Karen Lee Wisler
May 31, 1952-June 2, 1952

Funeral services were held today at the Kiger funeral home for Karen Lee Wisler, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wisler of 1730 Cass street, who died at Pawating hospital Monday.

Karen was one of a pair of twins, born May 31 at Pawating. Bruce Bryant Wisler, the twin brother, survives and remains at the hospital.

Other survivors include: a sister, Kathleen, at home; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Oren Wisler of South Bend; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Rosselit, of South Bend.

Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 3, 1952, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Jane Crumpler, 80
Dec. 18, 1930 — May 22, 2011

Jane L. Crumpler, 80, of Zumbrota, Minn. and previously of Niles, passed away on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011.

Jane was born Dec. 18, 1930 to the late Isaac and Elsie (Millard) Druif in Muskegon, Mich. She was one of three children growing up in the Druif household.

She graduated from Muskegon High School and went on to graduate from St. Luke’s Nursing College. She wed Charles Losensky in May 1954 and they began their life together in St. Cloud, Minn. They later moved to Niles to raise their family. Charles passed away in 1977 and Jane married Thomas Crumpler in November 1980.

Jane worked at the old Pawating Hospital as a registered nurse; after her retirement she spent a number of years as a hospice caregiver and nurse. Thomas passed away in 1997 and Jane moved to Zumbrota, Minn. in 2000 to live with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren.

Jane became a resident of Zumbrota Health Services in July 2010. She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Always on the go, Jane enjoyed quilting, knitting, gardening and traveling. She was a very caring person and always had a smile for everyone. One of her greatest joys was her family.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Losensky; husband, Thomas Crumpler; brother, Arthur Druif; and sister, Eleanor Druif.

She is survived by her children, Paul (Arzetta) Losensky of Bloomington, Ind., Ike Losensky of Bloomington, Ind. and Ruth (John) Sheets of Zumbrota, Minn.; and her three grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob and Hannah Sheets.

Memorial donations may be made in Jane’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 26 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 1 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior.  Jane will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo or write a letter of condolence may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:22am Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Rosabelle (Dye) Graham Cole
April 10, 1875-Dec. 26, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 26, 1939, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. R. COLE, 64, STRICKEN TODAY

Mrs. Rosabelle Cole, 64, in ill health for two years and seriously ill for the past month, died this morning. Her death occurred in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harold A. Williams, 1108 Ferry street.

She was born in Water Valley, Ark., and came here from Imboden, Ark., 12 years ago. Mrs. Cole was a member of the Pentecostal church.

Surviving are six daughters--Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Will Kell and Mrs. L. O. Henderson, Niles; Mrs. Glen George, Sidell, Ill.; Mrs. Don Wright, Detroit, and Mrs. Nelson Thompson, Vicksburg, Miss. She also leaves a brother and a sister--Ben Dye, Portia, Ark., and Mrs. Louis Horton, Houston, Texas.

The body is at the Rutherford funeral home where friends may call. Arrangments for the funeral have been deferred until word is received from out-of-town relatives.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 28, 1939, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Services Friday for Mrs. Cole

The body of Mrs. Rosabelle Cole, who died Tuesday morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harold A. Williams, 1108 Ferry Street, will be taken from the Rutherford funeral home to the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Kell, 1115 Wayne street, today.

Friends may call at the Kell residence tonight.

Services will be at the Pentacostal church Friday afternoon at 2, the Rev. Barnette officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mary (Exner) Knauf
Oct. 2, 1872-Dec. 26, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 26, 1939, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary Knauf, Mother of Eight, is Taken by Death

Mrs. Mary Knauf, 67, lifelong resident of Niles, died early today in the family home 810 Cass street.  She had been in ill health nine years, her condition becoming serious last Wednesday. A heart ailment was the cause of her death.

She was a member of St. John's Evangelical church, where she was married Feb. 22, 1892, by the Rev. Frederick Rahn and where her funeral services will be held. The day and hour of the funeral have not been announced.  She was also a member of the Loyal Star of America.

Mrs. Knauf was the wife of Frederick Knauf who survives and the mother of eight children--Frank, Raymond, Frederick, Jr., Richard and Mrs. Ora Sherer, all of Niles; Albert and Louis, Three Oaks, and Edmund, Ann Arbor.

She also leaves six brothers, Charles, Louis, August, Fred and John Exner, all of Niles, and George Exner, Buchanan, twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.

She was born Oct. 2, 1872, in Niles and had lived here continuously since.

Friends and family may call at the family home on Cass street.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 28, 1939, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Final Arrangements are Announced for Mrs. Knauf's Service

Six friends of the family will act as pallbearers at the funeral service for Mrs. Mary Knauf Friday afternoon at 2 in St. John's Evangelical church.

They are Henry Exner, Herman Exner, William Dixon, Everett Horner, Harold Shumaker and Floyd Siebert.  The body will be taken from the family home , 810 Cass street, to the church at 1 o'clock where it will lie in state from 1 to 2, the hour of the service.

The Rev. Theo Eisen will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the family home tonight.

Mrs. Charles (Caroline E.) Sbarbaro
1864-April 8, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, April 8, 1915, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

STRICKEN LADY DIED FROM STROKE

Mrs. Carrie Sbarbaro Was Found Unconscious in Home by Frank Teska, a City Light Employe

CAME RECENTLY FROM CHICAGO

Was Last Seen by Neighbors Tuesday Raking Yard--Discovered Yesterday and Died This Morning

Mrs. Carrie Sbarbaro, wife of Chas. Sbarbaro, of 1201 North Front street, was found in an unconscious condition yesterday morning in her home and died this morning about 4 o'clock without regaining consciousness.

Mrs. Sbarbaro was seen by her neighbors raking and cleaning her yard Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning Frank Teska, a city employe in the electric light service, called at the house about 10 o'clock to read the electric meter.  Receiving no response to his knock and finding the door unlocked he called to Mrs. Sbarabro and again received no response.  He entered the house and then heard a sound as of someone snoring heavily and in a peculiar manner.  As he passed the open door of Mrs. Sbarbaro's room he observed her lying on the bed breathing with difficulty and heavily as stated.  Mr. Teska called a neighbor, who, when she was unable to arouse Mrs. Sbarbaro, summoned a physician.  Dr. Giddings responded and he found that the sick woman had suffered a stroke caused by a hemorrhage on the left side of the brain which was due to over exertion the day before.  Mrs. Sbarbaro had had several slight attacks somewhat  similar to the one which caused her death, although she had always on these occasions found it more comfortable to sit up.  It is probable she was stricken as she slept and had been unconscious the greater part of the night.  A four year old child of Harry Root had spent the night at the Sbarbaro home and in the morning when Mrs. Sbarbaro failed to respond to his effort to play, he went to his own home on North Fifth street.  Except for the child Mrs. Sbarbaro was alone when stricken.

Mr. Sbarbaro, who is in business in Chicago came to Niles last night, but his wife never regained consciousness.

Mrs. Sbarbaro came to Niles from Chicago to reside last July. Her husband remained in Chicago on account of his business, but frequently came to Niles, and only last week his wife visited him there. However, she preferred Niles and they planned to make this city their permanent home.

Mrs. Sbarbaro was 53 years of age.  Her husband, to whom she was married 22 years ago, is the only surviving relative.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 from the house and 2 o'clock from the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Sarbaro has been a member since the tabernacle meetings.  She has taken an active part in the work of the church, was faithful in her duties and generous of her means.  She was a member of the Woman's Adult Bible class of the church and of other organizations in the church. Rev. R.A. Wright will conducted the services.  Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 8, 1915, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHAS. SBARBARO PASSES AWAY VERY SUDDENLY TODAY.

Over Exertion From Raking Yard Causes Cerebral Hemorrhages

Mrs. Charles Sbarbaro died about 4 o'clock this morning at her home in north Front street of cerebral hemorrhage. It is thought to have been caused by over exertion.

Tuesday evening she was seen raking her yard. Wednesday morning Frank Teske went to the house to read the electric meter and found her in an unconscious condition. Help was summoned and a physician called who at once was aware that her case was extremely dangerous.

Mr. Sbarbaro who is in business in Chicago was telegraphed and arrived here last night. Funeral arrangements have not been made.

Hiram Arthur
July 31, 1862-April 12, 1915


Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 12, 1915, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TODAY OF H. ARTHUR

After 20 Weeks of Illness Death Claims Highly Esteemed Resident of Niles--Funeral Wednesday

Hiram Arthur passed away this morning at 2:30 o'clock at his home, 701  Bond street, after an illness of about 20 weeks' duration.

Mr. Arthur was born in Macedon, Wayne county, New York, July 31, 1862.

He was married to Dora J. Bidwell, who survives him, Thursday, Aug. 7, 1884, at Girard, Mich.  For a time after his marriage Mr. Arthur was employed as a pharmacist by the Coleman Drug company, in Kalamazoo.

Eighteen years ago Mr. Arthur came to Niles to take a position with E.C. Griffin, and remained here for a number of years.  Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have resided for the greater part of the time in Niles and Dowagiac.

Mr. Arthur has been in the employ of Dean's Sons, druggists, for nearly two years, but on account of ill health has been unable to be at the store but little of the time for several months.  His ambition was great, however, and his employers speak in the highest terms of praise of the deceased for his efficiency and faithfulness to duty. He was a man of good habits, a first class pharmacist, a genial companionable man in every respect and was highly esteemed by all who enjoyed his friendship. For a number of years Mr. Arthur was in the employe of E.C. Griffin in this city and the latter adds his testimony to the many excellent qualities of the deceased. As a mark of respect both the Dean and Griffin drug stores will be closed during the hours of the funeral.

Besides the widow, two children, Alan H. Arthur of Dowagiac, and Mrs. Lois E. Crawford, wife of Norris Crawford, also of Dowagiac, and one grandchild, Richard Arthur Crawford, survive Mr. Arthur and one sister, who resides in Chicago.

Mr. Arthur was a member of St. Joseph lodge No. 4 of Niles and the Tribe of Ben Hur.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock from the residence, and will be under the auspices of the Masonic lodge.  Rev. A.W. Lyons, of the Baptist church will officiate. Members of the Masonic lodge at Dowagiac will attend also. Interment will occur at Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 12, 1915, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HIRAN[sic] ARTHUR PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING

Niles was saddened this morning by the word of the death of Hiram Arthur.  Although this gentleman had been in Niles only a comparatively short time, he had made an unlimited number of close friends, and those who had only a short passing acquaintance express deep regret at his demise. Dowagiac was formerly Mr. Arthur's original home, but he spent considerable time in this city, first as drug clerk for E.C. Griffin, and he last acted in that capacity for Dean's Sons.  A kindly man, he was patient and brave in the hours of deepest trouble and his gentlemanly, courtly manner won respect and highest regard of all.

After a number of months of illness with heart trouble, the end came this morning at 2:30 o'clock at the home in Bond street.  He was born in Wayne county, New York, July 31, 1862.  A widow, of this city and a son and daughter are left, Allen and Mrs. Norris Crawford of Dowagiac.

Fraternally Mr. Arthur was affiliated with the Masonic order and with the Tribe of Ben Hur.  The former order will have charge of the body at the grave, burial to be made in Silver Brook cemetery., following funeral services which take place Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock from the home in Bond street, Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating