Louisa Roskay
Nov. 21, 1840-May 21, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, May 21, 1915, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. ROSKAY AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS

Widow of Charles Roskay Survives Him But a Few Months

Mrs. Louisa Roskay, widow of Charles Roskay, and a highly respected resident of Niles, died at 11:15 o'clock this morning at her home, 706 Cass street. Mrs. Roskay had been ill just ten days with asthma and other diseases and on account of her advanced age, 74, she was unable to withstand the attack.

Mrs. Roskay was born in Germany, her maiden name being Louisa Mutz. She was married in Germany to Mr. Roskay, and came to Niles with her husband about 45 years ago., and since resided here. Mr. Roskay died January 4, 1915.

Mrs. Roskay is survived by four children, all of whom reside in Niles; also by two brothers, Herman and August Mutz, both of Niles and a sister who resides in Germany.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon from the house. Rev. W.H. Phelps of the Presbyterian church will officiate.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 21, 1915, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHAS. ROSKEY[SIC] SURVIVES HUSBAND BUT A FEW MONTHS

It seems that after losing her companion for nearly half a century, Mrs. Chas. Roskay, Sr. was unable to travel this life alone and she passed away this noon. Her husband died in January of this year and since then the aged lady had been gradually failing.

For 45 years she had resided  in Niles, a good Christian woman, well thought of by all and loved by those who knew her best.  Four children remain to revere her memory and profit by the example of a good life.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon from the home, 706 Cass street, by Rev. W.H. Phelps, with interment in Silver Brook cemetery.

Jeannette Cousins
Jan. 1, 1840-Jan. 7, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, January 7, 1915, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

HAD LIVED IN NILES FOR OVER 50 YEARS

Mrs. Jeanette Cousins Died This Morning, Aged 75

Mrs. Jeanette Cousins, who has been a resident of his city for the past 50 years passed peacefully to rest this morning at 6 o'clock. She was afflicted with a broken leg from falling down stairs. She was born in Boston, Mass. There are no relatives except her son-in-law, E. L. Curtis, who has cared and looked after her since her daughter died last June.  She is well known in this city and was a member of the A.M.E. church. She leaves a host of friends who will miss her presence in their midst.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. In accordance with Mrs. Cousin's request Wm. Putnam will conduct the services. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 7, 1915, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CAME WITH DAWNING OF THE DAY

Mrs. Jeanette Cousins Passed Away This Morning as a Result of Injuries

With the dawning of the day the spirit of Mrs. Jeanette Cousins was called home. Several weeks ago Mrs. Cousins fell down a flight of stairs receiving a broken leg among other injuries, the result of which was her death, which occurred this morning at 6 o'clock.

Deceased was born in Boston, Mass., January 1, 1840. She lived as she died, peacefully and with a contentment which was inspiring. She had a wealth of true friends, won through her unselfish and ever ready kindness.

Since the death of her daughter, which occurred last June, she had been cared for by her son-in-law, E.L. Curtis. Mrs. Cousins was a member of the A.M.E. church. She will be sadly missed. Funeral services will be held from the late residence, 704 Cass street, Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with Wm. F. Putnam in charge. Interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: First name is spelled Jeannette on Death Record

Caroline E. Copp
Oct. 8, 1852-Jan. 6, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, January 5, 1915, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Carrie E. Copp, aged 62 years, a lifelong resident of Bertrand and an only sister of John Copp, of this city, died last evening at Bertrand at the home where the family has always resided.  Besides the brother, John, three other brothers, Charles of South Bend; Edward of Bertrand and Frank of Crocker, Mo., survive; also a daughter, Mrs. Lela Fisher and one grand-daughter.  The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 6, 1915, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

CAROLINE E. COPP DIES IN BERTRAND

Caroline E. Copp expired this morning at the old homestead in Bertrand,. She was born in Oct. 1852 and is survived by the following brothers: Frank W. Copp of Missouri, Charles L. and Edward M. of Bertrand, and John  Copp of Niles.

Date of funeral has not yet been decided upon, but interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Eliza Burke
May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 20, 1915, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS ELIZA BURKE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING AT 10:10

Ill only one week with pneumonia, Miss Eliza Burke passed away this morning at 10:10 o'clock. She was a sister of the late Mrs. Thos. DeMott, the shock of whose death is thought to have been the direct cause of her demise, as she had apparently been very depressed and deeply grieved ever since the sad news was told her.

Miss Burke had been making her home with the brother, A.R. Burke on the old Starkweather farm, north of the city, and it was here that she passed away. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. There are many friends and deep admirers of the deceased lady, who are today sincerely mourning her loss.

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, May 21, 1915, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

IN MEMORIAM

ELIZA BURKE

May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915

Enfeebled by a year of intermittent illness, Eliza Burke was fatally stricken by the shock of the sudden death of her sister, Mrs. Thomas Demott. After a week of acute suffering the end came.

Of a family of twelve Miss Burke was the sixth to pass away. Prior to the death of Mrs. Demott the others who had gone were, Mrs. Irving Clendenen, Chicago; Mrs. Frank Sparks, Niles; Mrs. Henderson, Easton, Eau Claire; and John Rodgers Burke, Niles.

Of Miss Burke's immediate household, Alexander Rodgers Burke is left alone.

Eliza Burke was the fourth daughter of the late Hon. Andrew Lewis Burke and Margaret Rodgers, Virginians, who began their pioneer life together in 1821, when they took up many acres of land lying along the St. Joseph river between Niles and  Berrien Springs.

In this homestead Miss Burke was born and lived for sixty-four years--until she and her brother Alexander exchanged it for her late home place.

In her fourteenth year she became a pupil at St. Mary's Academy, at Notre Dame, Indiana, and when her convent days were over returned to her father's home, where she began a life of unremitting care for those she loved--for her bereaved father and his motherless children.

As one by one the children left for other homes, and the father passed away, there still remained the brother, Alexander, to receive the comfort of her mothering.

Like many another single woman, Miss Burke possessed to an unusual degree the mother-heart, and its natural cravings found an outlet in the kindly ministrations that brought peace to many a troubled one that sought her sympathy.

Retiring as she was, her life of loyal service has obtained for her a boundless gratitude that will enshrine her in the faithful memory of many for years to come.

Freddie Jean Brooks
Aug. 15, 1935-March 15, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 17, 1975, page 2, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-- Mrs. Freddie Jean Brooks, 39, of 1613 Huron St., died at 10:26 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Hospital in South Bend after an extended illness.

She was born Aug. 15, 1935, in Jackson, Tenn., and lived in Niles 11 years, coming from South Bend. A member of St. Paul's Baptist Church of South Bend, she married Nelson Brooks in 1951.

He survives, along with her mother, Mrs. Eliza Nettles of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Calvery[sic] Baptist church with the Rev. Brooker West of St. Paul's Baptist Church and the Rev. W.L. Daniel of Mt. Calvary Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 18, 1975, page 2, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-Funeral services for Mrs. Freddie Jean Brooks, 39, of  1613 Huron St., who died Saturday, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home instead of at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church as previously announced.  The Rev. Brooker West of St. Paul's Baptist Church of South Bend will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Myrtis M. Wiars
June 11, 1899-March 14, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 17, 1975, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Myrtis M. Wiars, 75, of 640 S. St. Joseph Ave., died at 11:50 pm. Friday at his home after an illness of three years.

A member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge, he was a former employe of the French Paper Co. and the U.S. Aviax Corp.

Born June 11, 1899 in Covert, Mich., he lived in Niles since 1919. On June 11, 1922 in Niles, he married the former Helen M. Renz. she survives, along with a son, Dale of Wauwautosa, Wis.; a brother, Howard of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Marvin Hedstrom of Niles; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm. Tuesday at the Halbritter funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Graham of the Wesley United Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 pm. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Wesley United Church Memorial Fund or to the Michigan Heart Association.