Bertha Blanche Millar Ness
March 23, 1869-Jan. 9, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, January 11, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

News in Brief: DEATH OF FORMER RESIDENT

Mrs. Bertha Blanche Miller Ness, 60, formerly of Niles, died Thursday at her residence in Mill Creek after an illness of two years. She was born March 23, 1869, in Berrien county, Mich., and had lived in Mill Creek 14 years. She was married to Mr. Ness in Niles on Oct. 31, 1906. She is survived by her husband, two sons, Stanley and Ernest, Mill Creek; a sister, Almena S. Millar, Kalamazoo; two brothers, Charles H. Millar, Niles; and Frank, New Carlisle. Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock Sunday morning at the First Baptist church. The Rev. A.A. Kay, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Simpson, will officiate. Burial will be in Silver Brook cemetery.

Frank Pfeil
Aug. 6, 1893-March 14, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, March 15, 1930, page 1, col. 8 , microfilm Niles District Library

FRANK PFEIL, FRONT ST. MERCHANT, IS STRICKEN
Week's Illness with Pneumonia Takes Young Business Man

Frank Pfeil, 36, well known young Niles business man, and a member of the firm of Pfeil and Hahn, died on Friday afternoon at 4:50 at his home, 1209 Regent street after one week of illness with bronchial pneumonia. Until he was suddenly stricken a week ago Mr. Pfeil had been about his business affairs as usual and his death comes as a shock to his business associates and many friends.

Mr. Pfeil was born on a farm two miles west of Niles on August 6, 1893, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pfeil who survive him and who now live at 1002 N. Fifth street. He had spent his entire life in Niles and vicinity. He was married on Feb. 16, 1918, at Niles to Miss Naomi Silvers who also survives him. Besides the parents and widow he is survived by a daughter, Leila, age 11 years and by the following brothers and sisters, Clarence, William, John, Mrs. Edward Hahn, Mrs. Frank Allbright, Arthur and Pauline Pilfer. The brothers and sisters all live in Niles except William who is a resident of South Bend.

On Jan. 9, 1920, Mr. Pfeil launched into business for himself in partnership with his brother-in-law, Edward Hahn, and they have since conducted a grocery store on North Front street under the firm name of Pfeil and Hahn and known as the North End Grocery. Mr. Pfeil had no fraternal relationships, his chief interest centering about his home and business.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the home. The Rev. G. Webbink will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, March 17, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL FRANK PFEIL

Funeral services for Frank Pfeil were held this afternoon in the home, 1209 Regent street. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church conducted the services. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The following served as pallbearers: Fred Early, Fred Hahn, Charles Hahn, Laurel Young, Ray Lowe and Walter Zimmer. Mr. Pfeil, well known young Niles business man, died on Friday afternoon after a week of illness with pneumonia.

Doris Jean VanGilder
March 5, 1927-Feb. 18, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 19, 1930, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FIRST DEATH IN NILES FROM DIPHTHERIA WITHIN SIX YEARS IS REPORTED

Doris Jean Van Gilder, three years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Gilder, 1104 Ferry street, died last evening at 8:40 of diphtheria, the first death from diphtheria according to the records of the health officer in the at least six years. Doris Jean became ill last Monday and from the first her condition was alarming. Her sister, Nadine, age seven, also is a victim of diphtheria. A brother, Wayne, 16, has been confined to his bed since Jan. 6 with illness but his illness is not diagnosed as diphtheria.

Doris Jean was born in Niles on March 5, 1927. She is survived by her parents, three sisters and two brothers, who are Zelda Marcel, Nadine, Horace, Stanley and Wayne Van Gilder. Her aged grandmother, Mrs. Rosie Luke, is also among the immediate surviving relatives.

The funeral services will be held in the home tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 and will be private. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church, will conduct the services. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 21, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL DIPHTHERIA VICTIM

Among those from out of the city who attended the funerral[sic] services for Doris jean Van Gilder, three years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Gilder, 1104 Ferry street on Thursday afternoon were Mr. Van Gilder's brothers, Ran and Charles Van Gilder; also Mrs. Charles Van Gilder and Ran Van Gilder's twin sons, and M.G. Hill, all of Plymouth, Ind. The services were conducted by the Rev. W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The little girl was a victim of diphtheria and the services were therefore private. Nadine, seven, a sister, who is ill with diphtheria is improving.

Sarah C. VanRiper
July 3, 1843-December 28, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, December 30, 1929, page 1, col 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. VAN RIPER'S BODY BROUGHT HERE BY SON; TO BE BURIED TUESDAY

The body of Mrs. Sarah Van Riper, widow of Louis Van Riper, was brought to Niles at noon today from Ishpeming by her son and his wife, Dr. And Mrs. Paul Van Riper, of Champion, Mich. Mrs. Van Riper died at the age of 86 years on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock in a hospital in Ishpeming where she had been a patient since last August suffering from a broken hip bone. For the last 11 years she had made her home with her son, Dr. Paul Van Riper in Champion but after she fell she was taken to Ishpeming for hospital care.

The funeral services will be held at 9:45 tomorrow morning in the Rutherford Funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Mrs. Van Riper was a member of that church for many years. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Van Riper was born in Ellisburg, Pa., on July 3, 1843. Her maiden name was Sarah Edwards. She came to Niles with her parents when she was 10 years of age and the family located on a farm near Sumnerville. She was one of a family of nine children of whom Mrs. Hannah Throop who makes her home with her neice [sic], Mrs. E.M. Showerman is now the only survivor. Mrs. Showerman's mother, Mrs. George Elliott, of Dowagiac, another sister died last January. Mrs. Throop is 82 years of age. The two sons of the Edwards family served in the Civil war. Mr. Van Ripe died about 12 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Riper's had two sons, one of whom died in infancy and the other, Dr. Paul Van Riper survives his mother. The Van Riper family home was for many years in Grant street, West Niles.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, December 31, 1929, page 4, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

News In Brief: FUNERAL MRS. VAN RIPER

Funeral services were held this morning for Mrs. Sarah Van Riper, widow of Louis Van Riper who died on Saturday evening in a hospital in Ishpeming. The body was brought to Niles on Monday afternoon. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, conducted the service. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The following acted as pallbearers: J. Walter Wood, Floyd J. Wood, A.G. Stone, Charles E. White, T.C. Hance and Clifford Eden. Dr. Paul Van Riper, son of the deceased, and his wife of Champion, who came to Niles with the body, are at the C.E. White and T.C. Hance homes.

Dewitt C. Updike
Feb. 20, 1843-Feb. 21, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 21, 1930, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

D.C. UPDIKE, CASS PIONEER AND CIVIL WAR VETERAN, DIES
Milton Township Farmer, 87, Was Resident in or Near Niles for 36 Years

D.C. Updike, 87, a veteran of the Civil war, died this morning at 3 o'clock at his home southeast of Niles in Milton township after four years of illness. He had resided on the farm home on which he died for about 25 years.

Mr. Updike was born in Grass Lake, Mich., on Feb. 20, 1843. He grew to young manhood there and enlisted with a Michigan regiment at the opening of the Civil war. He came to Niles 36 years ago and had since resided in or near Niles. Mr. Updike was twice married. His first wife was before her marriage, Miss Matilda English. She died in January 1920. In December, 1921 Mr. Updike was married to Miss Sarah Spence of Hopkinson, Iowa, who survives him.

Besides the widow, he is survived by three children born of his first marriage, Milton Updike, of Niles, Edward Updike of Toledo, Ohio, and Mrs. Edith Barker of Zion City, Ill. A sister, Mrs. Ursula Chapin, of Jackson, age 93 years, also survives.

The funeral services will be held in the Troost and Augustine chapel Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Burial will be in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 24, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL D.C. UPDIKE

Funeral services for D.C. Updike, veteran of the civil war who died on Friday morning at his home south and east of Niles, were held this afternoon. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Peter Ellis
August 11, 1842-Jan. 5, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, January 6, 1930, page 1 col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

PETER ELLIS, 87, DIES AT MILTON TWP. HOME
Pioneer Farmer of Western Cass County Taken by Death Sunday

Peter Ellis, pioneer and highly respected farmer of Milton township, died on Sunday afternoon at 5:30 at his home east of Niles on Yankee street, at the age of 87years.

Mr. Ellis was born in Milton township, Cass county, on August 11, 1842. His entire life was spent near Niles and had lived on the farm on which he died for 670 years.

In 1863 he was married to Catherine Ullery and in 1913 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Ellis died seven years ago.

To Mrs. and Mrs. Ellis three children were born two of whom died in infancy and the third, Miss Daisy Ellis survives her father. Besides the daughter, Mr. Ellis is survived by one sister, Mrs. Carrie M. Cormick of Cawker, Kans. She will be unable to attend the funeral services but her son, A.R. Rogers is expected in Niles tomorrow to attend the funeral services.

The funeral services will be held in the home on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 8, 1930, page 4 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

News in Brief: FUNERAL PETER ELLIS

Funeral services for Peter Ellis were held this afternoon at the home on Yankee street, where he died Sunday afternoon and where he had lived for 60 years. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church conducted the services. Old neighbors acted as pallbearers. Burial was made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. Among those from out of the city who attended the funeral services were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Beach, U.P. Leader and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Goodsell, Dowagiac, Mr. and Mrs. Easlehorst, Benton Harbor, Mrs. Fred Egbert, Anderson, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. William Dempsey, Edwardsburg, and Amon Rogers, of Cawker City, Kans. Ollie Schnorf and Mrs. C.E. Steinbauer, of Niles, are among the surviving nieces and nephews.