Obituaries

William H. Matthews
March 18, 1868-July 1, 1953

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

William H. Matthews, 85, well-known Niles area farmer and holder of extensive properties in Berrien County and other sections of the country, died Wednesday evening at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill about one month.

Matthews was born March 18, 1868, in Jackson, Mich., and came to the Niles area at an early age. His first wife, Mary, died in August, 1947. His second wife, Edith, survives.

Surviving along with the widow are one daughter, Mrs. Ethel Warda, Niles; one sister, Mrs. Mattie L. Brand, Finley, Ohio; one brother, Edward D. Matthews, Canton, Miss.; and one grandson.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Murphy McLochlin
Dec. 3, 1857-May 20, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 20, 1932, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MARY McLOCHLIN DIES AT M-40 RESIDENCE

Passes Away After Long Illness Following Operation in December

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Murphy McLochlin, wife of William McLochlin, died this morning at 9:15 in their home three miles north of Niles on M-40.  Mrs. McLochlin had an operation last December in the Lee Sanitarium in Dowagiac, and since that time she has been confined to her room. Mrs. McLochlin is remembered in Niles as Mrs. Peter W. Murphy.

Mrs. McLochlin was born in Dover, Delaware, on Dec. 3, 1857.  Her maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Meredith.  She came to Michigan with her parents when she was a little girl and always since resided in the vicinity of Niles.  She was married to Mr. Murphy who died on the day the Armistice of the World war was signed.  Of the four children born to them, three survive their mother. They are Frank Murphy of Flint, Mrs. Maude Showers, of Niles, and Mrs. R.D. Fackert of Edinburgh, Ind.  A daughter, Mrs. Oscar Eackert, of Chicago, died in May, 1930.  Five grandchildren also survive, besides the husband and two brothers, John Meredith of South Bend, and Levy H. Meredith of Hobart, Okla.

The body is at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms and friends may call there to view it. The plans for the funeral are not completed but the services will be held on Monday afternoon in the Troost and Augustine chapel. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 23, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERALS

Funeral services for Mrs. William E. McLochlin were held this afternoon. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, and the Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's church and a former neighbor of the deceased, conducted the services.  The pallbearers were Frank Bair, Charles Umholtz, John H. Huff, D.D. Waltz; S. G. Deam and Harry Barman.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Among those from out of the city who attended the services were Mrs. McLochlin's daughter, Mrs. R.D. Brown of Edinburgh, Ind.; Frank Murphy, a son, and his wife, of Flint; Miss Zifforah Fackert, a granddaughter; and her father, Oscar Fackert of Chicago; Mrs. Frances Murphy Anderson, a granddaughter, and her mother, Mrs. Violet Newlin, of Chicago, and Miss Bertha McLochlin, a daughter of Mr. McLochlin,and Mrs. Brosher, of Logansport, Ind.

Milo R. Mecham
1888-May 23, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 24, 1932, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MILO R. MECHAM, 44, DIES AT FATHER'S HOME

Passes Away Late Last Evening At 317 Broadway After Few Days Illness

Milo R. Mecham, 44, died last evening at 11:40 in the home of his father, J.G. Mecham, 317 Broadway. He had been in ill health three years and unable to engage in business but his last illness was of but a few days' duration.  Mr. Mecham for[sic] born in Colorado, in 1888. He is survived by his father, J.G. Mecham, of Niles, and by two sisters, Miss Nina Mecham of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Charles Collins of Los Angeles, Calif.

The body is at the Rutherford funeral home. The funeral services will be held in the chapel of the funeral home tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Mecham was a step-son of Berrien County School Commissioner, Jennie Mecham.

Caroline Miller
1880-May 12, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 13, 1932, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Caroline Miller, wife of George F. Miller, died last evening at 5 o'clock of apoplexy  in their home two miles northeast of Pokagon. The body was taken to the Russel undertaking rooms in South Bend, and while the funeral arrangements are not completed, the services will be held there on Monday. Burial will be made in a South Bend cemetery. Mrs. Miller was 52 years old. She is survived by her husband, two children and brothers and sisters.  She formerly lived near South Bend.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 16, 1932, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Caroline Miller, wife of George Miller of Pokagon township, who died on Thursday evening in her home were held in South Bend this afternoon. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

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