Obituaries

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.

Leroy L. Trew
1884-May 8, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 9, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT DIES

Word of the death of Leroy L. Trew, former resident of Niles, at his home in New York City Wednesday afternoon was received by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Clarence Shepherd, 601 North Fifth street, Wednesday night. Mr. Trew lived in Niles about 25 years ago and was employed by the National Printing and Engraving company, working in the New York office of the company till his illness and death. The remains will be brought to Niles Saturday and the funeral will be held Sunday. Arrangements for the services were not yet complete. Mr. Trew is survived by his widow and one son, Leroy Jr.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 11, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Trew Rites Sunday

Funeral services for Leroy L. Trew, formerly of Niles, who died Wednesday in New York City, will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the home of M. Collins, 601 North Fifth street, which is also the residence of Mr. Trew’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Clarence Shepherd. Mr. Trew was employed about 25 years ago at the National Printing and Engraving plant here, and was in the New York office until his last illness.

Greenville Fletcher
April 23, 1877-May 12, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 13, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Greenville Fletcher, 58, Is Taken by Death

Greenville Fletcher, 1 Parkway, died early Sunday morning in Pawating hospital following an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Fletcher was 58 years old.

Mr. Fletcher came to Niles 18 years ago from Summittville, Tenn. He was employed by the Kawneer company.

Surviving are two sons, George, Niles, and Royal, of Berrien Springs, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Mitchell Niles, and Mrs. Maggie Robinson, Summittville, Tenn., also one granddaughter. A sister, Mrs. Frank McLaughlin, Niles, also survives.

The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the Price and Kiger funeral home, the Rev. Guy W. Simon officiating. Friends of the family are asked to call at the residence of the deceased, 1 Parkway, before the hour of the funeral. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery[sic].