Obituaries

Tiza Lee Taylor
Aug. 19, 1928-March 5, 2009

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Tiza Lee Taylor, 80, of Pineridge Court, Ypsilanti, died at 3:50 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 2262 Moulder Drive, Niles, with the Rev. Fletcher McAffee, of the church, officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call one hour before services at the church on Friday.

She was born on Aug. 19, 1928, in Battesville[sic], Miss.

A homemaker, she had lived in Niles since 1948.  She was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Niles.

On July 6, 1946, in St. Joseph, she married John Taylor, who died on Feb. 10, 1999.

She was also preceded in death by two sons, Jerry Taylor and John Taylor; a daughter-in-law Pat Taylor of Niles and a close friend, Tammie Gamble of Memphis, Tenn.

Surviving family include two sons, Ronald Taylor of Atlanta, Ga. and Robert Taylor of Flint; a daughter, Doris Tennyson of Ypsilanti; 16 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; a brother, Leon (Wanda) Mack of Ypsilanti and sisters, Georgia Hamilton of Riverdale, Md., Shelby (Jack) Word of Battle Creek, Aline (Don) Stokes of Oak Park and Betty Wilson of Oak Park.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements were by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Jerry Lewis Taylor
May 27, 1949-Feb. 20, 2000

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 22, 2000, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Jerry Lewis Taylor, 50, 847 Carberry Road, Niles, are Thursday at noon at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, by the Rev. Fletcher McAfee, pastor.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Taylor died Sunday morning at his home, of natural causes.

He was born May 27, 1949, in Niles, and was a life-time resident of the area.

On Aug. 8, 1970, in Niles, he married the former Patricia Yarber, who survives.

Taylor was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, NIles, and a member of Union Local No. 13729, District 2, He was a factory worker.

In addition to his wife, Taylor is survived by his mother, Tiza Taylor of Niles; three daughters, Marci Taylor, Ranata Taylor and Deshonda Taylor, all of Niles; three brothers, John Taylor and Robert Taylor, both of Flint, and Ronald Taylor of Atlanta; a sister, Doris Tennyson of Ypsilanti; and a grandchild, ReShawn Preston.

Friends may call on Thursday from 11 a.m. until time of the services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 2262 Mulder Drive, Niles, MI 49120.

Jacob Reese
April 10, 1822*-Aug. 10, 1893

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 11, 1893, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Jacob Reese died at his home 5 1/2 miles east of Niles last night, aged 71 years and 4 months. The funeral will be attended at his late residence at 10 o'clock Saturday morning. He will be buried in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mr. Reese was an old settler. He was a man of sterling worth and was well and favorably known to most of our older citizens.

*DOB computed from age at DOD as stated in obit.

Gregory D. Batson
Dec. 27, 1872*-April 27, 1879


Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 3, 1879, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Gregory D. Batson

Oldest son of Andrew B. and Flora A. Batson, died on Thursday, April 27, 1879, of diphtheria, aged six year and four months.  This unexpected death has brought sadness and sorrow, not only to the hearts of doting parents and near relatives, but likewise to all who were acquainted with this bright and promising little fellow. His honest and kindly disposition and intelligence, far in advance of his years, made him an object of admiration, and won for him hosts of friends. His cheerful presence and ever ready little hands and feet to do the bidding of his parents, will be greatly missed in the family circle. No one but fond and loving parents who have suffered like affliction can properly sympathize with Mr. and Mrs. Batson in the loss they have sustained. The light and joy of their home has gone, but weep not for him; he is in the hands of Him who said, "Suffer little children to come, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven."

*dob computed from age stated in obit.

Joseph F. Marston
Feb. 2, 1908-Jan. 20, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 21, 1981, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Joseph F. Marston, 72, of 310 Cass St., Niles, died at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday in Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

He had retired from Adams and Westlake of Elkhart in 1962 as a designing engineer.  He had been employed as artwork designer for Shelton's Farm Market.

A Navy veteran of World War II, he was born Feb. 2, 1908 in Niles and had spent his entire life here.

He was married on March 3, 1930 in Niles to Edythe J. Brown, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Joseph, Jr., of Berrien Center, and David of Niles; two daughters, Margaret Marston of Niles and Mrs. Deborah Shelton of Niles; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Priscilla Smith, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. The Rev. Christan Becker of the Grace Brethren Church of Berrien Springs will officiate.

Friends may call from 2 ot 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Fund.

Joseph P. Marston
1842-Aug. 20, 1885

Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 22, 1885, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Joseph P. Marston

Joseph P. Marston died at his home in West Niles at 10 o'clock Wednesday forenoon, after a long illness, aged 43 years.--Marston was born in Boston, Mass., but the greater part of his life was spent in this city where he made many friends who truly regret his death and extend heartfelt sympathy to his afflicted family. He had an extended acquaintance outside of his home circle, having traveled extensively, and was much esteemed for his frank and genial manners and his always pleasant and social qualities.  Although it had been evident for some time that his days were rapidly drawing to a close he bore his sickness with much fortitude and calmness, and his last hours were soothed by the devoted attention of a loving wife, a fond mother and other near relatives who were unceasing in their care and kindness. But love could not stay the hand of disease and his form is wrapped in the mantle of death which awaits us all.

The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and will be in charge of Niles Council No. 628, Royal Arcanum, of which order he was a member.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 28, 1885, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

JOSEPH P. MARSTON

Who had been confined to the house for several months, died of bronchial consumption at the home of his mother, on Thursday, August 20, aged 40 years.

The deceased was born at Boston, Mass., and cane to Niles in 1856.  In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Peak, who, with four young sons, now mourns his loss.

For years past Mr. Marston has acted either as manager or advance agent for some of the best traveling organizations in the country, and in that capacity evinced such executive ability that his services were constantly in demand.  He was widely known and esteemed for his generous attributes and fine social qualities.

During his long illnes[sic] he was tenderly cared for by a devoted wife, a loving mother, brothers and sisters. The funeral services were held at the Episcopal church Sunday afternoon, Rev. C.C. Tate officiating. The Royal Arcanum, of which the deceased was a member, turned out in a body, and the funeral was one of the largest and most imposing ever witnessed in Niles. The long procession was headed by the Royal Arcanum Band, which discoursed sweetly, solemn music on the way to the cemetery. After the reading of the touchingly beautiful service of the order, the remains of Brother "Joe." P. Marston were laid to rest, The heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family in this hour of affliction.