Rachel Hatfield, 86
Aug. 3, 1924 — Aug. 22, 2010

Rachel Hatfield, 86, of Cass Street in Niles, died at 5:19 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Hatfield was born Aug. 3, 1924 in Michigan City, Ind. to James S. and Katie E. (Love) Painter. Rachel lived in Niles most of her life and retired from Electro-Voice in Buchanan.

She attended the Methodist church. She enjoyed snowmobiling at Irons, Mich. and gardening.

In September 1945 at the Methodist church, she married John A. Hatfield, who preceded her in death Dec. 21, 2006. Their son, Jerry A. Hatfield, also preceded her in death Nov. 29, 1999.

Mrs. Hatfield is survived by their grandson, Jeffrey A. Hatfield, and granddaughter, Jennifer A. Hatfield, both of Niles; great-grandson, Brandon Michael Jerry Hatfield; great-granddaughter, Mya Ray Matlock; and sister, Ruth Nowlin, of Austin, Texas.

Graveside services for Rachel Hatfield will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Rachel may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:36pm Monday, August 23, 2010

Zeta Clark,
March 25, 1927 — Sept. 8, 2010

Zeta B. Clark, 83, of North 16th Street, Niles, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born March 25, 1927 in Niles to William Zerr and Ruth (Christman) Zerr. She was a lifetime resident of Niles. She first married James Hiatt, who died in 1960. She later married John K. Clark, who died May 5, 1960.

Zeta retired after more than 40 years of service from Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles. She was a very active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles, where she was financial secretary of the church council and choir member.

She was previously employed at Lakeland Rehabilitation and was currently volunteering in the Lakeland Surgery Waiting Room. She also volunteered at Northside School reading to preschoolers.

She will always be remembered for her baked goods, especially her cookies.

The family wishes to thank the staff of West Woods of Niles and Hospice at Home for the wonderful care given to their mother.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Andy Selent, on Nov. 29, 2006.

She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Selent of Niles; son, Don (Marge) Hiatt of Niles; granddaughters, Maggie Hiatt of Niles and Christina Selent of Niles; grandson, Tony Hiatt of Niles; sister, Ruth Watson of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles with the Rev. Harry L. Clark of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and one hour prior to services at the church Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ or Relay for Life.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:19pm Thursday, September 9, 2010

Margaret (Harder) Pruyn
April 11, 1826-June 8, 1901

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 10, 1901, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Margaret Pruyn died at her home, near Barren[sic] lake, Saturday evening at 6:30 o'clock, at the age of 75 years.. The cause of her death was a complication of diseases, together with old age.
    Deceased leaves four children, who are the Misses Jennie, Louise and Kate, and Mr. John Pruyn.
    The funeral will occur from the late residence at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. Dr. Lowrie will conduct the services. Interment will be in Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mrs. Pruyn was a most estimable lady, as well as one of the oldest settlers in this vicinity, and her death came as a shock to the community.
Niles Republican, Thursday, June 13, 1901, page 1, col. 2, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Monday, June 10, 1901, microfilm Niles District Library


Monday's Sun.

    Mrs. Margaret Pruyn, widow of the late Henry Pruyn, passed away at her home near Barron lake, Saturday evening about 6:45 o'clock.  The cause of death was uraemia, the end coming after a painful illness of six weeks.
    Deceased, who was well known and had a wide circle of acquaintances, was 76 years of age and had for many years been a resident of these parts.  She leaves three children to mourn her demise. She was a sister of J.E. Harder of this city.
    The funeral was held at 2:30 this afternoon from the late residence, the Rev. Lowrie, officiating. Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Pruyn was a devout member of the Presbyterian church and will be greatly missed in the home and church.

Lydia Bain Pruyn
April 3, 1869-March 13, 1873

DIED

PRUYN--At Barron Lake, March 13th, of brain fever, Lydia Bain, youngest daughter, of Henry and Margaret A. Pruyn, aged 3 years, 11 months and 10 days.

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 3, 1873, page 3, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

John Pruyn
1851-Dec. 3, 1902


    Dispatches received here from Kalamazoo announce the death of John Pruyn, a former resident of this vicinity, which occurred at the asylum in that city at 12:30 o'clock today.
    Mr. Pruyn was taken to the asylum for treatment about 18 months ago, his mind having been affected, it is stated, by the failure of the First National Bank of Niles.
    The deceased was 51 years old and was widely acquainted here. He was much interested in fruit culture.
    The remains will probably be brought here tonight for burial.

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 4, 1902, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Jennie Pruyn
August 5, 1863-December 5, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, December 5, 1913, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Miss Florence Harder was in St. Joseph today on account of the death of her cousin, Miss Jennie Pruyn.
* * *

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, December 9, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    The Niles pall bearers for the late Miss Jennie Pruyn whose remains were brought to Niles from St. Joseph for burial here included friends of the deceased, viz., N.H. Bacon, Thos. Hance, S.C. Quimby and Lee and Edwin Hunter.
    The funeral party accompanying the remains from St. Joseph included James Harder, Miss Florence Harder, Mrs. Frank Young, Miss Frances Hull, Miss Grace Sullivan and Miss Louise Pruyn.
    Rev. W.R. Yonker gave a short prayer at the grave.