Obituaries

Kathryn Callender
Oct. 29, 1858-August 24, 1941


    Mrs. Kathryn Callender, 82, of Route 4, Niles, died Sunday night at 11:15 in Pawating hospital. She had been ill since February of general complications. She was a member of St. Mary's church.
    She was born Oct. 29, 1858, in St. Joseph.  Her husband, Fred M. Callender, died Jan. 10, 1931.  A daughter, Mrs. Anor Rosenberger Clifford, died Sept. 1937. She is survived by a grandson, John Clifford, South Bend.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home.  Requiem high mass will be conducted Wednesday morning at 9 in St. Mary's church by the Rev. Fr. Joseph Rochford.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 25, 1941, page 2 col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Lillian B. (McLanathan) Whitcher
November 28, 1876-September 3, 1941


    Funeral services for Mrs. W.C. Whitcher, who died Wednesday morning in Three Rivers, will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel.  She had been ill for some time.
    Mrs. Whitcher, the former Lillian B. McLanathan, was born in Leavenworth, Kans., Nov. 28, 1876, the daughter of F.H. and Mary McLanathan.  She spent the early years of her life in Kansas City where she was married to Mr. Whitcher in 1905.
    The Whitchers lived in Kansas city several years before coming to Niles.  They lived here 18 years and three years ago moved to Three Rivers.
    Mrs. Whitcher was a member of the Christian Science church and was first reader of the church here for three years.  Mr. Whitcher was formerly general manager of the Dry Kold Refrigerator company here.
    Beside her husband she leaves one son by a former marriage, Frank Woodward, Three Rivers.
    D.N. Wheeler will read the Christian Science service Friday with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  The body will be brought to Niles from Three Rivers just before the service.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, September 4, 1941, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Charles Linsenmier
April 11, 1859-Sept. 3, 1941


    Charles Linsenmier, 82, lifelong resident of Niles community, died Wednesday afternoon at 3:15 at his home on M-40. He had been ill several years.
    Mr. Linsenmier was born April 11, 1859, in Niles and had lived 46 years in the home where he died.  He was the son of William and Fredericka Linsenmier. He was a farmer by occupation.
    On July 22, 1885, he was married in Niles to Matilda Ranft, who preceded him in death.  He was one of a family of nine children.  Two brothers, Fred Linsenmier, Buchanan, and Albert Linsenmier, South Bend, and a sister, Mrs. Ida Nieb, Niles, survive.
    Mr. Linsenmier also is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Weller, and a granddaughter, Miss Allene Weller, at home. A son, Arthur, died several years ago.
    Friends may call at the home on M-40 where funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Burial will be in Silverbrook.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 4, 1941, page 2 col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mary E. Canfield
Died May 21, 1897

Special to the Niles Daily Star,
CHICAGO, Ill., May 21

    As we go to press the sad news is flashed over the wire that Mrs. Canfield died today.  The body will be brought here for interment.
    The family formerly resided here.
Particulars later.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 21, 1897, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)


    Mrs. Mary E. Canfield, formerly of this city, well and pleasantly known, died yesterday at her home 127 Dearborn Avenue, Chicago, aged 60 years.  She was the mother of Bertha E. and Geo. E. Canfield.
    The remains will arrive in NIles at 12:56 p.m. on Monday, and at 2 p.m. short services will be held at the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. J.G. Lowrie.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.  Friends are invited.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 22, 1897, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

also

    The remains of Mrs. Mary E. Canfield, who died in Chicago on the 21st inst., arrived here Monday accompanied by her son and daughter Miss Bertha E. and Mrs. R. Brady of Chicago.  Her brother of Shiawasee Co., Mich., was present and Mrs. M. Martin of St. Joseph accompanied the remains from the depot to Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. J.G. Lowrie officiated in a most appropriate manner.
    Mrs. Canfield will be remembered by many here as one of the most pleasant ladies of our city.  She formerly kept a millinery and dress making store on Main street.

(Source: Niles Mirror, Wednesday, May 26, 1897, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Irvin Miller
May 15, 1868-March 20, 1916


    Irvin Miller, one of the most prominent and highly respected residents of the west side, died suddenly at his home about 11 o'clock last evening before a physician could be summoned.
    Mr. Miller, who has for several years been employed at the Laberteaux grocery store, was around as usual yesterday attending to his customary duties at the store, and in the evening attended the prohibition mass meeting at the tabernacle, which was addressed by Prof. Burton Rockwood in the interest of state wide prohibition.
    Returning to his home at 601 Grant street Mr. Miller prepared to retire for the, but had little more than gone to bed when he was seized with a heart attack.  He was able to arouse the family, but his daughters had scarcely time to answer his call when the end came before a physician could be summoned.
    Mrs. Miller was away from home at the time, being in attendance upon a sick person at the Howe farm, a mile south of Buchanan.  She was notified by telephone of the sad tragedy in her own home and she made the drive to Niles immediately, arriving here in about 30 minutes after being notified of her husband's sudden death.
    The death of Mr. Miller occurring so suddenly gave his wide circle of friends and admirers a great shock when the news became known this morning.  The fact that he had been attending to his daily duties as usual warranted the belief that he was in a fair state of health, although a friend observed yesterday that while walking on the street he had his hand over his heart as if he might have a pain or distress of some kind.
    Mr. Miller's life was devoted to high ideals. He supported every moral issue, and was a recognized pillar of the Grant street Evangelical church of which he had been one of the most active and loyal supporters since the erection of the edifice ten years and more ago.  He attended the district conference regularly as a lay delegate, and last year as a just recognition of his devotion to the church he was sent to San Francisco as one of the accredited Michigan delegates to the national convention of the association.  He was accompanied by Mrs. Miller and they spent several weeks visiting the scenic points of interest on the coast.
    The deceased is survived by his widow and four children.  The latter are the Misses Ilah, Martha and Genevieve, and one son Thomas, all residing at home.
    Mr. Miller was born at Mendon, Michigan, May 15, 1868.  He was married at Mendon to Miss Pearlie Hallam Nov. 10, 1892. One of their five children died in infancy. Besides his immediate family Mrs. Miller is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Margaret Miller, who resides at Mendon, one brother, J.W. Miller, Mendon, and two sisters, Mrs. Perrin Heimbaugh, of Mendon, and Mrs. Harry Garman of Parkville, Mich.
    The funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church Thursday morning at 10:30, the Rev H.I. Voelker of Portage Prairie officiating. The burial will take place at Silver Brook cemetery, this city.

(Source; Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, March 21, 1916, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)



    The funeral services for the late Irvin Miller were held this morning from the Evangelical church in which he had been active ever since coming to Niles and had been superintendent of the Sunday School in that church for a number of years.
    Rev Voelker of the evangelical church on Portage Prairie, conducted the service in the presence of a gathering of friends that completely filled the church edifice.  Miss Frances Whetstone, accompanied by Miss Lardner sang, "Asleep in Jesus" and "Peace, Perfect Peace".
    Rev. E.M. Renner, pastor of the Evangelical church; Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church and Rev. Frye, pastor of the Evangelical church in Buchanan, assisted in the services.
    The following acted as pallbearers:  Walter Martin, Dan Nieb, Andrew Madison, H.B. Laberteaux, William Edwards and Fred Scheiback.
    The casket was covered with beautiful floral tributes.
    Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.
    Among those from out of the city who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. John Miller and son, Ralph, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Garman, Mr. and Mrs. P.H. Heimbaugh, Mrs. Margaret Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hallum, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hallum, all of Mendon, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Miller, of Hinchman, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Miller of Vicksburg.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, March 23, 1916, page 1 col 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Anna Hailstock/Halestock
1817-January 31, 1892


One of our oldest citizens, had been ailing with the grip for some time.  She  was a city charge and the Director of the Poor had seen that she was well card for, medicine, a physician, fuel and eatables being supplied.  She resided in part of a house on Pokagon street, where lived another family.  Sunday afternoon she was discovered lying upon the floor, and was removed to a sofa, a physician was sent for and when he arrived she was dead.  Deceased was about 75 years old.  The funeral occurred this aftenoon at three o'clock.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 1, 1892, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Also

    Mrs. Halestock was found dead at her home yesterday afternoon.  She had been ailing for some time with the grip.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Monday, February 1, 1892, page 1, col. 6, reprinted in Niles Republican, Thursday, February 4, 1892, page 5, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)