Edna M. Gridley
Nov. 14, 1897-Feb. 2, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 2, 1963, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Edna M. Gridley, 65, of 916 N. 3rd St., died at 5:15 a.m., today in Pawating Hospital. She had been ill for six months and a patient at the hospital for five days.

She was born Nov. 14, 1897. She had lived her life at the N. 3rd Street home.

Mrs. Gridley was a member of the St.John Evangelical and Reformed Church, the Eastern Star, White Shrine and the Friendship Circle of the church.

Survivors include a niece, Mrs. James Smallwood, of Niles, two nephews, Scott C. Walter, of Niles, and W. Keith Walter, of Slidel, La.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday at the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church, 601 Sycamore St., with the Rev. Richard Frazer officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Patricia A. Clark
Oct. 17, 1962-Jan. 28, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 29, 1963, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

BERRIEN SPRINGS--Patricia Ann Clark, 3-month old daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Junior Clark, route one, died at 8:15 a.m., Monday in Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph. She had been a patient there six days.

She was born Oct. 17, 1962 in Berrien Center.

Other survivors include two sisters, Linda Sue and Mary Elizabeth, both at home; a half-brother, Norman Dean Clark, Salem Heights, Ind.; a half-sister, Pamela Whitaker, Marion, Ind.; a grandmother, Mrs. Geneve Ornt, Niles; and grandfathers, Albert Clark, Berrien Springs, and Leroy Garner, Alexandria, Ind.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles. Ther Rev. Edward Schantz, pastor of the First Church of Christ (Christian Church) of Niles, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery there.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Billy Howard Davis, Jr.
April 10, 1961-Jan.30, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 30, 1963, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Billy Howard Davis, Jr., 21-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Howard Davis Sr., 2447 Rebecca Layne, died at 8:30 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital. He had been ill three days.

He was born April 10, 1961 in Niles.

Other survivors include three brothers, Johnny, Thomas, and Timothy, all at home; the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mabel Davis, Buchanan; and maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Earl L. Lintz, Niles.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. , Friday in the Kiger Funeral Home. The Rev. Robert E. Hester, pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, Buchanan, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the funeral home beginning Thursday.

Mrs. Sylvester Pratt
abt 1828-May 6, 1882

Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 13, 1882, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Sylvester M. Pratt, died at Albion, May 6th, in the 55th year of her age. Her remains were brought to this city for interment.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, May 10, 1882, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Sylvester Pratt, an old resident of the city, died, at Albion, Mich., May 6. She was buried from the house of Stephen Moore on Sunday afternoon. She was [illegible] since the death of her husband she has resided at Albion, but the large attendance at her funeral gave sure indication that her old friends here held her in high esteem.

Eunice L. (Chase) Pratt
May 28,1804-April 19, 1888

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 26, 1888, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

At the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stephen Moore, Thursday, April 19, Mrs. Eunice L. Pratt.

Eunice L. Chase was born at Coxsackie on the Hudson, May 28th, 1804. her parents moved to Ithaca while she was an infant and in 1819 she was married to Daniel Pratt.  She was united with the Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, under Dr.William Wisner's ministry, in 1823.  In 1840 she removed with her husband and family to Marshall, Mich. and nine years later from thence to Niles, which has since been her home.  Such is a brief sketch of the life of one who nearly forty years ago came in the prime of her womanhood to reside among us.  Those of her friends at the time who remain will recall her fine presence, her attractive manners, her ready wit and unusual conversational powers, which made her the life and centre of every social gathering.  She was also for many years active in all that pertained to the welfare of the Church or the happinnss[sic] of her friends.  Married at the age of 15 and thus early entering upon lifes' cares and responsibilities, her buoyancy of spirits and cheerful disposition helped her to bear its vicissitudes serenely. This happy trait which Mrs. Pratt manifested when suffering from the loss by death of her husband and two oldest sons followed her into the decline of life and infirmities of age, where as she relinquished active duties and sought the sheltering care of her children, she was not only the helpful and sympathizing mother, by also their delightful companion, her mind retaining all  the freshness of youth.  The only shadow that darkened her spirit was the dread of death, but as she found herself entering the dark valley, this cloud was lifted and her Christian faith triumphed over all her fears and she met the King of Terrors bravely and cheerfully and spoke confidently to all her friends of her hope in her Redeemer.

During the last days of her life she beguiled the anxious watching of her devoted children with cheerful conversation and to the last showed a keen interest in every passing event. Mrs. Pratt leaves four surviving children, Mrs. Wright, of Boston, Mrs. Stephen Moore, of this place, H.O.Pratt, Ogden,Utah, and Chas. O. Pratt, Lansing, all of whom were present at the funeral.

Rev. J.G. Lowrie, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, conducted the funeral services.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 28, 1888, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District
Library

Mrs. E.L. Pratt, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stephen Moore, on Thursday evening last, aged 84 years.  The funeral took place on Saturday and was largely attended by old residents.

Elizabeth Williams
abt. 1814-May 1, 1882

Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 13, 1882, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Entered Into Rest

Mrs. Elizabeth Williams departed this life at her residence in West Niles, on Monday, May 1st, aged 68 years. Mrs. Williams was born in Delaware, and emigrated to Michigan during its pioneer history, living in Niles for 46 years. Her husband, William Williams, an esteemed and prominent citizen, brother of Caleb Williams of this city, died many years since, leaving eight children, six of whom preceded her to the spirit world. These repeated afflictions were heavy trials to her, especially the loss of two sons, Will and Frank, grown to manhood, upon whom she had placed so many hopes. for her declining years. Yet she bore all with the calmness and fortitude that marked her life; her trust in every sorrow being, in the "Rock that is higher than I."  She was ever hopeful, and could sing in almost the darkest hour. To her friends she was steadfast, and so helpful, tender and kind, that those who knew her best, and were the recipients of her cheering Christian words and offices, feel now that she is gone, as one tried and true, who ministered to her during her last illness, emphatically says: "I have lost my best friend."  Naturally retiring and unobtrusive, absorbed in her family cares and duties, the world knew little of her worth; but in the quiet home circle or at her neighbor's hearth in time of trial, the many excellent traits of her character, shone forth with richest lustre. her sickness of months was borne with fortitude, and her last hours were triumphant. Patient, toiling, and suffering, yet sustained by a precious hope, she has entered into rest. For her the warfare is over, the victory gained, the crown won. Why should we weep when the exchange is so full of peace and happiness. Tears, sorrow, and disappointment in our thorny pathway here, but immortal love, joy and life, "over there."

The one after another, of those identified with the early history of Niles are passing away. Soon, of the little struggling band that came to these unbroken wilds, and have lived to see this beautiful St. Joseph valley bud and blossom as the rose, none will be left. Even now the familiar faces are scarcely recognized amid the busy throng that fill our streets.

The preparation of this little tribute has been one of mournful pleasure. A friendship with the deceased, formed by the writer in childhood, and closely cemented through all the intervening years, gives poignance to the pang of separation, and makes her loss, a personal sorrow.  In her last hours, there was loving remembrance and now the thought that there will be no more meetings on earth, brings grief that cannot be assuaged. But by and by, in the beautiful beyond, we shall meet where there will no more partings.

To the now lonely daughters, Mrs. Mary Hustin and Miss Carrie Williams, the deepest sympathy will be extended in their irreparable loss. M.S.A.