Obituaries

John A. Mapes
May 10, 1873-March 16, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 16, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

John A. Mapes, Niles Resident 22 Years, Dies

John A. Mapes, 68, a Niles resident 22 years, died in his home at 126 South Fifth street, early Sunday morning after a four months' illness of pneumonia.

Born in Oakland county, May 10, 1873, he came to Niles from Tustin. Five years ago he retired after working for the Niles National-Standard company most of his time here.

Mr. and Mrs. Mapes celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Feb. 3, a little more than a month ago.

Mr. Mapes is survived by his wife, Effie Mae; four daughters, Mrs. Glen West, Mrs. Melbourne Hall, Mrs. Homer Baird and Miss Lucille Mapes, all of Niles, and Mrs. Elmer Green, Grand Rapids; a son, Adelbert, of Niles; a brother, Elmer, of Capac, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be in the Rutherford funeral home at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. The Rev. Floyd W. Johnston will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 16, 1942, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MAPES RITES

Six grandsons will serve as pallbearers at the funeral for John A. Mapes, 68, who was stricken Sunday in his home at 126 South Fifth street.  Services will be in the Rutherford funeral home at 2:30 Wednesday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Jesse West, Charles Cronin, Fred West, Norman Baird, Homer Baird, Jr., and Howard Keltz will be pallbearers.

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.