Obituaries

Thomas H. Dougan
July 24, 1908-Dec. 28, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 30, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MASTER THOS. DOUGAN VICTIM OF THE "FLU"

There is great sorrow in the home of Mrs. Thoams Dougan over the death of her 10-year-old grandson, Thomas H. Dougan, who passed away Saturday about midnight.

The little fellow was stricken with influenza several weeks ago. Pneumonia followed and caused his demise. His sister and two brothers were ill with the malady, but are now able to be up, although still in quarantine.

Walter Dougan, father of the little victim, left his work as building commissioner for the city of Gary, Ind., to come here and care for his son. He contracted the disease and was able to be out for the first time today.

Little Thoams was an unusually bright and industrious young man and a great favorite with his companions. The funeral will be held from the residence, 802 Bryant street, at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and will be private on account of the influenza quarantine.  Mrs. Pearl Dougan and daughter, Miss Blanche, have been called here.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 31, 1918, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Private funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock for Master Thomas Dougan from the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Thomas F. Dougan. Burial took place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Harriet I. Hofferbert
Sept. 5, 1852-May 27, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 28, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES AGED RESIDENT OF NILES
Mrs. Harriet I. Hofferbert, 82, Succumbs Monday; Rites Wednesday.

Mrs. Harriet I. Hofferbert, 82, a resident of Niles since early childhood, died Monday afternoon at her home, 1315 Maple street. Her death was due to old age and complications.  She had been ill about two weeks.

Mrs. Hofferbert was the widow of George Hofferbert, who died in 1926. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hoover, who were among Niles early residents.

Mrs. Hofferbert was born in Pleasant Valley, Ind., Sept. 5, 1852. She was married May 17, 1877, to George Hofferbert at Mason township.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Fred A. Exner, Niles, and Mrs. Richard Edwards, Mishawaka, Ind.; two grandchildren, Lucile Edwards, Mishawaka, and Nordamyrth Exner, Niles; two brothers, Andrew Hoover, Parsonsburg, Md., and Elmer Hoover, Denver, Colo.; and two sisters, Mrs. S.E. Witmer, Niles, and Sarah Patterson, Riverside, Calif.

Funeral services will be held in the Rutherford Funeral chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with Mrs. Ila Wheeler officiating and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends of the family may call at the Rutherford funeral home until the hour of the services.

Dr. Lester G. Platt
July 2, 1877-May 30, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 31, 1935, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DR. PLATT DROPS DEAD ON ORCHARD HILLS GOLF COURSE
Widely Known Niles Dentist Dies After Playing Round; Seemed in Perfect Health

The sudden death of Dr. L.G. Platt at Orchard Hills Country club Thursday morning came as a shock to the community of which he had been a life-long member.

Dr. Platt's death occurred at 11:15 o'clock in the morning.  Dr. Platt, the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, Floyd Wood and Harry O. Parker had just finished nine holes on the golf course and were about to tee off for the second round.  Dr. Platt went to his car and while removing a package was stricken suddenly with a heart attack.

Dr. Platt was 57 years old. He was born in Niles July 2, 1877 and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Platt.  He was married Dec. 27, 1905 in Niles to Gayle King, the Rev. Decoux, of Trinity Episcopal church performing the ceremony.

He was graduated from the University of Michigan college of dentistry in 1898.  He leaves beside his wife and daughter, Mrs. Harold Hanlin, of Buchanan, and a twin brother, Dr. Leslie W. Platt, Elkhart. Efforts are being made by police  and radio broadcast to locate the latter who is en route to California by motor.

Dr. Platt was a past master of St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4, F.& A.M. and of Niles chapter R.A.M.  He also was a member and active worker in Trinity Episcopal church.

Funeral arrangements will not be completed until Dr. Platt's brother is located.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 1, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Dr. Platt Rites Set Monday P.M.

Efforts to locate Dr. Leslie W. Platt, twin brother of Dr. Lester G. Platt through radio broadcasts have been unavailing. Dr. Lester Platt, who died Thursday morning, will be buried Monday afternoon.

The body will lie in state in Trinity Episcopal church of which he was a member, from 1 o'clock Monday until 2:15.  Services will be held at 2:30, the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of the Trinity church, officiating.

Besides the brother whom the family is attempting to locate and who is enroute by motor to California, Dr. Platt leaves his wife, Mrs. Gayle Platt, a daughter, Mrs. Harold Hanlin, of Buchanan, and an elder brother, Ralph Platt, in Denver.

George C. Westfall
Oct. 9, 1868-May 30, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 1, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Westfall Rites Set

Funeral services for George C. Westfall, 68, who died Thursday morning at the home of Mrs. Raymond Parker, 637 North Fifth street, will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel, William Putnam officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note: DOB from death record

Thomas Zielinski
May 7, 1879-May 31, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 1, 1935, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Thomas Zielinski Found Dead in His Home, 1609 Huron

Thomas Zielinski, 56, better known here as Thomas Green, was found dead in his home, 1609 Huron street, early Friday evening. His body was found by Roscoe Hipshier, by whom he was employed at the Niles Foundry, formerly known as the old Welling foundry.

Mr. Zielinski had been dead several hours, according to Coroner Louis Kerlikowske, who was summoned from St. Joseph.  Zielinski was last seen alive about 7:30 o'clock Friday mornng by Howard Weatherspoon, a neighbor. Zielinski lived alone.  His wife died several years ago in Poland.

Albert Zielinski, a brother, 616 South Brookfield avenue, South Bend, is the only surviving relative in America.  Two children are believed to be living in Poland.

Funeral services will be held in the Rutherford Funeral chapel this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. Dr. Guy W. Simon will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

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.