The widowed Lottie moved to Battle Creek. Circa 1952, she lived in the West Manor Apartments and remained in town for many years. She endured the heartbreak of the loss of her son in 1969.

Daughter Ruth Margaret Bristol (1909-1999) was born on Aug. 25, 1909 in Chicago. She moved to Battle Creek in her youth and was a 1927 graduate of Battle Creek High School. During World War II, as a famed "grey lady," she volunteered with the American Red Cross at the Percy Jones General Hospital in Battle Creek serving amputee casualties of war. She eventually obtained a position in the business office of the Arthur S. Kimball Sanatorium, a a tuberculosis hospital in Kimball Pines Park. On Jan. 14, 1953, she wed Paul Cook Downing Sr. ( ? -1973), a resident of South Orange, NJ and the son of Paul C. and Sara Peters Downing. They exchanged their vows in the chapel of Union Memorial Church in Glenbrook near Stamford, CT, officiated by Rev. Thorpe Bauer. The Battle Creek Enquirer reported that she wore "a beige grey winter jersey and faille dressmaker suit with brown accessories. Her corsage was of brown orchids." Paul was a graduate of the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA and attended Princeton University. He had been wed before to June Treadwell ( ? -2008) and brought three stepchildren to the second marriage, Paul Cook Downing Jr., Sally D. Candler and Lucy D. Magee Allardice. The newlyweds' first home was in South Orange. They made news in the winter of 1955 when they sailed from New York to Bermuda on the Queen of Bermuda ocean liner to stay for three months in Southampton Parish. In 1962, the Downings migrated to Great Barrington, MA. The last address together was 72 South Street. Sadly, Paul died on May 28, 1973, in Pines Nursing Home. Ruth outlived him by more than a quarter-of-a-century. She was a member of St. James Church, the Thursday Morning Club and later treasurer of the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. Her final home was at Bryan Court, Great Barrington, and at the end she was admitted to the Laurel Lake Center as her health failed. She died at the age of 90 on Nov. 18, 1999. An obituary was published in the Pittsfield (MA) Berkshire Eagle.

• Step-grandson Paul Cook Downing Jr. ( ? - ? ) lived in Mulligan, NJ in 1999.

• Step-granddaughter Sally Downing ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Candler. Her home in 1973 was in Lawrence, NY.

• Step-granddaughter Lucy Downing ( ? - ? ) attended the Chatham schools and then went on to gtraduate from MacDuffie School in Springfield, MA, Pine Major Junior College and Gardner in Boston. She first wed John Adams Magee ( ? - ? )., son of Walter Magee of Warrington, PA. Rev. Fr. Walter A. Bell, pastor of St. Paul's Church, led the nuptials held at the Church of the Holy Communion in South Orange, They resided in Lawrenceville, NJ in the 1970s and bore two daughters, Carey Magee and Allison Damrosch Magee. Their marriage ended in divorce. Then on Dec. 28, 1979, she tied the knot with Robert Barclay Allardice III ( ? - ? ), son of Robert B. Allardice Jr. of Rose Terrace in Chatham, NJ. Robert had received his bachelor's degree from Yale University, cum laude, followed by a masters of business administration degree from Harvard, magua cum laude. At the time of marriage, he held the position of senior vice president of the New York investment banking firm of Morgan Stanley. As of 1999, she made her residence in Loften, NY and in 2000 in New York.

  Great-granddaughter Carey Magee was born in about 1969. She married Steven Goffman and they are the parents of Noah Adam Goffman.

  Great-granddaughter Allison Damrosch Magee was born in 1971. News of her birth was printed in the Chatham (NJ) Press.

Son Arnold E. Bristol (1908-1969) was born in about 1908 in the village of Maywood west of Chicago, IL. He grew up in Chicago and is known to have served in the U.S. Army during World War I. After the war's end, he moved to Battle Creek, MI in 1921 and remained there for several decades. On Jan. 5, 1946, in Kalamazoo, he married Emma Elizabeth "Betty" Bond (Oct. 12, 1913-2013), also of Battle Creek and the daughter of Arthur C. and Agnes L. (Ashdon) Bond. The pair did not reproduce. Elizabeth was a 1932 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Arnold earned a living in drafting and tool design in the engineering department of the Eaton Valve Division of Eaton Yale & Towne Inc., an automotive products company. He liked to fish and hunt and held memberships in the Battle Creek Gun Club, Hiawatha Club of the Upper Peninsula and the Battle Creek lodge of the Elks. In her own right, Elizabeth was employed from 1932 to 1939 as an administrative assistant in the sales and advertising department of Kellogg Company. In 1945, she joined the workforce of Clark Equipment Company and remained there for 32 years until retirement in 1972. Their final home together was at Gull Lake, MI. Said the Battle Creek Enquirer, "Betty was a faithful member of the Yorkville Community Church of Richland; she was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, a member of the 'Clark Birthday Girls' and the Golden Girls.' Betty's faith, her church families and her friends were her passion in life, but she did find time for playing cards." Sadly, his health plummeted in July 1968 and he was hospitalized in Leila Hospital. There, at the age of 61, after a stay of over five months, he died on Jan. 9, 1969. An obituary appeared in the Enquirer. Interment was in Battle Creek's Memorial Park Cemetery. Elizabeth outlived her spouse by 43 years and moved to Richland, MI. Death swept her away at the age of 99 on July 22, 2013. A memorial service was held at Yorkville Community Church in Richland, led by Rev. Dr. 

~ Son Clyde Dio Bristol ~

Son Clyde Dio Bristol (1884-1935) was born on March 27, 1884. 

He married Ella Clara Mai (1886-1960), the daughter of Oscar and Clara Mai. Their wedding took place on Sept. 7, 1905, in Hammond, IN.

Together, they produced six children -- Ellsworth "Bus" Clyde Bristol, Myrtle Dokey, Bernice Rolff, Gertrude Hushower, Shirley Mae Benson and Betty Jane Bauch. 

Busy Chicago, early home of the Bristols, at Dearborn and Randolph

In their early lives as parents, Clyde and Ella lived in Chicago, where many of their children were born. Then in 1912 they migrated to Michigan and settled in Buchanan. There, Clyde and his father and brother Earl were partners in the family business, Buchanan Pattern Works. 

Ella was a member of the Sylvia Chapter of the Eastern Star and the Bayleaf Rebekah Lodge. Their final address together was at 408 Clark Street in Buchanan.

Sadly, at about the time he reached the age of 51, Clyde contracted a serious illness. He suffered for five months until the angel of death spirited him away on Aug. 1, 1935. Rev. Paul Carpenter, pastor of the local Church of Christ, officiated the funeral service, with burial following in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  An obituary was published in the St. Joseph Herald-Press.  

She outlived her husband by 25 years. She died at the home of her married daughter, Gertrude Hushower, at the age of 74 on Sept. 26, 1960. She was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. At the time of her death, said the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, she was survived by 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Son Ellsworth Clyde "Bus" Bristol (1909-1987) was born in Chicago but came to Buchanan as a three-year-old in 1912. Said the Record, "He retired from Clark Equipment as a foreman in 1970 after 34½ years of service. He was a member of the Clark Management Club." Ellsworth was married twice. His first wife was Donna Margaret Schaffer (1912-1963), the daughter of Samuel and Bessie Schaffer of Kalamazoo, MI. They were married on Feb. 25, 1931 in South Bend, IN. They had one daughter, Nancy Artemik-Osterle and one son, Larry Clyde Bristol. Donna was a member of the Navy Mothers Club and the local Women of the Moose. Sadly, Donna died at the age of 51 in Pawating Hospital on Sept. 23, 1963, with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery. After about seven months as a widower, Ellsworth married his second wife, Lucille (Cordray) Perryman (1910-2004), on April 17, 1964.  They lived in Buchanan, MI as of 1966. Ellsworth died at the age of 77, after a long battle with cancer, on April 12, 1987. At the time, he four grandchildren. Lucille died on April 30, 2004, with burial in Shelbyville, IL.

• Granddaughter Nancy Bristol (1935-2008) was born on Sept. 7, 1935 in Buchanan. She was twice-wed. Her first husband was Korean War veteran Edward Artemik (Aug. 28, 1928-2008), originally from Nanticoke, PA and the son of Edward and Tillie (Gorski) Artemik. Together they bore two children -- Edward Bristol Artemik and Stephanie Ritchie. The family dwelled in South Bend and in Gloucester, NJ in 1968. Edward earned a living as a bartender. The couple eventually divorced, and Edward went to live in Mishawaka, IN. Nancy's second spouse was Siegfried Osterle ( ? - ? ). Then in 1989, she relocated to Germany and spent the balance of her years with Siegfried in the town of Hanau, with her offspring remaining in South Bend, IN. She was employed there by the United Service Organizations (USO) and taught food service and restaurant management at Central Texas University of Hanau. Sadly, she died on Jan. 4, 2008. Her cremains were placed into eternal repose in Hanau. She was pictured in her obituary in the South Bend Tribune. Former husband Edward Artemik died in Mishawaka at the age of 79 on Jan. 12, 2008.

  Great-grandson Edward Bristol Artemik lived in South Bend, IN in 2008-2012.

  Great-granddaughter Stephanie Artemik was a 1983 graduate of Niles High School. She then joined the U.S. Army, completed basic training at Fort Jackson SC and Fort Lee, VA and served a tour in Germany. She first entered into marriage with (?) Speiss ( ? - ? ). Their two children were Robert Speiss and Jennifer Lauren Speiss. As of the mid-1990s, her address was 3018 Westmoor Street in South Bend. When she was 30 years old, circa 1995, she was joined in wedlock with 24-year-old Thomas James Ritchie ( ? - ? ). The pair settled in South Bend. Then on Sept. 10, 2011, she wed one more to Steven L. Coulter (July 1, 1964-2012), a native of Orange County and the son of Royston "Tad" and Dorothy (King) Coulter and stepson of Larry Kirk. He brought a stepson into the mixed family, Cameron Coulter. Steven was a 1982 graduate of Mitchell High School, earned a living with Hancock Construction Company and was superintendent of Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Steven also held memberships in the local posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Their union only lasted for 14 months until he was cleaved away by death. As a patient at South Bend Memorial Hospital, he died at the age of 48 on Nov. 3, 2012. Presiding over the funeral service was Pastor Tim Vorhees. The remains were interred in Mitchell Cemetery and an obituary printed in the South Bend Tribune.

• Grandson Larry Clyde Bristol (1939-2023) was born on July 31, 1939 in Niles, MI. He grew up in Buchanan, MI and was a 1958 graduate of Buchanan High School. He then joined the U.S. Navy during the early years of the Vietnam War, receiving his honorable discharge in 1960. On June 13, 1964, he tied the marital cord with Carol Sue Jones (Sept. 8, 1941-2016), of Springfield, MO, the daughter of Paul and Fern Jones and stepdaughter of Douglas Reum. Their wedding ceremony was conducted in Bertrand Bible Church, and their union held firm over a remarkable 52 years. She had grown to womanhood in Niles and was a 1959 graduate of Niles High School. She then received a degree from South Bend (IN) College of Commerce.  They lived for many years in Buchanan and Niles, MI. Their two daughters were Laura Lausch and Pamela Kuntz. Said an obituary, "Larry worked in Sales for French Paper Company for many years where he retired. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially grouse hunting, fishing or camping. He also liked woodworking..." In her own right, Carol earned a living with Pawating Hospital, French Paper Company and Lasalle Federal Savings Bank (later Edgewater Bank) until retirement after nearly two decades. She liked to can, cook, craft, garden, sew, paint pictures and watch birds. Grief covered the family when Carol Sue died at home in Niles at the age of 75 on Dec. 16, 2016. Interment of her cremains was in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Larry lived for another seven years as a widower. He was swept away at home by the angel of death at the age of 84 on Aug. 29, 2023. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial contributions be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery, with the local American Legion Post providing honors.

  Great-granddaughter Laura Bristol was united in matrimony with (?) Lausch and then Scott Judy.

  Great-granddaughter Pamela Bristol was joined in wedlock with (?) Kuntz. Later she became a companion of Dan Hyche.

Daughter Myrtle Bristol (1906-1966) was born on Nov. 13, 1906 in Chicago. She relocated with her family to Buchanan, MI in childhood. On June 15, 1927, at the age of 20, she was joined in wedlock with Lowell L. Dokey ( ? - ? ). They exchanged their vows in Buchanan and remained there into the 1940s. They held a membership in the Buchanan Church of Christ. One son born into this family was Lowell Dokey Jr. In 1948, the pair relocated to Cassopolis and on New Year's Day 1966 to South Bend, IN. Their final address together was at 1518 North Wilbur Street. Sadness blanketed the family when the 59-year-old Myrtle was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial Hospital on March 27, 1966 after suffering a massive heart attack. An obituary was printed in the South Bend Tribune. Rev. Maurice Wertenberger officiated the funeral service, with burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Lowell married again to Josephine Derrigan ( ? - ? ).

• Grandson Lowell Dokey Jr. (1928-1980) was born on Aug. 10, 1928 in Buchanan, MI. His wife was Norma Thompson ( ? - ? ). Together, they bore a family of four -- Douglas Dokey, Bruce Dokey, Teresa Galaske and Jill Upton. The Dokeys made a home for years in Buchanan, MI, wth Lowell employed by Buchanan Steel Products. Sadly, following what the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium said was "a long illness," he surrendered to the angel of death at the age of 51 on Jan. 12, 1980. The local lodge of the Masons provided sacred rites at the funeral, followed by burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Douglas Dokey dwelled in Buchanan, MI in 1980.

  Great-grandson  Bruce Dokey settled in Niles, MI.

  Great-granddaughter Teresa Dokey wed Gerold Galaske. The pair was in Buchanan in 1980. 

  Great-granddaughter Jill Dokey married William Upton and put down roots in Buchanan.

Front Street in Buchanan, MI - Published by C.R. Childs Co., Chicago

Daughter Bernice Bristol (1908-1974) was born on Feb. 6, 1908 in Chicago. On Nov. 1, 1926, in South Bend, IN, she tied the knot with World War I veteran Charles "Floyd" Rollf (Dec. 14/18, 1895-1968), sometimes spelled "Rolff" and "Rolf," and the son of Jonah and Florence (Inks) Rollf of Plymouth, IN. The bride was 13 years younger than the groom. During the war, he served in the U.S. Army's 244th Military Police. They settled in the Wagner district of Buchanan. Ten known offspring in this family were Phyllis Pearl Walls, Aleta Joyce Place, Doris Arlene Krone Yazell, Vera Louise Rollf, Helen Bernice Samples Krieger, Floyd Arnold Rollf, Russel Rollf, Shirley Gober and Deanna Pinkerton and Donnis Lucker. Grief cascaded over the family when baby daughter Vera Louise, at age three-and-a-half months, died of pneumonia on April 19, 1936. The infant's tender remains were laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, with Rev. Paul Carpenter leading the rites. Floyd was employed for many years with Bendix Corporation until retirement in 1957. He belonged to the Buchanan Post of the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of World War I and the Four Flags Barracks of the Veterans of World War I. The family address in Buchanan in the mid-1960s was 501 South Oak Street. Floyd passed away in Berrien General Hospital at the age of 72 on May 4, 1968. Rev. Larry Whiteford, of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles, led the funeral rites. Bernice outlived him by eight years. At the age of 66, she was cleaved away by the angel of death in Buchanan on Sept. 22, 1974. Inscribed on the face of their grave marker in Oak Ridge Cemetery is the reference for 2 Corinthians 5:8 -- "We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

• Granddaughter Phyllis Pearl Rollf (1927-2014) was born on March 8, 1927 in Niles, Berrien County, MI. On June 27, 1947, in Ohio, she entered into marriage with World War II veteran Earl Judd Walls (May 17, 1923-2014), son of Earl G. and Eleanor (Barnes) Walls of Buchanan, MI and stepson of Earl Miller. Their marriage endured the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 66 years before the separation of death. Before and during the war, from 1940 through 1946, he had served as a storekeeper in the U.S. Navy. At the time of the Japanese attack on Hawaii in 1941, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor as a yeoman in the supply division of a submarine base and survived. He soonafter sent a card home to reassure his parents that he was "safe," reported the Niles Daily Star. Then in June 1945, he fell on the deck of his ship and broke an arm, requiring hospitalization in the base hospital at Long Beach, CA. Together, they produced a trio of children -- Vera Maxine Harpole, Jack Walls and Paul Arnold Walls. For many years, Earl was employed as an inspector with Electro-voice, a position from which he retired. Both held memberships in the Buchanan American Legion Post 51, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Cassopolis and the Buchanan Moose. Their home in 2008 was in Niles, MI. Both died in early 2014 -- he on Jan. 6 and she on March 4 -- with their ashes placed in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. Obituaries were printed in the South Bend Tribune. The headcount of their survivors was three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

  Great-granddaughter Vera Maxine Walls married James Harpole.

  Great-grandson Jack Walls wed Mercyde.

  Great-grandson Paul Arnold Walls ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Aleta Joyce Rollf (1928-2016) was born on Sept. 21, 1928 in Buchanan, Berrien County, MI. She was a 1947 graduate of Buchanan High School. When she was 19 years of age, on Nov. 8, 1947, she tied the marital cord with Myron Rolf Place (July 3, 1925-2014), a veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II. They stayed together over the highs and lows of 66 years until cleaved away by the spectre of death. A family of seven born to the pair were Dennis Place, Randall Place, Dawn Place, Debbie Morse, Karen Cornwell, Cheryl Barnes and Janet Minx. Myron earned a living for 30 years with Bendix Corporation, retiring in 1978. He also owned Place Upholstery. He enjoyed being "neighborly," said the family, "the outdoors and staying active." Said the South Bend Tribune, "She enjoyed reading, sewing, taking walks and dancing and would always enjoy playing a game of cards Kings in the Corner... One of her great accomplishments was learning to play the organ at age 50." Death claimed him at age 88, in Hamilton Grove of New Carlisle, IN, on May 3, 2014. She lived on for another two years as a widow. At the age of 87, she succumbed on Sept. 16, 2016. They sleep for all time in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, IN. Survivors at the time of Aleta's death were 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana.

  Great-grandson Dennis Place married Susan. They put down roots in Merrillville, IN.

  Great-grandson Randall Place moved to Texas.

  Great-granddaughter Dawn Place wed Calvin Howard. They were in Granger, IN in 2014.

  Great-granddaughter Debbie Place tied the knot with Howard Morse. They settled in South Bend, IN.

  Great-granddaughter Karen Place was joined in matrimony with Tim Cornwell. Their dwelling-place in 2014 was in Buchanan, MI.

  Great-granddaughter Cheryl Place was united in wedlock with Kevin Barnes. They have resided in Mishawaka, IN.

  Great-granddaughter Janet Place wed Gene Minx. The Minxes migrated to Tennessee and in 2014 lived in Morristown, TN.

• Granddaughter Doris Arlene Rollf (1933-1993) was born in 1933. She attended Buchanan High School and then went to work for the shipping department of Electro-Voice Inc. She appears to have been twice wed. Her first marriage, which was short-lived, was held on March 18, 1954 with Harold Krone ( ? - ? ), son of Pauline Krone of Sawyer, MI who had attended Troy High School and was employed in Benton Harbor by a construction firm. Their nuptials were conducted at the Trinity Lutheran Church, by the hand of Rev. E.G. Ripke, and made public in the pages of the Niles Daily Star. The pair did not reproduce. Then that August, Harold sued for divorce on grounds of cruelty. Just 11 months after the initial marriage, on Feb. 23, 1955, in a ceremony held at the home of the officiating pastor, Doris was joined in wedlock with schoolmate Larry "Bud" Yazell ( ? - ? ), son of Charles and Eva Yazell of rural Buchanan. Presiding was Rev. C.V. Bigler of the Methodist Church of Oronoko, MI. In announcing the happy news, the Daily Star said that the bride "wore a street length dress of white satin, designed with a square neckline, fitted bodice, bracelet-length sleeves and full skirt, accented with pink accessories and a corsage of pink roses." Larry had joined the U.S. Navy in 1952, during the Korean War, and at the time of marriage had plans to attend the Veterans Trade School in Chicago. Circa 1977, she held office as senior vice president of the Gladys N. Lyon post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Buchanan. She died in 1993 and sleeps for all time in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan. Larry is known to have been in Melbourne, FL in 1995.

• Granddaughter Helen Bernice Rollf (1938-2008) was born on May 2, 1938 in Buchanan, Berrien County. She first was united in matrimony on Dec. 13, 1958 with Wilburn Samples ( ? - ? ). They produced a trio of children -- Robert Samples, Carmen L. Buoy and Ramona M. Benson. Their marriage dissolved with her filing a complaint for divorce in May 1969 in the Circuit Court for Berrien County. She earned income as a sales clerk and seamstress. Her second husband, whom she wed on Oct. 23, 1977, in Bridgman, MI, was Melvin Ernest Krieger (July 19, 1933-2021). He was the son of Henry and Alma (Skibbe) Krieger and had been born on the family farm along Sawyer Road. He had been married before to Janet Zuppke ( ? - ? ) and brought stepchildren into the union with Helen -- Freddy Melvin Krieger and Laura Jan Wagemaker. Melvin was a 1951 graduate of New Troy High School, trained under plumber Harold Zeiger of Sawyer and then served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, including a posting to Germany. After his term of service ended, he returned home and re-engaged in plumbing. Said an obituary, "He earned his master plumber license in 1962 after his journeyman's service under Irv (Ace) Breutkreutz of Ace Plumbing. His career spanned seven decades with three family companies, Melvin Krieger Plumbing, Stevensville, then City Plumbing, Harlingen, TX, then Kriegers' Professional Plumbing, Baroda. Melvin was active in service and leadership with Lutheran congregations in Stevensville, Harlingen, TX, and died as a member of Trinity, Sawyer, the church in which he was raised as a youth." Their final home was in Sawyer, MI. Sadness swept over the family with Helen's passing on Nov. 1, 2008 as a patient in Lakeland Regional Medical Center of St. Joseph, MI. She was pictured in her obituary in the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium. Funeral rites were held in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the hand of Rev. Kendall L. Schaeffer. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Buchanan's Oak Ridge Cemetery. Her survivors included 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Melvin survived by a baker's dozen years and lived in Stevensville, MI. He died in a hospice environment in Caring Circle in Caretel on June 6, 2021.

  Great-grandson Robert Samples wed Carolyn and moved to Vilonia, AR.

  Great-granddaughter Carmen L. Samples married David Buoy. They relocated to Molalla, OR. 

  Great-granddaughter Ramona M. Samples tied the marital cord with (?) Benson. She dwelled in Buchanan, MI in 2008. 

  Step-great-grandson Freddy Melvin Krieger was united in matrimony with Linda. Their five children were Hans Krieger, Liesel Krieger, Sonja Krieger, Hunter Krieger and Gretchen Krieger. They grieved at the stillbirth of their daughter Sonja. As of 2008, they were in Baroda, MI and in 2021 in Stevensville, MI. 

  Step-great-granddaughter Laura Jan Krieger was joined in wedlock with Lester Wagemaker. Their trio of children were Rachelle Wagemaker, Nathaniel Wagemaker and Timothy Wagemaker. They settled in Belmont, MI as of 2008. Lester passed away sometime before 2021.

• Grandson Floyd Arnold Rollf lived in Galien, MI in the late 1960s.  In time he relocated to North Carolina and in 2008 was in Statesville, NC.

• Grandson Russell Rollf ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was a graduate of New Troy High School and in the mid-1960s joined the workforce of Southwestern Tool Corporation of Buchanan. On Dec. 17, 1966, he entered into marriage with Karen Warren ( ? - ? ), daughter of James Warren of North Third Street in Niles. The ceremony, conducted by Elder John P. Rees, was held in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their happy event was announced in the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, which reported that she wore a "floor-length gown of white satin... Her fingertip tiered veil of silk illusion was held by a silvery crown in a floral design. She carried red roses." The newlyweds' first home was in Buchanan at 501½ South Oak Street. Russell is known to have remained in Buchanan, MI in 1968-2008.

• Granddaughter Shirley Irene Rollf (1937-2020) was born on March 10, 1937 in Buchanan, MI. She was an alumna of Buchanan High School. Shirley married Joe H. Gober ( ? - ? ). Together, they produced a brood of four children -- Steve Gober, Mike Gober, Lori Snyder and William Gober. They dwelled in Troutman, NC and as of 2008 were in Murrells Inlet, SC. Said an obituary, Shirley "was a member of the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, SC where she was a leader for the Lord and a member of the American Legion." They endured the death of their son Steve. The family suffered again when Shirley contracted Covid-19 and died from complications on Aug. 15, 2020. No funeral services were held. The headcount of her survivors was a dozen grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

  Great-grandson Steve Gober was deceased by 2020.

  Great-grandson Mike Gober established a home in Statesville, NC.

  Great-granddaughter Lori Gober wed (?) Snyder. She lived Murrells Inlet, SC in 2020.  

  Great-grandson William Gober put down roots in Murrells Inlet, SC.

• Granddaughter Deanna Rollf tied the knot with Walter Pinkerton ( ? - ? ), son of Merritt and Elsie (Voris) Pinkerton. They made a dwelling-place together in 2008-2016 in Largo, FL.

• Granddaughter Donnis Rollf (1930-2000) was born on April 15, 1930. Her first husband was Joseph Konkey ( ? - ? ). They lived in Niles, MI in the early 1960s and together produced a daughter, Patricia Ann Miller. Their union ended in divorce, and Joseph married again and moved to Dowagiad, MI. At the Christmas season, Donnis and her future husband were arrested for illegally cutting Christmas trees near the Orville Dunham farm southeast of Buchanan, with him found to be carrying a loaded revolver. She eventually wed her cohort, Jack Duane Lucker Sr. (Sept. 22, 1938-2019), son of Gabriel P. and Marie (Gibson) Lucker of Niles. He was divorced from his first wife, Caroline. One known son of the second union was Jack D. Lucker Jr. Their home in 1968 was in Coloma, MI. As of 1971, she was employed as a waitress at the Portofino Restaurant in Niles. She also was active with the Women's Auxiliary of the Gladys N. Lyon Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jack generated income in auto sales in Galien in 1987. Their final home was in Galien. Sadly, Donnis died at the age of 70 on May 12, 2000. Jack outlived her by 19 years and remained in Galien. He died on Feb. 27, 2019.

  Great-granddaughter Patricia Ann Konkey (1962-1985) was born on Nov. 9, 1962 in Niles. She tied the knot with (?) Miller. They became the parents of Raina Nicole Miller and Rachel Ann Miller. Evidence suggests that the couple separated. As of 1985, Patricia at age 22 worked as a model for Leonard's Fashions of Mishawaka. Tragedy shook the family to its core on the fateful early morning hours of June 16, 1985 when she was killed in a one-vehicle crash north of South Bend, IN on U.S. 33 near Eaton Avenue. Reported the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, she "was driving north on U.S. 33 when her auto went out of control, side-swiped an Indiana & Michigan Electric Co. pole, struck another pole and flipped over several times. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial Hospital in South Bend..." Her funeral mass was conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Niles, with burial in Calvary Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Jack D. Lucker Jr. joined the U.S. Navy circa 1979 and trained in San Diego. He was back in Niles as of 1985. Evidence suggests that he has owned his own business in Galien, JD Lucker Jewelers, since 2005.

Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, MI

Daughter Gertrude Bristol (1913-1968) was born on New Year's Eve 1913 in Buchanan. On Sept. 22, 1934, in a secret wedding ceremony in St. Joseph, MI, she was joined in marriage with South Bend native Glenn Hushower (Sept. 11, 1909-1996). The news was not made public until April 22, 1935 when announced in the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium. They became the parents of an only child, Joanne Seifert Vermillion. The couple first put down roots in Berrien Springs, MI, with Glenn employed at the local plant of Clark Equipment Company. He stayed with Clark for the rest of his career and retired from the company. In time they moved to Buchanan, MI and occupied a home at 514 Michigan Street. Gertrude was a longtime member of the Primrose Camp of the Royal Neighbors of America. Tragedy struck on the fateful night of June 18, 1968, when Gertrude at age 54 was badly injured when the vehicle Glenn was driving failed to yield the right-of-way and was struck broadside by another at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Portage Road two miles southwest of Niles. Reported the Niles Daily Star, "The Hushower auto spun across the two lanes of the bypass and into a field at the intersection. One trooper reported when he approached the auto to assist the victim, the family dog in the auto bit him on the hand." Glenn, who was driving, was uninjured. She was rushed to Niles Pawating Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The Herald-Palladium said it was "Berrien county's 24th traffic fatality of the year..." Rev. Joe R. Johnson, of the Buchanan Church of Christ, led the funeral rites. Burial followed in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Glenn outlived his bride by 28 years and wed again to Donna Thompson ( ? - ? ). She brought two stepdaughters into the second family -- Linda Hershberger and Nancy Hurley. They lived in Niles. At the end, he was admitted to live in Woodfield Manor in town. He died at the age of 86 on March 14, 1996. His obituary appeared in the Herald-Palladium.

• Granddaughter Joann Hushower ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On Dec. 26, 1952, in a ceremony led by justice of the peace Lee Scheler in Roseland, IN, she married Richard Seifert ( ? - ? ), son of David Seifert of Niles. Said the Niles Daily Star, the "bride wore an afternoon dress of beige crepe with brown accessories and a corsage of yellow chrysanthemums." At the time, she was a sophomore at Buchanan High School, and Richard a World War II Army veteran employed in an aviation plant in St. Louis. Three children were born to the pair. By July 1957, the marriage had crumbled, with him suing for divorce on grounds of cruelty. Her home in 1968 was in El Monte, CA. Joann returned to Buchanan and in about 1970, at age 35, wed a second time to 24-year-old James Wayne Vermillion ( ? - ? ). They moved to El Monte and were there in the mid-1970s. James ran afoul of the law in May 1975 when failing to make child support payments. Joann relocated to Pahrump, NV by 1996.

Daughter Shirley Mae Bristol (1912-1989) was born on April 28, 1912 in Chicago. She was a 1931 Buchanan High School graduate. On Nov. 14, 1931, when she was 19 years of age, Shirley entered into marriage with Burton S. "Pete" Benson (July 6, 1905-1980), son of Carl Benson of Galien, MI. Their ceremony was held at Crown Point, IN and the happy news made public in the St. Joseph Herald-Press. Burton was employed at the time of marriage with the Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan. The newlyweds took occupancy of the James Kingery residence on West Alexander Street. They remained in town for good but are not known to have reproduced. James worked his way up to the position of inspector with Clark Equipment. Shirley and her sister Myrtle Dokey were members of the local Twilight Pinochle Club, and their names often were printed in the local newspapers for their card parties. Their address in the late 1980s was 116 West Alexander Street, Buchanan. Sadly, Burton died on March 9, 1980. Shirley lived for another nine years. At the age of 76, she passed away on April 15, 1989. Burial was in Buchanan's Oak Ridge Cemetery. In an obituary in the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium, the family asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Daughter Betty Jane Bristol (1923-2003) was born on April 12, 1923 in Buchanan, MI. She was a 1941 graduate of Buchanan High School and then was employed by Clark Equipment Company. On Sept. 24, 1944, when she was 21 years of age, she was joined in wedlock with Shirley Robert Bauch (Feb. 4, 1923-2007), a native of Marshall County, SD. In announcing the happy union, the St. Joseph Herald-Press said she wore "burgundy velvet and gardenias." Two daughters of the couple were Carol "Su" Hayes and Sandra Ross. Shirley was a 1939 alumnus of the local high school and in 1940 joined the U.S. Navy. At the time of marriage, he was stationed in Holtville, CA and had trained as ordnance. Death swept her away in South Bend, at the age of 80, on Sept. 25, 2003. Shirley survived for another four years and remained in South Bend. He passed into the arms of the heavenly host at age 84 on June 28, 2007, at home. The remains were cremated. An obituary was published in the South Bend Tribune.

• Granddaughter Carol "Sue" Bauch married Wayne Hayes. They settled in South Bend.

• Granddaughter Sandy Bauch wed Tony Ross and moved to Mishawaka, IN.

~ Son Frank Almerion Bristol ~

Son Frank Almerion Bristol (1886- ? ) was born on Nov. 30, 1886 in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, AR. Dr. B. Hatchell assisted in the birth.

At the age of five, Frank accompanied his parents and siblings to Chicago, where he grew to manhood. As an adult, he weighed 150 lbs. and stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall.

Federal census enumeration records for 1910 show him a bachelor at age 23, living under his parents' roof in Chicago and earning a living as a building painter. He migrated to Detroit and in 1918 lived there with an uncle at 1339 25th Street, working as a foreman for Universal Motor Truck Company. He filled out a military draft registration form in 1918 and named his uncle William Arnold as his nearest relative.

When both were age 28, Frank entered into marriage with Lulu M. (1886- ? ), originally from Nebraska. They settled on the West Coast, and in 1930 were in Montebello and also Whittier, Los Angeles County. He earned a living at the time as a house decorator.Frank was required to register for the military draft in 1942 during World War II. At the time they resided at 11651 Virginia Avenue in Lynwood, Los Angeles County, and received their postal mail at 12122 Atlantic in Compton.

He appears to have been estranged from his father. A 1946 article in the Record said he "is believed to be living in California but has not been heard from for several years." Research is underway to determine if he died in Los Angeles County five days before Christmas 1957. Lulu's fate is not known.

~ Daughter Pearl (Bristol) Hamilton ~

Daughter Pearl Bristol (1895- ? ) was born in 1895 in Chicago.

On Nov. 29, 1911, when she was age 19 and he 24, she was joined in wedlock with Ralph Ordell Hamilton Sr. (1890-1952), the son of Clifton  and (?) (Pratt) Hamilton and a native of Berrien, MI. The wedding took place in St. Joseph, MI by the hand of justice of the peace John W. Fletcher. 

Ralph was a machinist and later became a foreman at the Clark Equipment Company plant at Berrien Springs, MI.

The trio of children born to the pair were Helen Ida Holcomb, Ralph Ordell Hamilton Jr. and Norma Zeider Cox.

They resided in South Bend, IN in 1917 -- Berrien Springs, MI in 1931 -- Buchanan, MI in 1942 -- Niles, MI circa 1946 -- and Jackson, MI in 1952.

Pearl made news at year-end 1930 when, after a two-day quarrel with Ralph over household finances, she left home without a coat or hat. Then without telling anyone, she went to see her father in Buchanan. The anxious family waited three days without word and then appealed to Sheriff Fred J. Cutler for help. There were fears that she might have jumped or fallen in the nearby St. Joseph River, said the Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium. But in the end she was found safe in her father's home after a visit from Deputy Sheriff Fred Alden.

She must have remained close with her brother Frank, because in 1942, when he was in California and required to register for the World War II military draft, he disclosed that she would always know his address.

Grief blanketed the family when Ralph died in Jackson, MI at the age of 64 on March 26, 1952. An obituary in the Niles Daily Star said he "had been ill only a short time." The remains were placed into eternal sleep in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Pearl survived her spouse by many years. As of 1968, when she announced her daughter Norma's second marriage, she made her home at 1212 Walnut Road, Niles. She died in Michigan Skilled Care Center in June 1974.

Daughter Helen Ida Hamilton (1912-2008) was born on June 10, 1912 in Buchanan, MI. She attended grade school in Buchanan and graduated from Berrien Springs High School in December 1930. She then studied nursing in Chicago at St. Luke's Hospital. In 1938, at the age of about 25, Helen tied the marital cord with Clarence M. Holcomb ( ? -1986). Two children borne of this marriage were Carl Holcomb and Carleen M. Clark. The Holcombs lived in Berrien Springs until about 1962, when they relocated to Niles, MI. For more than 35 years, until retirement in 1975, Helen earned a living with Simplicity Pattern Company. She held memberships in Simplicity's retiree club and the Lady Elks lodge in Niles. Said the South Bend Tribune, Helen "loved to cook and can vegetables, including many jars of tomato juice and her famous pickle relish. She loved her cats and dogs... Every hungry animal knew her address, including wildlife, dogs and cats." Clarence died in 1986, bringing to a close their union of 48 years' duration. Helen endured for 22 more years as a widow. As of 2003, she lived in Niles on Walnut Street. Sadly, at the age of 96, she passed away in Niles' Riveridge Manor on Aug. 15, 2008. Funeral rites were conducted at the gravesite by Rev. Walter L. Baker in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

• Grandson Carl Holcomb wed Gina and moved to Jackson's Gap, AL. 

• Granddaughter Carleen M. Holcomb married (?) Clark. As of 2008, her dwelling-place was in Niles.

Son Ralph Ordell Hamilton Jr. (1917-2003) was born on March 31, 1917 in South Bend, IN. His early years were in Niles, MI. Ralph is known to have served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. On June 18, 1949, he was united in matrimony with Lynette Irene Smith ( ? - ? ). They immediately settled in Jackson, MI and became the parents of two -- Diana Ward and Denise Thomas. Ralph was employed for 40 years by Clark Equipment Company and was a member of the United Auto Workers. In his free time he liked to bird-watch, bowl, tend his garden and wood-working. His final residence was in West Southfield near Jackson. Sadly, as a patient in Foote Hospital in Jackson, the 85-year-old Ralph died on March 18, 2003. 

• Daughter Diana Hamilton married (?) Ward. Her place of residence in 2003 was in Jackson, MI.

• Daughter Denise Hamilton wed Tom Thomas. They made a home in Kalamazoo in 2003.

Daughter Norma Hamilton ( ? -1990) was born on (?). On Aug. 31, 1946, she was joined in wedlock with Jack C. Zeider (March 27, 1923-2020), the son of Cecil and Bertha (Fansler) Zeider. Together, they produced a family of four -- Scott Michael Zeider, Kristine Drosdick, Karol Custard and Kellie McCombs. Jack was an alumnus of Niles High School and then during World War II had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. They dwelled in Niles, MI in the 1950s and '60s and in about 1965 took ownership of the former Lakeshore Lounge and re-opened it as Jack's Swinging Door Lounge at Barron Lake. Circa 1961, she was active with the North Berrien-Cass Salon of the "8 et 40" American Legion Auxiliary, and her name frequently was printed in the local newspaper for her Auxiliary work. But the marriage was troubled, and she sued for divorce in Berrien County in June 1967. Her petition was approved in December 1967 with her receiving custody of the four children. Five months later, in May 1968, at age 44, Norma entered into marriage with 38-year-old Lee Roy Cox ( ? - ? ) of Pekin, IL. Their wedding was held in Trinity Methodist Church by the hand of Rev. Vernon Michael. Their reception was held in the family business, the Swinging Door, of which she apparently had been awarded ownership. She found herself in legal trouble later that year for violating the state liquor laws and was ordered to pay a $150 fine by the State Liquor Control Commission.  At some point, by 1982, the Coxes migrated to Arizona and made a home at 2050 West Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix. She passed away in 1990. Former husband Jack Zeider married again to Carol Beneke Mitchell and moved to Nebraska. He earned a living as manager for the American Legion Hartman Post of Columbus, NE and enjoyed hunting for morel mushrooms. In the end he lived in the Veterans Home in Columbus and died on May 4, 2020. 

• Grandson Scott Michael Zeider ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was a 1976 graduate of Brandywine High School and then obtained a job as a mechanic with Tyler Linville Chevrolet. On July 30, 1983, he married Kathrine Lynn Crocker ( ? - ? ), daughter of Horace and Madalyn Crocker of 1446 Sheridan Avenue in Niles. Pastor Phillip Peterson led their nuptials in Buchanan's Church of the Nazarene. In announcing the happy event, in which the pair was pictured, the Niles Daily Star said that she wore a Princess Anne gown which included "a matching finger tip veil and she carried a bouquet of blue and white silk roses and carnations with baby's breath." Kathrine was a 1980 graduate of Niles High School and at the time of marriage was employed as a hairdresser. The newlyweds made their first home at 1157 Fort Street, Niles. 

• Granddaughter Kristine Zeider ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with  David Drosdick. They relocated to Birmingham, AL.   

• Granddaughter Karol Zeider ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Kevin Custard. They planted themselves in Niles, MI.

• Granddaughter Kellie Zeider ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). Circa 1995, she wed Niles resident Paul Edward McCombs ( ? - ? ). She lived in Niles in 2020.