Obituaries

Thomas L. Stratton, Jr.
Sept. 6, 1924-Oct. 10, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Thomas L. Stratton, Jr. 26, died yesterday at his home in Wakelee, Mich., after suffering a ten month's illness. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stratton, Sr. of Edwardsburg.

Stratton was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Niles and was a resident of this city before moving to Marcellus and later to Wakelee where he was employed by the Grand Trunk Railroad.

Surviving are his wife, Jeanette; a daughter, Sharie Lee; two step children, Donna Fierick and James Fierick; a sister, Mrs. Frances Syson, of Niles; and a brother, Kenneth Stratton, of Edwardsburg.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. Ina Marks, of Marcellus, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbroook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Oct. 12, 1950, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

ADDITIONAL SURVIVORS

Additional survivors of Thomas L. Stratton, Jr. who died Tuesday in Marcellus, where reported today as Mr. and Mrs. William Stratton, of Niles, his grandparents.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Kiger funeral home in Niles. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Robert P. Schneider
July 10, 1891-Oct. 10, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1950, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert P. Schneider, St., 59, Detroit, a former Niles resident, died early today in Detroit following a stroke.

He was born July 10, 1891, in Newport, Ky., and married Gypsie Morgan Aug 27, 1912. His wife and family still reside in Niles.

Survivors, besides his wife, include three children, Robert, Jr., Vernon and Shirley, all of Niles; two brothers, Alfred, Chicago, Ill., and George, St. Louis, Mo., and one sister, Mrs. Edna Walters, Cincinnati, O.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Robert P. Schneider, who died yesterday in Detroit, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Kiger funeral home in Niles. The Rev. L.George Beacock will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carl Otteson
May 10,1891-Oct. 6, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Friday, Oct. 6, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Carl Otteson, 931 Maple street, died today at 7 a.m. at the American Legion hospital, Fort Custer, at Battle Creek.  He had been ill since Aug. 7, 1950.

Surviving are his widow, Meta, and a step-daughter, Miss Lois Mae Wilson, of Niles. Also surviving are his brothers, Ollie, of Dowagiac, Joseph, of South Bend, and Sanford Otteson, of Grand Rapids, and his sisters, Mrs. Emil Larson, of Tustin, Mrs. Everett Lewis, of Morley, and Mrs. Eva Hammer, of Hartford.

Otteson was born in Tustin, Mich., on May 10 , 1891, and came to Niles from there 32 years ago. He had been employed by The Kawneer Company for the past 15 years.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday by the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Preston Johnson
Aug. 12, 1904-Oct. 5, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Oct. 5, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Preston Johnson, 46, of 110 1/2 East Main street, a resident here for 40 years, died at 1 a.m. today in Pawating hospital. He had been ill for eight months.

He was born Aug. 12, 1904, in Three Oaks, and was a member of the Moose lodge here.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson, of Niles; his wife, Rethel; a son, Robert, of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Mildred Williams and Mrs. Cecil Liggett, both of Niles; three grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Earl Bair, of Niles, and Mrs. Wayne Phillips, of Spokane, Wash.

The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe will conduct services at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kiger funeral home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Mrs. Orvilla Riley
June 25, 1898-Oct. 3, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 4, 1950, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Orvilla Mae Riley, 24 Parkway, died at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating hospital after being in poor health for the past two years.

She is survived by her husband, John; their children, Harold, of Mishawaka, Ind.; and Donald, Mrs. Bob Frazier, John, Norma and Beverly, of Niles and six grandchildren.

Also surviving are her brothers, Roy, Albert, Edward, Howard and Norman Hack, all of Michigan City, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Hart, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Jack Moore, of Maxeys, Ga.

Mrs. Riley was born in Michigan City on June 25, 1898, and came to Niles from there in 1920. She was a member of the Lady Maccabees, the American Legion auxiliary, Navy Mothers, Mothers of Marines, Daughters of America, Mothers of World War II and the auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home. The service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock at the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Members of Daughters of America are asked to meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pifer funeral home to hold a memorial service and also at 1:45 p.m. Friday at the church to attend the funeral service.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 5, 1950, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles hive 39, Lady Maccabees and Navy Mothers are requested to meet in front of the First Methodist church {illegible} Friday to attend funeral services for Orvilla Riley.

Mrs. E.M. (Clara Burke) Reading
Sept. 13, 1867-Oct. 3, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 4, 1950, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. E.M. Reading, 83, died yesterday in a Michigan City, Ind. hospital according to a sister-in-law, Mrs. E.F. Burke, of Niles.  She had been ill for several years. Mrs. Reading was born in Niles, Sept. 13, 1867, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Burke, who were pioneer residents of Berrien county. Niles was her home until her illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carlyle Funeral home in Michigan City. Burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery in Niles.