Obituaries

Mrs. F.A. (Sarah Forshee) Grimes
March 27, 1820-March 24, 1902

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 27, 1902, page 1, col. 4, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 22, 1902, microfilm Niles District Library

GRIM REAPER

DEATH ENTERS THREE HOMES IN THIS CITY

And Take the Oldest Member in Each Case

Monday's Sun.

MRS. F.A. GRIMES

Mrs. Grimes, the aged widow of the late Francis A. Grimes, died rather suddenly this morning at her late residence at the corner of Fifth and Oaks streets. She had arisen and dressed as usual and seemed to be about in her customary health, when without warning she was taken with a sinking spell and in a very few moments her eyes were closed in the sleep that knows no waking. Before the spark of life had gone out the dying woman roused sufficiently to say, "I am nearly home."  Mrs. Grimes would have been 82 years of age had she lived until next Thursday, the day appointed for the last rites of her mortal remains.  Her husband preceded her, his death occurring last month. Both of these aged people were invalids for many years.

*Also under this headline were Augusta Deam and David Baumann

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 24, 1902, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

A SUDDEN DEATH

Estimable Niles Lady Summoned Beyond This Morning

The morning at 7:45 o'clock Mrs. F.A. Grimes suddenly expired. She was 82 years of age and had been ailing for the past year and one-half with a complication of troubles.

Deceased was born in New York in 1820, and was married to F.A. Grimes, who passed away on February 23 last, February 10, 1842. They came to Niles in 1855 and had since resided in our midst.

Mrs. Grimes is survived by four children, James A. the eldest son, having passed away some four years ago.  The children are: Mrs. W.H. Tyson, of this city; Mrs. John J. Osborne, of Benton Harbor; William F. Grimes, of Laporte, Ind., and Frank B., of Cleveland, Tenn.

Mrs. Grimes was a life-long devoted member of the Baptist church. She was of a kindly and loving disposition and had a host of friends who will deplore her death.

Funeral announcement later.

David Baumann
May 10, 1839-March 22, 1902

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 27, 1902, page 1, col. 4, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 22, 1902, microfilm Niles District Library

GRIM REAPER

DEATH ENTERS THREE HOMES IN THIS CITY

And Take the Oldest Member in Each Case

Monday's Sun.

DAVID BAUMANN

After an illness of nearly five months David Baumann, a well known resident of this section, died about midnight Saturday, at his home one and one half miles west of Niles. Death was due to a complication of lung and liver troubles.

Deceased was born May 10, 1839 in Germany and came to Niles about 14 years ago.

He is servived[sic] by eight children, John, Mrs. Wolleit, Mrs. S. Pfeil, Fred, Henry and Clarence of this city, Mrs. Laura Metz, of Oklahoma, and Mrs. B. Fritz of South Bend.

Mr. Baumann was for a number of years a member of the German church and was well known and highly respected. He was a member of Nles tent, No. 99, K.O.T.M.

The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock at the house and two o'clock at the church. Interment in silver Brook Cemetery.

*Also under this headline were Augusta Deam and Mrs. F.A. Grimes

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 24, 1902, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF DAVID BAUMANN

Well Known Farmer Passes Away

David Baumann, a well known and highly respected farmer, passed away at this home one mile southwest, on Saturday night at 12 o'clock, of lung and liver trouble, aged 63 years.
Deceased was born in Wilgartswiedsen, Rheinpfalz, Germany, May 10, 1839, and bade adieu to his native hills and sailed for America in April, 1888, for the purpose of visiting two of his children who were then in this country. However, he was favorably impressed with Niles and decided to purchase the Mrs. Chris Dittmer farm, where he has since resided.  The wife of the deceased died Jan. 5, '01.  Eight children survive their parents.  They are as follows: John Fred, Henry, Charles, Mrs. Leo Wolleit and Mrs. Sophia Pfeil of this city and vicinity and Mrs. Laura Maty, of Luella, Oklahomo[sic] and Mrs. Lena B. Fritz of South Bend.
Fraternally Mr. Baumann was identified with Niles Tent No. 99, K.O.T. M. in which order he carried $2,000 insurance.
The funeral will occur from the church at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. F. Rahn of St. John's German church officiating.
Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

.

Abigail Watson, 26
Aug. 13, 1984 — March 27, 2011

Abigail Christine Watson, 26, of Leet Road in Niles, died Sunday morning, March 27, 2011 in Chicago following a motor vehicle accident.

Abigail Watson, 26

Miss Watson was born Aug. 13, 1984 in Niles to Thomas D. and Tamela J. (Munger) Watson. She graduated from Niles High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Chicago. She managed a major apparel showroom in Chicago.

Abby was a member of various local and state professional organizations of the apparel trade. She volunteered at Columbia College as a mentor and was recognized by her colleagues for helping those entering the trade. She enjoyed international travel and gathering with her family, especially at the lake house.

She is survived by her parents, Tom Watson of Niles and Tammy Watson of Niles; sisters, Kara (Nick) Gessinger and Allison Watson, and a brother, Lyle Watson, all of Niles; niece, Grace Gessinger; grandparents, Mercyde and Jack Walls of Niles and Ruth Watson of Niles; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and her fiance, Christopher Peth of Chicago.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Warren Watson.

The funeral service for Abigail Christine Watson will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Steven L. Schuneman of The Church of the Holy Nativity in Chicago officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Abby may be made to the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:52pm Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Meltha B. Weaver
Oct. 1, 1908-March 31, 2002

Meltha B. Weaver, 93, of 1333 Wells St., Niles died Sunday, March 31 at 3 a.m. at Riveridge Manor in Niles, following a brief illness.

Private interment services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

There will be no visitation.

Weaver was born Oct. 1, 1908 in Dowagiac to Fred and Meltha M. (Abbott) Barney. She was married to John V. Weaver, who preceded her in death on March 24, 1982.

Survivors include: three daughters, Joan (and Alfons) Verwilst of Niles, Ann (and Walter) Meyer of Fayetteville, Ark., and Kay (and Thomas) Howson of Carrollton, Ga.; one son, John B. (and Diane) Weaver of Niles; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by: one grandson, James Howells, who died in 1972; one granddaughter, Deborah Howells, who died in 1981; two brothers; and two sisters.

Arrangements are by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 2, 2002, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Ruth J. Dick
March 6, 1894-April 13, 1973

NILES--Mrs. Ruth J. Dick, 79, of 112 N. 13th St., died at 9:45 p.m. Friday in Hackley Hospital, Muskegon, after an illness of several months.

A retired employe of the Medical Center, Mrs. Dick was born March 6, 1894, in St. Joseph County, Ind. and had lived here since 1922, coming from Jackson.  On Oct. 29, 1914, in Niles, she married Harold C. Dick, who died in 1948.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, John A. Dick of Buchanan and Fred L. Dick. of St. Louis, Mo.; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Fischer of Muskegon, and Mrs. Ruth E. Woodruff of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a brother, John Anderson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ; a sister, Mrs. Esther Miller of Overland Park, Kan., 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral HOme, with the Rev. Robert M. Trenery of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are calling at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 16, 1973, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

Lester J.Memmott Logan
May 2, 1911-April 19, 1973

NILES--Lester J. Memmott Logan, 61, of 2528 Lilac Ave., died at 3:35 a.m. Thursday in the Michigan Skilled Care Center, after a lengthy illness.

An employe of the Tyler Refrigeration Division of Clark Equipment Co., Mr. Logan was born May 2, 1911, in Niles, and had lived here his lifetime. On July 6, 1948, in Searcy Ark., Mr. Logan married the former Martha E. Lloyd, who survives.

He was a member of the Niles Moose Lodge and the South Bend Teamsters Union.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, John, at home, three daughters, Mrs. Carrie Gelow of New Carlisle, Ind., Mrs. Jo Ellen Starkweather of Benton Harbor and Mrs. John Ford of Detroit; his mother, Mrs. Norma Dahlstrom of Bremen, Ind. and his father, Lester J. Memmott of Sturgis; a sister, Mrs. Virginia Miller of Bremen and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with Rev.John Wyngarden of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church and the Berrien County Cancer Society.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 19, 1973, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library