Obituaries

Earl A. Noble
Jan. 27, 1897-April 9, 1971

NILES--Earl A. Noble, 74, oldest automobile dealer in Niles, died at 8:10 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital.  He had been ill for three months. Mr. Noble was the retired owner of the Earl A. Noble Pontiac dealership here.

Born Jan. 27, 1897, in Spring Grove, Minn., Mr. Noble had lived at Niles since 1935, coming here from Elkhart.

His wife, the former Ethel Stutsman, whom he married Nov. 29, 1917, at Peru, Ind., survives.  Also surviving are three sons, Charles and Richard of Niles and Duane of Elkhart, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Noble was a life member of St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge and the Niles Elks Lodge. A 32nd degree Mason, he was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge of Royal Arch Masons, the Niles Shrine Club and DeWitt Clinton Consistory at Grand Rapids. He also was a member of American Legion Post 26 and Veterans of World War I at Niles. Mr. Noble was a Navy veteran of World War I.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.  The Rev. Robert Trenery of Wesley United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, where St. Joseph Masonic Lodge will conduct graveside rites.  Friends may call at the funeral home beginning Sunday.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church building fund.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 9, 1971, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Harriet Griffin Haisley
1885-January 12, 1934

MRS. OTTO HAISLEY DIES AT ANN ARBOR

Funeral Services Will Be Conducted in Niles Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Harrie[sic] Griffin Haisley, wife of Otto W. Haisley, superintendent of the Ann Arbor public schools, died at her Ann Arbor home early this morning. The body of Mrs. Haisley will be brought to Niles and funeral services have been announced for 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Trinity Episcopal church. The Rev.Harry L. Nicholson will be in charge of the services. Friends have been asked to omit flowers.
Mrs. Haisley is the daughter of Mrs. E.C. Griffin, 409 North Fourth street. Other survivors ar the husband, a former superintendent of the Niles schools, and a son Robert. A sister Miss Jeanne Griffin, Kalamazoo, also survives.
Mrs. Haisley was born in Niles and graduated from the Niles high school and later from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Haisley also taught in the Three Rivers schools.  She was active in the organization of the Niles chapter of the American Association of University Women, known here as the College club.
After moving with her family to Ann Arbor, Mrs. Haisley continued her active work in the club, social, and educational circles.  She was president for one year of the Ladies Historical society while in Niles.
Friends in Niles recall the ease with which Mrs. Haisley spoke before large audiences and her deep interest in religious, social and philanthropic work.
She was active in the League of Women Voters, and was a state delegate in 1932 to the national convention of the women's organization in Washington, D.C.
While a resident of Niles she was an active member of the Trinity Episcopal church.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 12, 1934, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Frances Swartz
Feb. 2, 1887-April 12, 1967

Mrs. Frances A. Swartz, 80, of 1951 US-31 N., died Tuesday at 12 45 p.m., in Quick's Convalescent Home, following a ten-year illness.
Mrs. Swartz moved here from Three Oaks and had lived here since 1910. She was born Feb. 2, 1887 in Union Pier.
Her husband, Harry T. Swartz died Dec. 19, 1950.
She is survived by three sons, Howard and Harry, both of Niles, and Lyle of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Carrie Akin of Three Oaks, and a brother, Roy Perham of Three Oaks.
Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m., in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Schloop of the First Methodist Church officiating.
Friends and relatives may be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 13, 1967, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Emma R. Smith
Sept. 24, 1908-April 12, 1967

Mrs. Emma R. Smith 58, of 107 Parkway, died Thursday at 4:40 p.m., in Pawating Hospital.

Mrs. Smith was born in Midway, Tenn., Sept. 24, 1908, and moved here from Buchanan in 1954. On Nov. 25, 1941, she was married to Ray Smith in Blytheville, Ark.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Wesley Davidson of Dowagiac and Thomas Wesley of LaPorte, Inc. ;  six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Sanders of Alabama, and Mrs. Maude Connelly of Tiplonville, Tenn.; three brothers, Jessie Ennis of St. Louis, Mo., Cecil Ennis of Hecaring, Tenn.; and Claude Ennis of Lagoda, Tenn.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home with Rev. John P. MacLachlan officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends and relatives will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 13, 1967, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Lula A. Knott
August 21, 1881-March 30, 1967

Knott Rites

Funeral services for Mrs. Lula A. Knott, 85, formerly of 317  Pokagon St., were scheduled today.

She died Thursday at Kalamazoo after an illness of several years. A member of the First Church of Christ Scientist, Mrs. Phillis Castle was named as the reader at the private services at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.

Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Maxine Knott Payne, Hollywood, Fla.; a grandson; and two great-grandchildren.

She was born August 21, 1881, in Buchanan, and had lived her entire lifetime in the area.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 3, 1967, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Jerome A. Gross
December 23, 1889-March 25, 1967

Post 26, Niles American Legion was to provide the military rites at the graveside of Jerome A. Gross, 925 N. 3rd St., who was found dead in this home by the city police last Saturday.

Mr. Gross, a World War I veteran, had been ill for several years. Born here in 1889, he was a life time resident of the area.

Services were to be conducted by the Rev. Leonard F. Putnam at 3 p.m., today in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home. Burial was to be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Surviving are a brothers, Frank, of Niles; and two sisters, Mrs. Fay Pease of Blanchard, and Mrs. Charles Bailey of Watervliet.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 3, 1967, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Note: Date of birth from WW I Draft Registration and Social Security Death Index.