Obituaries

Mrs. Ernest Densborn
1896-1957

    Mrs. Blanche Densborn, 61, wife of Ernest Densborn of 11 North State Street died at 1:10 a.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital after a two-year illness. She had been a patient at the hospital six days.
    Born March 21, 1896 in Howard County, Ind., she married her husband, Dec. 25, 1916 in Kokomo, Ind.  They moved to Niles from Kokomo 31 years ago.
    Mrs. Densborn is survived by her husband, a son, Donald L. Densborn of Niles, four grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. L.O. Miller of Kokomo, and a brother, J.D. Preble of LaGrange, Ill.
    Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday  by the Rev. John G. Carlton, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 13, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Sophronia Densmore
1811-1893

The Republican, Thursday, December 6, 1893, page 7, col. 3

    Mrs. Sophronia Densmore, mother of the late Jay Densmore, died yesterday at the residence of William C. Rice, on Main street.

The Daily Star, Wednesday, December 20, 1893, page 2, col. 2

    Mrs. Sophronia Densmore, died on Dec. 6 aged 82 years.  Mrs. Densmore was born in Washington county, N.Y., in the year 1811.  When a young woman she emigrated to western New York and settled in the township of Kendall, Orleans county. There she met and married her husband, Artemas Densmore, who died about thrty-five years ago.  Two children were born to them. One daughter, who died some years since in Seattle, Washington, and one son, Joy[sic] Densmore, who died two years ago in this city.  Mrs. Densmore after her widowhood, continued her residence in Orleans county, principally in the village of Albion, until she came to Niles, some seven years since, to the home from whence she was buried.  At the age of 18 years she united with the Baptist church and has always been identified with that denomination.  Rev. Chas. Ager conducted the funeral services.

George Graham

Died April 21, 1894

    George Graham, aged 46 years, died at his home on Second street last Saturday night, of cancer. The deceased leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters.  The family came here from LaPorte last September, and Mr. Graham had been confined to his bed most of the time since his arrival in the city.  The funeral occurred Monday afternoon.
(Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, April 26, 1894, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Roger J. Wood
1912-1994
Retired nuclear engineer
for Westinghouse Co.

    Funeral services for Roger J. Wood, 81, of 3950 Colony Cove Trail, Jacksonville, Fla., are 10 a.m. Friday at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery by the St. Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F.&A.M. of Niles.
    Wood died Monday at Riverside Hospital, Jacksonville, following an extended illness.
    Born Nov. 25, 1912, in Niles, where he was born, raised and lived at the family home located at 620 E. Main St., until 1964.
    On Nov. 14, 1936, in Portland, Ore., he married the former Marjorie Fay, who preceded him in death on Sept. 15 1978.
    Wood attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and Coast Guard.  He retired from Westinghouse Co. where he worked as a Nuclear Engineer as the resident Engineer on the USS Enterprise and later did research and development at U.S. foreign and off-shore power plants.  He also helped with his family's business, Niles Steel Tank.  Wood was an active member in Masonic activities in each community in which he lived.
    Survivors include a daughter, Christina L. Wood of Jacksonville; a grandson, Christopher D.W. Severs; a sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.
    Wood was preceded in death by a son, Roger Jeffery Wood on July 31, 1972, and a brother, Lucian Wood on June 4, 1994.
    There will be no visitation.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Shrine Burn Center, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.  
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 23, 1994, page 2, col. 1&2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Edson (Ellen) Wood
Died December 6, 1893

    Mrs. Edson Wood, formerly of this city, died at her home in Benton Harbor yesterday. Her remains will be buried in Silver Brook cemetery in this city on Saturday next.  (Source:  The (Niles, Mich.) Republican, Thursday, December 7, 1893, page 7 col 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Word comes from Benton Harbor that Mrs. Ed Wood died very suddenly this morning of heart disease.  Until lately she resided in this city.  Mrs. Sarah Coats is her sister.  The remains will probably be brought here for interment.  A husband and four children mourn her loss.  (Source: Niles Mirror, Wednesday, December 6, 1893, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Edson Wood
Died May 27, 1886

    Mr. Edson Wood, one of the old settlers of this county, died at his home near this city, May 27th, at the ripe old age of 80 years.  He was a man of spotless character and indomitable industry, and was as a matter of course, highly esteemed by a very large circle of friends and acquaintances.  A good man has been gathered to his fathers. (Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, June 3, 1886, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Edson Wood, another of the old land marks, died at his residence in Niles township on the morning of the 27th, aged 80 years. He leaves a widow aged 82 years, and several sons and daughters.  He has been a resident of this county over 40 years.  (Source:  Niles Mirror, Wednesday, June 2, 1886, page 5, col 1, and reprinted in Buchanan Record, Thursday, June 3, 1886, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Edson Wood, an old and esteemed citizen died at his home in Niles township on Thursday morning last, aged about eighty years.  (Source:  Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 5, 1886, page 5, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library)