Obituaries

Mary Jane Kovac
April 30, 1919-Feb. 13, 2007

Mary Jane "M.J." Kovac, 87, of Crystal Falls, MI, and formerly of Niles, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007,  in the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls.

She was born April 30, 1919, in Grand Haven, MI, the daughter of the late Hilbrand and Johanna (Fisher) Beukema. M.J., as she liked to be called, attended the Grand Haven Public Schools and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1941 with a degree in business education.

M.J. resided in Niles for over 50 years, where she taught high school and adult education business courses (her favorite was typing) in the Niles Community Schools for nearly 25 years, retiring in 1977.

On July 2, 1942, she married Anthony John (Kovacich) Kovac of Iron River in Grand Haven, MI. She and her husband had a camp at Brule Lake near Iron River and spent some time there each summer. Following her retirement, M.J. and Tony enjoyed traveling to Europe and the Caribbean Islands before he preceded her in death on July 20, 1980.

She moved to the Upper Peninsula in 2004, residing at the Iron County Medical Care Facility.

M.J. loved to sew, knit, read, watch movies and shop. She belonged to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Michigan and National Education Associations, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly, on May 21, 1983; and by her brother, Henry Beukema, in 2005.

She is survived by her son, Keith (JoAnn) Kovac of Iron River; two grandchildren, Danae and Zachary of Chicago; and a niece, Susan (Beukema) Trudeau of Waterford, MI. Many Kovac and Kovacich nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call Saturday, March 3, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Langenberg Funeral Home -- Iron River Chapel. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Ric Jacobsen, pastor of the Evangelical Free Church in Three Lakes, WI, will officiate. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, MI.

Memorials for M.J. Kovac may be made to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Program, Mayo Clinic -- Dept. of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905; or online at www.mayoclinic.org/development/make-gift.html.

Family and friends may share memories or leave messages of sympathy in the family's online guestbook at www.langenbergfuneralhome.com.

The Langenberg Funeral Home -- Iron River Chapel, is serving the family.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

John Korn
Dec. 28, 1861-March 13, 1943

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 13, 1943, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN KORN, 81, TAKEN BY DEATH

John Korn, 81, a life-long resident of Berrien County, died this morning at 7, in his home, 422 North Fifth Street

Korn, a retired farmer, was born near Buchanan Dec. 28, 1861. His wife the former Amanda Beebe, to whom he was married Dec. 19, 1883, in Buchanan, survives.

He also leaves a daughter, Mrs. Gordon Hoover, Niles; a son, Clarence Korn, Fulton, Mich.; a sister, Mrs. Mary Hawblitzel, South Bend; six grandchdilrean and four great-grandchildren.

Friends may call in the Price and Kiger funeral home, where the services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2.

The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist Church will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mary Ella Knott
Nov 22, 1880-Feb. 17, 1924

Mrs. L.C. Knott Mrs. Mary Ella Knott, wife of Louis Knott, living seven miles southwest of South Bend, died at her home last evening at 6 o’clock, following an illness since July, resulting in complications.

She was born in Penn twownship Nov. 22, 1880, and moved to the present residence from South Bend 11 years ago. She was married 21 years ago to Mr. Knott. She is survived by four daughers, Gertrude, Allene, Julia Fay and Isabelle, all at home. She also leaves a brother, Louis Altenberger of South Bend, and for sisters, Mrs. Bert Bailey of Dowagiac, Mrs. Grant Batchel, Chicago Heights; Mrs. Harvey Fisher, Niles and Mrs. Louis Zilky, South Bend.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the residence, Rev. J.H. Evans officiating. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook Cemetery, Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fred C. Knott
Oct. 6, 1875-Feb. 17, 1957

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 18, 1957, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Fred C. Knott, 81, died at 7 p.m. Sunday at his home, 317 Pokagon Street, after an illness of two months.

Born Oct. 6, 1875 in Niles, he spent his life in the area and was a retired steamfitter. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church.

Survivors are his widow, Lulu; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Payne of Hastings; a grandson; a great-grandson; two sisters, Mrs. Harry Blake, Niles and Mrs. Elizabeth Peck, Selma, Ala., and two brothers, Charles F. Knott, Niles and Louis Knott, Osceola, IN.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John’s Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Kenneth W. Knauf
December 3, 1937-June 3, 2008

Kenneth W. Knauf, 70, of Niles-Buchanan Road, Niles, died at 8:28 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

Mr. Knauf was born on December 3, 1937, in Niles, to Frederick Roy George and Iva Mildred (Sloop) Knauf, and lived in Niles most of his life.  He graduated from Niles High School, and earned bachelors and master’s degrees in Education from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. Throughout his student career, he participated in academic honors, services, and social organizations, and athletics, especially wrestling. As a teacher, Mrs. Knauf was employed by Bentley High School, Flint, MI, and Traverse City (MI) High School, teaching biology and history, and continuing his interest in athletics, coaching wrestling and football.  He came back to Niles to work for Kool-O-Matic where he served as vice –resident.

Ken was well-known as the owner and operator of the Dairy Queens in Niles since 1892. He was also a past president of the Michigan Dairy Queen Operators Association.  He was a member of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce for 14 years, was a past president of the board of the Niles Community Federal Credit Union, a member of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322, and a long time member of the Central Michigan University alumni association.

Ken had always enjoyed fishing and hunting, and more recently was enjoying spending time at their lake house with his family, including his dog, “Bear”.

On June 24, 1951, in Bay City, MI, he married the former Sandra L. Shaheen, who survives. Also surviving are their daughter, Kari (Michael) Reed of Niles; grandchdilren, Nicholas, Nichole, nd Michel II; his sister, Judy Tennison of Simpsonville, SC, and Sandra's brother and sisters, Sylvia (Ray) Cummings, Sonia Lownsbury, William (Sue) Shaheen, Helen (Faris) Cadora, Donna (Mrs. Daniel) Shaheen, and Cynthia Shaheen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a dear friend, Shair Neuman.

Ken and Sandra had been caring for his father, Fred, who died just two week ago.  Ken was also preceded in death by his mother, Iva in 1998; and by sisters, Phyllis Knauf who died in 2002, Delors Stevenson who died in 1957, and Iva Jean Kanuf who died in infancy.

The service for Kenneth W. Knauf will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Halbritter Furenal Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

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