Obituaries

Richard Eugene Masten
Sept. 4, 1926-Jan. 1, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 2, 1934, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Hold Masten Funeral Wednesday Afternoon

Richard Eugene Masten, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Masten, R.R. No. 1, New Carlisle, Ind., died early Monday morning at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Walker, of the Edwardsburg-Elkhart road. Death was due to food poisoning. He had been ill for several days as had other members of the family. The others recovered.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where the services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon . The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The child was born in Niles, September 4, 1926, and moved with his family to near New Carlisle. He has been attending the Lydick, Ind., public schools. His parents survive him as does a brother George Jr., 10, and three sisters, Virginia Mae, 8, Gladys Irene, 4, and Mary Lou, eight months.

Peter Nelsen
July 26, 1874-Feb. 21, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 21, 1952, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Peter Nelsen, who made his home at 1336 Sheffield avenue, died at 7:30 a.m. today in the Berrien County hospital at Berrien Center. He had been ill since December of 1951.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Allen Jones, of Niles, and Mrs. Lloyd Hofman, of South Bend; one son, Christian Nelsen, of Niles; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Nelsen was born on July 26, 1874, in Denmark, and came here from South Bend about 26 years ago. He was a carpenter.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Julius Peterson
April 11, 1867-March 27, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 28, 1945, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Former Resident of Niles Dies at St. Joseph

Julius Peterson, 77, father of Harry Peterson, 923 Hickory street, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday in his home at 912 Broadway, St. Joseph.

A retired farmer, Peterson moved to St. Joseph from Niles 10 years ago. He was a member of the German Lutheran church of St. Joseph.

He was born in Germany April 11, 1867, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Peterson, and was married to Augusta Hardke.

Surviving are the widow and the son; a daughter, Mrs. C.E. Keiser, South Bend, and five grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L.George Beacock. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Louis J. Schreck
Dec. 17, 1848-Dec. 8, 1910

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, December 9, 1910, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

LOUIS J. SHRECK DEAD

Well-known Cival[sic] War Veteran Succumbs last evening

Louis Julius Shreck, a well known resident of Niles, passed away last evening at 5:20 o'clock at his home 503 north Second street. The cause of death was Bright's disease from which the deceased had been a sufferer for twenty -two years. During this time he has been seriously ill on a number of occasions and his life was despaired of. His last illness was about three weeks duration.

Mr. Shreck was born in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, sixty-three years ago. He came to Niles about thirty years ago and had since resided here continously[sic].

The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted when a young man in the Third Ohio Cavalry and with the exception of three months time served throughout the war, he was also at one time during the war a member fo the Ninth Cavalry.

Mr. Shreck was married to Miss Sarah Cullen, who survives him, in this city in July, 1884. Besides the widow two children, Mrs. Melvin Babcock of St. Joseph and Mrs. Arthur Brewer of Niles also survive.

Mr. Shreck was a charter member of Niles Tent, K.O.T.M.M. and was also a member of Royal Arcanum and German Workingmen orders carrying an insurance in each.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon, the hour of which will be announced later. Rev. G. Hunting-[article ends here]

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 9, 1910, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

LOUIS SCHRECK DIES

Member of Royal Arcanum, Maccabee and German Workingmen Lodges.

Louis Schreck of 506 north Second street, died at his house at 5:20 o'clock last evening of diabetes, aged 63 years. He was born in Milan, Ohio, and served in the Third and Ninth Ohio cavalry. Coming to Niles he was first engaged as millwright at the pulp mill of the Millards. Later he started a passenger conveyance that he has ever since operated here. Besides the widow, two children remain--Mrs. Melvin Babcock of St. Joseph and Mrs. Arthur Brewer of Niles.

Mr. Schreck belonged to the Royal Arcanum, $3,000; Maccabees, $1,000 and German Workingmen's Association, $500.  The funeral will occur from the house next Sunday afternoon.  Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 12, 1910, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Louis Schreck took place from the home Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  Rev. Huntington of Trinity church officiated. Interment took place at Silver Brook cemetery.  The pallbearers were James Harder and Hilles Smith From the Royal Arcanum; Maccabees, Henry Davis and Martin Jennings and from the German Workingmen's association, Bernard Kaiser and Julius Schulz.

Henry Sporleder
Feb. 22, 1850-Jan. 6, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 6, 1933, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Henry Sporleder, 83

Henry Sporleder, 83, died this morning at 8:30 in the home of his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. John Mattle, M-40 north Niles.  His death followed a few days of illness with pneumonia. Mr. Sporleder was born in Niles Center, Ill., on Feb. 22, 1850. He is survived by two sisters. The funeral services will be held at the Rutherford funeral home. The Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral home. Mr. Sporleder came to Niles from Chicago six years ago when Mr.and Mrs. Mattle came to Niles to live after purchasing the former home of Claude Harger.

Dickson S. Scoffern
Nov. 30, 1861-Feb. 22, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 23, 1933, Page 1. col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Friends Shocked to Learn of Death of D.S. Scoffern

Former Head of Niles Bank Dies of heart Attack at Jacksonville Last Night; Funeral to Be Sunday Afternoon

Dickson Scoffern, 71, chairman of the board of directors of the City National Bank & Trust [illegible] Niles and otherwise also prominent Niles citizen died last night in Jacksonville, Fla., following a heart attack. Mr. Scoffern had played golf during the afternoon and apparently was in good health until stricken with the heart attack.

Mr. and Mrs. Scoffern went to Jacksonville in December to visit Mrs. Scoffern's daughter, Mrs. Felix R.Hill, Jr., and her husband. Mr. Hill is presiding elder of the Jacksonville [illegible] church, south.

According to word received last evening the funeral party will leave Jacksonville this evening and is expected in Niles on Saturday morning at 11:10 by the Michigan Central. While details of the funeral plans are not completed it is planned to hold the services on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock in Trinity Episcopal church, a church with which Mr. and Mrs. Scoffern have been actively identified with for the 30 years they had resided in Niles.

Mr. Scoffern was born near Hillsdale. When a young man he entered the employ of a railroad company as a telegraph operator and worked for the company at New Carlisle until Mr. Scoffern became interested in the grain business there. In 1901 Mr. Scoffern came to Niles and with associates organized the Niles City bank with a capital stock of $35,000,000.  James Reynolds of New Carlisle was the first president of that bank. Charles F. Pears of Buchanan, vice president and Mr. Scoffern was the cashier.   Mr. Reynolds served a president until Jan. 1, 1902 when Mr. Pears was elected president, George Faurote vice president and Mr. Scoffern retained the position as cashier. On Jan. 1, 1907, Mr. Scoffern was elected president of the bank, Mathew Stoll, vice president and Mr. Faurote was made cashier. In 1916 Mr. Faurote resigned as cashier and Thos. C. Hance was chosen to succeed him in that capacity. Mr Scoffern continued to serve as president of the bank until in August, 1926, when he retired from the active management of the bank and retained an interest in it and was elected chairman of the board of directors.  Mr. Scoffern was for many years also president of the First National bank at Buchanan.

Mr. Scoffern for a number of years was a member of the Niles board of education.

Fraternally Mr. Scoffern was identified with the Masonic order and was a member of Niles Commandery, No., 12, Knights Templar and also was a Shriner.

Surviving Mr. Scoffern is the widow, Mrs. Della N. Scoffern, two brothers and one sister and Mrs. Hill.

The community mourns the loss of a distinguished and highly esteemed citizen in the death of Mr. Scoffern and many personal tributes of respect were paid to his memory as the news passed along today of his sudden death. Mr. Scoffern found pleasure in social life.

Mr. Scoffern was known for a number of years as one of the best golfers among local circles. He held a philosophical attitude toward the game which he told his friends applied to the conduct of life. This was to make every shot count and that when a poor shot is made a greater effort should be put forth to make the others in good form.  He was never known as a long driver and had much fun with his companions with the remark that it is the last shot that wins the hole in golf matches and not the long drive.  Until illness kept him from enjoying his daily game of golf last summer he was usually able to make the Orchard Hill course in the low eighties.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 25, 1933, Page 4. col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral D.S. Scoffern

Funeral services for Dickson S. Scoffern who died on Wednesday evening in Jacksonville, Fla., will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock in Trinity Episcopal church. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of the church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends will be received at the Scoffern residence, 16 S. Fourth street, tomorrow between the hours of 10 and 1 o'clock. Mrs. Scoffern, and her daughter, Mrs. Felix Hill of Jacksonville, arrived in Niles this morning.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 27, 1933, Page 4. col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Many citizens of Niles and from other cities gathered in Trinity Episcopal church on Sunday afternoon to attend the funeral services for  Dickson S. Scoffern, whose death on last Wednesday evening in Jacksonville, Fla., in the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Felix Hill where he and Mrs. Scoffern were guests, shocked the community. The service was conducted by the rector of the church, the Rev. H.L. Nicholson. The active pallbearers were W.H. Parkin, Stuart B. White, F.R. Eaglesfield, Lewis Krell, Malcolm Hull and Albert W. Houseworth of Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers were Judge C.E. White, C.M. Montague, R.F. Kompass, Geo.L. Faurote, M. Stoll and A.F. Howe of Buchanan. The committal was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Among relatives from out of the city who attended the services were Mr.and Mrs. A.B. Kirchhoff of Oak Park, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. I. H.  Scoffern of Huntly, Ill., Mrs. and Mrs. R.F. Scoffern of Franklin Park, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Clark and Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Baenziger of Chicago.  Mrs. Kirchhoff and I.H. Scoffern are sister and brother of Mr. Scoffern.

*DOB from Florida Deaths @FamilySearch.org