James D. Tickfer
July 6, 1926-Aug. 24, 1999

Funeral services for James D. Tickfer, 73, of 815 Bryant St., Niles, will be on Saturday, Aug. 28, at noon at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles.

Tickfer died Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 8:45 a.m. at his home.

He was born July 6, 1926, in Niles.

On June 12, 1954, Tickfer was married to the former Louise Moeller, who survives.

Tickfer was a lifelong resident of Niles, having graduated from Niles High School in 1944. U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  He was a member of the Saint Mary Catholic Church, the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge No. 1322 and the United Transportation Union.

Tickfer was retired in 1987 after serving 35 years on the railroad with the former Penn Central, with Amtrak and Conrail.

He designed and built his current house in 1965. He also enjoyed oil painting. He was an avid pool and billiards player, having won local Elks tournaments. He also enjoyed local league golfing and deer hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Louise (Moeller) Tickfer; two daughters, Patty (Dave) Fred, Granger, Ind. and Mary Tickfer, Grand Rapids; two grandchildren, Eric and Katie Fred, Granger, Ind., and a sister, Mary Louise Luth, Titusville, Fla.

There will be no visitation.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 25, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, and republished Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 26, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Eleanor Louise Richie Lepel
May 19, 1913-Aug. 25, 1999

Funeral services for Eleanor Loiuse Richie Lepel, 86, of 52654 N. Ironwood Road, South Bend, Ind., are Friday at 11 a.m . at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore, NIles.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Lepel died Wednesday of natural causes at her home in South Bend.

She was born May 19, 1913 in South Bend.  On Jan. 19, 1931, in Cassopolis, she was married to Walter W. Lepel, who preceded her in death in 1979.

She was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potowatomi Indians and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Niles.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Minard and Linda Martin, both of Niles, and Deanna Jacobson of Walkerton, Ind.; a son, James Lepel of South Bend; two sisters, Myrtle Regenos and Rosemary Clark-Low, both of Niles; a brother, Howard Clark of Jackson; six grandchildren, David Stark, Pam Meyers, Robin Burton, Denise Martin-Hoadley, Pam Arndt and Chris Jacobson; four great-grandchildren, Travis Meyers, Nicole Meyers, Lee Burton, and Raquel Burton; and on great-great-grandchild, Courtney Meyers.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the services. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Pifer-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 26, 1999, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Frances L. Best
Dec. 12, 1892-April 8, 1973

NILES--Mrs. Frances L. Best, 80, of 1815 Miller Dr., died at 9:32 a.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after a four-months illness.

Mrs. Best was born Dec. 12, 1892, in Bolton, N.C. and had lived here for 18 years, coming from Franklin, Va.  In 1919, in Whiteville, N.C., she married John Wesley Best, who died in 1939.  She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a son, William of Niles; four daughters, Mrs. Bessie Noble, Mrs. Ruby Corban and Mrs. Juanita Davey, all of Niles, and Mrs. Ruth Russell of Avon, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Donald Cozadd of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 9, 1973, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

James Monroe Jiles
April 7, 1973-April 8, 1973

NILES--James Monroe Jiles, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jiles, 1108 Ferry St., died shortly after midnight Sunday in South Bend Osteopathic Hospital, where he was born at 10:08 p.m Saturday.

In addition to his parents, the infant is survived by a brother, Marvin, and a sister, Elaine, both at home.

Graveside services were held at 11 this morning at Silverbrook Cemetery,  with the Rev. John Wyngarden of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 9, 1973, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Almedia Louise Sossoman
April 25. 1888-April 30, 1962

Mrs. Almedia Louise Sossoman, [illegible] at 2:05 a.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, where she had been a patient 16 days. She has been in ill health for the last six months.

Mrs. Sossoman was born April 25, 1888, in Berrien County, and lived a lifetime in the Niles community, except for 20 years on a farm near South Bend. She was a member of the Federation of Women's Clubs in South Bend.

Surviving besides her husband, Norman Sossoman is a sister, Mrs. LaRue Gillette, Niles, and a brother, William Wyant, Belleville, Ill. Two brothers, Clarence and Charles Wyant, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m Wednesday in the Kiger Funeral Home with the Rev. Gordon D. Everett, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 30, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Herbert O. Leddin
April 18, 1907-April 29, 1962

Herbert O. Leddin, 55, of 1502 Eagle St., died at 3:20 p.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient since April 23. He had been in poor health since last November.

Mr. Leddin, a carpenter for National-Standard Co., here, was born April 18, 1907, in St. Joseph and moved to Niles in 1920.

Surviving are his widow, Mary; a son, Charles Leddin, Niles; a step-son, George Hoffman, South Bend; two grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Harry Schadler, Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the New Apostolic Church here with the pastor, the Rev. George Meisinger, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 30, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library