Obituaries

Mary Porter
Feb. 26, 1854-May 16, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 18, 1932, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MARY PORTER, 78, DIES AT SON'S HOME

Is Found Dead in Bed During Night After Illness of a Week

Mrs. Mary Porter, 78, a former well known resident of Niles, was found dead in bed in the home of her son, D.D. Porter, in Kalamazoo on Monday evening. Mrs. Porter had been ill for a week but her death was unexpected.   At 10 o'clock Monday evening she had been given medicine and at 12 o'clock when her son went to her room before retiring for the night he found her dead.

The funeral services will be held on Friday morning at 10 o'clock in Kohlerisma and Kline chapel in Kalamazoo. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook cemetery. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Niles Methodist church, will conduct the funeral service. The committal service will be held probably soon after noon.

Mrs. Porter was born in Navarino, N.Y., on Feb. 26, 1854, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Robinson.  When she was nine years of age the family moved to Spring lake, Mich., and a year later to Niles and at once established themselves in the social and business life of the city.  Mr. Robinson was a pioneer blacksmith and iron worker of Niles.  Mrs. Porter has for several years been the last surviving member of her family.  She was particularly active in the work of the Methodist Church and in musical circles.  She was for many years, a member of the Methodist church choir and also for a time sang in the vested choir of Trinity Episcopal church. She was a teacher in the Methodist Sunday school and otherwise engaged in its activities.

William F. Ream
Dec. 9, 1888-Feb. 15, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 16, 1940, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM F. REAM DIES SUDDENLY

William F. Ream, 51, died in Pawating hospital early Thursday night. Death occurred as physicians were taking an X-ray to determine the extent of a stomach ailment. He had been rushed to the hospital shortly before for emergency help when his condition became serious.

Mr. Ream was a lifelong resident of Niles. He was a foreman of carpenters at the Michigan Central railroad. At the time of his death, he was living in the house where he was born, 241 Pokagon.

He was a veteran of the World war and a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masonic lodge, Knights Templar and the Elks.

Surviving are a niece, Mrs. Milo Loomis, and a sister, Mrs. Albert Pagin, Gary, Ind.

The body was taken to the Price and Kiger chapel. Arrangements for the funeral were incomplete early in the afternoon.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 17, 1940, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

William F. Ream Services Sunday

William F. Ream, 51, Michigan Central employe who died Thursday night, will be buried Sunday afternoon .

Services will be in the Price and Kiger chapel at 2:30 , the rev. J.Kenneth Hoffmaster officiating.

Mr. Ream was a lifelong resident of Niles. He had lived all his life at 241 Pokagon street.

NB: dob from WWI Draft Registration@Ancestry.com

Adam Smith
1858-May 7, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 10, 1932, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Adam Smith were held this afternoon with the Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church officiating. Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery. Mr. Smith, who died on Saturday morning in the Goshen hospital in Goshen, Ind., where he had been a patient for 14 weeks, was a life-long resident of this section.

Florence J. Strang
Dec. 3, 1883-May 6, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 7, 1932, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. WILLIAM STRANG PASSES AWAY TODAY

Active Worker in First Baptist Church Dies after Several Months Illness

Mrs. Florence J. Strang, 48, wife of William Strang died suddenly at her home, 53, S. Third street at 12:45 this morning. Mrs. Strang had been in ill health for the last few months. Mrs. Strang was born in Stratford, Conn., Dec. 3, 1883, and made her home in that vicinity until seven years ago when the family moved to Niles. Her maiden name was Florence Munson. She was the only remaining member of the Munson family.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Strang is survived by two sons and three daughters, Adaline and Mildred at home, Albert of Niles, Mrs. E.P. Boyhen of Stratford, Conn., and Earl Strang, of Shelton, Conn.

Mrs. Strang was a member of the First Baptist church of Niles, and was active in the work of the church. She was the Sunday school teacher of a class of young girls at the time of her death. Funeral arrangements are incomplete awaiting word from her son and daughter in Connecticut.  Friends may call at the home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 10, 1932, page 4, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. William Strang, 53 S. Third street, were held on Sunday afternoon. The Rev. W. H. Turner, of Milford, Conn., a friend of the family, offered prayer in the home, preceding the service in the first Baptist church of which the deceased was an active member and a teacher in the Sunday school. The pastor, the Rev. M. Thomas, of Chicago, conducted the service in the church.  Wendell Brock, of Chicago, sang. The following served as pallbearers: Wesley Andrews, Oliver Brock, Earl Laverty, L.F. Exner, E.E. Dreher and Fred Moore. Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Clara Estell Trask
July 29, 1869-July 8, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 8, 1953, page 2, col., 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Clara E. Trask died in Decatur, Ill. The body will be brought to the Pifer Funeral Home, and friends may call starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Services will be held at the funeral home, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 9, 1953, page 2, col., 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Clara Estell Trask, 83, of Decatur, Ill., and a former resident of Niles, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday in St. Mary's Hospital at Decatur. She had been ill for several weeks.

Mrs. Trask was born on July 29, 1869, in Coldwater, O., the first of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. David Peter Keister, pioneer residents of Ionia County, Mich.  She married Harper H. Trask at Pewamo, Mich., on Jan. 1, 1901.

Surviving are two daughters, both of whom received their early education in Niles schools.  They are Mrs. Margaret E. Zimmer, of Decatur,  Ill., and Mrs. Mary E. Pugh, Benton Harbor. Also surviving are three granddaughters; a sister, Mrs. E. Phil Bradstrum, Sparta, Mich.; a brother, David P. Keister, Grand Rapids, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. William White, of Niles.

Nettie Arney Vinson
May 30, 1868-June 26, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Frday, June 26, 1953, page 2, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

BUCHANAN--Mrs. Nettie Arney Vinson, 85, resident of Buchanan for 65 years, died at 2:30 a.m. today in her home on 105 Moccasin avenue following an illness for six months.

Mrs. Vinson was born in Niles May 30, 1868, the daughter of William and Jane McDonald. She was married in 1928 to Edward Vinson in South Bend.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church here and the Primrose Camp of the Royal Neighbors of America.

Surviving are:  Her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Louise A. Tuttle, South Bend, and a grandson, Donald A. Tuttle, Ann Arbor.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Swem Funeral Home here with the Rev. A Carlyle Carson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m. Saturday.