Obituaries

Eva Christina (Asmus) Smith
Sept. 12, 1840-Feb. 9, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, February 10, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHRISTINA SMITH LIVED HERE 30 YEARS
Aged Lady Survived by Eight Sons and Daughters

The death of Mrs. Christina Smith occurred last night about 11 o'clock at the home, 501 North Thirteenth street.

The deceased was a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born Sept. 12, 1840, making her nearly 75 and one half years of age.

The deceased was married at Kalamazoo to Richard Smith and they came to Niles about 30 years ago, and this city has been the home ever since. Her husband preceded her to the undiscovered country 18 years ago.

Eight children, four sons and an equal number of daughters survive. They are Mrs. Emma Hummel and Mrs. Anna Rhoades of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. A.E. Jackson and Mrs. Edw. Radewald of Niles. The sons, Ernest, Charles, Albert and Herman all reside in Niles.

Arrangements for the funeral services will not be completed until the daughters who reside in Los Angeles are heard from.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, February 12, 1916, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for the late Mrs. Christina Smith were held this afternoon at the house, 501 North Thirteenth street.  Rev. George Huntinton officiated. The body was placed in the vault at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 10, 1916, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHRISTINA SCHMIDT PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY
Four Daughters and Four Sons Survive; Arrangements Not Completed

Mrs. Christina Schmidt, a widow living with two sons, 501 north Thirteenth street, died suddenly about 11 o'clock last night.  This morning, under the circumstances of sudden death, at the request of her sons, the body was examined by the health officer, who found no necessity of instituting a coroner's inquest.

Mrs. Schmidt is the widow of Richard Schmidt, who died in 1898, for years a cobbler in the employ of B. Mack.

The deceased was 75 years old, born in Liebenstein, Saxon-Meinungen.

Funeral arrangements have not as yet been completed.

She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Edward Radewald and Mrs. A.E. Jackson of this city, Mrs. Emma Hummell of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. Anna Rodes of Burbank, Cal., Albert and Herman, at home and Ernest and Charles, also residents of the city.

NB: There is conflicting spelling of last name. Michigan Death Record is filed as Eva C. Smith; death record of husband Richard also is filed as "Smith".

William H. Gray
May 26, 1887-Jan. 26, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 27, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM H. GRAY TAKEN BY DEATH

William H. Gray, 56, who made his home with his niece, Mrs. C.A. Wainscott, 521 Cedar street, died Wednesday night at 9:20 in the Berrien county hospital at Berrien Center, where he was taken Friday. He had been ill of diabetes since 1925.

He was born May 26, 1887, in Cripple Creek, Colo., and came to Niles two years ago from Colorado. He had been a moving picture machine operator and was a member of the Amerian Legion.

Surviving are two nieces, Mrs. Wainscott, and Mrs. Edith Bell, Benton Harbor; a nephew, Wilbur Meldrim, Niles; three brothers, Robert, Benton Harbor; Hugh and John, Pueblo, Colo. A sister, Mrs. Morgan Strawn, Niles, died several weeks ago.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church. LaRue Messinger post, American Legion, will be in charge of the service.

John H. Copp
Aug. 31, 1866-Feb. 5, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 5, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN H COPP, 77
TAKEN BY DEATH

John H. Copp, 77, of 310 Water street, died at 4 this morning in the Berrien county hospital after an illness of a year.  He was prominent in Niles and vicinity as a locksmith.

Born in Bertrand Aug. 31, 1866, the son of William and Sarah Copp, he was married to Mrs. Louie Price at St. Joseph in April, 1938.

Surviving are five step-children--Mrs. Mattie Long, Edwardsburg; Mrs. Howard Johnson, Mrs. Elva Cronk, Mrs. Alma Eggleston and Fred Price, all of Niles--and a niece, Mrs. Edna Ludlow, also of Niles.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger chapel where services will be conducted by Dr. Guy W. Simon Monday afternoon at 2:30. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

John Wesley Griswold
June 27, 1841-December 15, 1899

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 15, 1899, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF JOHN GRISWOLD

A Well-Known Resident of Pokagon, Michigan

John Griswold, well-known in these parts, died at the home of his brother-in-law, Wm. Lewis, at Pokagon today.

Mr. Griswold wa a civl lengineer[sic], by profession; had resided in Pokagon for about 10 years and was well known in this vicinity. Death was caused by dropsy. Deceased was 60 years of age.

Funeral announcement hereafter.

Homer H. Bliss
Oct. 12, 1887-Oct. 13, 1899

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 13, 1899, page 3, col. 2, same appeared in Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, October 18, 1899, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Homer H., age 12 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bliss, residing in the country, died today. Notice of funeral will be given tomorrow.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 14, 1899, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Notice

The funeral of the late Homer H. Bliss, will occur from the residence on Yankee street at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon.

Rev. Frederick Hall will officiate. Interment will be in Silver Brook Cemetary.

Dane Dorstewitz, 21
Nov. 25, 1989 — Sept. 15, 2011

Dane Angel Dorstewitz, 21, of Broadway, Niles, died at 6:31 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born Nov. 25, 1989 in Niles to Dane Michael Dorstewitz and Iris Estella Rodriguez. He graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles all his life.

Dane enjoyed reading, especially history and science fiction, and was a fan of the martial arts. He also enjoyed nature, especially plants, and had hoped to study botany. He loved the Lord, studied the Bible and had a deep faith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dane Michael Dorstewitz, on Feb. 14, 2011; his aunt, Mary Monroe; and his uncle, Lorimer Rodriguez.

Surviving family includes his mother, Iris (Brian) Reith of Niles; grandparents, Michael Dorstewitz of Palm Beach, Fla., Cindy (Jack) Kauffman of Niles and Eladia and Lorimer Rodriguez of Niles; Dane’s sisters, Emily and Alyssa Rehmel of Niles; an aunt, Doriz (Damien) Curry of Traverse City, Mich.; and Dane’s finance, Tonya Garrett of Niles.

The funeral service for Dane Angel Dorstewitz will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Skip MacCarty of Berrien Springs officiating.

Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Dane may be made to the donor’s choices.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:32pm Wednesday, September 21, 2011