Joy Nichols, 81
Feb. 25, 1929 — Nov. 16, 2010

Joy L. Nichols, 81, of Ruth Court in Niles, died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a brief illness.

Mrs. Nichols was born Feb. 25, 1929 in Mountain Lake, Minn. to Christ and Anna (Penner) Hansen. Joy graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles most of her life. She retired after 41 years of service at 5th/3rd Bank and its predecessors.

She was a member of United Methodist Church in Niles. She volunteered with Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. She was an avid reader of fiction.

On Oct. 23, 1954 in Niles, she married Norman J. “Bud” Nichols, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughter, Tamalee (Darrell) Eisenhart of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Melissa (Matt) Binns; grandson, David Eisenhart; great-grandchildren, Fallon and Torah Binns; siblings, Yetive Carr of Cassopolis, Vicki Bliss of Grand Rapids, Gene Hansen of Niles, Donald Hansen of Seaford, Del., Jan “Pat” Hansen of Richmond, Va. and Lonnie Hansen of Cypress, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Nichols was preceded in death by her siblings, Sharon Hansen, Gladys Ray, Harry Hansen, Christ Hansen and Jerry Hansen, Sr.

Funeral services for Joy L. Nichols will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 at Grace United Methodist Church in Niles with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens* in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Joy may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:16am Wednesday, November 17, 2010

*Reinterred at Silverbrook, July 12, 2011.

Harry C. Richards
Aug. 4, 1875-March 18, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 20, 1939, page 1, col. 7, continued on Page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

HARRY C. RICHARDS TAKEN BY DEATH

President of Garden City Fan Co., Civic Leader, Stricken Saturday

Confined to his home for the last five months with a heart ailment, Harry C. Richards, president of the Garden City Fan company, one of Niles oldest industries, died at o'clock Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street. He was 63 years old.

The body is at the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call. Services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.

Active in civic affairs, Mr. Richards was a member of the Niles board of public works from November, 1927, to May, 1934. He also served as a member of the city council, being elected as First ward alderman in 1919.  He resigned in 1920 when he moved into another ward, but in 1923 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Norman P. Beebe, the Third ward alderman.

Was Widely Known

Through his business affiliations, Mr. Richards had gained a wide circle of friends, and was highly regarded by his associates. He was a member of the Elks and Masonic lodge, No. 572 of Toledo.

Mr. Richards had served as president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910 when he came to Niles from Toledo. Under his supervision, the company had prospered.

January 14, 1937 fire razed the north building of the plant at Wayne and Eighth streets, causing loss of approximately $100,000. The building was rebuilt and operations continued.

Close friends of Mr. Richards believed that this fire was partially responsible for his failing health.  Since his illness Bert Tennyson has been managing the factory.

Native of Port Huron

Mr. Richards was born in Port Huron, Aug. 4, 1875, the son of the late Harry G. and Anna G. Richards.

He is survived by his widow, the former Cleia French, whom he married in Ganges, Mich., in 1902; three sons, Harry C. Richards, Jr., Mishawaka, and Jack and Robert Richards, living at home; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer E. Davis, Toledo, and Mrs. Claude O. Mann, Detroit; also a brother, Robert D. Richards, Cleveland.

Mr. Richards' body will lie in . ..[illegible] . . .form 11:00 o'clock Wednesday until the hour of the funeral.

Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck will serve as pallbearers.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 21, 1939, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Richards Rites Wednesday at 2, Trinity Church

The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will conduct funeral services for Harry C. Richards, 63, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcpal church.

The body will lie in state in the church from 12:30 o'clock until the hour of the funeral. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck. Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until noon Wednesday.

Mr. Richards, who had served a president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910, died Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street.  He had been ill for five months.

Sena Jayne Anstiss
Oct. 31, 1912-Jan. 7, 1913

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 8, 1913, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Fena[sic] Jayne, two months' old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Anstiss, will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the home of Mrs. L. Anstiss in north Fifth street. The infant died yesterday at 12:15 from pneumonia. Rev. A.Q. Littrell of Berrien Springs will officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Jeppe Delano
August 9, 1845-March 13, 1925

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 13, 1925, page 1, col. 8, continued page 6, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

TAKES LAST CURTAIN CALL

Death Take Veteran Stage Artist After Long Illness

The long and interesting career of Jeppe Delano was brought to a close at 6:50 o'clock this morning when he passed peacefully away at his home, 498 Elm street, where he was married 53 years ago to Fanny Sutter, the wife and sweetheart who survives him and who in a professional way and as a helpmate had been so closely associated that to speak of one was to think of the other.
Mr. Delano's death was not unexpected. He had been bedridden for 18 months, and at times, his life was despaired of, but with remarkable strength, he had rallied and the weeks and month of invalidism lengthened into years.  However, since last Monday the end had been momentarily expected.
Jeppe Delano was born August 9, 1845, at Charleston, Mass.  In his early life he was a manufacturing jeweler. Later, with two brothers, one of whom was a partner of Henry Guild, he joined the Peak family musical organization of which William Peak, Sr., was proprietor. Mr. Peak, Sr., was the father of William H. Peak, and while the senior Mr. Peak covered the east and British provinces, his son had the west and south. Mr. Delano was therefore with Mr. Peak, Sr. for many years while Miss Sutter was with W.H. Peak, both making enviable reputations for themselves.  Miss Sutter took the name of the Peak family, and was known on the theatre programs as Fanny Peak. Her correct Christian name was Anna Mary Sutter, but when she joined the Peak family, an adopted daughter of the Peaks, name Annie, later Mrs. Annie Martin, was with them, and the woman, who was their governess was named Annie. .and ever since.
Eventually the two Peak families of entertainers ere united into one company, this union taking place at Lansing.
"I can not tell you anything about Fannie or myself," stated Jeppe while being questioned some time ago, "unless I tell of both. Our lives have been too closely interwoven to be separated, even in talking of them."  Fannie's remarkable voice attracted such great attention when she was a mere child, though. it was once consider the chief attraction on any program where she appeared. It was later that she began to fill a responsible position at the bell ringing table, but she soon became a staff bell soloist, as well as developing a great talent as a comedienne. O, she was versatile. More so, I guess, than my admirers ever attributed that quality to me. When Fannie and I entered high class vaudeville on our own initiative there was no departure made from it until we gave up professional life, except that for a few months I took up cartooning on the staff of Pomeroy's Democrat in Chicago."
The Delanos played successfully engagements with Old Signor Bilfy and Decastro, magicians, being with those men two seasons. Other engagements placed them opposite such players as Tony Pastor, with whom they made the tour of the West Indies as well as Cuba, also George Dean Spaulding and the famous combination of Pat Rooney.
Mr. Delano and Fanny were married in the house which her parents John J. and Magdalena Sutter, had built at 498 Elm street, by Rev. George Luck, then rector of Trinity Episcopal church, on June 30, 1872. They at once resumed their stage careers, and continued with that work until about 25 years ago when Mr. Delano became a sufferer from rheumatism, and they came to Niles to spend the remainder of their lives. For two terms Mr. Delano served as city treasurer.
Mr. Delano's health began to fail during the summer of 1922, and on August 9 of that year entered a South Bend hospital for an operation.  He never regained his health to any appreciable extent, but bore his illness and suffering with great fortitude and patience.
Mr. and Mrs. Delano had three children, one of who lived to be 10 months old, but the others died at birth.
Besides the widow, Mr. Delano is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Barnes, 83, of Dorchester, Mass., now the only surviving member of the Jepthath Delano family which came to America in the Mayflower.
Mr. Delano was a member of the Masonic order, having received degrees in blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery.  He was also one of the "Jolly Corks" organization in New York City from which was stared the first lodge of Elks, his lodge being No. 1 of New York City. He was the only remaining member of that organizating group.
The funeral will be conducted by St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M. at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon from the home and the Augustine Funeral Parlors. Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, will act as escort at the funeral.

Jeppe Delano, 8 months old
Died Aug. 14, 1881

Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 20, 1881, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The death of Jeppe, the eight months' old son of Jeppe and Fannie Delano, which occurred in this city on Sunday, was attended with circumstances of a peculiarly touching nature  awaking the deepest sympathy among hosts of friends, in this, their old home.  Jeppe and Fannie had been spending, as is their wont, the summer here, having but recently gone to fill engagements in New York, leaving the babe in care of its grandmother, when the sad intelligence reached them of its serious illness, followed by a dispatch that the little life had departed.  The response was, welling up from hearts crushed and breaking, "Keep our darling till we come."  Only those who have thus suffered can know the full import of these words. The stricken parents arrived on Tuesday morning, and on Wednesday at 2 p.m., the cherished blossom was borne tenderly by loving ones to Silver Brook cemetery and laid to rest. Another flower blooming in immortal beauty, another jewel added to the Savior's crown. Spared all the tears, the sorrows of earth through the weary, lengthened years, why should we weep that the precious one, in sweetest innocence and loveliness, has found a brighter home. And yet, this thought now will not comfort agonized hearts. Empty arms will be outstretched with the imploring cry, "Come back, my darling; come back."  But no response; only the mute appeal of little worthless, broken toys, dainty clothes covered with tear stains, a vacant chair, and the cosy crib, with perhaps the imprint of the fairy head, yet upon the pillow--this is all.  But by-and-by, when the suffering ones have trod the whole weary way of darkness and bitterness, the angel of peace and resignation will descend with solace and blessing. Why these buds of sweetness and beauty are given, and then so early taken, is a mystery we cannot divine. Perhaps the discipline is needed  in our lives, or it may be earth claims our thoughts too entirely, and these tender ties are broken to draw our affections heavenward. "Jesus saith, suffer little children to come unto me."  Look upward, mourning hearts. Your little treasure is safe in the Savior's arms, and waits to welcome you to the better land.

An angel came in the silence
His hand we could not stay
And up to the regions of beauty;
He bore our flower away.

Wilbur W. Krueger
April 22, 1911-Dec. 20, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, Dec. 22, 1958, page 1, col. 4, and page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Grand Jury to Sift Evidence in Fatal Crash

Will Determine Charge Against Man in Crash Killing 3 Niles Men

SOUTH BEND--The St. Joseph County prosecutor's office today was compiling evidence from the car-truck crash on the St. Joseph County Elkhart County Line Road which killed three Niles railroad men early Saturday for presentation to a grand jury.

The evidence will be presented to the next grand jury which convenes the first week of February, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Plodowski. It was understood the grand jury's investigation will determine whether the truck driver, Robert DeGraff, 45, of 1130 East Cedar Street, South Bend, will be charged as a result of the accident.

DeGraff was the driver of a flatbed semi-trailer loaded with 17 1/2 tons of bricks that collided nearly head-on with a car driven by Stanley A. Lundberg, 34 of 1804 Howard Street, Niles.  With Lundberg were Robert LeRoy Bosler, 30 of 624 Woodruff Street, Niles, and Wilbur William Krueger, 47, of 2253 Lake Street, Niles.

All three died as their southbound car cracked into the northbound truck on the two lane road.  The Niles men were car inspectors at the new Robert Young yards of the New York Central Railroad, Elkhart.

* * *

DeGraff was not injured. He was held for questioning by St. Joseph County sheriff's deputies on a charge of driving on the wrong side of the road. However, the charge was dropped and DeGraff released later in the day.

Captain Ellsworth Hartz, of the sheriff's office, said evidence at the scene indicates DeGraff's truck was in the southbound lane.  DeGraff told deputies he swerved his truck to avoid striking the Niles men's car which had crossed the center line. There were no eye witnesses.

State Police, led by trooper Kenton F. Zumbaugh, also investigated the accident.

Plodowski said his office will present photographs of the accident, plus statements taken by authorities and any other physical evidence when the grand jury convenes.

* * *

MEANWHILE in Niles, funeral services were arranged for the victims.

Services for Stanley A. Lundberg were held at 2 p.m. today in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the Rev. Gordon Everett, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Arangements were handled by the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home.

Surviving are his widow, Evelyn Jr., two sons, Raymond and Dale, and a daughter, Judy all at home; his parents Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lundberg, of Niles; five sisters, Mrs. Edward VanTilburg, of Galien; Mrs. Edward Moore, of Niles; Mrs. Leon Williams, of Buchanan, Mrs. Harold Hall, of Niles; and Mrs. Ray Gillentine, of Niles; three brothers, Roy W., John R. and Richard, all of Niles.

Mr. Lundberg was born in Niles April 19, 1924, and lived here all his life. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

Services for Mr. Bosler will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St.  Mary's Catholic Church here with the Rev. Jerome Schmitt, assistant pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at the Pifer Funeral Home where friends may call.

A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Bosler was born Aug. 13, 1928 in Niles and had lived his entire life here. He was employed as a car repairman by the New York Central Roalroad[sic].

Surviving are: his mother, Mrs. Gladys Bosler, of Niles; his widow, Mary, and a son and daughter, Frank and Patricia, both at home.

* * *

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) for Wilbur Krueger. The pastor the Rev. Herbert Meussling, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until noon Tuesday.

Mr. Krueger, a car inspector for the New York Central, was born April 22, 1911, Michigan City, Ind., and came to Niles in 1919.

Surviving are: the widow Jane; two daughter[sic], Sharon, at home, and Mrs. Homer Madden, of Niles; four sisters, Mrs. Harley Frantz, Mrs. Jack T. Schwartz, Mrs. Robert Clark and Mrs. Jack Laymon, all of Niles, and six brothers, Harvey, Ott, William, Lawrence and Henry Krueger, all of Niles, and LeRoy Krueger of Berrien Springs.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1958, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

KRUEGER RITES HELD

Services for Wilbur W. Krueger of Niles who died in a traffic accident Saturday near Osceola, Ind., were conducted Tuesday at St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) by the Rev. H.A. Messling, pastor. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery. In addition to other survivors listed previously, Mr. Krueger is survived by two granddaughters and several nieces and nephews.