Carpenter, Alvina nee Henspeter
The News Palladium carried the obituary of Alvina Carpenter on 26 Mar 1957 and it reads: “Mrs. Alvina Carpenter Three Oaks, March 26-Mrs. Alvina Josephine Carpenter, 74, route 2, Three Oaks, died at 4:15 p.m. Monday at the home of her son and daughter-in-law Mrs. Clarence Carpenter. Mrs. Carpenter had been in ill health for some time and bedridden since Feb. 17 of this year. She was born May 13, 1882 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Henspeter. On Jan. 9, 1906, she married in St. Joseph to Amos Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter died March 23, 1948. Mrs. Carpenter is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Grace Johns and Mrs. May Klupp, both of Benton Harbor, Mrs. Martha Shupe of South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Dorothy Mittan of Buchanan and Miss Ruth Carpenter of Chicago; five sons, Richard G., of Baroda, David T., of New troy, Clarence, of Three Oaks, Lawrence and Harold, both at home; 28 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Clara Snyder, Mrs. Laura Wessendorf and Mrs. Mary Weik, all of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Mabel Fetke of Chicago, and one brother, Clyde Dombrowsky of Alexandria, Va. Mrs. Carpenter formerly was a member of Trinity Lutheran church of St. Joseph. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the H.B. Connelly funeral home. Burial will be in Weesaw cemetery, south of Glendora. Friends may call at the funeral home.” Alvina (Henspeter) Carpenter was the daughter of Christoph and Alvina (Zordel) Henspeter and was born in Chicago, Illinois. Alvina died on 25 May 1957.
Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Carpenter, Amos
The Niles Daily Star carried the obituary of Amos Carpenter on 24 Mar 1948 and it reads: “Amos Carpenter Dies Three Oaks-Amos E. Carpenter, 86, died at his Weesaw township home yesterday after a three week illness. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the H.B. Connelly funeral home, Three Oaks, where friends may call. The Rev. Leo Wisner, pastor of the Three Oaks Christian church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Weesaw cemetery near Glendora. Carpenter was born Dec. 16, 1861 at Buchanan. He married Alvina Henspeter Jan, 9, 1906. He was a Weesaw township resident 60 years. Surviving besides his wife are 10 children: Mrs. Grace Johns, Benton Harbor; Mrs. Martha Shupa, South Bend; Richard Carpenter, Baroda; David Carpenter, New Troy; Mrs. Dorothy Mittan, Buchanan; Miss Ruth Carpenter, Chicago; Lawrence Carpenter, New Troy; Mrs. Mae Klupp, Three Oaks; Clarence and Harold, both at home. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Orpha Briggs, Three Oaks, and a brother, Sanford of Buchanan.” - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Carpenter, Martha - The News Palladium carried an obituary for Martha Carpenter on 20 Sep 1930 and it reads: "Pioneer Resdident Of Berrien County Dies At Buchanan. Buchanan, Sep, 20-The death of Mrs. Martha Anne Carpenter, 86, at 3 a.m. today, removed one of the earliest residents of Berrien county. Mrs. Carpenter died at the homestead where she had lived 70 years and where her marriage to Marquis Carpenter, who died 16 years ago, occurred at the age of 16. As a bride she went to housekeeping in the residence in Weesaw township which afterwards became her lifetime home. She had been ill several months previous to her death. The deceased was born in Findaly, O. July 23 1844, and came as a child with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Late, to live in Buchanan. Two sons and a daughter survive. They are Sanford and Amos Carpenter, and Mrs. Orpha Briggs, all residents of Weesaw township. There are also 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The funeral will be held Monday at 3 p.m. daylight saving time, at the home, Rev. J. L. Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Weesaw county. Six grandsons of the deceased will carry the casket. They are Terry, Raymond, Kenneth and Forest Briggs, and Richard and David Carpenter."  - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Centory - Mrs. Lucille E. Centory – (Niles Daily Star – December 7, 1972) NILES –
Mrs. Lucille E. Centory, 61, of 3329 N. Fifth St., died at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in Patawing Hospital after an extended illness. Born Jan. 18, 1911, in St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Centory had lived here from 27 years, coming from Detroit.
   On Aug. 11, 1945, in Niles, she married Barth Centory, who survives. Mrs. Centory was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and the North East Home Economic Club. Additional survivors include the mother, Mrs. Mabel Hailey of Naples, Fla.; a daughter, Susan at home; and a brother Charles A. Hailey of Indianapolis, Ind.
   Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Indian Lake Cemetery, Indian Lake. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Thursday at Pifer Funeral Home.

Church, Capt. William
Capt. William Church Died in St. Joseph, Mic., on Aug 2, 1886, of congestion of the bowels. Capt. Wm. Church, in the 67th year of his age.
Capt. Church was born in Richmond, Ontario Co., NY., May 16, 1820. He came to St. Joseph about forty five years ago and has been a
resident of this place nearly ever since that time.
He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Emily Tupper, of this place, who bore him one childe who died in infancy, and his wife soon
follow her child.
His second wife was Miss Cynthia Barnes, of Keokuk, Iowa, daughter of Rev. Wm. Barnes, she died in 1870. Three children, Wm. B., Bus
and Jennie, were the fruits of this union, and all of them are esteemed residents of St. Joseph.
In 1862 Mr. Church went to New York and enlisted as a private in the 11th N.Y. Heavy Artillery, and afterwards served in that battery
through the McClellan campaign. In 1863 he was promoted to a captain by the Governor of New York, but soon after contracted disease
and was discharged on account of disability contracted in the service of his country.
After his discharge he again returned to St. Joseph to reside. At one time he was in the lake service. His funeral was held Tuesday afternoon,
from the M.E Church, R. G.L. Cole preaching the sermon before a goodly number of symapthizing relatives and friends. A delegation of A.W.
Chapman Post, No. 21 G.A.R. of which he was a worthy member, attended and took part in the services. Capt. Church was an earnest
Republican and in favor of all interesnts looking to the advancement of this town.
Taken From The St. Joseph Herald, 7 August 1886

Contributed By Annonymous

Clawson, Mrs Ida Clawson
PIPESTONE PIONEER DIES AT 92 YEARS   Eau Claire, May 25 -- Mrs Ida Clawson, 92, member of a prominent pioneer Pipestone township family, died Wednesday at the Krough Nursing home in Mishawaka, Indiana.  She had suffered a stroke three weeks ago.  Mrs Clawson was believed to be the only Civil War veteran's widow still living in Berrien County.  She was born on August 15, 1857, in Pipestone Township, one of the seven children of Mr and Mrs John Sutherland.  She was an early day school teacher and was the widow of Sullivan N ("Bull") Clawson.  Mrs Clawson was first married to David Mathias Hartsell and the couple for some time operated the old Naomi store.  She was also postmistress there for a time.  The couple had two children, Vitus, of Route 2, Eau Claire and Edgar, deceased.  Mr Hartsell died more than 50 years ago, and she later was married to Mr Clawson.  She had one son by this marriage, Kenneth, of South Bend.  She also leaves a grandson and a brother, John Sutherland, of Benton Harbor.  Another brother, Charles Sutherland, of Sister Lakes, died only about three weeks ago in Florida.  She wa s a charter member of the P.V.E club of Pipestone and a lifelong member of the Naomi Evangelical United Brethren Church.  Funeral services are to be conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Naomi Evangelical United Brethren Church with the Reverend Floyd M. Barden officiating.  Burial will be in the Penn Yan Cemetery.  Arrangements are in charge of the Bowerman Funeral Home.
 Taken From The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Thursday, May 25, 1950, page 21

More About IDA SUTHERLAND:
Burial: May 27, 1950, Penn Yan Cemetery, Berrien County, Michigan - Contributed By Kathy Warren

Clendenen, Van Buren
The Berrien County Record carried a death notice for Van Buren Clendenen on 18 Nov 1886 and it reads:  "Mr. Van Buren Clendenen died at his home in this township Thursday evening.  It was he whose marriage to Mrs. Mary Kenniston was annonounced in these coulms Nov. 4."

Closson, Altha (Mrs. L.D.)
The death of Mrs L.D. Closson, 57, well known Euclid Avenue resident occurred Monday afternoon at her home.  Funeral services occur Wednesday at 2:30 P.M. at the Dean mortuary.  Burial is in Crystal Springs cemetery.  The deceased was the daughter of Mrs and Mrs Nathan Gilbert, and was born in Pipestone Township.  She is survived by her husband, parents, a step daughter, Mrs P.E. Dukesherer, Highland Avenue, a sister, Mrs Edward Gilson of Dowagiac, four brothers, Alvia of Lawrence, William, Frank and Ross of Benton Harbor and several nieces and nephews.
Taken From The News Palladium, February 16, 1932
More About Altha Gilbert: Burial: February 17, 1932, Crystal Springs Cemetery, Berrien County, Benton Harbor, Michigan
Residence: 1894, Benton Township, Michigan.
Contributed By Kathy Warren

Collins, Fred - The News Palladium carried an obituary for Fred Collins on 08 Mar 1951 and it reads: “Fred B. Collins, 81, 460 Pipestone street, Benton Harbor, succumbed in Mercy hospital at 9:15 p.m. yesterday to injuries received March 3 when he was hit by a car near his home. Ex-Sheriff Collins was not believed critically hurt when he was struck last March 3 by a car driven by Claude G. Allkins, 52, 1030 Superior street, Benton harbor. Mr. Collins was rushed to Mercy hospital where it was revealed he had received scalp wounds and a bump on the head. He appeared to be improving but suddenly took a turn for the worse and died last night. City police released driver of the car that struck Mr. Collins after questioning. He told them the fender of his car brushed Mr. Collins as the ex-sheriff angled across Pipestone street near his home. The Funeral Service for ex-Sheriff Collins is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Reiser chapel. The Rev. Howard A. Blanning, pastor of the First Congregational church, will officiate. Interment will be in the mausoleum in St. Joseph City cemetery. Mr. Collins, one of the twin cities’ best known residents, was born June 23, 1869 at Mendon, Mich., son of George W. and Jennie Bell Collins, but had lived in Benton Harbor most of his lifetime. His grandfather, the late Albert Collins, opened one of the first general stores in the city and was proprietor of the old American House, which stood at the corner of Pipestone and West Main streets. His uncles, and late Dr. John Bell and Dr. George Bell, operated the old Bell Opera house here. In Benton Harbor’s early days, Mr. Collins managed the city’s first ‘modern’ hotel, Hotel Benton at East Main and Water streets. The hotel was owned by Mr. Collins’ father-in-law, the late Edward Brant. He later became manager of the Bell Opera house. He was elected sheriff of Berrien county in 1901 and served that office four years. He had long been active in local politics and in later years was sergeant-at-arms in both the Senate and House of Representatives at Lansing. But for all his business and political interests, Mr. Collins was probably best known for his Masonic activities. A life member of the Masons, he belonged to every form of masonry. He held life membership in the Blue lodge of Benton Harbor, Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, Knights Templar, Scottish Rite of grand Rapids, and the Grand Rapids Shrine. Surviving are his wife, Ida M.; one daughter, Mrs. Hallie Bell Patrick, of Indianapolis, Ind., and two grandsons, Gordon C. and Stanley Patrick, both of Indianapolis. One great-granddaughter also survives. She is Mary Jeanne Patrick, daughter of the Gordon C. Patricks.” - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Collins, Ida (Brant) - The News Palladium carried an obituary for Ida Collins on 20 Sep 1951 and it reads: “Death Calls Ida Collins At Age 79 Mrs. Ida Collins, 79, widow of early day Sheriff Fred B. Collins, died at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday at her home, 460 Pipestone street, from a cerebral hemorrhage suffered on Sept. 4. Mrs. Collins was a member of a prominent pioneer family here. Her father, the late Edward Brant, built the city’s first ‘modern’ hotel, Hotel Benton, and was one of the founders of the Farmers and Merchants National bank. Her mother was Martha Carpenter Brant, a native of St. Mary’s Canada. Mrs. Collins was born Aug 7, 1872 in Watervliet township, on her father’s farm. She attended school there, later attending Valparaiso (Ind.) college. On Jan 20, 1892 she was married to Fred Bell Collins, who was associated with his uncles, the late Dr. John and Dr. George Bell, in the Bell Drug company here. He was elected Berrien county sheriff in 1901, and after serving in that office four years, took over the management of the Hotel Benton. He later managed the old Bell Opera house. Mr. Collins died last march 7 from injuries suffered when he was struck by a car in front of his home. Surviving Mrs. Collins are a daughter, Mrs. Hallie Bell Patrick, who has been residing with her mother since her father’s death last spring; two grandsons, Gordon C. Patrick, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Stanley Patrick., a senior at Indiana university, Bloomington, and one great-granddaughter, Mary Jeanne, daughter of the Gordon C. Patricks. Mrs. Collins was a life member of Colonial Chapter No. 319, Order of Eastern Star, and was a past matron of that organization. Funeral services will be held at the Reiser mortuary at 2 p.m. The rev. Howard A. Blanning of the First Congregational church will officiate, and burial will follow in Crystal Springs cemetery. Friends may call at the Reiser mortuary” Note: Ida was interred in the mausoleum in the City cemetery in St. Joseph not Crystal Springs. - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Cooney - - Walter J. Cooney – (Niles Daily Star – December 7, 1972) NILES –
Walter J. Cooney, 72, of 1728 Broadway, died at 12:30 a.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital after an illness of several months.
  A retired engineer and crew dispatcher for the Penn Central Railroad. Mr. Cooney was born Aug. 15, 1900, in Michigan City, and had lived here since 1920. On Aug. 12, 1924, in Niles, he married the former Catherine McGuiness, who survives. He was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his wife,
  Mr. Cooney is survived by two sons, Walter J. and Kevin M. Cooney of Niles and Stevensville, respectively; three daughters, Sister Miriam Patrick of St. Mary’s, Mrs. William F. Henessey of Chicago and Mrs. Ronald E. Scholzen of Racine, Wis.; two brothers, John P. and Edward J., of Chicago and Highland, Ill., respectively; two sisters, Mrs. Marie Cashbaugh and Winifred Cooney, both of Michigan City, and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Mark’s Church, with the Rev. Fr. Francis E. Timmons officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call beginning Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 that evening. Memorials may be given to the heart fund.

Cooper, Melva Jean
BUCHANAN, Nov. 19 (Special) — Melva Jean Copper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Copper, 501 Carroll street, died at birth Friday night
in Pawating hospital, Niles.
A prayer service was held at 3:30 p. m. Saturday in the Swem funeral home, with the Rev. W. D. Ruff of Bethel temple officiating. Burial was
made-in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Besides the parents, there are two grandmothers surviving; Mrs. Lena Twill of Nebraska and Mrs. Henry Hawn. Buchanan and a grandfather,
George Copper of Buchanan.
Taken from the St. Joseph Herald-Press, November 1945
Contributed By Annonymous

Critzer, Lavina nee Harner
An obituary for Lavina Critzer was carried in the News Palladium on Monday 27 Oct 1969 and it reads: “Mrs. Lavinia Critzer Bridgman-Mrs. Lavinia Critzer, 72, Browntown road, Buchanan, died at 8 a.m. Saturday in Memorial hospital, where she had been a patient three weeks. Mrs. Critzer was born in Baroda township, Feb. 27, 1897. On Sept. 15, 1917 she married Edward Critzer, her preceded her in death on March 29, 1959. Surviving are four sons, Leonard of Baroda, James and Raymond of Buchanan and Chester of Berrien Springs; five daughters, Mrs. Albert (Myrtle) Gaul of Stevensville, Mrs. Kenneth (Louise) Schultz and Mrs. Herbert (Esther) Gaul, both of Bridgman, and Mrs. Edward (Marie) Schutze of Buchanan and Mrs. Ernest (Dorothy) Barker of Baroda; 26 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A son, brother and sister preceded her in death. Funeral services are scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. today in the Boyd funeral home, Bridgman. The Rev. Raymond Brendle, pastor of the Baroda Bible church, will officiate. Burial will be in Hinman cemetery.” The phrase “her preceded her in death” is the papers not mine. Edward is also buried in this cemetery. DOD 25 Oct 1969
Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Culby, John G.
BENTON HARBOR -- John G. Culby, 88, of Benton Harbor passed away May 22, 2004, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at North Shore Memory Gardens, with the Rev. Paul Mumaw officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society. Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Culby was born April 20, 1916, in Benton Harbor to Frank and Clara (Jakeway) Culby. He was a fruit broker and farmer. On June 17, 1939, he married Frances E. Mole in Sodus. Mr. Culby was a lifetime member of the Horticultural Society, a member of the Benton Harbor Elks and a former Eagle Scout. He loved to travel in his trailer throughout North America, loved to work on his vegetable garden and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
His survivors include two sons -- Frank (Carabeth) Culby of Millburg and Timm (Debbie) Culby of Benton Harbor; a daughter, Sharon (Thomas) Michael of Sodus; a sister, Beatrice Pagewood of Stevensville; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, on April 12, 2004; his parents; and a brother, James.
Taken from The Herald - Palladium May 24, 2004 edition

Contributed By Genweb Coordinator 2005