Obituaries

Mrs. Lettitia G. Murphy
Died Sept. 5, 1870

    At her Father's house, three miles west of Niles, Sept. 5, 1870, Mrs. LETTITIA G. MURPHY, aged 27 years, daughter of Mrs. JOHN PLATTS.

(Source:  Niles Republican, Thursday, Sept. 8, 1870, page 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marie E. McLauchlin
July 28, 1909-March 30, 1999

    Funeral services for Marie E. (Holloway) McLauchlin, 89, 125 Silverbrook Ave., Niles, will be Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Leon Roggen of Niles.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mrs. McLauchlin died Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at her home following an extended illness.
    She was born July 28, 1909, in Delta, Ohio.  She had lived here since 1921 coming from Ohio.
    On Dec. 31, 1933, in Niles, she married Clarence E. McLauchlin, who survives.
    Mrs. McLauchlin was formerly a telephone operator and also worked at Western Union.
    She was a member of the Church of the Saviour, NIles, Phi Chi Epsilon Society and the Niles Music Club.  She enjoyed sewing and reading.
    Surviving family also includes a son, Larry McLauchlin of Grand Haven; three sisters, Olive Camp of Buchanan, Charlene Parker of Niles and Jackie Womack of Niles, three grandsons and four great-grandchildren.
    Friends may call one hour prior to the services at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 31, 1999, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

DOSHER FRANK ORRICK
1907-1986

    Dosher Frank Orrick, 78, 2471 Lake St., Niles, died at 1:20 a.m. Sunday in his residence following an extended illness.
    He was a retired employee of U.S. Aviex Co. and a member of the Church of Christ.
    Born May 14, 1907, in Warren County, Tenn., he lived in this area since 1935, coming from Tennessee.
    On May 15, 1936 in South Bend, Ind., he married Opal Tucker, who survives.
    Also surviving are a son, Willard Orrick of Niles; two sisters, Lena Williamson and Vera Hendricks, both of McMinnville, Tenn.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
    Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Robert F. Morris of the Church of Christ officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 20, 1986, page 2, col 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library)

JOHN M. BABBITT
1896-1966

John Babbitt Dies; Lumber Firm Owner

    John M. Babbitt, 70, died at 6:15 a.m. today at Pawating Hosptial where he had been a  patient about two weeks.
    He operated the Babbitt Lumber Company here for 50 years and was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Niles.
    Born July 13, 1896, in Crawfordsville, Ind., he came to Niles in 1907 from Louisville, Ky.  On Aug. 7, 1924, he married Fay Smith in Niles.
    Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Mrs. Milo L. Ruetz, Niles and two grandchildren.
    In addition to the chamber, he was also a member of the Niles Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, Niles Elks Club, Fraternal Order of Police, NIles American Legion Post 26, the Pickwick Club and St. Mary's Catholic Church.
    His tenure as president of the chamber was from 1932-1933. He was also a director of the Northern Indiana-Southern Michigan Retail Lumberman's Association.
    In 1914, he went into business with his father, W.L. Babbitt.  During World War I, he enlisted in the Navy.
    Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 p.m., at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.  Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
    The family has asked that memorials be given to charities.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 12, 1966, page 2, col. 2&3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Walter R. Worm
1908-1975

    Niles--Walter R. Worm, 67, of Thompson Rd., died at 6:25 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital.
    An Army veteran of World War II, he was born March 6, 1908, in South Bend, and lived in Niles most of his lifetime.
    Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Dittmar of Niles.
    Funeral services will  be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home with Lawrence Lee of the New Apostolic Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
    Military rite to be conducted by the LaRue Messenger Post 26 of the American Legion.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 3, 1975, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

RAY E. DEPOY
Oct. 14, 1900-Feb. 16, 1959

Ray E. DePoy, 58, of 1929 Niles-Buchanan Road, retired Niles automobile dealer, died Monday evening in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Mr. DePoy, a charter member of the Niles Lions Club and a past deputy district governor, was born Oct. 14, 1900, in Winamac, Ind., and came to Niles in 1926 from South Bend.  He also was a member of the New Carlisle, Ind., Masonic Lodge.
Surviving are: his widow, Dorothy; two sons, William E. DePoy, of Niles, and Leslie J. DePoy, of Constantine; five grandchildren; three brothers, William E. and Ralph DePoy, both of Niles, and George DePoy, of LaPorte, Ind., and a sister, Mrs. Carol Carr, of Rolling Prairie, Ind.
Friends may call beginning Friday evening at the Pifer Funeral Home where arrangements are incomplete.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 17, 1959, page 2 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)