Obituaries

Alton Monroe Tomlinson
October, 16, 1874-May 18, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 19, 1941, p. 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

A. M. TOMLINSON,, NILES RESIDENT 20 YEARS, IS DEAD

Alton Monroe Tomlinson, 1138 Fort street, died Sunday night at 6 in Berrien Center after an illness of two years. He was a member of the Baptist church and the Modern Woodman of America.

Mr. Tomlinson was born October 17, 1874 in Buchanan and come to Niles 20 years ago. He was married July 27, 1898 in Buchanan to Rachel Huff who survives.

He is also survived by a son, Harold; a grandchild, Catherine Jane; an aunt, Mrs. D.D. Pangborn and a niece Mrs. Clyde Catterlin, all of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Alta Boyer, Seattle, Wash. He was a machinist.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2. The Rev. Floyd Johnson will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

John Herkimer
Died March 31, 1906

John Herkimer, residing five miles southwest of the city, died this morning at 5 o’clock at his home. The deceased was about 42 years of age and died from chronic valvular heart trouble, with which he has suffered for several months.

He leaves a wife and two children, besides a sister, Mrs. James Thomson, residing west of Niles; a brother, Dr. C.R. Herkimer of Dowagiac, and a mother, Mrs. J. Herkimer, who resided with him. The deceased was born here and has always lived in this vicinity. The funeral will take place from the house Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. C.E. Marvin of the Presbyterian church officiating. The body will like in state all day Tuesday. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sat. March 31, 1906, page 3, col. 3)

Rebecca Blanchard
Nov. 6, 1868-Feb. 1, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 3, 1958, page 2, col. 4,  microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. REBECCA BLANCHARD

            Mrs. Rebecca Blanchard, 89, of 839 North 11^th Street, died at 12:25 p.m. Saturday in the Quick Convalescent Home here following an illness of several years.  Her Husband, Edward, died in 1945.

            Mrs. Blanchard was born Nov. 6, 1868, in New York State and came to Niles 50 years ago from Berrien Springs.

Surviving are:  two sons, Wilbur E. and Lewis E. Blanchard, both of Niles; four daughters: Mrs. Edgar Adams, Mrs. Robert Badgero and Mrs. George Fink, all Niles, and Mrs. Frank Ribble, Mishawaka, Ind.; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Louis P. Drolet
May 14, 1925-May 19, 1993

    Niles--Retired pharmacist and former city alderman Louis P. Drolet, 68, of 1401 Broadway St., died Wednesday evening at his home.
    Drolet was a second-ward Alderman and was owner of Drolet's Main Oak Pharmacy.  He also owned Drolet's mini mall and Drolet properties.
    Funeral services for Drolet are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark Catholic Church with the Rev. Staley E. Sulka, pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, officiating.
    Born May 14, 1925, in Buchanan, he was a lifetime area resident.
    On June 5, 1948, he married Donna P. Drolet, who survives.
    He was a registered pharmacist and was an alderman from 1978-1982.  He represented the city of Niles on the Southwestern Michigan Commission.
    Drolet was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.
    He was twice past president of the Niles Lions Club.  He was active in the Lions Club Leader Dog Committee for many years.  He was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and St. Mark Catholic Church.
    Survivors include five daughters, Mary Ellen Drolet of Niles, Martha Watrud of Middleton, Wisc., Margaret Hansen of Niles, Marla Stuver of Niles and Marissa Ryder of Niles; eight grandchildren; a sister, Mary Reilly of Flint and three brothers, Alfred Drolet of Phoenix, Daniel Drolet of Battle Creek and George Drolet of Phoenix.
    Friends may call Friday after 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.  A Rosary service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Lions Club or "Support the Fort."

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 20, 1993, page 1, col. 1 and Friday, May 21, 1993, page 2. Microfilm Niles District Library)

Arthur Howard Roe

Died June 7, 1933

FUNERAL RITES FOR A.H. ROE HELD SATURDAY
In Business Here Many Years; Passed Away Wednesday After Long Illness

    Arthur Howard Roe, a resident of Buchanan for the past twenty-five years, passed into the Great Unknown at 9:50 p.m. June 7, 1933, following a long illness. Except thirteen years spent in Pullman, Ill., he had lived in Buchanan and Niles most of his life.
    On January 15, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Rinehardt of Niles.  After 54 years of comradeship, she, with their daughter, Ada Lou Armbruster of Bloomington, Ill., and their son, George Scott Roe, of Buchanan, mourn the departure of a most loyal husband and affectionate father.
    He was affiliated with Buchanan F. & A. M. No. 58, Sylvia chapter, Order of Eastern Star No., 74 and the St. Joseph Valley chapter No. 2.
    A sister, Mrs. Clara Richards, and a brother, Herbert Roe, both of Buchanan, together with more distant relatives and many admiring and faithful friends are left to follow him.
    Christian Science services were held at the home at 2:30 p.m. June 10, conducted by Mrs. George Mathie, reader, and Masonic services at the Hamilton Funeral Home at 3 p.m. and burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery, Niles.
    Out of town relatives and friends attending were:  Mrs. Rebecca Ellis and William Reinhardt of Racine, Wis.; Mrs. Louisa Ross and Mrs Aline Dean, Jackson;; Mr. and Mrs. dean Ferris, Allegan; Mrs. C.O. Montague and son, Elmo, of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Arza Ball and son clifford, Niles; Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Ball, Niles.

(Source: Berrien County Record, Thursday, June 15, 1933, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)

John Edward Oakes Sr.
1965-1995
enjoyed hunting and fishing

    Funeral services for John Edward Oakes, Sr., 30 of 8418 Dean's Hill Road, Berrien Center, will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Morton J. Hempel of Church of God Full Gospel.
    Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mr. Oakes died at 5 a.m. Saturday, at Berrien General Hospital in Berrien Center, following an extended illness.
    He was born Jan. 18, 1965, in Wilson, Ark., and had lived in Niles since 1966, coming from Arkansas.
    On July 20, 1981, in Cassopolis, he married the former Edna Rae "Rainy" Hamilton, who survives.
    Mr. Oakes was an employee of Royal Marble In Niles.
    He attend[sic] Church of God Full Gospel and was a sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing.
    In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, John Edward Oakes, Jr.,  David William Oakes, and Dustin Michael Oakes, all at home; her[sic] father, William E. Oakes of Houston; her[sic] mother, Mary Ann Oakes of Murry Ark.; and two brothers, Roger Dale Oakes and James Edward Oakes, both of Houston.
    Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
 (Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 21, 1995, page 2, col. 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)