Harry Skaggs
June 27, 1944-Sept. 11, 2009

Harry Skaggs, 65, of Pine Street, Niles, died at 2:55 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at his home, of an illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Church of Christ, Niles, with David Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends and relatives today, Monday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

He was born on June 27, 1944, in Benton Harbor, to Clarence and Elsie (Selvidge) Skaggs. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1962. He also graduated from Freed-Hardeman University and had attended Michigan Christian College and Harding University. He lived in this area all of his life. A man of faith, he loved God, family and country. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Sam Houston, Texas and the 97th General Hospital in Frankfort ,Germany. A life-long member of the Church of Christ, he served as a minister of the Gospel for 25 years. He was a messenger for Baker & Daniels law firm in South Bend, Ind.

On Sept 16, 1972, in Benton Harbor, he married his wife of 37 years, Linda (Peck) Skaggs, who survives. He is also survived by their daughters, Amy Skaggs of Niles and Liana (John) Legus of Grand Ledge; grandson, Wiley Allen Legus; his mother, Elsie Skaggs of Benton Harbor; brother, Wayne (Dorothy) Skaggs of Stevensville; sisters, Alma Wheeler of Benton Harbor, Clara (James) Button, Melinda (David) Sayle and sister-in-law, Gracie Skaggs all of Tucson, Ariz. and many nieces, nephews and loving friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence and his brother, Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

 

 

Sharon Thompson
October 25, 1945-May 4, 1988

    Sharon Thompson, 42, 2071 Monroe Ave., Naples, Fla., and formerly of Niles, died Wednesday, May 4, at 3:40 a.m. at Naples Community Hospital in Naples.
    She was born Oct. 25, 1945 in Niles and moved to Naples in 1986.  She was an employee of the Florida State Department of Health and Rehabilitation.
    Survivors include: her parents, Betty Kelley and Harry Kujawa of Niles; three daughters, Teresa Michalski of Wisconsin, Tonya Hess of South Bend, Ind., and Cynthia Thompson of Naples; three sons, Micheel Michalski of Alabama, Timothy Hess of South Bend and David Thompson of Naples; three grandchildren; two sisters, Vickie Johnson of Granger, Ind. and Shirley VanDurmen of Niles;  and a brother, Ronald Barnett of Bonita Springs, Fla.
    Services are Wednesday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, where the Rev. Louie Schweppe of St. John's United Church of Christ will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Friends may call Wednesday, beginning at 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 9, 1988, page 2, col., 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fred C. Schmidt
April 1858-September 17, 1931


    Death removed a pioneer resident and business man of Niles today when Fred C. Schmidt, 73, died at 11:30 at Pawating hospital where on last Sunday he had an operation for the amputation of his right leg at the knee.  Complications arising from an injury sustained nearly 25 years ago started an infection in his leg and the operation was resorted to in an effort to arrest the infection.  However, Mr. Schmidt's condition had been considered critical since the operation, and on account of his weakened condition he was never advised of the nature of the [illegible].
    Fred C. Schmidt was born in Germany on April 1858, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Schmidt.  When he was but three years of age his parents left Germany and came to America, locating in Niles, his father becoming a pioneer butcher and retail meat dealer.  His sons, Charles and Fred, were associated with him in the meat business as they grew to young manhood and eventually Fred C. Schmidt launched into business for himself, engaging in the retail meat business and later being associated with his son, Karl R. Schmidt in the wholesale meat business under the name of the Schmidt Packing House company, and was so engaged until his last illness.
    Fred C. Schmidt's marriage to Carrie Ives, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Ives, the former a pioneer photographer, united two of Niles oldest families.  Mrs. Schmidt died in 1925.
    Surviving Mr. Schmidt are two sons and four daughters who are Dr. Harry Schmidt, Mrs. Bion East and Mrs. Donald Noble of Detroit, Karl R. Schmidt, Mrs. George I. Vetter, and Mrs. Jack Young of Niles.  The following brothers and sisters also survive: Will Schmidt, Portland, Ore., Herman Schmidt of New York City, Mrs. Rudolph Elbel of South Bend and Mrs. Warren Griffith of Los Angeles, Calif.
    Mr. Schmidt was active in city affairs, having served as an alderman, and a member of the board of education, and also was the choice of his party at one election for the office of mayor.
    Mr. Schmitdt found a great delight in fishing and for many years had a cottage at Birch Lake where he and his friends gathered frequently throughout the fishing seasons.
    Fraternally he was identified with Niles Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar.
    It is planned to hold the funeral services in the home at Broadway and Third streets on Saturday afternoon.  Burial will be made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.  The services will be under Masonic auspices.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

James Winlack
March 23, 1885-March 11, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 11, 1932, page 1, col. 6.


    James Winlack, 47, a resident of Niles for 17 years, died this morning about 2:30 in his home, 1337 Maple street after a few hours of illness.  Mr. and Mrs. Winlack had spent the evening in the home of friends and when Mr. Winlack complained of not feeling well he was taken to his home.  His condition showed an improvement later in the evening and he retired.  About 2 o'clock he suddenly became alarmingly ill and by the time Mrs. Winlack had returned home after going to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Volkhardt, two doors away to summon a doctor he was unconscious and although the physician applied restoratives he did not regain consciousnness[sic].
    Mr. Winlack was born in Chicago on March 23, 1885, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Winlack, now deceased.  His father was for many years an employe of the National Printing and Engraving company in Chicago and in Niles, until he was retired on account of ill health.  James Winlack was for several years paymaster for the Michigan Central Railway company in Niles.  Of late he has been in the employe of Simplicity Pattern company as shipping clerk.
    Surviving is a widow, Mrs. Blanche Winlack, formerly Blanch Stultz to whom he was married five years ago, by a son, Donald, of Los Angeles, Calif., born of Mr. Winlack's first marriage, by a stepson, Jack Chubb, a niece, Mrs. Christine Turner McKay, of Port Huron, and a nephew, Clarence Turner.  Miss Nettie Sheffield, of Chicago, is an aunt.
    The funeral plans are not completed pending the arrival of the son of the deceased who has wired he will leave Los Angeles today for Niles.  The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home.  The funeral services probably will not be held before next Thursday.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 14, 1932, page 4, col. 1.

FUNERAL PLANS DELAYED

    Word was received in Niles today at noon from Donald Winlack who is on his way to Niles from Los Angeles, Calif., on account of the death of his father, James Winlack that he will arrive in Niles tomorrow.  Funeral plans will not be completed until he reaches Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 16, 1932, page 4, col. 1.

FUNERAL JAMES WINLACK

    Funeral plans for James Winlack who died last Friday morning and which have been held in abeyance pending the arrival of Donald Winlack, a son of the deceased, from Los Angeles, Calif., were completed today. The services will  be held in the Rutherford Funeral Home at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. The services will be under Masonic auspices with the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church as the officiating minister.  Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)
    

W.J. White
Died September 15, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16,1931, page 4, col. 3.


. . . on Fifth street at 11:30 o'clock last night after a prolonged illness. He was confined to his bed only a short time.  He is survived by his wife and only son, W.A. White, one brother, A.J. White, of Oxford, Ind., and a nephew, P.L. White.  Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon from the Troost and Augustine Funeral Home. Rev. Guy W. Simon will officiate.



    Funeral services for William J. White, 614 South Fifth street, were conducted this afternoon by the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mr. White died on Tuesday evening after a prolonged illness.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)

Merton "Mike" Keech
Died September 16, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16, 1931, page 4, col. 2


    Merton (Mike) Keech, 66, was found dead at 9:30 o'clock this morning in the bathroom of his boarding house at 521 Cedar street.  A sudden heart attack is thought to have caused his death, which occurred probably three hours before the body was discovered.  His step-niece, Mrs. N.S. Oaks, residing three miles northeast of Niles on M-40, with whom he had lived for four years until a month ago when he moved into Niles, was summoned, but no funeral arrangements were made.  Keech returned from Chicago yesterday where he had been in search of employment  and to visit with friends.  He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Eagles.  A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson of Central City, Neb., a niece, Mrs. Cleo Miltonberger, of Niles, a half-sister, Mrs. P.M. McClaughry, of Chicago, and Mrs. Oaks survive him.  He was divorced several years ago.  The body is at the  Rutherford Funeral home, having been taken there at the direction of Mr. Miltonberger.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 4, col. 3


    Plans for the funeral services for Merton Keech, 66, who was found dead in the home at 521 Cedar street, yesterday morning, will be delayed until a daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, arrives from Center City, Neb.  M.A. Rutherford was advised by telegram today that Mrs. Johnson expected to reach Niles early this afternoon to make the funeral plans.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 18, 1931, page 4, col. 1

    Funeral services for Merton Keech were held this morning. The services were in charge of officers of the Niles aerie of Eagles.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mr. Keech was found dead in the bathroom of the house at 521 Cedar street on Wednesday, having suffered a heart attack.  A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, of Center City, Neb., arrived in Niles yesterday and made the funeral plans.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)