Mary Esther Ward
November 27, 1841-February 10, 1846

    In this village, on the 10 inst., Mary Esther, eldest daughter of Mr. S.S. Ward, aged four years, two months and two weeks.
    We sincerely sympathise with neighbor Ward on this, his second great loss but a few weeks since he followed his companion to her earthly home, and now he is forced to part with one of those little pledges left by her to his care  and keeping. This world is indeed one of grief and sorrow.

Niles Republican, Saturday, February 14, 1846, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary I. (Hager) Phelps Ward
(Mrs. Moses W. Ward)
Died March 23, 1894

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 29, 1894, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    The death of Mrs. M.W. Ward, which occurred last Friday night, saddened the hearts of many friends. She was born and reared in this city and won for herself an esteem that was but the natural result of a true womanly life.  To her husband the blow is a sad one, and the little ones she leaves behind will miss a fond mother's care. But in the sorrow that her death has caused there is the bright assurance that her beautiful Christian llife on earth will receive its reward in the home of the blest.

Marguerite E. Hoffman
December 9, 1908-June 15, 1993

Marguerite E. Hoffman
1908-1993
Retired teacher, grew up in Niles

    Funeral services for Marguerite E. Hoffman, 84, of 4079 Oxford Drive, Leland, Mich., are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Houseman, of Temple Baptist Church in Ionia, Mich., officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Hoffman died at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday at Leelanau Memoral Hospital in Northport, Mich., following a brief illness.
    Born Dec. 9, 1908, in South Bend, she had lived in Leland since 1992, coming from Grand Rapids. She grew up in Niles and graduated from Niles High School.
    She was a retired teacher in the Wyandotte (Mich.) school district.  She was a graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan and held bachelor's and master's degrees. She was a member of the Alumni of University of Michigan and was a member of the Michigan and National Education Associations.  She was a member of Bertrand Bible Church.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mary K. McMillen of Portland, Mich.; a son, William A. Hoffman of Leland; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and a sister, Dorothy Wade of Galien.  A brother, Ervin Ehlenfeldt preceded her in death on May 9, 1993.
    Friends may call at Halbritter's Funeral Home one hour prior to Thursday's services.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Care Center at Leelanau Memorial Hospital.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 16, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert Saathoff
Sept. 9, 1923-June 14, 1968

    Funeral Services for Robert Lee Saathoff, 44, of 10607 Kenilworth Ave., Bethesda, Md., who died Friday morning will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  The Rev. Ray Cunningham, pastor of the First Baptist Church of  which he was a member will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Born Sept. 9, 1923, in Litchfield, Ill. Mr. Saathoff moved to Maryland from here in 1949.  He was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., On July 16, 1949, he married Alice Knott in Niles.
    In addition to the widow, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Walter Saathoff of Niles.
    A veteran of World War II, he was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge, 4, F and A.M.  Masonic services will be held at the cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 17, 1968, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Hazel I. Saathoff
December 6, 1903-March 25, 1982

    Mrs. Hazel I. Saathoff, 78, of 811 Rynearson, Buchanan, died at 7:45 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.
    Mrs. Saathoff was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles. She was born on Dec. 6, 1930 in Litchfield, Ill.
    She married Walter R. Saathoff on March 27, 1921 in Litchfield, Ill. He died in 1961.
    Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Evah Waer Rice of Hillsboro, Mo., and Mrs. Laura Hammontree of Springfield, Mo.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Rev. Ray C. Cunningham of the First Baptist church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.
    The family suggests memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Fund.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 26, 1982, page 1 col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Arthur Saathoff
Feb. 11, 1909-March 14, 1993

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 22, 1993, page 1

 

NILES—Former Niles businessman Arthur W. Saathoff died recently in a Mesa, Ariz., hospital.

Saathoff owned and operated United Dairies of Niles for more than 50 years.

Saathoff, of 136 Leisure World, Mesa, died at 2:40 p.m. at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, following a brief illness. He was 84.

Born Feb. 11, 1909, in Alhambra, Ill. He was a prominent resident of Niles for many years.

On Nov. 16, 1932, in Niles, he married the former Adaline Strang, who survives.

Saathoff was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles and a life member of the Masonic Lodge No. 4 F&AM, St. Joseph Valley. He was a former president of the Niles Shrine Club, Jesters, and was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and the Eastern Star.

He was a former board member of the First National Bank and Pawating Hospital.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Russell Saathoff of Niles and Kenneth Saathoff of Apache Junction, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or the charity of the donor's choice.

Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 16, 1993, page 2, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Arthur Saathoff
1909-1993
Former owner and operator of United Dairies in Niles

    Funeral services for Arthur Saathoff, 84, of 138 Leisure World, Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Raymond S. Anderson, church pastor, and the Rev. Ray C. Cunningham, of Niles, officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Saathoff died March 14, at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, following a brief illness.
    He was born Feb. 11, 1909, in Alhambra, Ill.
    On Nov. 16, 1932, in Niles, he married the former Adaline Strang, who survives.
    For 50 years, he was the owner and operator of the former United Dairies in Niles.
    He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Niles. He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge 4 F.& A.M. St. Joseph Valley, was former president of the Niles Shrine Club. He was involved in the Jesters, Niles Elks Lodge and Eastern Star. He was also a former member and past president of the Niles Lions Club, was a former member of the YMCA board, former member of the First National Bank Board of Directors and was a former Pawating Hospital board member.
    Other survivors include two sons, Russell Saathoff of Niles and Kenneth Saathoff of Apache Junction, Ariz.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
    Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
    Local arrangements are being handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.