Obituaries

Emily J. French
Feb. 14, 1838-Jan. 30, 1910

Mrs. John W. French removed

Death’s sting has taken on held in Highest of Esteem.

The death of Mrs. J.W. French occurred last evening at 7:25 o’clock Jan. 30, 1910, at the home of her son, Frank J. French, Fifth and Main Streets, from paralysis.  Her age was 71 years, 11 months and 15 days. Mrs. French was born at Deep River, Conn., and was married Oct. 13, 1856.  Her maiden name was Emily J. Wright.

Mr. French first started the paper business at Three Rivers. Previous to that he taught school in Connecticut.  From 1856 to 1905 Mr. French resided at Three Rivers and continued in business. Coming to Niles in 1905 he caused to be constructed a palatial residence at Fifth and Main streets, thereby adding materially to the beauty of our city.  Mr. French passed away in March 1907.  Since then, Mrs. French declined in heath. The end came peacefully. The city of Niles and its hospitable people held a warm corner in her heart. It was her the happiest days of her life were spent and when her last hours came and the god of eternity called her to her everlasting rest. It was her desire that beneath the shade trees of our Silent city, surrounded by the beauty, happiness and contentment of our people, where the flowers are sweetest and the birds warble their most melodious songs, should be the eternal abiding place of all that was mortal of her. She was ever a staunch Baptist. Mrs. French had always taken part in musicals, and in that line her ability was far above the average.  She was fond of painting and needle work, her deft fingers producing many choice specimens in either line.  Of the sweetest disposition, every one was her friends. While she has gone from the sense, the conflicts, the sorrows and pleasures of life, she will still live in the hearts of those who knew her best. The children are Willard W., Frank J. and Joseph Edward French, all residing in Niles. Besides, there are seven grandchildren, all living here except, J.W. Millard, who resides in Chicago. The funeral will take place from the house Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Interment in the family lot at Silverbrook Cemetery. 

Timothy Freeze
Aug. 19, 1948-Dec. 20, 1998

Timothy Clark Freeze, 50, of 500 Hawthorne Lane, Niles, Mich., died at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 1998, at the University of Chicago-Bernard Mitchell Hospital, Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Freeze was born on Aug. 19, 1948, in Niles. He was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Clark Freeze in 1992.

On Aug. 22, 1969, he married Linda Starner in Niles.  She survives.

He is also survived by a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Freeze of Mishawaka, Ind.; a son and his wife, Jeffrey Clark and Tracy Freeze of Niles; two grandsons, Brendan Clark and Patrick Wright Freeze of Niles; his mother, Norene Freeze of Niles; and four sisters, Mary Glenn Freeze of Mount Prospect, Ill., Joy Vergon of Buchanan, Mich., Jeanne Buck of Niles and Gail Matthews of Greensboro, Ga.

Mr. Freeze was employed as the operations director for the Niles Public Schools.  He was the former owner and operator of the Niles Glass Company; AA Vacuum, Niles; and the Overhead Door Company, Traverse City, Mich.  He was the former president of the Niles Community School Board, Niles Babe Ruth Baseball Association, and the Orchard Hills Country Club, Buchanan.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he served as a deacon.

Services are planned for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in the First Presbyterian Church, Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Chicago-Bernard Mitchell Hospital, D4 Intensive Care Unit; or to the charity of donor's choice.

Thomas Timothy Frantz
July 18, 1952- July 19, 1952

Thomas Timothy Frantz, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Robert and Mary C. (Olsen) Frantz, of rural route two, died at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 1952 in Pawating Hospital.   He was born prematurely at the hospital Friday.   Prayer services were held this morning in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Theo Laesch officiating.   Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.   Other survivors include; three brothers, Joseph, Robert and Douglas, all at home; a sister, Gladys, also at home; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Olsen of Fife late; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Allie Frantz of Niles 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Linda Anne Frantz
June 24, 1947-March 19, 2005

Linda Anne Frantz, 57, of U.S. 12 East, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 11:58 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2005, in West Woods of Niles.

She was born on June 24, 1947, in Niles, to Clarence Henry and Arlie Jeanne (Snook) Beasecker. She had lived in Niles all of her life, for many recent years on Merrifield Avenue. She graduated from Niles High School in 1965, where she was active in the band.

Linda had been employed at Dial-A-Ride, Niles, for 17 years, and was previously employed at Pawating Hospital and the Simplicity Pattern Company, both of Niles.

She was active in the founding of the Four Flags Apple Festival, and was a regular on the C.B. radio as "Oasis." She was married to Clarence "Sonny" Frantz for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Beasecker on December 21, 1971, and Arlie J. Beasecker on June 23, 1997.

Surviving family includes her brother, Jerry Beasecker of Niles, and her stepdaughter, Kelly Frantz of Buchanan, Michigan.

She was also blessed with many dear and loving friends, including Terry and Judy Fritz and their children; Linda's godchildren, Nathan Jay and Daysha Jung Fritz, Skip and Ann Frantz, and their children; also godchildren, Michael, Brad and Michelle, the Chuck and Becky Williams family, the Jack and Darlene Wright family, Jerry and Judy Christ, Dick and Audrey Phillips, and Jane Szot Muir.

Linda was a devoted daughter to her mother and enjoyed babysitting for all of her godchildren.  Her happiest times were spent at Barron Lake with Dick and Audrey Phillips.  Audrey was like a second mother to her; they shared a special bond and Linda loved her dearly.

Family and friends of Linda Frantz will gather at her grave in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at a later date, to be announced. There will be no visitation.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Linda may be made to Hospice at Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Timothy Daniel Franks
May 19, 2006

Timothy Daniel Franks, of Elkhart,  son of Christina (Whittaker) and Daniel R. Franks, died at birth at 9:59 p.m. Friday May, 19, 2006, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Survivors include a brother, Zachary at home. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. today at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Willie Mae Forrest
Nov. 30, 1927-Dec. 20, 2004

Willie Mae Forrest, 77, of Woods Edge Drive, Niles,  died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 in her home after an illness. She was born Nov. 30, 1927.

Survivors include her husband, William; four daughter, Emily Briggs and Jean Forrest, both of Niles, Dorothy Forrest of Mishawaka and Judy Forrest of Atlanta; a son, Melvin of Los Angeles; two sisters, Josephine Jones of Niles and Regina Hardman of Chicago; and three brothers, Willie E. Scales and Everage Jones, both of Chicago and Victor Jones of Mishawaka.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Friends may call from 5 to 7:30 p.m Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown