Lillian M. Steele
Oct. 5, 1893-April 1, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 3, 1939, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

LILLIAN STEELE DIES SUDDENLY
Mother of Niles High Youth is Stricken in South Bend

Funeral services for Mrs. Lillian M. Steele, former Niles resident who died Saturday afternoon in Epworth hospital, South Bend, will be held at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home.

The Rev. Guy W. Simon of the First Presbyterian church will officiate, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Steele's death came as a shock to her friends here. She was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage at 10 o'clock Saturday morning while working in the restaurant which she and her sister, Mrs. Addie High, operate in South Bend.

Mrs. Steele was born in Wakarusa, Ind., Oct. 5, 1893. She lived in Niles from 1933 until September of 1937 when she moved to South Bend.

Surviving are one son, Robert, a senior in Niles high school; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Freed, South Bend; three sisters, Mrs. High, Mrs. Mary Funkhouser and Mrs. Jessie Bowers, Elkhart, and one brother, Forrest Freed, Mishawaka.

Mrs. Steele was a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Switchmen's union of Niles.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Lena (Mutz) Schnick
1885-Jan. 2, 1919

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, January 2, 1919, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER NILES YOUNG WOMAN DIED TODAY
Mrs. Henry Schnick, Daughter of Mr.a nd Mrs. Herman Mutzof Niles, Succumbs at Michigan City

Mrs. Henry Schnick, formerly Miss Lena Mutz of this city, passed away at michigan City at the early hour of 3:20 o'clock this morning, at the age of 33 years.  Her death followed a prolonged illness with a complication of diseases.

The deceased is survived by her husband, three small children, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Mutz, of Niles and the following brothers and sisters: August Mutz and Mrs. William Fedore of Niles, Rudolph and Mrs. Arthur Burt of Sturgis.

Mrs. Schnick's mother was called to Michigan City on Tuesday and was at the bedside of her daughter when she passed away.  Mrs. Schnick was well known in Niles where she was born and where she grew to young womanhood, and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends who extend their sympathy to the relatives in their sorrow.

The funeral services will be held at Michigan City Sunday afternoon. Burial will occur there.[sic]

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 4, 1919, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral servcies for Mrs. Henry Schnick, who died at her home in Michigan City will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Mutz, Sycamore street, and at 2:30 o'clock from St. JOhn's church. Rev. F. Saffran will officiate.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, January 6, 1919, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MRS. SCHNICK SUNDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Henry Schnick were held Sunday afternoon from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Mutz, and from St John's church. Rev. Saffran conducted the services in the presence of a large gathering of the friends of the young woman.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery. The body was brought to Niles Saturday evening accompanid by the parents, the husband and three little children of the deceasd.

Among those from out of the city who attended the services were Henry Schnick and children, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schnick, Paul and Arney Schnick, Mrs. Matilda Schnick, mother of Henry Schnick; Mr. and Mrs. Kapeishka, Mrs. Walgos and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Westfall, Mrs. Carl Westfall, all of Michigan City, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. R. Mutz and Mr. and Mrs. A. Burt and children of Sturgis, Mich.; Mrs George Schock and daughter Hilda of Bristol, Ind.

Perley J. Vandenburg
Jan. 15, 1880--Dec. 19, 1918

Gertrude Elaine Vandenberg
Oct. 31, 1909-Dec. 19, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 26, 1918, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

BODY EXPECTED FROM WASHINGTON TOMORROW

The grim reaper calls two more of our loved ones.

Perley J. Vandenburg and his little daugher, Gertrude having both departed this life Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19th, at their home in Rosalia, Washington, having both been stricken with influenza.

Perley J. Vandenburg was born Jan. 15, 1898[sic] in Niles and was later reared on the farm north of Niles where he spent most of his life in that locality.

He graduated from the Berrien Springs high school in 1898.  He afterwards entered the profession of school teacher and taught several years. He received some of his education at Ferris Institute, Hillsdale college and attending school at Valparaiso, Ind.

In 1905 he was united in Marriage to Miss Verne Lybrook, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Lybrook, at Indian lake.

They left on their wedding trip for the state of Washington, locating at Waterville, where Mr. Vandenburg was engaged in the lumber business.

Later they moved to Othello, where he became manager of the lumber yards for Potlatch Lumber company.

At Rosalia, Washington, where they were living at the time of their deaths, he was manager of the Crabcreek Lumber company.  He was a good conversationalist and had a pleasing personality, thereby winning friends wherever he went.

Little Gertrude was about 10 years of age and we shall remember her as having such a sunny disposition. Mr. Vandenburg was a devoted husband and father.

He leaves to mourn him a grief-stricken wife and three sons--Frederick, Edward and Marion; a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Vandenburg, residing north of Niles; five brothers and three sisters: Fred at Pokagon; Grover, near Niles; Frank at Berrien Center, Mrs. Fred Lockinaw, at Fairland, Lena, Cleo, Henry and Lester at home.

Their bodies were shipped from Rosalia and were due to arrive here this afternoon.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Price chapel, with Rev. Dr. Lewis officiating. The Odd Fellows will take charge of funeral. Burial at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: Date of birth for Perley J. Vandenburg from WWI Draft Registration@ancestry.com; date of birth for Gertrude Elaine Vandenburg from Washington Death Certificates 1907-1960@familysearch.org

Kate Gray
Nov. 5, 1852-May 4, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 4, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

KATE GRAY DIES OF LONG ILLNESS
Lifelong Resident of Niles and Member of Pioneer Family Passes

Miss Kate Gray, a lifelong resident of Niles and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families died early this morning at her home, 302 Sycamore street.

Miss Gray’s death occurred in the home in which she was born, one of the oldest homes in Niles. She was the daughter of Barclay Gray and Harriett Gephart, both prominent in the early history of Niles.

Miss Gray has been in failing health for about two years, her last illness was brief, following an attack Monday night. Her housekeeper, Miss Celia Zimmer, and her nurse, Miss Betty Jauch, were with her at the time of her death.

While awaiting word from relatives out of the city, Miss Gray’s friends in Niles are making arrangements for the funeral date of which has not yet been set.

Miss Gray was one of the oldest and most active members of Trinity Episcopal parish. She had been a member of several of the organizations, affiliated with the church and had been one of the most enthusiastic workers in the parish.

Alter cloths now in use were her handiwork as are also several of the vestments. In past years, Miss Gray with Harry Mansfield, prepared the church for most of the weddings that took place there.

Surviving are five cousins: Miss Blanche Dugan, Los Angeles; Dr. Harriett Provasko, school physician, and Miss Mae Gephart, physical instructor in the Los Angeles schools; Miss Mary Andrews, Jackson, and Mrs. Dorothy Archer, Benton Harbor.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 6, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

GRAY SERVICES TUESDAY

Funeral services for Miss Kate Gray, who died Friday night at her home, 302 Sycamore, will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock in Trinity Episcopal church, the rector, the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, officiating. The body will lie in state at the church from 12:45 to 1:45 o’clock. Friends may call at the home tonight and tomorrow morning. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 7, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

PALLBEARERS NAMED

Pallbearers at the funeral of Miss Kate Gray in Trinity Episcopal church this afternoon were Dr. L.G. Platt, C.S. Quimby, Harry Barman, George Flower, E.J. Donahue, and Dennis Bunbury.

Myrtle Staats
July 14, 1904-May 5, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 6, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Myrtle Staats Dies at Kalamazoo; Funeral Rites Here

Mrs. Myrtle Staats, 39, died Sunday night in Bronson hospital, Kalamazoo, after a brief illness of pneumonia.  Her body was brought to the Troost and Turner funeral home here where funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. A.R. Kuehn officiating.

Mrs. Staats was a sister of Mrs. Roy Lacy, Mrs. John Vogelsang and E.M. Elledge, of Niles.  She leaves also her husband, Harold, Kalamazoo, two children, Shirley, 7, and Sally, 5; her father, A. Elledge, Columbus, Nebr.; two other sisters, Mrs. Beth Schmoker, Columbus, Nebr., and Mrs. Emil Cach, Schuyler, Nebr., and another brother, Robert Elledge, Columbus, Nebr.

Other survivors are Mr. Staats’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Staats, Lyons, Nebr., his brother, Jack, Lyons, Nebr., and his sister, Mrs. James Gordon, Council Bluffs, Ia.