Nellie L. Knapp
July 24, 1921-Sept. 1, 2001

Nellie L. Knapp, 80, of 2289 S. 14th Street, Niles, MI, died at 7 a.m. Saturday, September 1, 2001, in her home of natural causes.

She was born on July 24, 1921 in Mode, IL. She was a waitress at Kuglers. She was also a member of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church, Niles.

On July 8, 1946, in Niles, MI, she married Ira Knapp and he survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Crystal R. (Eric) Napper of Niles; three sons, David Lee (Connie) Knapp, Robin L. Knapp and Dennis J. (Sherry) Knapp, all of Niles; seven sisters, Myrtle C. Hoese (Glen, deceased), Niles, Vesta V. Buckley (William dec.), Violet V. Sullivan (Joseph dec.), Florence F. Smith, (Joseph dec.), Charlotte I Masters (Darryl dec.), Jenny J. (Leroy) Snyder and Lois J. (Allen) Means, all of Decatur, IL; a brother, William F. (Lillian) Nichols of Mode, IL; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Terry L. Knapp; and two brothers, Max E. and John J. Nichols.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2001 at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Ed. Willalba officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ira Knapp
October 31, 1916-December 28, 2004

Ira Knapp, 88, of 2289 S. 14th St., Niles, passed away Tuesday December 28, 2004 at Buchanan Meadows following an illness.

Ira was born on October 31, 1916, to the late Louie L. and Emma E. (Hammond) Knapp in Tamaroa, Illinois, on July 8, 1946, Ira married Nellie L. (Nichols) at a ceremony in Niles, MI

Ira was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a son, Terry L. Knapp, a brother, Jim Knapp, and a sister, Mary Thompson.

He served his country proudly during World War II in the U.S. Navy. Many knew Ira as the owner of Knapp's Drywall for over 35 years. He was a member of the Niles American Legion Post 26 and attended Fulkerson Park Baptist Church. His hobbies included gardening, story-telling, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include three sons, David Lee (Connie) Knapp, Robin L. (Vicky) Knapp, and Dennis J. (Sherry) Knapp, all of Niles; one daughter, Crystal R. (Eric) Napper of Niles; two brothers, Irvin Knapp of Sawyer, MI and Howard Knapp of Sarasota, FL; two sisters, Alene (Charles) Weisenbach of Jacksonville, FL and Leona Zimmerman of Fort Lauderdale, FL; ten grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, December 31, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday December 30, 2004, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ira's memory to Buchanan Meadows, 809 Carroll St., Buchanan, MI 49107

Services have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services,

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Nancy Kitterer
Abt. 1841-Died June 16, 1931

Mother Chas Kitterer dies.

Mrs. Nancy Kitterer, widow of Frederick Kitterer, died last evening, June 16, 1931 at 8:30 in the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. R. Cauffman, in South Bend at the age of 90 years. She is survived by four children who are Mrs. John Strieble and Frank Kitterer of Pokagon, Charles Kitterer of Niles and Mrs. G. R. Cauffman of South Bend. The funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock in the Orvis Funeral Home at 334 N. Main Street. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Helena Kitterer
March 15, 1874- Aug. 16, 1952

Mrs. Helena Kitterer, 1845 Hickory Street, died at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 1952, in Montealegre convalescent Home, Lakeside.

She has no survivors other than nephews and nieces. Her husband was the late Fred Kitterer.

Mrs. Kitterer was born March 15, 1873, and had lived in this area all her life.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. H.H. Steffens, assistant Presbyterian pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

George F. Kitterer
July 4, 1819-July 12, 1908

Well Known Pioneer resident of Bertrand Township.

George Frederick Kitterer, a well known pioneer resident of Bertrand township died yesterday of old age. Mr. Kitterer was born in Veaverfelt, Wirtenburg German. July 4, 1819, and recently celebrated his 89th birthday anniversary. He came to this country in 1853, and 10 years later he married Christina Beyrer.  Eight childrenwere born to this union of whom six are living as follows, Mrs. John Streibel, Charles, Frederick, Robert and Frank Kitterer and Mrs. G. R. Cauffman. The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. Mr. Ruth officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Fred Kitterer
Dec. 6, 1870-March 29, 1909

Fred Kitterer  A victim of Typhoid Fever

Fred Kitterer Succumbs to dread disease.

Water source of infection Declares the attending physician

Some of the ways in which typhoid is spread.

The typhoid epidemic has claims a victim. Fred Kitterer of State Street, West Niles, died about 9 o’clock last Saturday night, March 29, 1909, having taken to his bed with typhoid fever last Wednesday.

Mr. Kitter, who was in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and who was a very picture of health up to less than a week ago, was born in Bertrand Township, Dec. 6, 1870, and had been a resident of Niles for years. He was well know and deservedly popular with wide circle of friends. Fraternally he was identified with the German Workingmen’s Benevolent association. Mr. Kitterer is survived by a widow, mother and three brothers, Robert of Niles; also two sisters, Mesdames, John Streible of near Niles and Robert Kossman of South Bend.

The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. Mrs. Yonker officiating. Burial will take place at Silver Brook Cemetery. 

What Dr. Ullery says

Dr. Ullery, who attended Mr. Kitterer during his last illness, says that after investigating with a view to ascertaining the source of the disease, he is of opinion that it was due to polluted city water, of which Mr. Kitterer, who was an employee of the Niles Steel Tank Company, drank freely at the plant daily.

As to the city water, the state bacteriologist, who recently analyzed a sample of it, said, among other things as follows. The contamination in its present condition, while distinctly present, is not of very high degree, but is presence might give rise to the suspicion that a higher degree of contamination may have been present and may be present again at some future period.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown