Ruth J. McConnell
April 6, 1919-July 31, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 2, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Ruth J. McConnell, 78, of 312 Parkway St., Niles, are Monday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by John Thompson of First Presbyterian Church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. McConnell died Thursday at 10:30 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, following a brief illness.

She was born April 6, 1919, in Michigan City, Ind., but lived here most of her life.

On May 10, 1941, in Celina, Ohio, she married James P. McConnell, who preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1988.

Mrs. McConnell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Pamela Hitchcock of Niles; a son, James D. Hitchcock of Berrien Springs; a granddaughter, Julie Vogelsang of Niles; two great-granddaughters, Destiny J. Hitchcock and Jeoein K. Hitchcock, both of Niles; her step-mother, Rita Carpenter-Vetterly of Niles; and a sister, Jacqueline Marsh of Buchanan.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Leland Vetterly Jr., who died in April 1996.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

John B. Perkins
Oct. 31, 1913-Sept. 21, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 8, 1986, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

John B. Perkins, 72, 27 N. 13th St., Niles, died at his home Sept. 21.

He was retired as a chemical engineer for the city of Chicago and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was born Oct. 31, 1913 in Demoines[sic], Iowa and live[sic] in the Niles area since 1920.

He was a member of the Niles Commandery, Medinah Temple, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Royal Arch Masons and the Michigan Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters.

Surviving a sister, Catherine Nelson of Mishawaka, Ind.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Lodge.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 8, 1986, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

John B. Perkins, 72, 27 N. 13th St., Niles, died at his home Sept. 21.

He was retired as a chemical engineer for the city of Chicago and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was born Oct. 31, 1913 in Demoines[sic], Iowa and live[sic] in the Niles area since 1920.

He was a member of the Niles Commandery, Medinah Temple, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Royal Arch Masons and the Michigan Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters.

Surviving a sister, Catherine Nelson of Mishawaka, Ind.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Lodge.

Fred Schumaker
1885-Dec. 16, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 17, 1928, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Fred Schumaker Dead

Fred Schumaker, 43, of Niles, died on Sunday in Jackson soon after being kicked by a horse, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Lillian Schumaker, 24 N. Fourteenth street. The body will be shipped to Niles and is expected here this evening. Plans for the funeral are not completed but the services will be held tomorrow or Wednesday at the Rutherford Funeral Home and will be private.

Besides the widow, eight children survive, also his mother, Mrs. Caroline Schumaker, South Bend, and two brothers and a sister who are August, of South Bend, Carl of Niles and Mrs. Anna Hoffman, of South Bend.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 18, 1928, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Private Funeral Service

Funeral services for Fred Schumaker will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 at the Rutherford Funeral home and will be private.  Rev. W. Keith Chidester will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery. The body was brought to Niles Monday afternoon from Jackson where he died from injuries sustained when a horse kicked him.

C. Leo Shirrell
June 8, 1908-Aug. 5, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 6, 1997, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for C. Leo Shirrell, 89, are Friday at 11 a.m., at Halbritter Funeral Home, by the Rev. Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church.  Masonic Rites will be conducted following the funeral at the graveside. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Mr. Shirrell died at 3:03 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the home of his daughter, Beverly, in Saint Joseph, following a brief illness.

He was born June 8, 1908, in Bicknell, Ind.

Mr. Shirrell grew up in Bicknell, then moved with his family to Niles on July 3, 1935.

On July 27, 1938, in Niles, he married Lorene Pearl Brown, who died July 23, 1991.

Mr. Shirrell operated the former Leo's Mobile Service gas station at 1031 East Main St., Niles. He was a member of Saint Joseph  Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.m. He owned horses, which he enjoyed showing and racing.  He enjoyed tending his garden. In 1926, he graduated from Bicknell High School.

Survivors include four daughters, Beverly Soucek of Saint Joseph, Carolyn Dulai of Haslett, Darlene Garland of Wyoming, Linda Bennett of Grand Rapids; a son, Alan Shirrell of Niles; a brother, Roberrt Shirrell of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Shirrell was preceded in death by three sisters, Loralie Shirrell Goff, Crystal Robbins, and Ruth Shiben; and a brother, Reid Shirrell.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

George W. Summers
Nov. 6, 1932-Oct. 21, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 24, 1986, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

George W. Summers, 53, 1646 Sycamore St., Niles, died at 11:33 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital following an illness of eight months.

He was the physical plant director at Bethel College, Mishawaka, Ind., and a member of the Naval Reserve. Summers was also a member of first missionary Church where he was an adult Sunday school teacher, a trustee and 1985 chairman of the church board.

He was born Nov. 6, 1932 in South Bend, Ind., and lived in Niles 30 years, coming from South Bend.

On Oct. 14, 1956, in Niles, he married Emma L. Robbins, who survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Mary Summers of South Bdnd; a son, Barry of Niles; a daughter, Sheryl Blake of Niles; a brother, Ernest of Grand Rapids; four sisters, June Summers of Mishawaka, Frances Rininger of South Bend, Marilyn Johnson of Niles and Beverly Lonergan of Edwardsburg; and a grandchild.

Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Phillip Petersen,James Bennett, and Lloyd Murphy of First Missionary Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after  5 p.m. today.

Memorials may be made to First Missionary Church and the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Maude Whiteman
Nov. 17, 1890-Dec. 18, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 18, 1928, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

INFLUENZA CLAIMS FIRST VICTIM HERE IN MAUDE WHITEMAN

Saleswoman at Livingston's Dies After Short Illness

The first death in Niles directly traceable to influenza since the epidemic became prevalent here several weeks ago occurred this morning when Miss Maude Whiteman died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Whiteman, 1210 Sycamore street. The immediate cause of death was heart disease. Miss Whiteman, who for several years had been a saleslady went to her work in the Livingston store last Saturday morning ill, but was sent home directly when the proprietor arrived. She was alarmingly sick within a few hours and little hope was held for recovery.  A weakened condition of the heart caused her death at 6:15 this morning.

Miss Whiteman was born in the house in which she died on Nov. 17, 1890. She had spent practically her entire life in Niles except during a brief period when she was employed elsewhere as a telephone operator. Several years ago she entered the employe of the Henkel Bros., as a saleslady and had continued her work when Benj. Livingston purchased the business. Many qualities recommended her as an excellent saleslady. She was particularly active in the work of the First Baptist church, being a member of various organizations including the choir and Sunday school and at the time of her death was superintendent of the Junior department of the Sunday school. She had also been active in the work in Niles and in the St. Joseph River Baptist association of the young peoples department. She joined the Niles Baptist church when she was 12 years of age and had since been a faithful and consistent member.  Many friends mourn her death.

Surviving Miss Whiteman are her parents, two sisters, Mrs. Leavitt Brown, Niles, and Mrs. George Ernhardt, of South Bend, and one brother, A.L. Whiteman of Niles.

The plans for the funeral are not not completed but the services will be held in the Baptist church, probably on Thursday.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 19, 1928, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL PLANS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR THREE

Unusual Number of deaths in This Vicinity This Week

Funeral services for Miss Maude Whiteman will be held tomorrow afternoon.  At 1:30 a private service will be held in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Whiteman, 1210 Sycamore street. At 2 o'clock a service will be held in the Baptist church. Rev. O.P. Miles, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.