Obituaries

Edward Fink
Oct. 22, 1896-Oct. 2, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, October 2, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Another star in the city's service flag has turned to gold in the death of Edward Fink, who died this morning at Gettysburg, Pa., a victim of the Spanish influenza. Word was received last evening that the young man was seriously ill. The telegram announcing his death was received at noon.
    The erlatives[sic] have advised the officer who sent the message to ship the body to Niles for burial.
    Edward would have been 22 years of age had he lived until the 22d of this month. He was born in Niles and had practically spent his entire life here until he entered military service. He went to Camp Custer on Aug. 28, and two weeks later he was transferred to Gettysburgh to enter the tank service, his naturally inventive and ingenious turn of mind, which had indicated a promising career since his early youth, rendering him of special value in this line of work. He was enthused with his work and his letters home expressed his pleasure at being transferred to this kind of service.
    Last June he was united in marriage to Leota Stratton, who resides at 1206 Oak street.  Besides his wife, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. George Fink, of Yankee street, and by three brothers--Elba, Charles and George--all of Niles.
    The young man was well known through the community and the announcement of his death is mourned by many.



    Military funeral services for Edward Fink, who died at Camp Colt, Gettysburg, Pa., a victim of Spanish influenza, were held Sunday afternoon from the home of his mother, Mrs. George Fink. The body reached Niles Saturday evening and was accompanied here by Sergeant Brown of Camp Colt.  Rev. A.W. Lyons of the First Baptist church conducted the services. A quartet comprising Mrs. Verne Hinkle, Miss Hamilton, Messrs. Martin and Ruckle, sang.  Members of the state constabulary stationed in Niles as guards, acted as pallbearers.  The body was laid to rest at Silver Brook cemtery[sic] amid a wealth of beautiful flowers, as the taps were sounded and a volley of shots were fired.  A large concourse of friends gathered at the home and at the cemetery to pay their last respects to the well known young soldier.
    Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Romy and Mrs. Barbara Romy of Fort Wayne, Ind., were among those from out of the city who attended the funeral.

Mrs. Sherman (Ruth Ausmus) Frizzell
September 2, 1893-November 1, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, November 2, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    The death of Mrs. Sherman Frizzell, which occurred Friday afternoon at 4:35 o'clock at her home on North Fifth street, brought sorrow to a large circle of friends of the well known and highly estimable young woman.  Mrs. Frizzell became ill with influenza about a week ago and few days ago pneumonia developed which resulted in her death.
    Mrs. Frizzell, whose maiden name was Ruth Ausmus, was born in Niles Sept. 2, 1893, and had spent her entire life here. She was married in Niles on March 4, 1914, to Sherman Frizzell, who is a brakeman in the employ of the Michigan Central Railway Co.  About two years ago they purchased the bungalow built by Guy Whelan on North Fifth street and where they have since resided.
    Mrs. Frizzell is survived by her husband, her mother, Mrs. August Ausmus, of North Eleventh street; four brothers, Charles C. and George F. Ausmus of North Twelfth street and Ralph Ausmus of North Eleventh street, Niles, and John Ausmus of Kalamazoo, and by two sisters, Mrs. David Evick, Cass street, and Mrs. Edward Punderson, 1329 North Eleventh street.  The father of the deceased died four years ago.
    The deceased was a member of Niles hive, No. 39.
    The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence.  Rev. P.G. Saffran of St.John's church will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 2, 1918,  page 1, col 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. S.E. Frizzell died at her home, North Fifth street, yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock, following an illness of a week with influenza which developed into pneumonia.  Her condition became much worse Thursday and all efforts of her physician to save her life were fruitless.
    Before her marriage Mrs. Frizzell was known as Miss Ruth Ausmus, and was born in this city Sept. 18, 1893.
    Five years ago, March 4, 1913, she married S.E. Frizzell of this city.
    Besides her husband she is survived by her mother, Mrs. Kate Ausmus, four brothers, Charles C., George F. and Ralph Ausmus, of this city and John of Kalamazoo, and two sisters, Mrs. Ed. Punderson and Mrs. David Evick of Niles.
    To pluck the life of one so young, manifest great sorrow not only in family circles, but to the community at large.
    Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock form the residence.  Rev. Paul Saffran will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.


    Funeral services for Mrs. S.E. Frizzell were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence, North Fifth street.  Rev. Paul  Saffran officiated.  Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Lee Cornwell Bothwell
Sept. 1, 1890-November 2, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, November 4, 1918, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Lee Cornwell Bothwell, aged 28 years, died Saturday afternoon at his home, 1211 Phoenix street, after two weeks' illness from influenza.
    Mr. Bothwell was born in Indiana Sept. 1, 1890. About a year and a half ago he moved to Niles and took a position at the Kawneer as a machinist and was highly regarded as an employe and among his associates.
    The deceased is survived by his wife, whose maiden name ws Adaline Longenecker, by four little children--Lucille, aged 6 years; Leota, aged 4 years; Kenneth, aged 3 years, and Fern, 8 months old--by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bothwell of Three Rivers and by the following brothers and sisters: Harry, Frank, Prentis, Mrs. Dan Langton and Miss Annette Bothwell, all of Three Rivers.
    The parents and the brothers and sistsers of the deceaed, also Mrs. Bothwell's father, Charles Longenecker, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Longenecker, Carl Longenecker, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Van Gilder and Miss Mabel Longenecker, all of Three Rivers, brothers and sisters of Mrs. Bothwell, were in attendance upon the funeral services which were held this afternoon from the residence.  Rev. E.G. Lewis, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.
    Much sympathy for the bereaved family is felt by the large circle of friends the family has made since coming to Niles.
    Lucille and Leota, the older children of the family are both ill with influenza.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 4, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    Lee A.[sic] Bothwell, aged 28 years, died saturday night at his home, Phoenix street, after a two weeks illness of Bright's disease.
    Mr. Bothwell was born in Three Rivers, Sept. 1, 1890.
    Besides his wife and four small children he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bothwell of Three Rivers.
    The young man had been employed at the Kawneer and was popular with his fellow workmen.
    Funeral services were held this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the residence, Dr. E.G. Lewis officiating. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Harold Wedel
May 22, 1909-Nov. 12, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 13, 1918, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


    Sorrow was brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Wedel, 1315 North Eleventh street, last evening when Harold, the eldest of their six children, died at 9 o'clock after about two weeks' illness from liver trouble which, with other complications, developed from influenza. The other children and Mrs. Wedel have all been sick, but are now improving except Bernice, whose condition shows little improvement.
    Harold was born at Glenwood, in 1908. When he was four years old the family moved to Niles.  He was a bright little fellow and popular with his schoolmates at the Eagle Street school.  Besides his parents he is survived by three sisters and two brothers, who are Wilhelmina, Gertrude, Walter, Bernice and George.
    The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the H.E. Price chapel.  Burial will be at Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mr. Wedel, the child's father, is a Michigan Central section foreman.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 13, 1918, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library


    Harold Wedel, nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Wedel, 1315 North Eleventh street, died last night after about two weeks illness with pneumonia following influenza. The mother and five other children are recovering from influenza.
    Harold was born May 22, 1909, in Glenwood, Mich., and moved to his city with his parents when he was four years old.  Besides his parents he is survived by three sisters and two brothers.
    Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from H.E. Price's chapel. Rev. Paul Saffran will officiate.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, November 15, 1918, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

    Funeral services for Harold Wedel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wedel, were conducted this afternoon from the H.E. Price chapel by Rev. P.G. Saffran. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 15, 1918, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for the late Harold Wedel, were held this afternoon from Price's chapel. Rev. Paul Saffran officiated. Burial took place in Silver brook cemetery.

Virginia Ruth Asmus
Sept. 18, 1918-Sept. 23, 1918

    The week old child, named Virginia of Mr.and Mrs. Ralph Ausmus, 1338 Eleventh street, died yesterday afternoon of pleurisy.  Funeral services were held this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the grave, Silver Brook cemetery.  Rev. Paul Saffran of St John's church officiating. Mrs. Ausmus did not attend, owing to sever illness.

*Death record, cemetery record and gravemarker spell last name "Asmus"

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1918, page 4, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Spencer Stratton
Dec. 11, 1896-Oct. 21, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Today's death toll is the largest to be recorded in this city in years.  Of the five to succumb, four were stricken with the Spanish influenza.
    Spencer Stratton, 1206 Oak street, 22 years of age, the eldest of nine children passed away this morning after a short illness.  His mother and eight children are all in a precarious condition with the disease.  The father and his sister, Mrs. Leota Fink, whose husband died in an army camp, at Gettysburg, Pa., two weeks ago, with the same disease, are the only members of this family who have so far escaped the malady.  Funeral will take place Wednesday and will be private.

[Note: Others in this article are: Mrs. Jesse Hill, Harry Faith, W.A. White, Mrs. Harold Davis]
Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Spencer Stratton, aged 22 years, died this morning at the  home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Stratton, 1206 Oak street, from pneumonia which developed from influenza.  The young man had long been in ill health and was a cripple as the result.  The funeral announcement will be made later.
Niles Daily Sun,  Tuesday, October 22, 1918, page 1, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Announcements

    Funeral services for Spencer Stratton will be held tomorrow morning from the residence on East Oak street. The services will be private, the young man having died of influenza and there are several cases of illness in the large family of which he was a member.