Betty Krassow, 88
Oct. 21, 1922 – Feb. 10, 2011

Betty J. Krassow, 88, of Ironwood Drive in Niles, died at noon Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

Krassow

Mrs. Krassow was born Oct. 21, 1922 in Lima, Ohio to Harry Burgess and Edna Mae (McMillin) Hemphill. She lived most of her lifetime in Niles. She retired after several years of service at Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles.

Betty was a member of First Church of Christ-Christian in Niles. She enjoyed playing bingo, camping with family, staying close with her brothers and sisters, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

On Aug. 10, 1943 in South Bend, she married Richard V. Krassow, who died Jan. 13, 1986.

Mrs. Krassow is survived by their children, Cora Soper, Kathy (Jake) Hamilton, Richard L. (Barbare) Krassow, Sr., all of Niles, Elwood (Goldie) Krassow of Marion, Mich., Craig A. (Pam) Krassow and David Krassow, both of Niles; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Goldie Stickovich of Osceola, Ind., Bernice Cherryholmes of Florida and Nellie Prince of Niles; and brother, Elwood Bucky Hemphill of Niles.

She was preceded in death by three sisters and one brother.

Funeral services for Betty J. Krassow will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor David Szymczak of First Church of Christ-Christian officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

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

Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society of the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:52pm Friday, February 11, 2011; print Saturday, February 12, 2011, page 2

Doris Tracey, 92
Jan. 20, 1919 — Feb. 12, 2011

Doris W. Tracey, 92, of Sheffield Avenue in Niles, died at 8:05 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo following a brief illness.

Doris Tracey, 92

Mrs. Tracey was born Jan. 20, 1919 in Sturgis, Mich. to Charles and Ethel (Tyrel) Sager and graduated from Colon (Mich.) High School. She moved to Niles in 1942 and retired from the J.C. Penney store in Niles.

Doris was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles. She sang in the Tyler Blue Notes Choir.

On Jan. 12, 1938 in LaGrange, Ind., she married Robert J. Tracey, who preceded her in death May 22, 1991. She was also preceded in death by their son, Robert J. Tracey, Jr., who died July 24, 2009, and her brother, Richard Sager.

Mrs. Tracey is survived by her children, Winnie (Roger) Barr of Niles and Hugh (Nancy) Tracey of Vicksburg, Mich.; grandchildren, Nicole (Tom) Preston, Hugh (Val) Tracey, Corrina (Tim) Tackett, Kyle Tracey, Shane Wagner, Roger (Jill) Barr, Jr., Ron (Laurie) Barr, Laurie Wyman and Rick Barr; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and siblings, Joyce Hoff of Floral City, Fla., Robert Sager of Tomah, Wis. and Rolland Sager of Tampa, Fla.

Funeral services for Doris W. Tracey will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Doris may be made to First Baptist Church.

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:18am Wednesday, February 16, 2011, page 2.

Joshua Hurt, 34
Sept. 1, 1976 — Feb. 15, 2011

Joshua Lee Hurt, 34, of Gary Court in Niles, died at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 at his home unexpectedly but of natural causes.

Mr. Hurt was born Sept. 1, 1976 in Niles to Steven L. and Doris L. (Pfeiffer) Hurt. He graduated from Brandywine High School in Niles with the Class of 1994 and was a lifetime resident of Niles. He was a former employee of the South Bend Chocolate Factory in South Bend.

Joshua enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed fishing and playing baseball.

Mr. Hurt is survived by his fiancee, Susan Knapp of Niles; parents, Steven and Doris Hurt of Niles; brothers, Steven L. (Carol) Hurt, Benjamin E. (Nikki) Hurt of Aurora, Ind. and Joseph A. (Adrianne) Hurt of South Bend; nieces and nephews, Austin Reed Hurt, Lyndi McKenna Hurt, Reese Nicole Hurt, Israel M.G. Hurt and Isaac Benjamin Hurt; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Joshua Lee Hurt will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church in South Bend with the Rev. Reed Anderstrom of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Joshua may be made to Calvary Baptist Church in South Bend.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:58 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Print, page 2.

Nevada Morgan, 91
Oct. 6, 1919 — Feb. 11, 2011

Nevada M. Morgan, 91, of Niles, passed away peacefully, at her residence, with her family by her side Friday, Feb. 11, 2011.

Mrs. Morgan was born to the late John and Pauline (Robbins) Keeys on Oct. 6, 1919 in Sunflower, Miss.

She was married to Ward L. “Bo” Morgan on March 21, 1940 in her hometown of Sunflower. He preceded her in death in 1988.

She was known for her love and devotion to her family. She was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Nevada loved to watch her grandson play baseball and basketball and enjoyed spending time playing bingo.

Preceding Nevada are her parents; her husband, Ward “Bo”; eight brothers, Erskine Keeys, Central Keeys, Denver Keeys, Verties Keeys, Theora Keeys, Willie Keeys, Johnny Keeys and Az Alfonso Keeys; a sister, Pauline Keeys; and a granddaughter, Darlene Ward.

She is survived by her four daughters, Vada (Buddy) Ward of Niles, Frances Jones of Niles, Martha Morgan of Niles and Sandra Morgan of Niles; two sons, Claude and Arthur Morgan, both of Niles. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a brother, Garnett (Angie) Keeys of South Bend; and a sister, Mildred Gray of Niles.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles with Pastor Bryant Bacon officiating.

A time of visitation will begin one hour prior.

An interment will follow the service at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences, photos and memories of Nevada can be shared at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:24am online, Tuesday, February 15, 2011, in print Page 2.

Rachel Ann (Herkimer) Wells
Sept. 19, 1830-October 25, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 28, 1918, page 4, col 4, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral services for Mrs. Rachel Wells were held Sunday afternoon, from the late residence in Bertrand township in the presence of a large gathering of friends.  Rev. Braby of Buchanan conducted the services.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, October 30, 1918, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.


    Mrs. [Rachel] Herkimer Wells was born in Herkimer county, New York, on Sept. 19, 1830. When just a young girl she came with her parents to Bertrand township, Michigan, and from that time on made that locality her home.
    She was married to Francis Wells on Feb. 9, 1853, and to this union nine children were born, four of whom died in early childhood. The sadness of bereavement again came to Mrs. Wells, when, wfter 45 years of the closest companionship, her husband was called from this life on July 30, 1898. In 1915 the sadness caused by the loss of loved ones again was felt when her son Charles passed away.  Notwithstanding these times of sorrow, Mrs. Wells held close to her faith and  trust in the Great Father of us all.  She knew in whom she had believed and He was her strength and stay, the refuge in the time of storm.  She united with the First Presbyterian church in Buchanan on Oct. 2, 1886, and for 32 years had been a faithful and devoted member of that organization.  Because of increasing years and failing health she gave up her farm home about three years ago and made her residence in Buchanan, where her friends and loved ones kept in constant touch with her.  Though living to the venerable age of 88 years, her mind and intellect were as keen as ever and she took a lively interest in the concerns of her family and in the events of the community and the world.
    It was only a few weeks ago that a more serious breakdown in health occurred and from that time on weakness gradually increased until the final call came at 2 o'clock on Friday  afternoon, Oct. 25.  It was a call long anticipated in perfect tranquility and peace of mind. Mrs. Wells enjoyed her life and loved ones, but she was perfectly ready and content to go Home and meet the loved ones gone before. Her life had been a confession of faith and trust proving her unfaltering belief in her God.
    Mrs. Wells is survived by four of her children, two sons, Frank and Isaac M. and two daughters, Mrs. Joel H. Gillette and Mrs. Fred A. Tichenor.  Besides these there are seven grandchildren and one great grandchild and an innumerable host of friends.  Once again we together experience the sadness caused by the death of one grown dear, yet through the sorrow comes the ray of joy because our mother and friend has gone in to see the King and we know that she is satisfied and at rest in her prepared place among the many mansions.
    Funeral services were held at the old homestead Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, conducted by Rev. N.D. Brady, pastor of the Buchanan Presbyterian church.
    Interment was made in Silver Brook cemetery at Niles.

Same appeared in Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Oct. 31, 1918, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Ebenezer F. Kizer
July 5, 1846-November 20, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 20, 1918, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    E.F. Kizer, 110 Lincoln avenue, died at 9:30 o'clock this morning after an illness with heart disease which has made him practically an invalid for a prolonged period.
    Mr. Kizer was born near South Bend, June 5, 1846. He was married July 4, 1867, to Miss Olive Loux. Four children were born to them of whom but one, Mrs. R.E. Rice, residing northeast of Niles, survives their father.  Mr. Kizer is also survived by his wife.
    Mr. Kizer was a farmer by occupation until ill health prevented.
    The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence. Rev. W.H. Camfield, pastor of the Evangelical church, will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
    The death of Mr. Kizer removes a well known pioneer resident, and one highly respected in the community.
* * *
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 20, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    E.F. Kizer, an old resident of west Niles, was called to his reward by death at 9 :30 this morning.  He had suffered from heart trouble and complications for some time.
    Mr. Kizer was born July 5, 1846 near South Bend and was 72 years of age. In 1867, on July 4, the deceased was married to Miss Olive Loux, of Bertrand.
    Mr. Kizer had been a resident of Niles 31 years. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Edward Rice, who resides two and one-half miles northeast of Niles. There are also three brothers, Robert of South Bend and James and Jacob, who live on farms near that city.
    Funeral will take place from the residence, 109 Lincoln avenue.  Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. W.H. Camfield officiating. Burial at Silver book cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 22, 1918, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Funeral services for the late E.F. Kizer were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence.  Rev. W.H. Camfield officiated. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.