Obituaries

Mrs. A.F. (Alma Dye)Bither
June 25, 1863-May 29, 1919

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 31, 1919, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. BITHER

Mrs. A.F. Bither, 418 south Third streeet, died Thursday night at 8:45 o'clock, following a three months' illness of complications. Mrs. Bither was born in New York June 25, 1863, and with her parents moved to Niles when she was very young.

She was united in marriage to A.F. Bither April 23, 1896.

Early in life Mrs. Bither united with the Baptist church and has always been an energetic church worker.

Besides the husband, she is survived by a brother, Frank G. Dye of South Bend and two step-children, Mrs. Bernice Reamer of Detroit, and Fred Bither of Grand Rapids.

Private funeral services were conducted from the residence at 2:30 this afternoon.  The Ladies' Social club, a few very intimate friends and the family were present. The services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Lyons, of the Baptist church and interment made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were:  Frank G. Dye, Mrs. R. Mumaw and Mrs. Reamer of South Bend; Mrs. Murphy, Parkridge, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Bert LaDew of Oak Park, Ill.; John Bither, Muskegon; Mrs. Fred Bond, M.G. Mangold and Dr. and Mrs. Sherman Gregg and son of Kalamazoo, Sumner Reamer, Detroit and Mrs. Fred Bither of Grand Rapids.

Katherine Lennartz
April 12, 1841-July 10, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, July 10, 1916, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED WHILE READING BIBLE

Mrs. Lennartz, Mother of Mrs. John Baumann, Was Found Dead in Her Room This Morning

Mrs. Katherine Lennartz died this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Baumann, 199 St. Joseph avenue, where she has resided since coming to Niles from South Bend about 15 years ago.  Mrs. Lennartz had for a number of years been a sufferer from a complication of diseases.  This morning she appeared in her usual health and was about the house. Abut 10:30 o'clock Mrs. Baumann went to her mother's room and found her lying upon the floor dead. The doctors who were called state that she had been dead but a few minutes before her daughter entered the room. Mrs. Lennartz had [illegible]she had been reading according to a custom followed daily for many years.

The deceased was born in Germany 75 years ago. She was married in South Bend to Lambert Lennartz, who died about 16 years ago.

Mrs. Baumann was the only child of the deceased. Mrs. Andrew Schwarz of South Bend, a sister, also survives, and another sister in Germany.

Mrs. Lennartz was highly respected by a large number of friends.

The funeral services will probably be held Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. John (Caroline Hansler) Nieb
Aug. 2, 1859-July 7, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, July 10, 1916, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. JOHN NIEB SUNDAY

Deceased Was Born in Niles and Highly Regarded

Mrs. John Nieb passed away Friday after several years of illness.  Her demise is regretted by a very large number of friends and relatives.  No one in this community enjoyed a reputation of a more true and motherly or neighborly spirit than she. Her nature was one of sweetness and kindness notwithstanding the fact that she managed her household with firmness and ability.

Mrs. Nieb has been a very patient sufferer for some time and passed away July 7.  Her sister, Mrs. George Weigle, of Pomona, Cal., was sent for and assisted in caring for her until she received word of the sudden illness of her husband at home in response to which she left immediately for the west, but arrived too late, Mr. Weigle having passed away the day before she arrived home.

Mrs. Nieb's maiden name was Caroline Hansler. He was born in Niles August 2, 1859. She was married to John Nieb about 37 years ago.  She has always lived in this vicinity excepting short periods in Buchanan, Three Oaks and California. Among those that will miss her most are her husband, sons, Lute and Raymond and daughter, Velma, all at home. She leaves one grand-daughter, Hazel, two sisters, Mrs. George Weigle and Mrs. Hugo Schwichtenberg of Pomona, Cal., and John of Riverside, Cal.

The funeral services were held yesterday at the home, two and a half miles northwest of the city.  Rev. Rahn of the St. John's German church, of which the deceased was a member officiating. The funeral procession consisted of all automobiles, the first of its kind held in Niles.

Those from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. John Siddig, George Siddig, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Nolan and Mrs. Trowbridge of Three Oaks; Mr. and Mrs. August Knott of Holcomb, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Nieb, Mrs. Nora Hyke and son, Irwin, and Mr. and Mrs. Gus Klingbell of Mishawaka, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Sackman, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sackman and Mrs. John Wolf of River Park, Ind., and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Koenigshop of Dayton, Mich.

Allizina "Allie" Jennings
Oct. 18, 1893-June 25, 1921

DEATH CLAIMS MISS JENNINGS

Funeral Services for Well Known Young Woman Held This Afternoon at Presbyterian Church.

This afternoon at the Presbyterian church, funeral services were conducted by Rev. H.T. Scherer, for one of the most devoted of its members, Miss Allie Jennings, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jennings, 311 north Second street, who died Saturday afternoon about 5 o'clock. The body was laid to rest in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery amid a wealth of beautiful floral tributes.

Allizina Jennings was born in Niles Oct. 18, 1893, and had always resided here. She attended the Niles public schools and was graduated with the class of 1915, an event which was saddened for her by the death of her only brother, Jacob Jennings, who died just a few days before the commencement day exercises.

When a very young girl, Miss Jennings, united with the Presbyterian church, and throughout her life she was faithful in attendance and in performing whatever duties devolved upon her.  She was a member of the Sunday school and Westminster Guild, at the time of her death, and had been a member of the Christian Endeavor society of the church and also a member of the large chorus choir which sang for several years in the church, and her death is the first among the members of that choir.     She had been in ill health for a number of years but had bravely fought to regain her health but in spite of the skill of physicians she continued to fail. About three months ago Miss Jennings' condition became alarming, and she grew steadily weaker until the end came. Through her long illness she was patient and cheerful. She was of a happy, hopeful disposition and readily made friends and many mourn her death and sympathize with the stricken parents in the untimely death of their only daughter.

Miss Jennings was a member of the Niles Hive, No. 39, L.O.T.M., and of New Century Rebekah lodge.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, June 27, 1921, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Earl Roger Woods
Oct. 27, 1881-July 24, 1937

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 26, 1937, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVICE TUESDAY FOR E.R. WOODS, 55

Retired Business Man, Ill and Despondent, Takes Own Life

Final rites or Earl Roger Woods, 55 of 601 North Fourteenth Street, will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Turner and Pifer funeral home. The rites will be conducted by the Rev. H.L. Nicholson of Trinity Episcopal church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Woods, a retired dry cleaner and a resident of Niles for the last 43 years shot himself to death in an upstairs bedroom at his home at 4:50 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

He had been in ill health for the past five years, despondency is believed to have been the cause of this act.

Mr. Woods was a member of the Niles lodge of Elks and the Masonic lodge of Shelby, Ohio. He was born in Quincy, Oct. 27, 1881, and moved to Niles from Chicago at the age of 12.

He leaves his wife, Grace, and one son, Louis, Niles; one brother, George, New Buffalo; two sisters, Mrs. B. Moorehead, Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. Ruth Archer, Benton Harbor; also two grandchildren, Jack, 7, and Dale, 5.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 27, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

WOODS RITES HELD

The Rev. H.L. Nicholson conducted funeral services at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the Turner and Pifer funeral home for Earl Roger Woods, 55, of 601 North Fourteenth street.  Niles lodge of Elks, of which Mr. Woods was a member, had charge of the committal services at the grave at Silverbrook cemetery. K.B. Schmidt, Frank Early, Clayton Collins, Edward Wurz, Delano Marston and Thomas Swain served as pallbearers.  Mr. Woods committed suicide at his home Saturday afternoon.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 29, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

ATTEND FUNERAL RITES

Those who came from out-of-town to attend funeral services Tuesday afternoon for Earl Roger Woods were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moorehead, Columbus, O.; Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Archer and daughters, Benton Harbor; Mr.and Mrs. George Woods, New Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Halmeren and daughters, Elgin, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Seigel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hart, Shelby, O.; Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Kenton, Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Kenton, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Swaim, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Woods, Buchanan; and Mr.and Mrs. Eliart Zimmerman and Mr. and Mrs. William Zimmerman, Bristol, Ind.

HATTIE A. HESS
abt 1866-Aug. 1, 1937

MRS. HATTIE HESS, MOTHER OF 11, DIES

Prominent Church Worker Succumbs to Five-Year Illness Sunday

Mrs. Hattie A. Hess, 66, mother of 11 children, died at 8:30 o'clock Sunday morning in her home, 915 North Third Street. Mrs. Hess had been in ill health for the past five years, but her condition was not considered serious until six months ago.

She had lived in Niles almost her entire life, having moved here with her parents at the age of two from Saxony, Germany. She was married April 15, 1891, to Richard W. Hess by the late Rev. Rahn in St. John's Evangelical church.

Besides her husband, she leaves four sons, Arthur F., Edward P. and Melvin, all of Niles; Clarence J, Marshall, and William K., Kalamazoo; one daughter, Miss Minnie Hess, Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Adam Kinsel, Three Oaks, and Mrs. Mary Dittmer, Buchanan; a half-brother, Charles Schauber, Niles, and four grandchildren.

Two daughters, Mrs. Hattie Peterson, and Mrs. Esther Kosin, and three sons, Leo, Carl and Harold, preceded their mother in death.

Mrs. Hess was an active member of St. John's Evangelical church and its Ladies' Aid society.

Funeral services will be held in the church at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the church from 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon until the hour of the funeral .

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 2, 1937, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library