Alice Lydia McOmber
Oct. 27, 1850-Dec. 22, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 24, 1928, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE HELD TODAY FOR MOTHER OF CITY CLERK MCOMBER

Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 in the Rutherford Funeral home for Mrs. Alice Lydia McOmber, 78, mother of City Clerk J.L. McOmber.  Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church of which Mrs.McOmber was a member for many years, officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Leach sang. Burial took place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. McOmber died on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. Leroy Robinson, in Jackson, after a brief illness with influenza although she had long been in ill health.

Mrs. McOmber's maiden name was Alice Lydia Brelsford.  She was born on Oct. 27, 1850.  She came to Niles more than 40 years ago and until after the death of her husband had lived here continuously. Since his death, she had spent the summers in Niles with her son and his family, and the winters in Jackson. She was married in Niles to James McOmber by the Rev. Alfred Eddy, then pastor of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. McOmber was active in the work of the Methodist church in Niles for many years.

Besides her son, City Clerk J.L. McOmber, of Niles, and her daughter, Mrs. Leroy Robinson, of Jackson, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Clara Church of Jackson, and one brother, T. Watson Brelsford, of Niles, and by seven grandchildren who are Alice, William, Ruth, Louise and Thomas McOmber, James McOmber Robinson and Jane Alice Robinson.  A nephew, Harry Brelsford of East Aurora, N.Y., arrived in Niles this morning to attend the services, coming on the same train as that which bore the funeral party from Jackson.

Arthur McOmber
May 1, 1878-Aug. 27, 1920

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, August 28, 1920, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL

Arthur McComber Dies at Kalamazoo--Body Will be Brought Here

Robert McOmber, north Fourth street, received word today of the death of his son, Arthur, at the Michigan state hospital at Kalamazoo.  A sunstroke suffered several years ago shattered his health and was the direct cause of his death.  He was born in Niles 42 years ago and was reared to manhood here. Besides his father, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Filbert Williams, of this city. The body will be brought to Niles for burial but the funeral arrangements have not been completed. The deceased was a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, August 30, 1920, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR A. M'OMBER TOMORROW

The funeral services for Arthur McOmber will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of his father, Robert McOmber, 812 north Fourth street. The services will be in charge of the local lodge of Odd Fellows with Rev. J.R. T. Lathrope, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating minister. Burial wll occur at Silver brook cemetery.

Arthur McOmber was born in Niles, May 1, 1878.  He died Aug. 27, 1920, at Kalamazoo. He spent his boyhood days in Niles, graduated from the Niles high school with the class of 1900 and also graduated from Albion college. Thre[sic] years ago he suffered a sunstroke from the effects of which he never recovered. Fraternally he was indentified[sic] with the local lodges of W.O.W., Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs.

Diana McOmber
Aug. 7, 1819-Jan. 11, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, January 11, 1915, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF NILES OLDEST RESIDENT

Mrs. Josiah McOmber Lived in Niles For Over 60 Years--

Had Reached the Great Age of 95 Years

Mrs. Diana McOmber, widow of Josiah McOmber, passed away this morning at 11:15 o'clock at the home of her son, Robert McOmber, 812 North Fourth street, aged 95 years.

The death of Mrs. McOmber removes Niles' oldest resident.

Mrs. McOmber was born in Sherman, New York, 1819. She was married in New York in 1842. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McOmber and of these three sons survive.  They are George of South Bend, Robert of Niles and William of Creet, Neb. The death of Mrs. Sarah Rice, a daughter, occurred about two years ago in Dowagiac.

Mrs. McOmber came to Niles with . . .[line illegible]. .number of years Mr. McOmber was in the livery business in the barn now occupied by H.D. Demott, which barn Mr. McOmber built.

About five years ago Mrs. McOmber traveled hundreds of miles with her son, Robert, to New York to visit two brothers, who are still living and one of whom is past 91 years of age and the other about 88 years.

The deceased was a remarkable woman in many respects and until her last illness of about three months duration she had been very active. She had resided her over 60 years and she has been deeply interested in the improvements which have occurred in the city.  Mr. McOmber's death occurred 25 years ago.

The funeral arrangements have not been made.

Note:  Date of Birth from Michigan Death record. Maiden name from Death record and obit of husband Josiah

James McOmber
Nov. 9, 1845-Nov. 12, 1920

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Friday, November 12, 1920, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH REMOVES JAS. M'OMBER

Death removed a well known Civil war veteran, and highly respected pioneer resident of Niles this morning when James McOmber died suddenly at his home, 407 Cedar street.   Mr. McOmber had suffered with a severe cold for several days but was able to be about his work as usual.  During last night he suffered a chill which developed into an acute attack of pneumonia and at 9 o'clock his death occurred.

Mr. McOmber was born in New York state. On last Tuesday he observed his seventy-fifth birthday anniversary. When he was a boy of 11 he came to Niles with his parents, and had since resided here. When he had reached the age of 14 years both his parents were dead, leaving the boy to shift for himself. He engaged in a number of activities, until the war broke out whereupon he enlisted and served for two years.

Mr. McOmber was married to Alice Brelsford in Niles more than 40 years ago, Rev. Alfred Eddy, D.D., performing the wedding ceremony. The widow and two children, James Lanford McOmber of Niles, and Mrs. Robinson, wife of Rev. Leroy Robinson, Methodist pastor at Battle Creek survive as do also several grandchildren.

Mr. McOmber belonged to no fraternal order.

For nearly 36 years Mr. McOmber was employed as care-taker of the Chapin property in Niles, giving his particular care to the garden and lawns, and they ever presented a beautiful appearance as a result of his faithfulness to his work. One of Mr. McOmber's hobbies, was keeping a record of weather conditions and his diary accurately reported the temperature at some period during each day for many years.

The arrangements for the funeral services have not been made pending the arrival of Mrs. Robinson.  It is requested that when the services are held that as many of the old soldiers in the city who can do so, attend the services for their late comrade.

John Heber McOmber
Nov. 6, 1871-Dec. 2, 1871

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 9, 1871, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

At Union City, Mich., Dec 2d, JOHN HEBER, infant son of W.G. and H.A. McOmber, formerly of this city, aged 26 days.

Note: Obituary gives middle name as "Heber" but gravemarker is inscribed "John Weber McOmber"

Jane Mae McOmber
July 15, 1920-Aug. 31, 1997

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 2, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Private family graveside services are scheduled for Jane Mae McOmber, 77, Sycamore St., Niles. Burial will be a[sic] Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. McOmber died Sunday, at 2:45 p.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles, following an extended illness.

She was born July 15, 1920, at Port Mathilda, Pa., and had lived in Niles since 1951, coming from South Bend. Ind.

On Feb. 28, 1950, in South Bend, she married Thomas L. McOmber, who preceded her in death May 8, 1995.

Mrs. McOmber, as a young lady, had been employed as a Nurse's Aid at Saint Mary's College, South Bend. She enjoyed watching mystery stories on television.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathy McOmber of Niles.

There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is in charge of the arrangements.

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