Obituaries

Charles H. Couch, Sr.
Sept. 11, 1870-May 15, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 15, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

CHARLES COUCH, 72, SUCCUMBS TODAY

Charles H.  Couch, Sr., 72 resident of Niles 38 years, died at 4:30 this morning in
his home, 533 Lake street, after a two-months illness of a heart ailment.

A native of England, where he was born Sept. 11, 1870, Mr. Couch came to Niles from
Ypsilanti.  His marriage to Mrs. Couch, the former Davona Hubbard, was solemnized March 21,
1894, in Belleville, Mich.

With Mrs. Couch, he operated the Lake Street greenhouse 22 years, and sold out
early this month because of ill health. He also had been employed by the Michigan Central
railroad and was a member of Modern Woodmen of America.

Funeral Monday

Surviving with his widow are five children, Miss Lena Couch and Charles Couch, Jr.
Niles; Miss Nellie Couch, South Haven; William Couch, Chesterton, Ind., and Frank Couch,
Coldwater.  He also leaves four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home, where the service will be
conducted Monday afternoon at 3:30 by the Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

MRS. MINNIE BUTTS

1884-1951

    Mrs. Minnie Butts, 1323 Maple street, died at 7 p.m. Saturday at Pawating hosptial.
She had been in poor health for two years.  Her husband, Frank, died in 1947.
    Surviving are one brother, Nick Rau, of Niles; one sister, Mrs. Ed Larson, of
Niles, and nieces and nephews.
    Mrs. Butts was born on June 26, 1884, in Niles, and had lived here all her life.
She was member of the Order of Eastern Star.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2
p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor. Burial will be in
Silverbrook cemetery.

Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, Dec. 24 1951, page 2 col. 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

 

Charles H. Reum

Died September 25, 1938

CHARLES H. REUM CLAIMED BY DEATH
PROMINENT RETIRED FARMER, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF COMMUNITY, STRICKEN

    Confined to his bed for the last 18 months, Charles H. Reum, widely known Niles
farmer, died at 12:30 o'clock Sunday morning in his home near the Bell School, south of
Niles.
    Mr. Reum was 81 years old.  He was born in Milton township, Cass county, and had
spent his entire life in this vicinity. He had lived for the last 50 years in the home in
which he died.
    He leaves his widow, the former Christiana E. Doehrer, whom he married in Niles in
1884, a son, Arthur J., Mishawaka; three daughters, Mrs. Laura M. Rupel, Niles; Mrs. Carrie
M. Schafer and Mrs. Lydia N. Rupel, South Bend; three brothers, Yust C., Chris E., and
William C., Niles; also two sisters, Mrs. Anna Schwartz and Mrs. Mary Beehler, Niles.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday atfernoon[sic] in the Reum home,
and at 2:30 o'clock in the St. John's Evangelical church of which Mr. Reum was a member.
    Rites will be conducted by the Rev. Theo Eisen, with burial in Silverbrook
cemetery.
    Friends may call at the Reum home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star,, Monday, Sept. 26, 1938, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library)

Magdalene/Madeline Whetstone
October 29, 1855 - November 8, 1910

MRS. M. WHETSTONE HAS GONE BEYOND

Highly Esteemed Niles Resident

HAD SUFFERED ILL HEALTH

For Some Time—Many Relatives and Friends Who Will Mourn Her Demise

            Mrs. Magdalene Whetstone died last evening at 10:55 at her home on north Fifth street.  She was the eldest of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Forler, and was born at Wellesley, Ontario, Oct. 29, 1855.

            She was married May 11, 1876, (Centennial year) to Charles Whetstone of this city, who died several years ago.  Six children were born to them: William G. and George Whetstone of Butte, Montana, Mrs. Thomas Donnelly, of Detroit, Helena, Francis and Carl, who live in the beloved Niles home, and whose watchful devotion soothed and comforted their mother through her long and painfull[sic] illness.  The prayers and sympathy of their friends are with them in the heartbreaking separation.

            Her mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven.  The surviving sisters and brothers are Mrs. Joseph Remicke[sic], (wife of Rev. Joseph Remick) Marion, Ohio, Mrs. Alfred Massnick of Bay City, Mich., Mrs. J.G. Kaiser of Chicago, Mrs. Oscar Massnick of Detroit, and William S. Forler, George A. Forler, John Forler of Niles and Henry Forler of Detroit.

            Mrs. Whetstone was an ernest[sic], zealous communicant of Trinity church, also a member of the Eastern Star.

            Brave, patient, kind, unselfish, firm in friendship, with “charity to all,” she lived among us a life “without reproach.”  We shall miss her sadly in church and guild where her enthusiasm and cheerfulness were “a tower of strength;” but we realize that with her “all is well.”

She rests with him whose loving care,
Attends her in that land most fair
Of which—with Faith’s uplifted eyes,
We catch a glimpse—Sweet Paradise!

The funeral will take place from home, Sunday afternoon, Rev. G. Huntington will officiate.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery. 

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Nov. 9, 1910, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ira Alexander Lambert

June 27, 1870

DIED

In this city of the 27th inst. of Consumption, IRA ALEXANDER LAMBERT, son of James Lambert, aged 24 years.

    A few minutes after sunset at the close of one the most beautiful days of the year, his spirit gently passed away.
    He was a person of rare modesty, and but few knew what an intellect was concealed under his quiet, unassuming brow, but those friends to whom he revealed himself were filled with admiration at his cultivated mind and real genius.  At school, for many years, he stood at the head of his class, and astonished his teachers by the talents he displayed.  His special gift was his power of composition, and the rudest of his school productions are either finished essays or pleasing tales.  He seemed to delight in writing and from his busy pen and fertile brain came in quick succession for several years stories and essays, some of which would rank well in comparison with similar productions appearing in the magazines of the day.
    He was busily engaged in preparation for College when attacked with the fatal disease that ended his life, and during the last five years had been unable to study at all.  Yet even under this great disappointment, and while suffering almost constantly, he never gave way to fruitless grief, but bore his affliction patiently and with a Christian spirit. When he began to feel a few weeks ago that the battle was almost over and the victory nearly won, he rejoiced in the hope of immortality, and spoke with pleasure of the comforting thought that his weary lustrum of pain would soon be ended.
    Had he lived he would have obtained a name and reputation as an author; men would willingly have given him honor and reverence, his story would have been remembered and memory cherished by multitudes many score years after his departure.
    But it was not so to be, for the most perfect and beautiful buds often wither before they bloom.  He has escaped the toils and dangers of this life-has exchanged the dust and tumult of our world for the joy and perfect rest of the hereafter.  His few short years amongst us were well spent, and now "After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well."  F.H.B.  (Source: Niles Democrat, Saturday, July 2, 1870, page 3, col. 4; microfilm Niles District Library)

Lucy A. (Jarvis) Berrick

Feb. 25, 1843-Jan. 23, 1885

DIED, January 23, 1885, Mrs. Lucy A. Berrick, age 41 years, 10 months and 29 days.  The subject of his sketch was the daughter of Burton and Elizabeth Jarvis.  Her health became impaired by taking a severe cold; and being of a consumptive habit, the case soon showed a diminution of bodily vigor, followed by emaciation, cough, shortness of breath, and a very unsatisfactory state of the digestive organs, etc.  Thus for twenty-two months she struggled with the disease, gradually growing weaker, until January 11, when her case became very much aggravated by a sudden paralysis of the right side, and also the organs of speech, so that it was impossible to articulate a distinct word, and in this state she continued until the 23d, when death came to her relief.  Mrs. Berrick will be remembered for her probity and her devotion to the cause of truth.. She loved and trusted Him who is the Savior of a lost race.  She was an affectionate daughter and a faithful wife.  Her memory will be revered by her friends and her name will ever be held in grateful remembrance by the poor whose hearts were often made glade by her hand of charity.  Her future is assured by Him who is the resurrection and the life.  May we who remain imitate her virtues and trust Him who “gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” 

 (Source: Buchanan Record, Thurs. January 29, 1885, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)