memory of Mary Jane Harker may be made to Hospice at Home.

Frank Bordner
June 18, 1876-Jan. 4, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 5, 1931, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FRANK BORDNER DIED SUDDENLY ON SUNDAY

Passed Away Shortly after Being Stricken with Indigestion

Frank Bordner, 54, 924 Lake street, died with a half-hour after being stricken with indigestion on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bordner had been down town during the morning and had returned to his home when he was stricken and died about 2 o'clock. Mr. Bordner had been employed as a polisher at the plant of the Kawneer company.

Mr. Bordner was born in Milford, Ind., on June 18, 1876. Before moving to Niles he had resided on a farm near Barron lake. Surviving Mr. Bordner is his wife, Mrs. Cora Bordner, three children, Ila, at home, Mrs. Edna Allbright who is also at home and William Bordner who resides on M-40; a brother, Samuel Bordner of Plymouth, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Emmett Hempfield of Gallion, Ohio and Mrs. Lydia Ann Freisch, of Nappanee, Ind.

The funeral plans are not completed but the services will be held at 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Minnie Beyrer
Nov. 13, 1868-April 16, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 17, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Minnie Beyrer, 78, a life-long resident of Niles, died at 11:30 p.m., last night at her residence, 1128 North Front street. She had been ill three weeks.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Surviving are two sisters, Miss Sarah Beyrer of Niles, and Mrs. Louise Kehrer, Watervliet.

Miss Beyrer was born in Bertrand township, Nov. 13, 1868. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church.

Amous Berry
April 15, 1904-Jan. 17, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 19, 1978, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Amous Berry Jr., 73, of 411 Gumwood Road, died at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday at Unity after an extended illness.

Mr. Berry was born April 15, 1904 in Newport, Ark., and moved to the area in 1951 from Sodus. He was a retired farmer.

He married Sylvia Johnson in 1921 in Weldon, Ark. She died Feb. 13, 1976.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Lee of Rockford, Ill., and Willie Lee of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Mrs. Luella Kirkwood of Niles; a brother, Louis of Chicago; three sisters, Mrs. Sally Jackson of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Laura Bell of Memphis, Tenn., and Mrs. Roberta Wise, Jonesboro, Ark.; and 11 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, with the Revs. Eugene Jones and Fletcher McAfee officiating.   Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Thursday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.

Bertha (Hoover) Barton
April 6, 1896-Aug. 5, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 5, 1931, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH MRS. ROY BARTON

Mrs. Bertha Hoover Barton, 35, died this morning at 10:30 in Pawating hospital where on Saturday a child was born to her which died at birth. She is survived by her husband, Roy Barton, also by her parents who reside on the Goldie farm north of Buchanan. Mr.and Mrs. Barton made their home in the tenant house on the Fred C. Franz farm four miles north of Niles. The funeral plans had not been completed at noon today.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 6, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL FOR MRS. BARTON

Funeral services for Mrs. Ray Barton will be held on Saturday afternoon at [?] o'clock, fast time, in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Hoover, on the Walton road. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Barton died on Wednesday morning in Pawating hospital where a daughter, Nina Joyce, was born to her on Saturday and who did not survive her mother. She was born on April 6, 1896 in Mishwaka[sic], Ind.  She was married to Mr. Barton on August 11, 1928. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Hoover, three brothers, Albert and William, both of South Bend and Henry at home and two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Smith and Mrs. Bernice Norman, both of Niles.

Henrietta Babcock
June 12, 1896-Oct. 5, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 6, 1970, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Henrietta Babcock, 72, of 2569 Lake Shore Dr., died at 6:20 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital.

Born June 12, 1896, in Plymouth, Ind., Mrs. Babcock had lived here most of her life.  Her husband, Loren, died in 1964.

Surviving is one brother, John D. Bowerman of Mentone, Ind.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home with burial in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.