Anna Gillette 
Feb. 12, 1888-Feb. 9, 1929

Mrs. Charles Gillette passes away after a week of pneumonia.

Mrs. Anna Messenger Gillette, wife of Charles Gillette, Bertrand township farmer, died this morning Feb. 9, 1929, at 2:10 in Pawating hospital of pneumonia.  Mrs. Gillette became ill late Sunday and since she was first stricken she had been in a dangerous condition. She was taken to the hospital last Wednesday. Her little son, Joel, was taken to the hospital on Monday, also a victim of pneumonia, and while deep concern and also been felt about his yet his condition today showed a slight improvement. 

Mrs. Gillette was born on the Messenger farm in Bertrand Township on Feb. 12, 1888, a daughter of Schuyler and Eva Messenger.  She attended the Niles public schools and after being graduated from the Niles high school she attended the Western State Normal College in Kalamazoo and prepared herself to teach.  After several years of teaching in the rural schools she entered the South Bend Commercial College and after fitting herself for the position of a stenographer she went to Bismarck, ND and was employed in the state capital building as a stenographer and private secretary.  Seven years ago she was married to Charles Gillette, a son of Joel H. Gillette, who died on December 21, 1928 and Ida Gillette, who is now in Florida.  Their marriage united two prominent pioneer families of Berrien County. Mr. and Mrs. Gillette made their home on part of what was the Joel H. Gillette Homestead in Bertrand Township.  Four children, born to them survive their mother. They are Rachel, age six, Joel, Samuel and Ida May, the latter six months. Besides the husband and children. Mrs. Gillette is survived by her mother, Mrs. Eva Messenger, and the following brothers and sisters, Arthur who is in the American Legion Hospital in Camp Custer, Simons, William and Miss Eva, who are at home in Bertrand township. Mrs. Clinton Sweisberger of Niles and Mrs. William Champion of Ann Arbor,

LaRue Messenger post of the American Legion is named for a brother who lost his life overseas during the world war and whose body was brought back to Niles and buried with military honors.  Mrs. Gillette was a member of the Ladies Historical Society and of the Niles Musical club and in each club she was regarded as a valuable member as she made her contributions by work and attendance at the meetings. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church.  Mrs. Gillette represented a splendid type of womanhood and motherhood and sympathy spreads throughout the community for the family who are suddenly plunged into this deep sorrow.  The funeral services will be held in the home on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Rev. G. W. Simon pastor of the Presbyterian Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Thelma J. Gilbert
March 23, 1908-Dec. 11, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 12, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Thelma J. Gilbert, 39, died at 10 a.m. Thursday in Pawating hospital after an illness of three weeks. She was the wife of L.E. Gilbert, 631 Vann street.

Services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren church, officiating.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Surviving are a son, James Rife with the army in North Carolina; four step children, Norman, LeRoy and Donald Gilbert, and Mrs. Buelah Albrecht, all of Niles; a brother, James Larber, Chicago; two sisters, Mrs. Murrell Ellison, Chicago; and Mrs. Lillian Purness, Dailey.

Mrs. Gilbert was born March 23, 1908 in Evansville, Ind. She has lived in Niles 10 years.

Lawrence E. Gilbert
June 18 1890-Oct. 18, 1964

Funeral services for Lawrence E. (Pop) Gilbert, 74, of 2512 Lakeshore Drive, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  Dr. Maurice Maldran, pastor of the First Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

He died at 12:10 a.m. Sunday Oct. 18, 1964 in his home, following an illness of a year and a half.  Mr. Gilbert who retired in 1957 from City Products Company, following 33 years service was born June 18, 1890, in Hebron, IL.  He came to Niles 39, years ago from Paw Paw.

Survivors include his widow, Ethel; two sons, Norman, Kalkaska, and Donald A., Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Beulah Albrecht, also of Niles; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Joseph J. Gilbert
Aug. 30, 1879-Aug. 15, 1963

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 15, 1963, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Joseph J. Gilbert, 82, of 2520 Yankee St. died at 7 a.m. today, in the Oak Manor Nursing Home.  He had been ill three months.

Mr. Gilbert was born Aug. 30, 1879, in Bertrand Township and was a lifetime resident of the area.

Surviving is his widow, Laura.  He was a member of the New Century Rebekah Lodge No. 351 and the Odd Fellow Lodge.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Max Bailey pastor of the Carson City Congregational Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Paul V. Gerold
April 12, 1924-April 15, 1996

Paul V. Gerold, 72, of 251 Cass St., Niles, died at 5:35 p.m. Monday April 15, 1996, in Woodfield Manor after an illness. Mr. Gerold retired from Kawneer Co. after 25 years. He was born April 12, 1924, in Niles and was a lifelong area resident. Surviving are a brother, Roger D. of Simpsonville, S.C.; and a nephew, R. Noel Gerold of Wyoming, Mich. Mr. Gerold was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 26.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services in the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Niles Community Library

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Joseph D. Gerberich 
Sept. 25, 1860-March 2, 1930

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 3, 1930, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

JOSEPH GERBERICH, 70, ILL FEW DAYS IS DEAD
Passes Away at Hospital After Short Illness with Pneumonia

The death of Joseph D. Gerberich, 69, 223 N. Seventh street at Pawating hospital on Sunday afternoon at 3:45 came as a shock to relatives and many friends. His death followed a brief illness with pneumonia.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his sister, Mrs. N.H. Bacon, 16 N. Fifth street. Friends may call to view the body between the hours of 10 and 12 o'clock. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Joseph David Gerberich was born in Bertrand township on Sept. 25, 1860. In the spring of 1862 his parents, David and Catherine Gerbeich bought and moved to a farm in Howard township five miles northeast of Niles. In 1883 he went to South Dakota. He returned after the death of his mother in 1905 and purchased the home farm which he owned at the time of his death. He made his home with his sister, Mrs. Amos Ribble, 223 N. Seventh street. He is survived by four sisters and two brothers who are Mrs. Amos Ribble, Mrs. S.C. Thomson, Mrs. William Van Ness and Mrs. N.H. Bacon, all of Niles, Henry Gerberich, Tucson, Ariz.; and Charles E. Gerberich, Marion, Mich.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, March 5, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL JOS. GERBERICH

Funeral services for Joseph Gerberich were conducted by the Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, at the home of Mr. Gerberich's sister, Mrs. N.H. Bacon. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.