Edna Marian (Frazier) Johnson
Feb. 23, 1934 — Nov. 19, 2010

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 22, 2010, page 2, Published Online 10:52pm Sunday, November 21, 2010

Edna M. Johnson, 76, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, 2010 at Riveridge Nursing Home, following an extended illness.

She was born on Feb. 23, 1934 in Hartford, Mich. to the late Darrel and Ida Alice (Weaver) Frazier.

On Oct. 16, 1950 Edna married James E. Johnson Sr. at a ceremony in Osceola, Ark. He preceded her in death in 1976.

Edna was retired from the Green Giant Mushroom Factory and from home healthcare. She was a member of Coulter’s Chapel Church of God in Niles for many years. Edna enjoyed, cooking and canning, growing flowers, gardening and ceramics. She also raised birds for many years and had large aquariums. Edna mostly loved spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, granddaughter Carmen Jaynesa, a brother David Frazier and a sister Lois Barboza.

Edna is survived by three daughters, Martha (James) Anderson of Louisville, Ohio, Tina Magner of Elkhart and Edna (Craig) Albright of Niles; son James (Melinda) Johnson Jr. of Edwardsburg; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Mary (James) Taylor of Combs, Ark.; brothers Allen Frazier of Niles and Darrel (Sugar) Frazier of New Mexico.

A time of visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Wayne Mikel officiating. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Edna’s memory to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

David Strachan,
Jan. 2, 1935 — Nov. 20, 2010

Published NILES DAILY STAR, 8:58pm Monday, November 22, 2010

David Charles Strachan, 75, of Hospital Road, Cassopolis, died at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 in the arms of his daughter, Gwen Nelson, with the caring staff of Cass County Medical Facility nearby.

David Strachan, 75

He was born Jan. 2, 1935 in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada to Alexander and Lily (Schubert) Strachan. He graduated from Yreka (Calif.) High School and attended college in Elko, Nev.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Air Force, and then drove for Greyhound Bus Lines for 26 safe years. He had lived in this area since 1995.

David’s greatest interest was horses. He owned and operated Strachan Appaloosas, including Last Finale W, a nationally ranked stud who is known by his stable name, “Bill.” David was a member of the Southwestern Michigan Appaloosa Horse Club and a life member of the National Rifle Association.

He had a great appreciation for the equestrian activities of Pastor Pat Robertson, and came to know Jesus through the “The 700 Club.”

David was proud of his family’s history, which includes Catherine O’Hare, well-known in western Canada as a pioneer to that territory. He also enjoyed movies on history, Westerns and “Star Trek.”

He was previously married to the former Lena Murphy.

Surviving family includes his children, Gwendolyn Gay (Dale) Nelson of Niles, Andrea Jean (Jack) Strachan-Okell of Elko, Nev., Brian Alexander Strachan of Birmingham, Ala. and David Curtis (Mary M. Stevens) Strachan of Springfield, Mo.; grandchildren, Mark (Kim) Nelson, Justin and Jeremy Strachan and Tristany, Dane and Kaylee Strachan; great-grandchildren, Abigal, Madelyn, Angel, Marie, Elise, Amelia, Rylie and Haylie; his sister, Jeanette (Bob) Gough of Seattle, Wa.; one niece; two nephews; and a former daughter-in-law, Kimberly Shorter-Kakunes.

Services for David Charles Strachan will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home for a procession to Silverbrook Cemetery, to meet a horse-drawn wagon for the final journey to the grave for services by Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy.

The service will conclude with full military honors by an honor guard of the United States Air Force and American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.

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

Contributions in memory of David may be made to the patient activity fund at the Cass County Medical Care Facility.

Carole Klebbe
Sept. 22, 1934 — Nov. 23, 2010

Published in Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Carole Judith Klebbe, 76, of Miami Road in Niles and formerly of Berwyn, Ill., died at 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend following an extended illness.

Carole was born Sept. 22, 1934 in Berwyn, Ill to Richard C. and Clara J. (Behnke) Klebbe, Sr. Carole moved to Niles in 1996 from Berwyn. She retired after more than 30 years of service at Continental Insurance Co. in Chicago.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Oak Park, Ill. and later became a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles.

She enjoyed reading, gardening, crafts, knitting, shopping, attending craft shows and most of all spending time with her family.

Carole is survived by her sister, Lois E. Freske of Niles; nieces and nephews, Grace (John) Parshall of Coldwater, Mich. Judith (Ken) Hoese of Niles, Robert (Julie) Freske of South Bend, Kathy (Larry) McLaughlin of Niles and Richard (Cyndi) Freske of White Pigeon, Mich.; 11 great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great nieces and nephews.

Carole was preceded in death by her brother, Richard C. Klebbe, Jr., who died in 1971; and brother-in-law, Robert W. Freske, who died Oct. 9, 1984.

Funeral services for Carole Judith Klebbe will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

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

Contributions in memory of Carole may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church Building Fund, the Berrien County Cancer Service or Brian Park Foundation.

Melvina D. Lock Fuller
1821-July 21, 1871

Niles Democrat, Saturday, July 29, 1871, page 3, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    In this city, on the 21st instant, Mrs. Melvina Lock, wife of A.E. Fuller, aged 50 years and 6 months.  For twenty years a resident of Niles, Mrs. Fuller had won for herself large place in the affections of the people.  Her end was peace.

Niles Republican, Thursday, July 27, 1871, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FULLER--In this city, July 21st, Melvina D. Lock Fuller, wife of Andrew E. Fuller, of consumption, aged 50 years and 6 months.

Horace J. Boulton
June 20, 1872-November 19, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 20, 1936, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    In the death of Horace John Boulton, 64, at Pawating hospital Thursday afternoon, Nies lost a citizen who had lived here 32 years and the Kawneer company its oldest employe.
    Mr. Boulton died after a brief illness of pleural pneumonia with which was stricken Saturday.
    He came to Niles from Chicago 32 years ago.  He had been employed in the Kawneer plant for nearly 30 years, joining the organization a few weeks after it was established here.
    F.J. Plym spoke of Mr. Boulton this morning in terms of highest commendation.  "The company appreciated Mr. Boulton and his fine loyal service extending over nearly 30 years." Mr. Plym said, "Mr. Boulton came to the Kawneer when the company employed about 12 men and had continued in its service until the time of his last illness.  He was always reliable and dependable."
    Mr. Boulton, who lived at 117 North Tenth street, was born in Nottingham, England, June 20, 1872.  He came to Niles from Chicago in 1904 and two years afterward stared work for the Kawneer, where, prior to his death, he was in charge of rolling machine production.
    Beside his wife, Mrs. Lucy Boulton, to whom he was maried[sic] in Chicago in November, 1902, he leaves two sons, Irving and Leslie H., both of Niles; two brothers, William, of Chicago, and Albert, Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Gertie Mellien, Lake Geneva, Wis.
    Friends are asked to call at the Rutherford mortuary until Saturday noon when the body will be removed to the First Baptist church, of which Mr. Boulton was a member. It will lie in state there from 1 to 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, the hour of the funeral.  The Rev. J.F. Goodman will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Louisa Kingston
March 3, 1884-November 15, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 16, 1936, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Louisa Kingston, 52, of 1802 North Fifth street, died at 12:10 o'clock Sunday morning at Pawating hospital following a several month illness.
    Born in Sutton Middlesex, Eng., Mar. 3, 1884 Mrs. Kingston moved to Niles about 35 years ago from Bay City, Mich.
    She was twice maried[sic], the first time to Herman Wurz, who died in 1919.  In 1926, she was marired[sic] to Dan Kingston in Niles.
    Beside her husband she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rchard[sic] Shipperley, Detroit; one son, Ray L. Wurz, Cleveland; seven brothers and one sister, Albert and Robert, Flint, William, Elmer, Arthur and Neil, Detroit, James, Niles and George of Buchanan; also four grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Price and Kiger chapel with the Rev. Thomas Rice, of the Buchanan Methodist church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  The body will lie in state at the Kingston home until 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.  Friends may call at the home.