Anna Smith
Aug. 25, 1872-Jan. 18, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Monday, Jan. 18, 1943, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Anna Smith, 70, Stricken Today; Rites Wednesday

Miss Anna Smith, 70, died this morning at 4:30 in the home of a sister, Mrs. Charles Snouwaert, Route 3.  She was taken seriously ill last week and had been in poor health since November.

She was born Aug. 25, 1872, in The Netherlands and came to the United States 60 years ago. She came to Niles from Williamsport, Ind., 13 years ago and had lived since then in the Snouwaert home.

She is survived by several brothers and sisters--Mrs. Charles Snouwaert, Route 3; Mrs. Mary Snouwaert, Attica, Ind.; Peter Smith and Mrs. Carrie DeSutte, Williamsport; John Smith, Plymouth; Mrs. Sophena Batta, Argos, Ind.; Mrs. Viola Watts, Champaign, Ill.; Mrs. Lucille Schupert, Carpendale, Ind.

Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 in the Pifer funeral home, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Daniel William Ossmer
Nov. 12, 1942-Jan. 19, 1943

Ossmer Baby Dies; Funeral Thursday

Daniel William Ossmer, ten weeks old son of Mr.and Mrs. Daniel D. Ossmer, 1003 1/2 Regent street, died Tuesday night at 7:30 in his home after an illness of 10 days.

He was born Nov. 12, 1942, and is survived by a half-brother, Jimmie, 4; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Unruh, Mrs. Ethel Ossmer, and great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Valieau, all of Niles.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. Floyd W. Johnston, pastor of the First Baptist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 20, 1943, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

William Len Bybee
July 10, 1942-Jan. 18, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 19, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Bybee Infant Dies; Funeral Wednesday

William Len Bybee, six-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Len D. Bybee, 1211 Bybee court, died Monday afternoon at 1:45 in Pawating hospital after being ill 15 days of pneumonia.

He was born July 10, 1942, and is survived by his parents and one sister, Joan Louise, three.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:30.  The Rev. Gladys Dick, of Bethel temple, Buchanan, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Henry R. Bidwell, 63
Oct. 20, 1888-May 30, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 31, 1952, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Henry R. Bidwell, of 715 Cass street, captain of the detectives for the New York Central Railway police and former Niles police chief, died at 8:45 p.m. Friday in St. Joseph hospital, South Bend. He had been ill since December.

Bidwell served as local chief of police in 1924 and 1925 and was succeeded by George Francis. He was a member of the Niles Elks, the Southwestern Michigan Law Enforcement Officers association, the Fraternal order of Police, and the Sheriff's association.

Surviving are his widow, Elizabeth, two daughters, Mrs. Howard Hughes, of Rock Rapids, Ia., and Mrs. Fred Petty, . . . [illegible] three grandchildren, two brothers, George of Kalamazoo, and J.W. Bidwell, of Akron, Ind., and one sister, Mrs. Ed Davis, of Hackensack, N.J.

. . .[illegible] . . in Wabash, Ind., and had lived in this vicinity since he was 15 years of age.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon on Monday, when the body will be taken to the First Presbyterian church.  Services will be conducted at 2 p.m.  Monday by the Rev. H.H. Steffens, assistant pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

*dob from WWI draft registration record.

Mrs. Emma Spansail, 80
Jan. 1, 1872-May 22, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 23, 1952, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Emma Spansail, of 848 Platt street, died at 10:20 a.m. Thursday in Pawating hsopital[sic], after an illness of two weeks.

Surviving are her husband, Fred, three sons, Walter, of Niles, and John and Raymond Spansail, both of Chicago, and six grandchildren.

Mrs. Spansail was born on Jan. 1, 1872, in London, England, and came here from Chicago 35 years ago.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Abner Kugler
Feb. 14, 1866-May 22, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 23, 1952, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Abner Kugler of Compton, Cal., a resident of Niles since 1898, died Thursday in the Compton hospital after an illness of several months.

Kugler was born on Feb. 14, 1866, in DeKalb county, Waterloo, Ind.  He is survived by five childen, Mrs. Pearl Wyburn, Glen, Frank and Marvin Kugler, all of Niles and Mrs. Mabel Nielsen, of Lenwood, Cal; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Kugler had made his home with his grandson, George Wyburn here until moving to California with Mr. and Mrs. William Nielsen.  He was a member of the First Christian church of Dowagiac, and had been an auto dealer here for a number of years.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home Sunday evening. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home by the Rev. Norval Lyon, pastor of the First Christian church of Dowagiac. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.