Obituaries

Lillie (Aitken) Thomson*
Oct. 23, 1802-March 11, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The Oldest Resident

Likewise the Oldest Person Called Away

Peculiar Coincidence

From Monday's Sun.

MRS. SAMUEL THOMPSON

Mrs. Samuel Thompson, who for a long time has borne the distinction of being the oldest person of Niles, passed peacefully away yesterday morning at 3 o'clock, at her home on Lincon[sic] avenue. Deceased had been in failing health for a year past and a serious accident with which she met a few days ago hastened the end.

Mrs. Thompson was born in Glascow, Scotland, in October, 1802, and together with her husband and family of five children bade farewell to Scotland's sunny clime and sailed for American in 1844.

They crossed the turbulent Atlantic, sailed up the Hudson river, through the Erie canal, thence via the great lakes to St. Joseph, from which place they took a river steamer to Niles, thus traversing the entire distance on water.

Upon their arrival here they betook themselves to the old homestead, two miles west. In all eight children were born to them. In 1885, Mr. Thompson died, and now that his faithful helpmate has joined him in the great hereafter, but three of the children remain to mourn the loss they have sustained. The are Samuel C., James B. and Miss Agness H., all well known residents of this vicinity.

Deceased was an active member of the Presbyterian church and was a woman of deep intellectual and spiritual attainments and her lovely character impressed itself upon all those who came in contact with her.

The funeral will be held tomorrow from the homestead, to which place the remains were conveyed yesterday. Rev. J.G. Lowrie will officiate at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.

*Additional information from Michigan Death Certificate for Lillie Thomson, age 97y 4m 16d, born Scotland, father James Aitken, mother Jane Walker

Note:  Two obituaries appeared under this headline. The other for Lillie Thomson, born Oct. 23, 1802, who had lived in Niles since 1844 and was the "oldest resident". Sarah A. Bond was born Dec. 7, 1817 but had lived in Niles since 1829.

John W. Mittan
March 24, 1824-March 10, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

John W. Mittan was born March 24, 1824 and died March 10, 1900, making him at the time of his death, 74 years, 14 months and 16 days of age.

His home was in Delaware, he being the oldest of ten chidren, three boys and seven girls.

In 1843 his father left his home in Delaware for Michigan, bringing his family with him.

The deceased when 23 years of age, was united with the Congregational church, of which he was an active member.

In 1847 he was united in marriage with Emma F. Derby and to them were born eight children, three girls and seven boys, of which seven are living. There are also seven grandchildren.

For 23 long years he was a faithful employe of the M.C.R.R. Co., and was highly regarded by the railroad men.

His last hours were spent at the home of his sister, Mrs. W.H. Snyder of Dowagiac, and from there his remains were conveyed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stella Loane, where he had made his home for the past year.

He was one of the oldest settlers of Niles and leaves many friends and relatives to mourn his death.

Niles Daily Star. Saturday, 10 Mar 1900, page 2, microflim Niles District Library (Wm. Brackett)

To the Great Beyond Death’s heavy invasion into the ranks of this county’s pioneers has found no more highly respected victim than Mr. John Mittan who passed away at 2 o’clock this morning at Dowagiac, death resulting from paralysis.  Mr. Mittan was born in Delaware March 24, 1824.  He came to Niles when he was 19 years of age and has nearly ever since resided here. For 23 years he was a faithful employee of the Michigan Central Railroad.  It was only last Tuesday that Mr. Mittan with his wife went to Dowagiac to visit his daughter, Mrs. Frank Allen and his sister, Mrs. W. H. Snyder.  He had not been feeling well for a few days pervious, but there was nothing alarming about his condition until yesterday, when the final stroke of paralysis attacked him and he gradually sank until death relieved him of his sufferings.  Four sisters, Mrs. Margaret Reynolds, Constantine, Mich., Mrs. David Briggs, South bend, and, Mrs. Mary Lowry, Pippin, Wisc., and Mrs. Chas. Allen of this city and one brother, Wm. Mittan of Buchanan survive the deceased.  Mr. Mittan leaves a wife and seven children, four boys, Wm. Mittan of Greenville, Mich., and Charles, John and Robert Mittan of Toledo, Ohio, and three girls, Mrs. J. C. Bickford, Summnerville, Mrs. Frank Allen, Dowagiac, and Mrs. Stella Long of this city, to mourn his loss.  The remains arrived from Dowagiac at 3 o’clock this afternoon and were taken to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Stella Long, on south Third Street.  The funeral will occur at 2:30 o’clock Monday afternoon from the home of his daughter.  Interment at Silverbrook cemetery.”

Ruth Nichols, 92
Aug. 27, 1919 – Oct. 30, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:45pm Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Ruth E. Nichols, 92, of Wichita, Kan., and formerly of Niles, died at 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita of a brief illness.
Mrs. Nichols was born Aug. 27, 1919, in Crawfordsville, Ind., to Leard and Forrest Rose (Arnold) Layne. She moved from Chicago to Niles in the 1970s and later to Wichita in 1980. She retired from State Line Care Center in Niles. Ruth loved raising her children and supporting her children’s activities at Brandywine.
On Aug. 13, 1941, in Crawfordsville, she married George Edwin Nichols, who preceded her in death on Aug. 28, 1973. She was also preceded in death by their daughter, Mary Catherine Nichols, who died in infancy; brother, Virgil Cletus Layne; and a sister, Juanita Todd.
She is survived by their children, Mary Catherine Hotze of Witchita, James Robert (Judy) Nichols of Trinity, Fla., John Phillip (Carol) Nichols of Phoenix, Ariz., Thomas Samuel (Nancy) Nichols of Chicago and Donald (fiancee Trexy) Nichols of Newton, Kan.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marcella Waldon of Crawfordsville.
Funeral services for Ruth E. Nichols will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Judy Nichols, daughter-in-law, facilitating.
Committal services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. There will be no visitation.
Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Linwood Senior Center, 1901 S. Kansas St., Wichita, KS 67221-4650.

Janie VanLue Gilbert, 79
March 15, 1932 — Nov. 3, 2011

Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:30pm Sunday, November 6, 2011

Janie VanLue Gilbert, 79, of Barron Lake Road in Niles, died at 12:13 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her home of an extended illness.
Mrs. Gilbert was born March 15, 1932 in Buchanan to Clarence “Spot” and Cora A. (Ruth) Dempsey. She graduated from Niles High School, earned her associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College, bachelor’s degree from Andrews University and master’s degree from Michigan State University. She was a very active first grade teacher at Oak Manor in Niles Community Schools, retiring after 17 years of service. She was a lifetime area resident.
Janie was baptized in the Church of Christ in Buchanan and later became a member of Pokagon United Methodist Church of Christ in Niles, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher as well as with the United Methodist Women and Ladies Aid. She was a longtime member of TOPS. She enjoyed helping with both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Janie was first married on June 25, 1949 to K. Jim VanLue, who preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 1968. She later married William E. Gilbert in Niles on June 14, 1986. He preceded her in death on July 16, 2009.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Kenneth James VanLue, Jr., who died Jan. 8, 2000; grandsons, Sam Reagan and Orion Gilbert; her father, Clarence Dempsey; mother, Cory Myers; stepfather, Arnie Myers; and brother, Carl Myers.
Mrs. Gilbert is survived by her children, Linda “Champ” (Steve) Kujawa of Edwardsburg, Marri (John) Bagwell of Buchanan, Daniel (Pam) VanLue of Niles; stepchildren, Nancy (Dale) Chadderdon of Tecumseh, Mich., Linda (Dan) Gustafson of St. Joseph and Larry Gilbert of Niles; grandchildren, Cody Kujawa, Julie Williams, Melissa Cook, Laurie Barnes, Angela Rockey, James VanLue, Tiffany Lewis, Rob Lewis, Brennden Keen, Jessica Hooks, Mary Kay Brown, Andrew Gustafson, Reanna Lennox; brothers, Robert (Diane) Myers of Granger, Ind. and Jim (Nancy) Myers of Niles; sister-in-law, Sandy Myers of Edwardsburg.
The services for Janie VanLue Gilbert will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Pokagon United Methodist Church in Niles with the Rev. Sean Kidd of the church officiating, assisted by Pastor Patricia Haas of Keswick United Methodist Church, Sutton’s Bay, Mich.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Janie may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church or The Old Rugged Cross Foundation.

Daniel Emil Bachman
Oct. 21, 1842-March 9. 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF EMILE BACHMAN

He Passed Peacefully Away Shortly After Dawn

From Friday's Sun

Emile Bachman died this morning at 7 o'clock at the family residence on Lincoln avenue. He had been in poor health for nearly a year past and his demise was not wholly unexpected.  Deceased was 57 years of age and had resided here since 1860, when he came here from Altenbreitungen, Germany.

Deceased enlisted in the 12th Michigan Infantry at the outbreak of the civil war and served his country in the field during the entire campaign. He took an active part and was wounded in the sanguinary battle of Shiloh, and a wound in one of his limbs was incurable, and at this late day is said to have predisposed the disease to which his demise is ascribed, viz: a complication of heart and stomach trouble.

In 1867, having returned to this city, he was married to Miss Louise Miller, who passed away some three years ago. Four children resulted from this union, three of whom Mrs. Edith Martin, Arthur and Jacob Bachman, all of this city --survive to deplore the loss of a kind and loving parent.

Mr. Bachman had been a faithful employe of what was formerly known as the Jacks paper mill, No. 2, now known as Niles Mill No., 2, and was beloved by all his fellow workmen.

Fraternally the deceased was identified with the G.A. \R. and was also a member in good standing of the A.O.U.W., in which order he carried the usual amount of insurance.

On next Sunday at 1:30 o'clock the funeral cortege will leave the residence and proceed to the German St. John's church, where the pastor, Rev. Rahn, will conduct the last sad rites, after which the remains will be conveyed to Silver Brook cemetery, where a good citizen will be laid in eternal rest.

Albert Coffinger
March 27, 1848-Sept. 4, 1911

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1911, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Albert Coffigner[sic] a life long resident of Niles died Monday evening at 5 o'clock at the corner of Ninth and Howard street. His death followed a  prolonged illness from a complication of diseases. He was 60 years of age. Besides a widow, the deceased is survived by four childred[sic], Albert, Mary, Maggie and Ralph also a brother Arthur Coffinger of Grand Rapids and two sisters of whom Mrs. T. Hawkins resides in Niles. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. from the home Rev. Yonker officiating.