Sophia Sernstrom
abt.1847-June 24, 1921

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, June 25, 1921, page 6, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS SOPHIA SERNSTROM, 74 years old, died last evening at 6:45 o'clock at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ollie Otteson, 808 Ferry street, where she had been for eight months, coming to Niles from Tuscin, Mich. The body was removed to the Newell undertaking rooms, where the funeral services will be held, probably on Monday, although the complete arrangements have not been made.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 28, 1921, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

A DOUBLE FUNERAL service for Miss Sophia Sernstrom and her brother, John R. Sernstrom, were conducted this afternoon by Rev. Alfred Trenerry, pastor of the First Baptist church, at the O.L. Newell funeral home. Burial occurred at Silver Brook Cemetery.  The deaths of the brother and sister occurred within less than three days of each other.

Benjamin Franklin Toney
April 9, 1837-June 27, 1921

B.F. TONEY, FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES, DIES SUDDENLY MONDAY

Body Will be Brought to Niles From Mishawaka Tomorrow for Burial in Silver Brook Cemetery

Benjamin Franklin Toney, a former resident of Niles, died at the home of his grandson, J.C. Locke, 1101 Lincoln way W., in Mishawaka Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after a day's illness of organic heart trouble.

Mr. Toney was born on what is known as the Harter farm northeast of Niles, April 9, 1837, being 84 years of age. He was for many years while a resident of Niles a Michigan Central railway engineer with a run between Chicago and Niles.  He recently moved to Mishawaka from South Bend.  Mr. Toney was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Beall, a sister of the late Mrs. E.J. Bonine and the late Mrs. Evan Harter.  Both wives are now deceased.  Of the family of seven children, of whom Frank Toney of Niles now deceased was one, but two survive their father.  They are Edward Toney of Kalamazoo and Mrs. Mary Locke of Mishawaka. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was a Christian and life long member of the Methodist church.

The funeral services will be held at the J.C. Locke residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery, tomorrow afternoon.

Mrs. Frank Toney, Mrs. John Keller, Mr. and Mrs. George Kneeshow and Edward Toney went to Mishawaka today on account of Mr. Toney's death.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 28, 1921, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

William Hipshear
Jan. 19, 1899-Sept. 7, 1945

Funeral Monday for William Hipshire, Aged 46

Mr. William Hipshire, 606 North Twelfth street, died today at Pawating hospital after an illness of one year.

Hipshire was born in Benton Harbor, Jan. 19, 1899 and came to Niles from Keeler 30 years ago. He was employed by New York Central as a car repairman. He married the former Frances Siebert, March 26, 1924.

Besides his wife, Mr. Hipshire is survived by three children, Col. Harold, now in Germany, Pfc. Wallace, who is home on leave and Joan, who lives at home, four brothers, Cleve and Rosco of Niles, Charles of Grand Rapids and Lon of Benton Harbor; and two sisters, Mrs. Mae Stattler of Berrien Springs and Mrs. Irene Coon of Benton Harbor.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon Monday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the St. Johns Evangelical church of which Mr. Hipshire was a member.  Rev. Theo Eisen will conduct the services and burial will in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 7, 1945, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NB: Although name is spelled "Hipshire" in obituary, other cemetery records and grave marker use spelling of "Hipshear".

Carl Christian Reum
Nov. 11, 1883-Aug. 31, 1945

Former Niles Resident Dies At Grand Rapids

Mr. Carl Christian Reum of Grand Rapids, a former Niles resident, died Thrusday night at Grand Rapids. Reum was born in Niles Nov. 11, 1883.  The body will arrive in Niles Sunday evening for burial at Silverbrook cemetery. Services will be held at the Kiger funeral home Monday at 2 p.m. Rev. Theodore Eisen will conduct the services.

Reum was employed as a stationary engineer at the Box Board Co., Grand Rapids. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Robert Parko, Mrs. George White and Mrs. Fred Esch, all of Grand Rapids, one sister, Mrs. Henry Kregstra, Grand Rapids, and four grandchildren.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 1, 1945, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Nellie M. Wells
May 15, 1868-June 12, 1943

MRS. NELLIE WELLS DIES; RITES TUESDAY

Mrs. Nellie Wells, 75, Route 4, a resident of Niles since 1919, died Saturday night at 11:15 in Pawating hospital after a week's illness.

Born in Cass county May 15, 1868, Mrs. Wells lived in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence Gillette, M-60 west.  Isaac H. Wells, to whom she was married in Dowagiac in 1894, died 7 1/2 years ago.

Surviving with Mrs. Gillette are two sisters, Mrs. William Jones, Cassopolis, and Mrs. George Stevens, Charles City, Va.

Friends may call in the Gillette home, where funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. James Goodman, Wolcottville, Ind., former pastor of the Niles First Baptist church.

Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 14, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

John Unley
July 15,1870-June 16, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 16, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN UNLEY, 72, STRICKEN TODAY

John Unley, Sr., 72, life-long resident of the city and former Niles grocer, died at noon today in his home, 1203 Ferry street.  He had been ill since suffering a stroke a week ago.

Mr. Unley operated the Unley grocery store at 1201 Ferry street many years until his retirement. He was preceded in death by Mrs. Unley.

Surviving are nine children--William, Frank and John Unley,Jr., Mrs. Florence Kater, Mrs. Mary Fellows and Mrs. Mrs. Margaret Taylor, all of Niles, Mrs. Nevada Russell, Berrien Springs; Raymond Unley, South Bend, and Elmer Unley, Goshen.

The body is at the Pifer funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 17, 1943, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Rites for Unley, Former Grocer, Set for Friday

Final rites for john Unley, Sr., who died at noon Wednesday in his home, 1203 Ferry street, will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 in the Pifer funeral home.

The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate with bural[sic] in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Unley, former Niles grocery, was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Unley, who died 18 years ago. He was born in Niles July 15, 18570[sic].

Friends may call in the funeral home.