Obituaries

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

Ray Hurlbutt
April 16, 1895-April 14, 1964

Ray Hurlbutt, 68, of 1311 Ferry St., was pronounced dead on arrival at 7:55 a.m. today. He had been in ill health two years.

Mr. Hurlbutt, who retired two years ago from service as a tool and die maker with Bendix Corp., South Bend, was born April 16, 1895, in Buchanan. He lived most of his lifetime here.

Surviving are his widow, Freda, three sons, Ray Jr., Melvin and Burton, all of Niles and a daughter, Mrs. Bertha Hatch, Colfax, Ill., and 10 grandchildren.

He was a veteran of World War I and was a member of the First Methodist Church and the American Legion.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of his church, will officiate. Burial will be 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

Otto Lagoni
Sept. 22, 1872-Dec. 4, 1912

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 2, 1912, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

OTTO LAGONI IS IN A SERIOUS WAY

No One Allowed to See Him--Wife at Bedside

Otto Lagoni, 514 St. Joseph avenue, stricken with appendicitis four weeks ago yesterday, and removed to St. Joseph hospital, South Bend, where an operation was performed, cannot recover, as per reports this afternoon. Several Niles friends called at the hospital Sunday but no one is allowed to see him.  Mrs. Lagoni is at the bedside.

Mr. Lagoni is a Dane. He came to Niles 10 years ago with W.W. Green, and has since been employed by the Garden City Fan company as an expert machinist.  During his residence here, Mr. Lagoni has made innumerable, staunch friends, all of whom view with deep regret his condition. There are two sons, John and Dudlow.

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, December 5, 1912, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

OTTO LAGONI DIED IN EPWORTH HOSPITAL

Body brought to Niles. Funeral Sunday

Otto Lagoni passed away at 8 o'clock last evening at Epworth Hospital, South Bend, where he was taken five weeks ago for an operation for appendicitis. He was thought to be improving when pneumonia developed and this disease was the immediate cause of his death.

Mrs. Lagoni left South Bend at five o'clock last evening, her husband seeming to be resting much easier. She was called to South Bend soon after and was by his bedside when he passed away.

The body was brought to Niles by Undertaker Price last night and today removed to their family home at 514 St. Joseph avenue, where the funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. W.R. Yonker will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Lagoni was born in Denmark Sept. 22, 1872. He was married nineteen years ago to Miss Anna Jacobson, who was also born in Denmark, the marriage occurring at Woodstock, Ill.

Three sons were born to them. One of these passed away after the family came to Niles, ten years ago. The surviving sons are Ditlef and John who with the widow mourn the death of a kind father and affectionate husband.

Mr. Lagoni was a machinist by trade and came to Niles with the Garden City Fan Company. For the past six years he has been employed by the French Paper company. He was held in high regard both by his employers and the employes and many friends throughout the city mourn his death.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 5, 1912, page 1 col 8, microfilm Niles District Library

OTTO LAGONI TAKEN AWAY

END CAME LAST NIGHT AT SOUTH BEND

THE MOST GENIAL OF MEN

Millwright for French Paper Co. Six Years--Deep Sympathy Expressed--Funeral Friday Afternoon

Otto Lagoni of this city, died at St. Joseph hospital, South bend, Ind., last evening at 7 o'clock. Taken ill four weeks ago with appendicitis, he was taken to the hospital, where he underwent an operation.

Chances for his recovery looked good until Thanksgiving day, when there was a turn for the worse, and since then his strength gradually failed. The body was brought to Niles last night.

Mr. Lagoni was born in Denmark in 1872. He came to America when a young man and later located to Chicago, and there married Miss Anna Jacobson 19 years ago.  He learned the machinist's trade. They came to Niles ten years ago and for four years Mr. Lagoni was employed by the Garden City Fan company.  During the past six years, he was a valued employee of the French Paper company as millwright.

Three years ago Mr. Lagoni built a new and modern house in St. Joseph avenue.

Otto Lagoni was one of the most genial of men. He made friends and kept them. His optimistic nature; his cherry disposition and his indefatigable energy were an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. To his employers and fellow workmen he endeared himself in the highest degree, and it is they who know his inmost nature best. It is hard for them to believe he, who but a few days ago gave them the hearty hand clasp of the cheery greeting, is gone.  In the home there was never the slightest contention but just to the contrary--all was happiness.

There remains the widow and two sons, Ditlef, age 16 and John aged 6, and to them in this hour of deepest distress, the tenderest sympathies are extended by this entire community.

However, words of sympathy and condolence can do little to allieviate[sic] the sufferings of this great sorrow, so hard to comprehend, but all grieve with them, and what words fail to express, hearts feel deeply.

Deceased leaves sisters in Denmark, and relatives in Chicago. Funeral services will take place from the house, 514 St. Joseph avenue, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Yonker of the Presbyterian church to officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.