Ramsay, Alpheus Niles— 9 Jan, 1976 - Niles Newspaper
Alpheus A. Ramsay, 65, died at 1:45 a.m. today at his home at 2033 Lewis Dr. following a short illness. A tool and die maker, he retired in 1972 from Modineer Co. Mr. Ramsay was born june 7, 1910, in Grand Traverese County and came to Niles in 1928 from Wyoming. His wife, the former Lydia McIntyre, who he married June 22, 1938, at South Bend, survives. Also surviving are two sons, Robert and Terrance, both of Niles, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Pifer Chapel of Swem-Smith Funeral Home. The Rev. Ray Cunningham, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate. Cremation will be in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may call at the funeral chapel after noon Friday.

Reber, Catherine nee Myers
The December 1, 1932 issue of the Niles Daily Star carried a brief notice of the death of Catherine Reber: "The body of Mrs. Catherine Reber, 77, who died on Nov. 29 in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bertha Glasser, of Detroit, was brought to Galien today to the Kinney undertaking rooms. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at 1 o'clock in the Congregational church in Baroda. Burial will be made in Baroda. Mrs. Estella Wolkins of Galien, also is a surviving daughter." This Catherine would have been born in 1855/56. Estella Wolkins’ death record gives her mother’s name as Kate Meyers.
- - contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Reith, Richard Lloyd – synopsis of obit 
Richard Lloyd Rieth of Three Oaks passed April 20th, 2011. - born February 27, 1921, in Goshen, IN to Albert Anderson Rieth and Arvilla Virginia Blough Rieth, the seventh of eight children.

He attended schools in Goshen, Indiana graduating from Goshen High School. He attended one year at Goshen College and then transferred to Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois where he graduated in June 1943 with a B.A. in Bible. While attending Wheaton College he met his sweetheart and love of his life, Natalie Pyke Thompson. They married on August 30, 1946 in Richard's home town of Goshen, Indiana.

May 1951, Richard graduated from Northern Baptist Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree.

September 1958, Richard and Natalie moved their family to Sawyer, Michigan where he began teaching public school. During his first year of teaching he earned a Masters Degree in Education. He taught a total of 26 years, one year in Baroda, and all the other years in the River Valley Consolidated Schools.

In 1959 they moved to a farm in Three Oaks where Richard followed his love of farming while teaching. He raised Black Angus cattle and chickens, and farmed 260 acres of varying crops. Everyone was involved in this endeavor! They also become members of Sawyer Highlands Baptist Church .

Richard and Natalie raised six children: Marcia, Mary Ann, Janet, Ellen, Dick, and David with their faith in God being prominent and central in their lives.

Preceded in death by his loving wife Natalie in 2008; Richard is survived by their children; daughters, Marcia (William) Montgomery of Custer, WA, Mary Ann (John) Anderson of Raymond, NE, Janet Merrill of Charlevoix, MI, and Ellen (David) Saavedra of Olympia, WA; sons, Richard A. (Debbie) Rieth of Three Oaks, MI, and David A. Rieth of Bridgman, MI; 20 grandchildren, Mark, Eric, Frances, and Natalie Anderson; Esther Anderson Bryan; Jonathan, David, Zachary, Jaclyn, and Caipan Merrill, Kristine and Katie Montgomery, Wesley, Emma (deceased), Evan, and Jessie Rieth; Stephen, Beth, Joseph, and Andrew Saavedra; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Nels, Reuben, and Heidi Anderson; and sister, Frances Esther Rieth Jessup.

Visitation was held on Friday, May 6, 2011 at Pobocik Funeral Home in Three Oaks. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Sawyer Highlands Church, 13100 Red Arrow Highway. Graveside services were held at 3:00 p.m. at Violett Cemetery in Goshen, Indiana. Burial in Violet Cemetery – Goshen, Elkhart, IN

Rizzo, John Sgt. -    Sgt. John Rizzo Killed in Korea (Saturday, October 18, 1952) Sgt. John Rizzo, Jr., whose parents live at 268 West Napier Avenus, was killed in action in Korea October 8, according to a telegram received by his wife, Gloria, from the Department of Defense. No details of his death were given. Sgt. Rizzo had been in Korea since the early part of the year, serving in the Infantry. Last March he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for excellent performance of duty in combat with the Seventh Infantry Division. He was a rifleman in the 17th Regiment. His father operates the John Rizzo Wholesale Grocery Company here. Surviving in addition to his parents and his wife, the former Gloria Schuhknecht, who resides with her parents at 581 Empire Avenue, and three brothers, Tom, Joe and Sam and three siters, Mrs. Anna burtzlaff, proprietor of the Jack ‘n’ Jill Shop here, Mrs. Lee (Doc) Price and Mrs. Robber Riemland, all of Benton Harbor. Sgt. Rizzo entered the Army May 10, 1951. He received basis training at Fort Riley, Kan., before he was sent to Korea last January.

Sgt. Rizzo’s Body In U.S. (Tuesday, November 25, 1952) The body of Sgt. John Rizzo of Benton Harbor was amount those of 15 Michigan servicement returned to this country from Korea today aboard the S. S. Harvard Victory. There were 235 American ward dead on the liner. Sgt. Rizzo, sone of Mr. and Mrs. John Rizzo, 268 West Napier Avenue was killed in action in Korea on October 8. he was a rifleman in the 17th Infantry regiment. His father operates the John rizzo Wholesale Grocery Company here. The Benton Harbor sergeant was the husband of the former Gloria Schuhknecht, who resides with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Schuhknecht, at 581 Empire Avenue. It has not been leared here when the body will arrive in Benton Harbor, so funeral arrangements are incomplete.
   Body of B. H. Soldier Home from Korea (Wednesday, December 17, 1952) The casket bearing the body of Sgt. John Rizzo, Jr., arrived here at 5:22 a.m. today and was taken to the Dean & Dey mortuary. Sgt. Rizzo, youngest son of a well known family here, Mr. and Mrs. John rizzo, 268 West Napler Avenur, was killed in action in Korea, near Triangle Ridge last October 8. a rifleman in the 17th Regiment, Seventh Infantry Division, he had been in Korea several months. He was the husband of the former Gloria Schuhknecht, who he married September 21, 1951. she resides with her parents at 581 Empire Avenue. Funeral services for the young sergeant will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Dean & Dey Brothers Chapel, with George Amundsen of the Watch Tower Bible Society officiating. Burial will be in Crystal Springs cemetery. Sgt. Rizzo was born june 19, 1930 in Benton Harbor and had lived here all his life until he was inducted into the arm. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, where he was active in sports. He also was associated with his father in operating the John Rizzo Wholesale Grocery Company here. Surviving besides his wife and his parents are three brothers and three sisters, Thomas, Joseph and Samuel Rizzo, Mrs. Oscar (Ann) Burtzinell and Mrs. Leo (Mary) Price, all of Benton Harbor and Mrs. Robert (Jean) Riemland of Sawyer. Sgt. Rizzo had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for excellent performance of duty in combat with the enemy forces.

Roe, Alison C. Died 1923 (link to obituary)

ALISON C. ROE SUMMONED HENCE—May 15, 1899 HE WAS A LIFE-LONG CITIZEN OF BUCHANAN, PROMINENT IN LEGAL, CIVIC AND CHURCH AFFAIRS. Alison C. Roe, one of the best known citizens of Buchanan, died at his home on Front Street, at 9 o’clock, Saturday evening, from cancer of the bladder. Deceased had been in poor health for some time past, but had only been confined to his bed for two weeks. He was born in Buchanan, in 1853, the son of Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Roe, and was a recident of this place during his entire lifetime. He is survived by his widow, one sister-Mrs. Ellis Clark-one niece, two nephews, and other relatives and a host of friends.
  The funeral services were held from the home this (Tuesday) afternoon at 2:30, Rev. J. J. Terry, of Christian Church officiating. Interment in Oak Ridge Cemetery. On March 26, 1879, Mr. Roe Graduated from the Law Department of the University of Michigan, and began the practice of law in Buchanan, and continued the active practice of his profession for a period of forty years, retiring there from in November of the last year. In 1884 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Berrien County and served the people in the capacity for two successive terms. He was a life long member of the Democratic Party, which has always been in the minority in Berrien County, and his election to county office as his party’s candidate was a decided evidence of personal popularity and the esteem in which he was held by the people of his county without respect to the political affiliation. Mr. Roe always took an interest in the affairs of Buchanan, and was on the men instrumental in organizing the St. Joseph Valley Creamery Company, in 1910, and was chosen manager of the plan. Much of the success, which this company experience was due to his ability in handling the business affairs of the concern. He was an ordained minister, long a member and supporter of the Christian Church where he often supplied in the pulpit. He also occupied the pulpit in many other churches at various times, and at one time he contemplated giving up his legal work and entering the ministry. For many years he was an elder in his chosen church. His life was an exemplary on, his actions being in accord with his beliefs.

Contributed By Charlotte Stevens Schneider

Roe, Dr John Martindale

Died 15 May 1899 (link to obituary)

OHN MARTINDAL ROE—May 15, 1899 John Martindale Roe, the third child in the family of Eli and Margare Roe, was born in Henry county, Ind., September 6, 1824. at the age of six years he accompanied his parents to St. Joseph County, Ind. His father settled on Government Land on the east side f Portage Prairie about four miles south of South Bend. Here his studies were prosecuted in a private school and afterwards carried on for three months each year in the District School. His time was mainly occupied in assisting his father in cultivating and improving the home farm. At the age of twenty, he taught at a district school near his home, thus securing money sufficient to pay his board and tuition for one term at the South Bend Academy. He afterwards commenced his medical career at Dr. Daniel Dayton of South Bend as preceptor. Here he pursued the study of medicine for about two years and then attended a course of medical lectures at Laporte, Ind. He commenced the practice of medicine at Goshen, Ind., where he remained for two years. In 1851, he came to Buchanan where he lived continuously until his death, which occurred May 15. 1899, being 74 years, 8 months, and 9 days old.
  As a physician, he was a successful practitioner for nearly 50 years. Perhaps not more than half a dozen people now live in Buchanan who were residents here when Dr. Roe came to this place in 1851/
  In 1848 he was married to Miss Philena Chipman, a native of Ohio and daughter of Mr. Halton Chipman. They became the parents of four children, one whom died in infancy. Mrs. Lennie Lough, wife of Henry Lough late of Buchanan, died in Florida at the age of twenty-seven, Alison C. Roe and Lillie E. Clarke, both of Buchanan, are left with their mother, to mourn the departure of a husband and father. Three brothers and two sisters are still among the living. Deeply impressed in childhood with the glorious principles of the religious of Jesus as taught and practiced by a noble Christian mother, the doctor publicly pledged fidelity to the loving Savor when probably about 17 years of age. His early vow of allegiance to the Son of God was sacredly kept by him until death. Aft his removal to Buchanan he persuaded and influenced his brother William to locate here for the purpose of introducing the cause of primitive Christianity in this place. The Christian Church in Buchanan, organized December 17, 1854, had him as one of the 18 charter members and for 45 years he stood by the church faithfully being one of its principal supporters. His final illness found him ready to depart and be with Christ leaning upon the precious promises of the blessed Savior and fully resigned to the providence of God. Released from all earth’s ills and woes. In Jesus is his sweet repose. But he again in life shall bloom. And we shall meet beyond the totals.
  The funeral services were held this morning at ten o’clock from his late residence, the large attendance crowding the capacity of the house to its fullest extent. Rev. E. R. Black conducted the services, assisted by Rev. J. F. Bartmess. Both clergymen paid a touching tribute to the deceased and beautiful music was rendered by Mrs. Perrott and Miss Bronson. The interment was made at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Contributed By Charlotte Stevens Schneider

Roe, Philenia R.

Died 24 April 1911 (link to obituary)

ROE, PHILENIA R. —April 24, 1911 Philenia R. Roe, Ohio, December 2, died at Buchanan, Michigan on April 24, 1911, being at the time of her death 83 years, 3 months and 27 days old. While she was quite young her father, Holton Chipman, moved with his family to Louisberg, Ohio, there engaging in the business of manufacturing cloth. Afterwards, the family moved to Illinois, remaining there a short time, and living in a cabin on the prairie. Then they moved to Bristol, Indiana, where the father engaged in the business of running a carding machine and at which place the father soon afterwards died. At this time, Mrs. Roe and her two older sisters, Lucy and Rachel, were living in South Bend where they had gone to attend school, in which Mrs. Roe was a student for about three years. Here she met John M. Roe, who was attending the same school, and was married to him March 30, 1848. In the fall after the marriage, they went to Laporte, Ind., where the husband attended a medical school. During the following winter Ruben Wilson and John Martindale, two pioneer preachers among the disciples of Christ came to Laporte and held a protracted meeting, during which on a confession of her faith in the Christ, she went out to the lake near that city, and at the hands of Reuben Wilson was baptized. In the following spring she and her husband located at New Paris, Ind., at which place he began the practice of medicine. After remaining there a short time they moved to Goshen in the same state, where her husband practiced his profession for about two and a half years in partnership with a Dr. Fosdic of that place. Then they came to Buchanan, Michigan, where Dr. Roe practiced medicine for many years and up to within a few years of his death which occurred May 15, 1899. Mrs. Roe was one of a large family of children, having two brothers and six sisters, namely, Cassium M. and Milton Chipman, Lucy, Rachel , Aus.

Contributed By Charlotte Stevens Schneider

Ruple, Glen- Sep 29, 1970 - Niles newspaper - Glen Ruple BUCHANAN—Glen Ruple, 56, of 5811 14th St. West, Bradenton, Fl., a former Buchanan resident, died Sunday of injuries suffered in an auto accident at Lakeland, Fla. Mr. Ruple was born august 27, 1914 in Cassopolis. In 1939, in Niles, he married the former Olivette Mary Pridavka, who died in 1958. He remarried, his wife, Etta, survives. Mr. Ruple was a member of the Buchanan Moose Lodge and was a World War II veteran as well as a member of the Buchanan Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition to his wife Mr. Ruple is survived by his father, Orsa J., of Decatur; six daughters; Mrs. Rene Kruze of Niles, Mrs. Cynthia Snyder and Mrs. Marcia Myers, both of South Bend, and Venessa, Theresa and Roberta, all at Mooseheart, Ill.; a brother; Lyle of South Bend, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Leon Pohl officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Swem Funeral Home.

Ruple - MRS. OLIVETTE RUPLE - BUCHANAN—Nov 4, 1958 Niles newspaper - Mrs. Olivette Mary Ruple, 41, of 601 River Street, Buchanan, died in childbirth at 10:40 a.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital, Niles. Mrs. Ruple, a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and of the Altar and Rosary Society, was born October 11, 1917, in Chicago the daughter of Michael and Frances Pridavka. She was married on July 1, 1939, in Niles to Glen O. Ruple and had lived her entire married life in this city. Surviving are her husband, six daughters; Roberts, the infant who was born Monday at Pawating, and Renaulda, Cynthia, Marcia, Venessa and Teressa, all at home, and two brothers, Gerald Pridavka of Niles and Michael Pridavka of Buchanan. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Anthony’s Church with the pastor, the Rev. Frank Jensen, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Niles. The Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Swem Funeral Home where friends may call after 7 p.m. today.

Russell, William E. - William E. Russell, 70 - May 1, 1950, Monday - William Erwin Russell, 70, of rural routed one, Buchanan, died at 1:45 a. m. Sunday in Pawating hospital where he was taken several days ago after suffering a heart attack.
  He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan township where he was born June 26, 1879, the sone of John and Maria Russell. He married Jessie Place on June 30, 1909, in Berrien Springs. A farmer, he was a memeber of the Oronoko Methodis church.
  In addition to his wife he leaves a son, John, two daughters, Mrs. Vivian Gess and Mrs. Margaret Blomberg all of rural route one, Buchanan., two sisters, Mrs. Lelia Woods, of rural route two, Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Ethel Haynes, of rural route one, Buchanan, and five grandchildren.
  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Swem funeral home., The Rev. William Y. Pohly will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.