Obituaries

George H. Zwergel
April 13, 1893-March 20, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 20, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--George H. (Polly) Zwergel, 76, of 965 S. 13th St., died at 8 am. today in Pawating Hospital, where he had been patient for the past five weeks.

Born April 13, 1893, in Niles, Mr. Zwergel had lived here all his life.

He was a World War I veteran, a life member of the Niles Elks Lodge and a member of the Four Flags Barracks No. 1093, Veterans of  World War I.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Father Vincent A. Anderson of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, with graveside rites by the Elks Lodge.

Friends may call after 7 Saturday night at the funeral home.

W.S. Hinkle
Aug. 2, 1863-Feb. 4, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 5, 1946, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Set for W.S. Hinkle, 82

W.S. Hinkle, 82, 0f 321 Chicago road, died Monday at 2:15 p.m. at his residence.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Hinkle, one son Vern Hinkle, of 645 South St. Joseph avenue, and one grandson.

Native of Pennsylvania

Born in Erie county, Pa., Aug. 2, 1863, he came to Niles from Mendon, Mich., 51 years ago.  He was married to Miss Emma Richard, in Parkville, Nov. 11, 1883.

Services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m.,  from the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

He was a member of the Methodist church.

Mrs. Luella Keifer
Jan 24, 1883-March 21, 1970

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 23, 1970, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-Mrs. Lucilla Keifer, 87, formerly of 1405 N. 10th St., died at 6:15 a.m. Saturday in Berrien General Hospital, after an extneded illness.

Born Jan. 24, 1883, in Walkerton, Ind., Mrs. Keifer had lived in Niles since 1915. On April 4, 1915, in Elkhart, Ind., she married Herman Keifer who died in 1948.

Survivors include a son, Charles of Niles; a daughter, Lois Keifer of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Edna Burger of Elkhart, Ind., and Mrs. Flossie Klinger of Santa Ana, Calif., and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jack Van Arsdall of the First Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Samuel D. Harris
July 7, 1904-April 9, 1974

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 10, 1974, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Samuel D. Harris, 69, 1719 Fulkerson Rd., died at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

A retired employe of the Rock Island Railroad, Mr. Harris was born July 7, 1904 in Montgomery, Ala., and lived in Niles since 1950, coming from Chicago.

On Dec. 28, 1942 in Chicago he married the former Sadie B. Chaney, who survives. Also survivng[sic] is one brother, Melvin, of Chicago.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Thursday.

James W. Snyder
Feb. 29, 1872-March 23, 1961

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 24, 1961, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

James W. Snyder, 89, 1359 Regent St., died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient for one day.  He had been in failing health for years.

Mr. Snyder was born Feb. 29, 1872, in Stark County, Ohio, and had lived in Niles since 1910, coming from Mishawaka, Ind. His profession was cabinet making.

Surviving are: his widow, Sarah Bidle Snyder, whom he married on March 12, 1893, in Massillon, Ohio; four daughters, Mrs. Vera Danielson, Dowagiac, Mrs. Ray Sweigelson, Deming, N. Mex., Mrs. Ada Reum, Cynthiana, Ky., and Mrs. Leo Weiser, Niles; 11 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home with Edward Schantz, minister of First Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Steven Kent Johnson
Jan. 5, 1961-March 22, 1961

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 23, 1961, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

INFANT DIES

Steven Kent Johnson, 2-month-old infant son of Mr.and Mrs. Dale Johnson, 2115 Kathryn St., was dead on arrival at 3:47 p.m., Wednesday at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill since birth on Jan. 5, 1961, in the hospital here.

Surviving besides the parents are: three brothers and a sister, Randall, Timothy, Dale and Gwendolynn, all at home; the grandparents, Mrs. Mary Cooper, Mishawaka, Ind., Darrell Johnson and Mrs. Edith Schneck, both  Niles, and the great, great-grandfather, Oscar Reid, also Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Carey, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.