Obituaries

Robert Anton

March 21, 1903 - Nov. 21, 1999

Robert Anton, 96, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, Nov. 21, while at the Silverbrook Nursing Home.

He was born on March 21, 1903, in Prague, Czechoslovakia. In 1920 he immigrated to Chicago, Ill. There he met and married the former Bessie Klapp on July 30, 1937. Theirs was a love match that lasted over 73 years. In 1937 the Antons moved to Cassopolis, Mich., where he farmed and operated a barber shop. He had made his home in Niles, Mich., since retiring in 1976.

He is survived by his wife, Bessie; a son, Robert G. Anton; a grandson, Gerald R. Anton; and by three great-grandchildren, Amy, Robert and Patty Anton of Niles; and by a granddaughter, Julie Anton Wiggins of Half Moon Bay, Calif.

Services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the First Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main Street, Niles.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m., prior to the services. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Bessie Anton

Aug. 23, 1908 -- Aug. 16, 2007

NILES -- Bessie (Klapp) Anton, 98, of Niles passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2007, in Silverbrook Manor, following a lengthy illness.

She was born on August 23, 1908, in Newark, New Jersey, to the late Jerry and Francis (Hamerle) Klapp.

On July 30, 1927, Bessie married her sweetheart Robert Anton. He preceded her in death in 1999 after 72 years of marriage.

A homemaker most of her life, she also enjoyed needlepoint, crafts, gardening, cooking and baking. Bessie was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles and many home economic and Gardening clubs.  She loved spending time with her family, friends, and her dog Smokey.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a sister Rose Fricek.

Bessie is survived by her son, Robert G. (Nancy) Anton of Niles; two grandchildren, Julia Anton (Reynold III) Wiggins of Half Moon Bay, California and Gerald (Pam) Anton of Niles; three great-grandchildren, Amy Marie, Robert G. and Patricia Anton all of Niles; a sister, Emily Petranek of Brookfield, Illinois; and several nieces.

In keeping with her wishes, a private memorial service will be held in Brown Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Jim Wing officiating.  An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bessie's memory to First Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.

Condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

George David Anstiss

Nov. 17, 1886 – July 27, 1950

George David Anstiss, 63, of 211 North Second Street died at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday at Berrien county Hospital.  He had been ill for six months.

Anstiss was born Nov. 17, 1886 in Berrien Center and moved to Niles from there 23 years ago. He was a carpenter and a member of the First Baptist Church.

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Bernice Hocking of Lake City, IA, Mrs Arbella Pease of Early IA, Mrs. Maryette Hartman of Jacksonville, FL, and Miss Cleora Anstiss of Niles; two sons, Eugene of Lake City, IA and Darvin of Detroit; four brothers, Leo and Claude of Niles, Fred of Buchanan, and Mearle of Berrien Springs; and two sisters, Mrs. Hazel Bunnell of Oak Park , IL, and Mrs. Grace Personette of Buchanan.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral Home with the Rev. Clarence Graham officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Published in Niles Daily Star, July 28, 1950.

Hilda Andrews

Nov. 29, 1875 – Jan. 23, 1937

     Mrs. George L. (Hilda Putman), Andrews, 61, lifelong resident of Pokagon township died suddenly at her home, one mile east of Pokagon at 12:30 Saturday afternoon. Heart trouble was the cause of her death.

     Beside her husband, Mrs. Andrews is survived by a son, Donald, living at home. A daughter, Mrs. Edward Reid of Detroit.

     The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Uzziel Putman, Mrs. Andrew was born in Pokagon on Nov. 29, 1875.  Mr. Putman is claimed to be the first white child born in Cass County.

     The Rev. Thomas Rice of the Methodist Church of Buchanan will conduct the funeral services at 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Herman Andrews

1853 – Aug. 18, 1930

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Andrews left today for their home in Peoria, IL, after having been called here by the death of his father, Herman Andrews, 77.  Mr. Andrews resided at the home of his son, Bert in Jackson. [He died] on August 18 and the body was brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Mr. Andrews is survived by three sons, George of Pokagon, Bert of Jackson and Walter of Peoria.

George W. Andrews Jr.
April 15, 1935 – Oct. 4, 2002

EDWARDSBURG - Mr. George William Andrews Jr. 67, of Church Street, Edwardsburg, died at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born on April 25, 1935, in Cassopolis, Michigan to George W. and Joyce K. (Korman) Andrews Sr. and lived in the Barron lake community of Niles, MI, most of his life.  He graduated from Niles High School in 1953 and attended Ferris institute (Now Ferris State University), Big Rapids, MI.

He was a retired machinist having been employed at several area automobile parts and service firms including 20 years at Neal’s Auto Parts, Buchanan, MI. He also enjoyed woodworking in his shop at home.

On July 19, 1953 in Big Rapids he was married to the former Shirley Freiberg, who survives.  Also surviving are their children, Mike (Linda) Andrews of Niles, and Mary (Bryan) Bourgeois of DeRidder, LA; and their grandchildren, Chelsey, John, Alex and Kathryn Bourgeois.

A grandchild, Rikki Ball preceded him in death.

Funeral services for George W. Andrews Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. Carl L. Harrison, Lay minister of Hope United Methodist Church, Edwardsburg officiating. Committal services and entombment will be in The Abbey Mausoleum of Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Mr. Andrews may be made to Hope United Methodist Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.