Obituaries

Willie Jordan Prichett
July 30, 1932-Dec. 24, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 27, 1986, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Willie Jordan Prichett, 54, 1632 Michigan St., Niles, died at 3:34 a.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital following a three year illness.

He retired in 1983 as a machinest[sic] with National-Standard Co., and was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, the Prince Hall Lodge in Chicago and the Voice of Paradise Singers. He also was a trustee of the church board and an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Born July 30, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., he lived in this area since 1966, coming from Chicago.

On June 26, 1965 in Niles he married Tommie J. Worsham, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Tyrus L. Prichett of Niles, Willie Prichett of Chicago, Keith Prichett of Aberdeen, Md., and Tommy Prichett of Arkansas; three daughters, Tracey Prichett of Niles, Tonya Prichett of Milwaukee and Tammy L. Searcy of Elkhart, Ond.; two sisters, Lillian Lane of Chicago and Dixie Caine of San Diego; and five grandchildren.

Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Olive, with Rev. Fletcher McAfee of that church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, where a wake will take place from 7 to 8 that night.

Marilyn June Hoese
Jan. 17, 1941-Dec. 21, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 23, 1986, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Marilyn June Hoese, 45, 1631 Silverbrook Ave., died at 9:45 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Ind., following an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 17, 1941, in South Bend, and lived in Niles since 1965, coming from South Bend.

On Aug. 3, 1963, in South Bend, she married Robert E. Hoese, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Robert B. Hoese of Niles; a daughter, Pamala Sue Anglin of Niles; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emery Hegedus of South Bend; a sister, Karen Young-White of Aurora, Colo.; and two grandchildren.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles with Rev. Morton Hempel of Church of God Full Gospel officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Charles James Yeager
Nov. 12, 1969-Dec. 28, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 30, 1986, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles James Yeager, 17, 2810 Wynn Road, died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a car accident on US-33 South in Niles.
He was born Nov. 12, 1969, in Niles, and lived his entire life in the area. He was employed by Roger's Trash Service.
Survivors include his foster parents, Mr.and Mrs. Richard Treiber of Niles; a brother, Joseph Richard Yeager of Niles; and a sister, Cindy Lunck of Niles.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles, with Rev. Morton Hempel of Church of Christ Full Gospel officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call between 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

William L. Shafer
March 24, 1874-Aug. 24, 1957

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

William L. Shafer Dies

William L. Shafer, 83, founder of the United States Chamber of Commerce and secretary for years of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, died at 2 p.m. Saturday in Pawating Hospital, where he had been ill for a week.

Long active in chamber work, Mr. Shafer was secretary during his life on the Roanoke, Va., Elkhart, Ind., [illegible] and Michigan City, Ind., C of C.s. He served in Niles from 1930 to 1937, during the time that the Simplicity Pattern Co. and the [illegible].

In 1910, he was instrumental in founding the United States C. of C. in Grand Rapids, Mich. Before his Chamber of Commerce work, Mr. Shafer was editor of the "World" newspaper in Roanoke, Va.  He was most recently employed by Simplicity Pattern Co., working there for 12 years until his retirement in 1954.

He lived at 121 South Third Street with his wife Ida M. Shafer, who survives. Also surviving are a niece, Mrs. Mary Shafer, [illegible], O., and two nephews, Clarence and Chester Shafer, Springfield, O.

Mr. Shafer was born in Covington, O., on March 24, 1874.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services are planned at 2 p.m., Tuesday.  Mrs. Phyllis Castle, reader of the Niles Christian Science Church, will conduct the services, and Masonic rites will be performed at graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Shafer was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; St. Joseph Valley  Chapter No. 2, Royal and Select Masons; Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar; Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids; and the Shrine.

Lucile E. Hamilton
Oct. 6, 1900-Dec. 25, 1986

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 27, 1986, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Lucile E. Hamilton, 86, of Kokomo, Ind., formerly of Niles, died at 5:10 p.m. Thursday at her home.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star %89[sic] in Kokomo, the White Shrine of Jerusalem No. 13 Kokomo and the Main Street United Methodist Church in Kokomo.

She was born Oct. 6, 1900 in Huntington, Ind., and moved to Kokomo from Niles.

In 1922 she married J. Richard Hamilton who died Oct. 28, 1962.

Also surviving are a daughter, Glenell Coffey of Kokomo; one brother; and two grandsons.

Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Ellers Chapel, 725 S. Main St., Kokomo. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Ellers Chapel. Eastern Star services will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Donald N. Hamilton
June 18, 1894-May 14, 1911

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 15, 1911, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES DON HAMILTON

BOY OF 16 DIES OF BRIGHT'S DISEASE

WOULD HAVE BEEN SOPHOMORE

Had Been Ill With Disease About Nine Months--Bedfast But One Week

Donald N. Hamilton, 16 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton, died at  home of his parents, 701 Oak street, yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock, following an illness with Bright's disease of nine months' duration. The young man had been bedfast for a week.

Thus, another youthful person has been taken to serve in a greater and more beautiful realm. The boy's death came quite unexpectedly, for while he was in a semi-conscious condition up to 5 o'clock, hopes were entertained for his recovery. He was attacked with the disease last August. When school opened in the fall he attended the first two weeks but was compelled to stay out the rest of the semester. Two weeks prior to the time he was confined to the house he was employed at the Michigan Central dining hall.

If he had been physically able to attend school, Donald would have been in his sophomore year.  He was bright and stood well in his studies. Because of a gentle, kind attitude to everyone and especially his school companions he was a favorite. He was of that quiet peaceful disposition that won those that were thrown in to  his association at first meeting. He was a member of the Methodist Sunday school and an ardent worker.

Donald was born in Niles and would have been 17 years old June 18. He entered the public school when quite young.

A father and mother and one brother, Richard, 18 years old, survive.

The funeral will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. L.F. Fox, superintendent Niles district M.E. church will officiate and burial will be in Silver Brook cemetery. Boys from Donald's Sunday school class will act as pall bearers.

And so a life so fair and young.

Snatched in a moment's time,

Dwells in a far greater kingdom;

Surely one he can call mine.

 Niles Daily Sun, Monday, May 15, 1911, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

YOUNG MAN IS TAKEN

Donald Hamilton, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton Died Sunday

The death of Donald Hamilton, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton occurred at 5:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon and was quite a shock to friends who did not know the young man was so critically ill.

Donald has suffered for several months from Bright's disease but had been much better during the winter. His health was such that he did not go to school this year.

Wishing to be employed a short time ago, he secured a position at the Michigan Central dining hall, but a little over a week ago he was compelled to give up on account of illness.

Up to Saturday he was not supposed to be seriously ill but on that day some bad symptoms developed. Sunday about noon he was taken with a sinking spell and he did not again rally.

The young man would have been seventeen had he lived until June 18. He was born in Niles and is survived by his parents and one brother, who is two years older.

Donald was a prime favorite with his companions and his untimely death is deeply deplored by his friends and the family have the sincere sympathy of the community in their bereavement.

The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home on Oak street and will be conducted by Rev. M.L. Fox.