Francis Weston Armstrong
Oct. 28, 1918-Jan. 6, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 6, 1934, page 1, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES BOY KILLED BY FALLING TREE

Armstrong Youth Dies at Hospital of Skull Fracture

Evidently Became Confused When Warning Was Shouted by Huffman Brothers; Ran Directly Under Falling Tree

Francis Weston Armstrong, 15, Niles junior high school student, died in Pawating hospital at 10 o'clock this morning from injuries received when a tree he was helping to chop down fell on him.

Working with two Huffman brothers, Cleo, 18, and Robert, 15, the youth was felling timber in the Al Stocks' woods, south of Niles. The boys have been working there at times for some weeks.

"We went to the woods about 7 o'clock this morning," Cleo Huffman said. "We were working on a big tree. When it started to fall, I yelled for the fellows to get out of the way. Francis seemed to be confused and ran directly in the path. The top of the . . .[illegible].

"He was unconscious and did say anything. My brother and I had no trouble getting him out from under the branches. We put him in the car and drove him home.  His parents said to take him on to the hospital, which we did."

The lad was received at the hospital at 9:40 o'clock and died a few minutes later without gaining consciousness. He sustained a fractured skull, a crushed chest, and a broken right arm.

Francis was the son of Mrs.and Mrs. Francis M. Armstrong, 1517 Michigan street. He was born October 28, 1918. The parents and three sisters survive. The sisters are: Mrs. Marian Ravish, Buchanan; Mrs. Mildred Dunek and Mrs. Margery Shepherd, both of Niles.  Two grandmothers are living: Mrs. Mary Armstrong, South Bend, and Mrs. Irene Critzer, Baroda.

Cleo and Robert, the boys who were working with young Armstrong, are sons of Mr.and Mrs. Harry Huffman, 633 South Lincoln avenue. Mr. Huffman and John Dunek, a brother-in-law of the deceased, hold a contract to clear the woods where the boys were busy. The boys have been helping them on school vacations, but the men were engaged in other work today and did not go to the woods.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Rutherford funeral home.

Cecilia Hazel Armstrong
Sept. 13, 1900-Feb. 14, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 15, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Howard J. (Cecilia Hazel) Armstrong, 59, 2634 S. 13th St., well known Niels area community resident, died at 8:40 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital where she had been a patient for four days. She had been ill for three weeks.

Mrs. Armstrong was born Sept. 13, 1900, in Chicago and came here 35 years ago from Chicago.  Her husband preceded her in death in 1938.

In 1958, Mrs. Armstrong was presented the distinguished service award for 35 years service to the Parent-Teachers Assn.She was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church, the Bertrand Missionary Society and was . . .[illegible]. . .and, at the time of her death was serving as neighborhood chairman of the Girl Scouts of the Brandywine area.

Surviving are: nine children, Mrs. Ernest Ringer, Richard Armstrong, Mrs. Bruce Benton and Miss Ellen Armstrong, all Niles,  Mrs. George Stokes, Lawton, Okla., Warren and John Armstrong, both Alberquerque, N.M., Mrs. Fred Brill, Arlington, Tex., and Mrs. Crawford Garrett, Benton, Ark.; 13 grandchildren, and a brother, Edward Lowery, Santa Monica, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday in St. Mark Church with the pastor, the Rev. Francis E. Timmons, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home here where friends may call.

Frank Armstrong
Jan. 10, 1862-Nov. 3, 1902

Niles Republican, Thursday, November 6, 1902, page 7, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The remains of Frank Armstrong, a former resident of Niles, who was killed in an accident in the yards of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad Monday night, arrived here last night and were taken to the vault at Silver Brook cemetery. This afternoon the funeral services were held at the home of his uncle, A.F. Armstrong and the remains were laid at rest in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Armstrong was 40 years old.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 5, 1902, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Frank Armstrong, aged about 40 years, a former resident of Niles and a nephew of A.F. Armstrong of this city, was killed in Chicago Monday afternoon in the Northwestern railroad passenger yards, where he was employed as foreman. Particulars in regard to the accident have not yet been received here.  Mr. Armstrong was born near Edwardsburg and was at one time engaged in business here.  He leaves a wife and one son, 14 years of age. The remains will arrive here tonight at 5:30 o'clock and will be placed in the vault. Funeral arrangements have not been made but it is probable that services will be held tomorrow at the home of A.F. Armstrong on Ninth street and interment will be at Silver Brook.

Note:  DOB from Illinois Deaths @FamilySearch.org

Mary Jane Armstrong
Aug. 10, 1838-Aug. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES PASSES

Mrs. Mary Jane Armstrong, 97, Dies at Daughter's Home in South Bend

Mrs. Mary Jane Armstrong, 97, a former resident of Niles, died early Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hatfield, of South Bend.

Mrs. Armstrong was born in Rockport, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1838. She was the widow of Frank Armstrong who died about 15 years ago. The family left Niles some time ago but will be recalled by many of the older residents. Their home was near Ninth and Hickory streets.

Surviving are Mrs. Hatfield, of South Bend, a son, Frank Armstrong, Niles and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Armstrong, Chicago. Five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive.

Services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Price and Kiger funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 27, 1935, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

RITES HELD TODAY FOR AGED PIONEER

Mrs. Mary Armstrong, 97, Resident of County 60 years;

Buried This Afternoon

Mrs. Mary Armstrong, 97, whose funeral services were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home, was one of Berrien county's old pioneers.  As a bride she crossed what was then a wilderness in Indiana and Ohio to Missouri, driving in a covered wagon across the frontier.

Left alone in wilderness with the death of her husband, she drove the wagon and team back to the east and settled in Berrien county 60 years ago. She was a member of the Bassett family widely known among the pioneer settlers of this section, and was married to  Frank Armstrong when she was 24 years old.

She had resided in Niles, Berrien Springs, South Bend and Benton Harbor for more than 60 years. Her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hatfield, Benton Harbor, with whom she had lived for the last 24 years.

She left one son, Frank Armstrong, Niles, and two daughters, Mrs. Hatfield, and Miss Lillian Armstrong, Chicago.

Ezekiel Redding
Abt. 1807-Aug. 11, 1881

Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 13, 1881, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Ezekiel Redding, an old and highly esteemed citizen, died Thursday morning, August 11th, in his 73rd year.  Thus one by one the links which bind us to the past are broken.  Mr. Redding was one of a large family, most of whom settled in this county, nearly fifty years ago.  He was in active business in Niles until within the past few years, when his health became feeble and he was compelled to surrender the business into younger and more vigorous hands.  He was ever a man of his word, honest and straight forward in all his dealing, kind and obliging in his intercourse with others, and after the many years spent in this community, we may confidently affirm that he leaves none but friends behind him. He suffered much during his declining years, but all with Christian fortitude and patiently awaited the hour of release.

Walter Simmons
Jan. 5, 1892*-Aug. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1935, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Veteran Succumbs After Long Illness

Walter Simmons, 44, a veteran of the World war who servied in the United States navy, died Sunday in the Hines veterans' hospital in Chicago. His body will be brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home late this afternoon.

Mr. Simmons had been in the hospital for the last four months. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Simpson . .[illegible].

Funeral services will be held Wednesday . .at the Price and Kiger funeral home, the Rev. Theo Laesch officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 28, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: SIMMONS FUNERAL TODAY

Services for Walter Simmons, 44, World war veteran, who died Sunday in the Hines' veterans' hospital in Chicago, were held at 3 o'clock this afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. Theo Laesch officiated, and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

*DOB from Illinois Death records @FamilySearch.org