Melvin C. Wells
Nov. 10, 1887-April 6, 1964

Melvin C. Wells, 76, of 610 Sycamore St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 6 p.m. Monday.
Mr. Wells, a retired yard conductor with the New York Central Railroad, was born Nov. 10, 1887, in northern Michigan, living most of his life here.
Survivors include his widow, Nellie; two step-sons, Gale Johnson, Mattewan, and Cecil Johnson, Pittsburgh, Pa., eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was a life member and Past Master of the Pokagon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of American Legion Post No. 26, the Tall Cedars, the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Switchmen's Union and the Pioneers Association.  He was a veteran of World War I.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  The Rev. Richard J. Fraser, pastors of St. John's Church, will officiate. Commiteee[sic] rites conducted by the Pokagon Masnic[sic] Lodge will follow in Silverbrook Cemetry.    Friends are being received at the funeral home.   

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 7, 1964, page 2, col 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Wilhelmina Nieman
Aug. 21, 1831-Nov. 12, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 13, 1912, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

LIVED HERE FOR 64 YEARS

Mrs. William Niemann died last evening aged 81 years

Mrs. Wilhelminia Niemann, wife of William Niemann, passed away at their home, 307 Dey street at 9:50 o'clock last evening at the age of 81 years two months and 19 days.

Mrs. Niemann's death was due to chronic appendicitis from which she has been a sufferer since last March.

Mrs. Niemann was born in Saxony, Germany, Aug 25, 1831.[sic*] She came to America in 1849 with her parents. On April 14 on the same year she was married to William Niemann at Laporte, Ind. They came to Niles at once to reside, Mr. Niemann then being an engineer for the Michigan Central Railway company.

Mr. and Mrs. Niemann had no children of their own but they adopted a daughter, who is now Mrs. Richard Hess, 808 north Fourth street.

Besides the husband and daughter, Mrs. Niemann is survived by the following sisters: Mrs. Henrietta Schoenemann and Mrs. Freeda Wilke of Michigan City; Mrs. Amelice Reineke of Warsaw, Wis., and Mrs. Mollie Lay of Selina, Kan., and one brother, Evan Panish of Nausau, Iowa; also the following grand children, W.R., Arthur, Hattie, Ruth Minnie, Esther, Clarence and Edward Hess of Niles.

Mrs. Niemann was a lady of fine qualities and a kind neighbor and friend.

Mrs. Niemann was a member of both the Ladies Society and the Aid Society of St. Johns church and was prominent in each organization.

The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, from the home and at 2 o'clock from St. John's German church, Rev. F. Rahn, officiating.

Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 13, 1912, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. WM. NIEMAN

Mrs. Wm. Nieman died last night at 9"30 o'clock at her home, 307 Dey street, after an eight months' illness of chronic appendicitis.

Wilhelmina Panish was born in Saxony, Germany, August 21, 1831, and came to the United States at the age of 17. Early in 1869 she was married to Wm. Nieman at Laporte, Ind., and came to Niles in April of the same year.

Mr. Nieman was formerly an engineer on the Michigan Central railroad, but is now retired.

The deceased leaves four sisters, Mesdames Henrietta Schoememan and Frieda Wilke of Michigan City, Mollie Lay of Falina, Kansas, and Amelia Reineke of Warsaw, Wis.  A brother, Evan Panish, resides at Nasau, Iowa.  These relatives are expected to arrive tomorrow or Friday to attend the funeral.  A daughter, Mrs. W. Hess, lives at 808 north Fourth street, this city.

Mrs. Nieman was a member of the German church and of the Ladies' club and Aid society of this parish. She was highly respected by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at the home Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, and at the German church at 2 o'clock, Rev. Rahn officiating. Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: Death record has date of birth April 21, 1831

Herman C. Schweitzer
March 1, 1915-April 13, 1964

Herman C. Schweitzer, 49, of 1313 Bond St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 10:30 pm. Monday.

Mr. Schwietzer, a purchasing department employe of Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, was born March 1, 1915, in St. Louis, Mo. He lived most of his life in this area.

Surviving are his widow, Marguerite, a son, Robert, Boston, Mass., a sister, Mrs. John Miswick, Niles; and two grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No.4, Free and Accepted Masons.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Earl J. Wickstrom, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate. Masonic committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 14, 1964, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Muriel Albright
June 17, 1913-Aug. 2, 1982

Mrs. Muriel Albright, 69, of 251 Cass St., Niles, was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11 p.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital following  a brief illness.

A former employee of the Kawneer company, she was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, was a Women's Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary at Naples, Fla.

She was born June 17, 1913 in Minneapolis, Minn.

She married Earl Thompson on Dec. 14, 1945 in Niles. He died on March 23, 1953.  She then married William J. Albright on Dec. 28, 1962 in Niles. He died on June 18, 1981.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Lon (Jayme) Frucci of Niles and Mrs. Truman (Deanna) Wolford, Jr., of Niles; a brother, Vernon Anderson of Niles; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Rev. Donald A. Wieber of St. Mark Catholic Church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 4, 1982, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Nellie Pearl Hurlbut
1888-Oct. 27, 1926

SPECIAL CASKET FOR NILES WOMAN

Mrs. Nellie Hurlbut to Be Buried Here on Friday Morning

Mrs. Nellie Pearl Hurlbut, 38, wife of Joseph E. Hurlbut, died this morning at 8:30 o'clock at their home 974 S. Fourteenth street. She had been in ill health for seven years, but the immediate cause of death was Bright's disease. Mrs. Hurlbutt was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Ind. The family came to Bertrand about two years ago and later to Niles. She is survived by her husband, by her mother, Mrs. Mary L. Johnson, of 974 S. Fourteenth street, and a sister, Mrs. Edna Dennis, of [illegible], Mich. and a brother, G.W. Belden, of Mishawaka, Ind.

The funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10 o'clock at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms. Rev. W.C. Osborn of the First Baptist church will officiate and burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

A special casket will be made for the body as Mrs. Hurlbut weighed over 400 pounds. However, in spite of the handicap of weight and ill health she was active until near the end of her last illness.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 27, 1926, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Freda M. Hurlbutt
Jan. 29, 1899-Aug. 3, 1982

Mrs. Freda M. Hurlbutt, 83, of 104 Northview Lane, Niles, died at 2:50 a.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the Philathea Class of the church and a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.

She was born Jan. 29, 1899 in Niles and had spent her lifetime in this area. She married Ray B. Hurlbutt on July 9, 1918 in Niles.  Her husband died on April 14, 1964.

Survivors include two sons, Ray Hurlbutt, Jr. of Niles and Melvin E. Hurlbutt of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Howard (Hattie) Wiars of Niles; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Rev. Mark D. Graham will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after  2 p.m .Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 4, 1982, page 2, col. 3-5, microfilm Niles District Library