V Surname Obits
Cass County,
Michigan
Thank you for the following obituaries and death records that were donated to this site. If you have obituaries that you would like to add here or to the various cemeteries on line, please write us at: cassmichigangen@yahoo.com
Dora Wells VanAntwerp Dowagiac Daily News, April 7, 1915, p. 1:
"After an illness of less than a week with pneumonia and complications, Mrs. Ritner VanAntwerp died at her home on Cortland street last evening at 9 o'clock. Her death is a shock to her family and many friends. Mrs. VanAntwerp had been only since last Wednesday.
The deceased was 61 years of age. She was born in Medina, New York, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Wells. At an early age she came to Michigan with her parents and Dowagiac and vicinity had been her home ever since.
Besides her husband a son, Russell VanAntwerp, and one daughter, Miss Beryl VanAntwerp, both of this city, survive, and one brother, Bert Wells of Chicago also survives. There are also five grandchildren, Harriette, Francis, Wilma, Frieda and Beryl VanAntwerp, children of Mr. and Mrs. Russell VanAntwerp.
Complete arrangements for the funeral have not been made although it will be held Friday."Francis Oscar Van Antwerp Dowagiac Republican, December 6, 1888:
"F. O. Van Antwerp died at his residence in this city Thursday last, at the age of 61 years. Mr. Van Antwerp had been a resident of Dowagiac for over 30 years at the time of his death and was justly entitled to be classed among our old residents. He was noted for his many good qualities of head and heard, his dealings with his fellow man always resulting pleasantly, while his social, kindly disposition made him valued as a neighbor and citizen. No less marked were characteristics for business integrity and fair dealing, so that, all in all, Mr. Van Antwerp's example, set without ostentation or show, was one that would be well to follow and imitate. His religion was of that kind that makes us as one brotherhood, giving to every man his own opinion and jostling with no one. He leaves a large family of grown-up sons and daughters, and a wife, who can truly say a kind father and loving husband has left them. Rev. N. R. Sanborn officiated at the funeral and the remains were taken to Cassopolis for burial."VanMatre - Samuel C. VanMatre born in Fayette Co., IN, October 25, 1832. Married Rhoda E. Pickering September 1?, 1856, who died twenty years later, t them were born three children. He was again married July 6, 1881 to Mrs. Mary Clark, to this union wa born one daughter, who with her mother survives. He came to Cass county in 1866 and two years later to Cassopolis where he died suddenly November 16, 1909.
From the Cassopolis Vigilant 6/16/1909Hester Ball Van Antwerp - -Dowagiac Times, April 25, 1900, p. 6:
"Mrs. Hester VanAntwerp, mother of traveling salesman D. W. VanAntwerp, of the Dowagiac Manufacturing Company, and Alderman F. W. VanAntwerp, of the third ward, passed away at her home on North Front street Tuesday at a few minutes before 12, after an illness of a week. She was an old and well known resident of this city, having resided her about 48 years.
For the last year she had been failing, and old age coupled with a paralysis of the throat, which appeared a few days ago, ended her life. She became seriously ill a week ago Sunday.
The deceased was born in Butler county, O., and in 1835 moved with her parents to Wayne township, where she was married to F. O. VanAntwerp at the age of 20. They moved to Dowagiac one year later and thereafter resided with the exception of about two years spent upon a farm 3 miles east of Glenwood. Mr. Van Antwerp passed away 11 years ago.
Her family consists of six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Russel L., D. Winnie, F. Wilbur, Alice, Dora and Mrs. Edgar Pollard, all residing in this city. Mrs. M. J. Perry, a sister, of Marion, Wis., Davis Ball of Wayne township and Thomas Ball, of Logan, Iowa, brothers, survive her, the two former being at her bedside at the time of death. The funeral will occur Thursday and burial will take place at Cassopolis."Van Antwerp - From the Cassopolis Vigilant 6/16/1909 - Lewis C. VanAntwerp born in Ontwa, May 10, 1855, married Bertha Schutt and to them were born two children, died at his home in Edwardsburg, Aug 25, 1909.
Ritner L. Van Antwerp Dowagiac Daily News, November 1, 1924, p. 1:
"CASS PIONEER TO BE BURIED SUNDAY" Following an illness which confined him to his home for the past year, Ritner L. VanAntwerp, aged 71, passed away at noon Friday at his home 205 Courtland street.
Born in Cassopolis in 1853, he came to Dowagiac shortly afterwards and has been a native of this city every since. In 1873 he married Dora Wells, a Dowagiac girl, and the couple lived here all during their life times. Mrs. VanAntwerp passed away ten years ago.
For many years Mr. VanAntwerp operated a wagon shop at the present location of the Central garage next to the fire station and was a carriage painter. Later he worker for 20 years in the enameling plant of the Round Oak. He was one of the best known of the Dowagiac pioneers.
The deceased leaves a son, Russell W. VanAntwerp, with whom he has been living for years, a daughter, Miss Beryl VanAntwerp a teacher in the Evanston, Ill., schools, a brother, D. W. VanAntwerp of this city and three sisters, Alice VanAntwerp, Mrs. Ed Pollard and Mrs. Dora Wheaton, all of Dowagiac. There are also five grandchildren, the Misses Harriet, Frieda, and Beryl Van Antwerp of Dowagiac, Mrs. Walter Allen of Kalamazoo and Francis VanAntwerp of South Bend.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Sunday, and it will be a Masonic funeral. Rev. Joseph Fox will officiate and burial will be made at Riverside cemetery."VanRiper - From the Cassopolis Vigilant 6/16/1909 - William VanRiper, born in Berge County, New Jersey, in 1826 came to LaGrange ...typing obliterated on Xerox copy...
manufactureing business, marrie Ida S. Morton in 1864 died July 11, 1909.