James Sarley
1892-1942


    James Sarley, Sr., 50, co-owner of the Sarley and Biek Sheet Metal company, died at 1:45 Sunday morning in his farm home on M-60 east, after a few hours illness of heart trouble.
    Sarley came from Chicago, where he was born May 13, 1892, to the Howard township farm in 1932.  He farmed until 1935 after which he was employed one years by the Tyler Fixture corporation and in 1936 joined the staff of the Schoolcraft Sheet Metal Works.
    On Jan. 1, 1941, he formed a partnership with Ray C. Biek, formerly of Dowagiac, and bought the works from Frank Schoolcraft.
    Surviving with his widow, the former Hannah Ulrich to whom he was married April 18, 1814 in Chicago, are three sons and a daughter, Warren, Virginia, and James Sarley, Jr., Niles and Willard Sarley, who is stationed at Scottfiled, Ill.
    He also leaves his mother, Mrs. Marie A Sarley, Chicago; a grandson, Robert Earl Earley, Niles; and six brothers and two sisters, Rocco, Ernest and Anthony Sarley, Mrs. L. Worts and Mrs. John Passarella, all of Chicago; Michael Sarley, Antioch, Ill.; Ralph Sarley, Elmwood Park, Ill., and Frank Sarley, Aurora, Ill.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where the service will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 (EWT). The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 5, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Lena White

1879-1942

    Ill only a few minutes after suffering a heart attack, Mrs. Lena Pearl White, 65, died at 9:30 Sunday night in her home at 1029 North Front street.
    A resident of Niles 35 years, she was active in the Methodist church and its Berean class and Women's Society of Christian Service, and in the Niles Musical club.
    Mrs. White was born on a farm north of Niles July 22, 1879, a daughter of the late Justus and Eliza Steiner. She was married to Louis  Hammond in 1900 in Decatur after which she moved to Kalamazoo and then to Niles.  She is survived by George S. White, to whom she was married in 1913.

    She also leaves a daughter, Miss Stella Lou Hammond, a teacher in the Pontiac public schools; two brothers, William Steiner, Niles, and Frank Steiner, South Bend, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Wells, Dowagiac.
    Friends may call at the White home where the funeral will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3 by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday Oct. 5, 1942, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

    Edmund H. Power passed away this morning at 2 o'clock at his home, 138 St. Joseph avenue, after about 10  months' illness from a complication of lung and heart diseases.  However, it was only during the past few months that he was compelled to retire from active business interests. He has since gradually failed until released from his sufferings by death.
    Mr. Power was born in Tonowanda, N.Y., Feb. 25, 1843. While yet a young man he enlisted in the United States Navy at New York and actively served his country during the Civil War in this capacity. Retiring from the navy he came to Niles to engage in the plumbing business with his uncle, the late John Kinsley[sic Kingsley], and later went into business for himself and since hd[sic] engaged in this pursuit until his impaired health compelled to retire.  During these years his sons had also associated themselves with him in this business.  Mr. Power has resided in Niles for about 45 years.
    The deceased was united in marriage to Miss Mary Park of this city in March, 1867. The union was blessed with five children, four of whom are left to mourn with the widow in their great loss.  The children are Robert, Paris, Ill.; Edmund H. of Shadron, Neb.; Horace G. of Niles, and Mrs. James Smith of South Bend.  Another son, Ralph, met a tragic death on the railroad several years ago.
    Mr. Power's demise has caused a profound sorrow among the large circle of friends and business associates, whose confidence and high esteem he has enjoyed during his many years of residence here. He was an upright citizen and his sterling traits of character were manifested impartially in his dealings with all with whom he came in contact.  In his demise the family are thus bereft of a most unselfish and devoted husband and father.
    The funeral will be held from the late residence Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock under the auspices of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, F.&A.M. of which the deceased had been a member over 40 years.  Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church with which he was identified will be the officiating minister.
    Mr. Power was also a member of Union Camp, W.O.W., in which order he had been clerk for the past 10 years.
(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, January 16, 1909, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Donald Lee Linn
1903-1997
retired Simplicity electrician

    Funeral services for Donald Lee Linn were today at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles.  Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mr. Linn died Friday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m., at the home of his stepson, Dick Priebe, Granger, Ind., of natural causes.
    He was born Sept. 10, 1930[sic 1903], in Niles.
    On Jan. 16, 1970, in Niles he married the former Velma Davis Priebe, who survives.
    Mr. Linn graduated from Niles High School in 1950.  He retired in 1993 from Simplicity Pattern Co., as an electrician.  He served in the Air Force in the Korean Conflict.
    Survivors include a stepson, Dick Priebe of Granger; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren;  two sisters, Jean Harper of Dowagiac, and Mae Messenger of Dowagiac; two half-sisters, Beverly Nelson of Michigan, and Fae Weesaw of Michigan; a half-brother, Rowley Linn of Michigan.  A brother, Roy E. Linn, preceded him in death in 1987.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Twin City Baptist Church, Mishawaka, Ind.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 22, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Velma L. Linn
1916-1998

    Funeral services for Velma L. Linn, 823 E. Park Drive, Niles, 82, are Thursday at 10 a.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mrs. Linn died Monday at 12:08 p.m. at Regency Place, South Bend, Ind. of natural causes.
    She was born March 19, 1916 in Niles and she was a homemaker.
    Her husband, Donald Linn, preceded her in death Sept. 17, 1997.
    Mrs. Linn attended Twin Cities Baptist Church in Mishawaka, Ind.
    Survivors include a son, Dick Priebe, Sr. of Granger, Ind.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers.
    Friends may call Wednesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Twin Cities Baptist Church.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 24, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Sarah E. Truman, 59
Aug. 28, 1891-April 12, 1951

    Sarah E. Truman, of rural route six, died at 8 a.m. today in her home after an illness of two years. Her husband, Frank, died on Dec. 19, 1949.
    Surviving are three step-daughters, Mrs. Frances Kenton and Mrs. Jane Paquette, of Niles, and Mrs. Josephine Knebel, of South Bend, and a step-son Jack Truman, of Niles.  Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Ida Biller, of Elkhart, Ind., and Mrs. Mayme Kronewitter, of Niles.
    Mrs. Truman was born on Aug. 28 1891, in Milford, Ind., and came here from Elkhart 20 years ago.
    Friends may call at the residence until noon on Saturday, when the body will be returned to the Pifer funeral home.  The Rev. M.D. Elston, pastor of the Church of God, will officiate at the 3 p.m. Saturday service in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 12, 1951, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)