Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Harpole, Doyle Lee 1946-2021

Doyle Harpole, of Niles
Sept. 16, 1946-Nov. 12, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 4:43 pm Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Doyle Harpole, 75, of Niles, passed away Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home, of Niles.

Brown Funeral Services website:

Obituary of Doyle Lee Harpole

Doyle L. Harpole, 75, of Niles, peacefully passed away at home on November 12, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manchester, Tennessee on September 16, 1946, to the late John and Myrtle (Elrod) Harpole. Doyle was a man whose heart was bigger than his chest. Giving a piece of himself to everyone he cared about wasn’t a chore to him, it was just who he was. Doyle grew up with both of his parents and six other siblings. Family was important to him from the time he was born, until the time he passed away. He was a man that saw the big picture; it wasn’t about the things he had, although he loved his Toyota Tacoma, but the relationships he developed throughout his life. After graduating from high school, Doyle spent a little bit of time at college, but eventually joined the United States Army. After being honorably discharged he found himself working as a maintenance supervisor for the French Paper Company. The years he spent working for the paper mill taught him more than he could ever imagine. By the time he retired he knew how to fix every machine in the building, made a lifetime full of friends, and developed skills that helped him in his hobbies outside of work. With a little bit of time and effort he could fix, adjust, and put anything back together. He was especially known for his home-made tackle boxes, swings, and fishing lures made of squirrel tales. Doyle, also known as “Redneck” took an interest in hunting, fishing, and alcohol production. He had a homemade cocktail that he named “Redneck Juice.” If anyone ever had the chance of tasting this special beverage, they would know with a small sip that it wasn’t just juice. Spending a lot of time in Tennessee it was only natural that he was a die-hard Tennessee football fan. Doyle left an incredible legacy behind and will be dearly missed by his family, which was anybody he was friends with, and his community. Doyle is preceded in death by both of his parents, John and Myrtle (Elrod) Harpole; and four of his siblings, Oliver Harpole, Gary Harpole, Jimmy Harpole, and Ronnie Harpole. He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah (Dash) Harpole of Niles; his children, John (Tiffney) Harpole of Huntington, Indiana, Doyle (Jacquelyn) of LaPaz, Indiana, Michael (Beth) Bailey of Granger, Indiana, Brian (Sherri) Bailey of South Bend, Indiana, Lori (Brent) Long of Goshen, Indiana; two of his siblings, Ralph Harpole and Teresa Earl; twenty-one grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; the Wolkens family, who he held very close to his heart; and many other family members and friends. A public visitation will be held at the Brown Funeral Home on Monday, November 22 beginning at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959 or to Amvets Post 1978, 1117 E. Bertrand Road, Niles, MI 49120.
 
 

 

Buwa, Thomas R. 1962-2021

Thomas R. Buwa, of Niles
Jan. 25, 1962-Oct. 10, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:22 pm Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Jan. 25, 1962 — Oct. 10, 2021

Thomas R. Buwa, 59, of Niles, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021.

Thomas, or “Buwa” as he was known by his friends, was born on Jan. 25, 1962, to the late Richard and Lillian (Davis) Buwa in Elkhart, Indiana. Buwa was a handyman and jack of all trades. He loved watching NASCAR, University of Michigan and Steelers football, singing karaoke, drinking a beer and smoking a doobie with his friends, traveling, and attending Bike Week in Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lillian Buwa; and his former wife, Vicki Buwa.

Buwa is survived by his longtime companion, Tracy Alvord, of Niles; children, Tommy (Wendie) Huss, of Niles, Trelee Huss, of Niles, and Tonya (Thomas) Beard, of South Bend; grandchildren, Treg Huss, of Niles, Alex (Grace Moore) Huss, of Niles, Cody (Kara) Okonski, of Niles, Shyle Short of Niles, Kaden Santana of Niles, Rickey Beard of Mishawaka, Gabriel Beard of South Bend, and Noah Beard of South Bend; great-grandchildren, Mia, Kyson, Kayden, Karson, and a little girl on the way; siblings, Steve (Teresa) Erwin of Gaylord, Michigan, William (Joyce Merritt) Erwin, of Edgewater, Florida, Robin Derrick, Troy Erwin of Gaylord, Michigan, Connie (Michael Jasper) Flanagan of Niles; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and close friends.

On Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, a time of visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

 
 

Quick, Eva Joyce (Williams) 1931-2021

Eva Joyce Quick
February 10, 1931 - November 22, 2021 (age 90)

Halbritter-Wickens website

Obituary

Eva Joyce Quick, age 90 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, seamstress, reader, and Southern Lady died peacefully at 10:31 a.m. on Monday, November 22, 2021 with family gathered around her bedside at Buchanan Meadows following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Buchanan Meadows and Caring Circle Hospice.

She was born on February 10, 1931 in Dyer County, Tennessee to Royce and Betty (Carlton) Williams.  In her youth she learned to pick cotton, and quickly learned that she disliked that chore, so she learned how to cook for those who would be picking cotton.  She moved from Portageville, Missouri to Niles in 1955.  In those younger years in Niles she provided babysitting services at home, and was well-known amongst family and friends for her skill as a seamstress, mending and tailoring everyday clothing, and still helping-out more recently with alterations to formal wear for weddings.

During her years in the south, Eva Joyce learned that women sewed, cooked, and cleaned, but other household chores such as home repair and maintenance – anything that required a hammer or screwdriver or paint brush – was the man’s responsibility.  She carried this culture to Michigan, including men driving cars – after helping with the lady’s door.

Eva Joyce enjoyed reading fictional mysteries and history, but was also fascinated by the Civil War and had read – and learned – about much of that history.  She enjoyed walking, sometimes at the Senior Center or at large stores, and was even known to walk outside in her neighborhood with family and friends.  She was quite a fan – a longtime fan – of soap operas, especially “The Young and The Restless”; in-fact, sometimes the Y&R Abbott and Williams families were so engrossing that the meal on the stove for the Quick family might get “extra crispy”.

On October 25, 1949 in Piggott, Arkansas – just across Missouri’s “bootheel” from Dyer County -  she married Elgy Regian Quick with whom she celebrated the remarkable forty-ninth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on July 23, 1999.  She was also sadly preceded in death by their son, Bobby Quick on November 11, 2013; and by Eva Joyce’s brothers, Gaither Williams and James Williams, and a half-sister, Ernestine Rainwater.

Surviving family includes her children, Sheila (& Terry) Humphrey of Niles, Patricia (& Mark) McCready of Granger, Indiana, and Robin (& Mike) McKeel of Niles; grandchildren Laura (& Mike) Dierlam, Paula (& Dean) Heath, Amelia (& Tony) Vangi, Sam McCready (& fiancée Samantha Varga), Shannon (& Zachary) Luplow, Ava McKeel, and Matthew McKeel; great-grandchildren Jackson Dierlam, Hunter Heath, Drake Heath, Tucker Dierlam, and soon to be born Otto Vangi; Eva Joyce’s sister, Delores Purser of South Bend, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Eva Joyce Quick will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Mr. Donald Fleischman of the Fairland Christian Church officiating.  Interment will be private, on Monday, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Eva Joyce may be made to Buchanan Meadows, 809 Carrol Street, Buchanan, Michigan, 49107; https://buchananmeadows.com/.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Eva Joyce Quick was blessed with a long life, which she used well, learning how to work, and learning respect.  She used those traits to care for her family and raise them to value respect for others, all evidence of a life of loving the people that God has placed in our lives.

Cole, Charlotte A. (Lockhard) 1950-2021

Charlotte A (Lockard) Cole
October 31, 1950-November 30, 2021

Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Services website:

Obituary

Charlotte Cole, 71 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness.

Charlotte was born on October 31, 1950 in Hazard KY to the late Cloyd and Josephine (Collins) Lockard.

On September 20, 1969 in Jackson, KY she married Ronnie Cole who survives.

Charlotte is also survived by her brother Mitchell (Joyce) Lockard of Hazard, KY, her niece Heather (Eric) Hall and their sons, Bradley and Sawyer Hall.

Charlotte worked in Medical Records at Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) in Niles for 19 years. She was an active member of Fairland Christian Church.  Charlotte enjoyed embroidery, sewing and traveling. She loved taking pictures of the American Flag. Charlotte collected Cardinals and Gone with the Wind memorabilia.  She cherished the time that she had with her family and close friends. Charlotte loved people and had an unforgettable warmth and kindness about her.

A Graveside service for Charlotte will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 1:00pm at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  A memorial service will be held for her at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services 615 E. Main St. Niles.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Bella, Mary W. (Lemmerhart) 1888-1917

Mary W. Bella
Nov. 19, 1888-Jan. 24, 1917

South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana), Thursday, January 25, 1917, page 5

Mrs. Michael Bella

Mrs. Michael Bella, 327 1/2 North St. Peter street, died at 7 o'clock last night. She had been ill two weeks with typhoid fever. She is survived by her husband, Michael, two children, Virginia and Jean, living at home, one brother, Frank Lammerhart, her father, Ernest Lammerhart, and four step sisters, Miss Nellie, Miss Emma, Miss Luella and Miss Minnie Smith, all of whom live in this city. She was born at Niles, Mich., Nov. 19, 1888, and was 28 years old. Funeral services will be held at Niles at 2 o'clock , Saturday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.

Burge, Jacob Lamar 1999-2021

Jacob Lamar Burge
Dec. 24, 1999-July 12, 2021

Brown Funeral Home:

Obituary of Jacob Lamar Burge

Jacob L. Burge, 21, of Niles passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 after injuries sustained from an accident. An early Christmas present, Jacob was born on December 24, 1999 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend to Brian and Maribeth (Reichanadter) Burge. Jacob would be sure to tell you that he was the oldest of the triplets. He took on the role of being the “protector” of his two sisters very serious. He was a 2019 graduate of Brandywine High School where he was part of the golf team and NHS. After graduation, Jacob continued to hone his skills in machine repair. He had an affinity for tractor repair, given that he would spend hours working on his grandfather’s old 1952 Ford tractor. Jacob landed his dream job at Krupp’s Power Sports. There he quickly picked up new skills where he was learning to fix just about anything that was put in front of him. Being out on the water in his new hard earned bass boat was always the place where Jacob wanted to spend his free time with his best friends that he loved. Whether you would ask Jacob or not, he was always quick to point out that the largest bass he ever caught was bigger than his dad’s or grandpa’s largest bass. Jacob loved to travel and found that the Wisconsin Dells was a favorite destination of his. He was also a huge Marvel Comic Universe and Star Wars fan. Though from the DC Universe, Jacob’s favorite superhero of all-time was the Flash. Jacob was also a Fantasy Football fanatic and loved the New England Patriots. Preceding Jacob in passing are his grandfathers, Samuel Burge and Larry Reichanadter. Jacob will be missed profoundly by his parents, Brian and Maribeth Burge, his big brother, Sam Burge, and his “younger” sisters, Grace and Emily Burge all of Niles. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother, Anna Burge of Niles, his maternal grandmother Betty Reichanadter, also of Niles and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who Jacob cared for all deeply. A time of visitation for Jacob will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Brown Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services to celebrate Jacob will take place Sunday, July 18th, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at 601 Sycamore Street in Niles. A private interment will be held on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Jacob can be made to the Brown Funeral Home for a scholarship that will be established in his name. The family would greatly appreciate any memories, photos, or condolences that are left for Jacob’s family at www. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Jacob’s no frill, dry sense of humor, easy-going approach to life, and his ability to make you feel at ease will be missed by those who had the privilege to be a part of his life.

Jordan, Calvin Earl 1936-1936

Calvin Earl Jordan
Jan. 6, 1936-July 9, 2021

Brown Funeral Home:

Obituary of Calvin Earl Jordan

Calvin “Cal” Earl Jordan, 85, of Niles, passed away at home on Friday, July 9, 2021. Cal was born on January 6, 1936, to the late Albert and Lavena (Crackle) Jordan, in Rector Arkansas. He graduated from high school, married, and had children while also working for Clark Equipment. Cal stayed at Clark’s until they closed and a short time later he found himself at AM General where he stayed until his retirement. While at AM General Cal was the head of the UAW Bargaining group who negotiated contracts. Fishing, sports (especially the Cardinals and Notre Dame), and Willie Nelson were some of Cal’s hobbies but nothing trumped his hunting time and his family time. Cal was the dad who coached all of his kids' sports and when they went on to other sports he continued to coach because he liked it so much. His grandchildren were always the bright spot in his day. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Levena Jordan; wife, Rita (Watkins) Jordan; son, Keith Jordan; and sister, Sue Freeze. Cal is survived by his children, James “Jim” (Kristina) Jordan of Georgia, Melissa (Bruce Robinson) Merritt of Georgia, Teri Milam of Missouri, and Ricky (Linda) Payne of Arkansas; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Perea of Missouri; and many extended family members and close friends. A private funeral has been held and Cal was interred at Silverbrook Cemetery next to his wife, Rita.