Adele S. Dresden
Oct. 24, 1852-Jan. 22, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, January 22, 1915, page 1, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

GOOD DEEDS WILL LIVE AFTER HER

Mrs. W.W. Dresden, One of Niles' Prominent and Most Public Spirited Women, Called by Death This Morning

HER CHARITIES AND ACTIVITIES ARE MANY

Her Generosity Made Island Park Possible, a Lasting Monument to her Public Spirit and Enterprise.

The announcement of the death of Mrs. William Wallace Dresden, of Castle Rest, which occurred at 6:40 this morning, though not unexpected by those who have watched patiently at her bedside for several days, was still most unwelcome and sad news to host of friends of the deceased and her family, who had hoped for a change for the better.

Mrs. Dresden has been in poor health for about two years and has been confined much of the time to her own rooms. It became apparent to her most intimate friends several days ago that her condition was very grave and that recovery was improbable.  Yesterday she lapsed into unconsciousness and steadily failed until death relieved her this morning.

Mrs. Dresden was born at Wrightsville, Pa., Oct. 24, 1852. Her mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, who has made her home with her daughter for many years, survives.  Her father died many years ago and lies buried in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.  Before coming to Niles the family lived for many years at Onarga, Ill., and later in Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace Dresden came to Niles from Chicago in 1902, purchasing the estate on St. Joseph avenue and Grant street which they improved and beautified until it became one of the show places of the locality, and a delightful and hospitable home as well.

Mrs. Dresden, through her charities, her generous impulses and her social and public activities has always occupied a commanding position in the life of this community.  Those in need or distress had but to open their heart to Mrs. Dresden and they would be sure that both she and her husband would relieve them as far as possible if the case was found to be worthy.  In addition to her charitable and generous impulses Mrs. Dresden possessed strong humanitarian attributes that prompted her to contribute of her means generously, as well of of her time, to the alleviation of the sufferings of dumb animals. For several years she was the president of the Berrien County Humane society, and she contributed generously to the humane work of that society, as well as giving personal attention often times to specific cases of cruelty to animals and birds.

After her retirement from the presidency of the County  Humane society Mrs. Dresden organized a similar society more  local in its character and she was its moving spirit for several years.

She was Worthy Matron for two years of Niles Chapter 332 Order of the Eastern Star and was one of its most active members in the infancy of the local chapter.

Mrs. Dresden was the first president of the Woman's Progressive league, and in this as in everything else that she undertook she entered upon the work in hand with all her soul and strength.  A lasting monument to the civic pride of the deceased is the pretty little Island park, which was a Progressive league project, Mrs. Dresden contributing largely from her own means to the purchase of the real estate and the expenses incidental to beautifying this property for the free use of the public.

In club work Mrs. Dresden was also active. She belonged to the Ladies' Historical society and was at one time its president and always a much esteemed member while health permitted her to take an active part in club work. Before coming to Niles she took an active part in Chicago club work.

In church work she affiliated with the Episcopal society and was ever helpful in the various organizations that were open to her activities and her purse.

Mrs. Dresden possessed a large estate, to the details of which she gave her personal attention. She possessed a large capacity for work and did not delegate to others the responsibilities in connection with the administration of her business interests.

She was a woman of great public spirit and enterprise and as such she will be missed deeply as well as in social life, for she left the stamp of a strong and generous personality upon everything with which she had to do.

She is survived by her aged mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, her husband, William Wallace Dresden, her daughter, Mrs. John  Allen Grier, Jr., the latter now a resident of Detroit.

The funeral services will be held Monday at the residence, and will be private. The interment will take place in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.

Marie G. Keefe
April 24, 1922-Jan. 24, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 26, 1993, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

A memorial service for Marie G. Keefe, 70, 1630 Sheridan Ave., Niles, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles.

Keefe died Jan. 24.

Visitation for Mrs. Keefe is today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.

A private graveside committal service is scheduled for Wednesday with the Rev. Donald G. Lester, interim pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, February 25, 1993, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Maria G. Keefe
1922-1993
Retired Eastside teacher

Funeral services for Maria G. Keefe, 70, 1630 Sheridan Ave., are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James A. Goodbow, of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Keefe died Jan. 24, at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Born April 24, 1922, in Belvidere, Ill., she had lived in Niles since 1956, coming from Park Forest, Ill.

On July 17, 1946, in Chicago, she married the late Wilbur Harper Keefe, who preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 1980.

She was a first-grade teacher at Eastside Elementary School, retiring in 1985 after 20 years.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Fort St. Joseph Museum, Fort St. Joseph Historical Society, the Seepewa Reading Club and the advisory committee to the Southwestern Michigan College Museum.

She is survived by two daughters, Katherine Keefe Howski of Chicago and Lisa Keefe Scott of Chicago; two sons, Kevin Peter Kefe[sic] of Milwaukee and Barry Harper Keefe of Roselle, Ill.; five grandchildren and a sister, Rita Macintosh of Philadelphia.

Arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chrisitian[sic] Children's Fund or Berrien County Cancer Service.

Charles Frederick Knott
Dec. 5, 1868-Feb. 9, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 10, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles Frederick Knott, 92, 1014 N. 6th St., died at 1 p.m. Thursday in Pawating hospital where he had been a patient since Dec. 4. He had been in failing health for the past four months.

Mr. Knott was born Dec. 5, 1868, in Niles and had spent his entire lifetime here. He worked for 35 years for the water department of the Michigan Central Railroad, and for 25 years at the Kawneer Co., before retiring. He was the oldest living member of St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed), and was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and the Maccabees.

His wife, Maria Louise Knott, preceded him in death in January, 1936.

Surviving are: a son, Ervin F. Knott, Niles; four daughters, Miss Lydia Knott, Dalton, Mass., Miss Alice Knott, Kalamazoo, and Mrs. Lucille Hosler and Mrs. Byron Vallance, both of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Harry Blake, Niles; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard J. Fraser, pastor of St. John's Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with graveside rites by the Elks Lodge.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Vina Mae Lawshea
Oct. 23, 1942-Jan. 26, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 27, 1993, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Vina M. Lawshea
1942-1993
Mount Calvary
Baptist Church
member

Funeral services for Vina Mae Lawshea, 50, 317 N. 10th St., Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. W.L. Daniel, church pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Lawshea died at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday at home, following a brief illness.

Born Oct. 23, 1942, in Blytheville, Ark., she had lived in Niles since 1958, coming from Blytheville.

On Jan. 16, 1959, in Eau Claire, she married Charles Lawshea, who survives.

She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she was a deaconess. She was an active member of the senior choir and was a member of the nurses guild and other church committees. She was also active in Sunday school. Survivors include two sons, Charles Lawshea Jr. of Niles and Joseph Lawshea of Niles; two grandchildren; a sister Ruby Reed of Niles and two brothers Peter Rixter Jr. of Chicago and Alphonso Swain of Lansing.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Thomas A. McMenamin
Dec. 24, 1913-Jan. 3, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, January 4, 1971, page 1, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Troopers fail in effort to revive heart victim

NILES—Two State Police troopers failed in their attempt to revive Thomas A. McMenamin, 57, of 647 N. 12th St., Sunday night after he suffered a heart attach while being taken to a South bend hospital by his son.

Troopers said the victim's son, Thomas Jr., rushed in to the post at 8 p.m. and asked for help for his father, who was sitting in a car in front of the post.

Troopers Wayne Long and Thomas Travis said they gave McMenamin artificial respiration and external heart massage but were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 8:28 p.m.

Funeral services for Mr. McMenamin are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Episcopal Church with The Rev. Vincent J. Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. McMenamin was born Dec. 24, 1913, in Chicago. He moved to Niles in 1928, coming from Chicago. He married the former Dorothy I. Blanchard Sept. 18, 1942, in St. Joseph. She survives.

A member of the Disabled American Veterans, Mr. McMenamin was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European theater. He was shot down during the conflict and spent 15 months in a German concentration camp.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Thomas J. and David E. of Niles, and a daughter, Mrs. Jack Saunders, also of Niles; two brothers, George of South Bend, and James of Berwyn, Ill., a sister, Mrs. Keith Milburn of Niles and five grandchildren.

Niles American Legion Post 26 and local DAV chapter will accord Mr. McMenamin full military rites. Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home starting Tuesday.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 5, 1971, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—In listing the survivors of Thomas A. McMenamin in The Star Monday, the name of his mother, Mrs. Caterine McMenamin of Niles, was inadvertently omitted.

Funeral services for Mr. McMenamin will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Thrinity Episcopal Church.

Elizabeth P. Meyer
Dec. 9, 1879-Jan. 2, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 3, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Elizabeth P. Meyer, 81, died at 9:30 p.m., Monday at her residence at 548 Broadway. She had been ill for a month.

Mrs. Meyer was born at Decatur, Ind., on Dec. 9, 1879 and came to Niles from Decatur in 1915. Her husband, Charles E., died in 1951.

Survivors include two sons, Fred and Kenneth, both of Niles; a stepson, Richard Meyer of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and four grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home with rites conducted by Mrs. Ina Luth, a reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Niles. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.