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.

Hill, Marjorie V.

Marjorie V. Hill
April 26, 1906-Jan. 22, 1960


Mrs. Marjorie Vose Hill, 53, 39 S. 4th St., substitute teacher in the Niles Public Schools, died at 3:30 p.m. Friday in Pawating Hospital, where she had been a patient since Tuesday.  She had been in failing health for the past two years.

Mrs. Hill was born April 26, 1906, in Kalamazoo and came to Niles in 1920 from Michigan City, Ind.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Order of Eastern Star.

Surviving are a son Robert Lewis Hill, at home; a daughter, Kay Irene Hill, at home, and a sister, Mrs. Thelma Abbott, Tucson, Ariz.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the First Presbyterian church with the Rev. John McLachlan officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today and until noon Monday.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 23, 1960, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library



Hatton, Margaret

Mrs. Margaret Hatton
July 13, 1880-Jan. 22, 1960


Mrs. Margaret Hatton, 79, formerly of Niles, died at 3 p.m. Friday in Deaconess Hospital, Milwaukee, after an illness of one month. She had moved to Milwaukee five years ago and resided at 2233 W. Custer Ave.

Mrs. Hatton was born July 13, 1880 in Attica, Ind.  Her husband, Elmer T. Hatton, died Feb. 2, 1952.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Betty Hajicek, and a grandson, Charles Burge, both of Milwaukee.

Friends may call after noon Sunday at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday by Jehovah's Witnesses. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 23, 1960, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Snouwaert, Charles

Charles Snouwaert
Feb. 3, 1872-Jan 20, 1960


Charles Snouwaert, 87, who formerly lived at 109 S. 4th St., died at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the home of a daughter, Mrs. Glenn Redding, Galien, following an illness of one year.

Mr. Snouwaert was born Feb. 3, 1872, in Holland, The Netherlands and came to this community 51 years ago from Attica, Ind.  He was a retired farmer. His wife Sarah, preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1953.

Surviving beside the daughter in Galien are two other daughters, Mrs. Mead Burton, Niles, and Mrs. Frank Reynolds, Dowagiac; a son, Henry Snouwaert, Niles; 18 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger & Halbritter Funeral Home here with Dr. Maurice McKean, Pastor of [illegible] and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 21, 1960, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Hansen, Nicholas K.

Nicholas ‘Nick’ Hansen, 21
July 14, 1989 — April 9, 2011

Nicholas K. “Nick” Hansen, 21, of Blanchard Drive, Niles, died Saturday morning, April 9, 2011 at his home unexpectedly.

He was born July 14, 1989 in South Bend to Gene K. and Debra S. (DeForest) Hansen, and lived in Niles all his life.

He graduated from Niles High School and attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti and Southwestern Michigan College.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles.

Nick enjoyed go-kart racing and was an accomplished musician, proficient in guitar, and had been composing original works. He also enjoyed theater, and had participated in area productions.

Surviving family include his parents, Gene and Debbie Hansen; his sister, Mindy Hansen; goddaughter and niece, Kayla Gillespie; and his grandparents, Gene and Marilyn Hansen and Tom and Donna DeForest, all of Niles.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Nick Hansen will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 14 at St. Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. David Otto and assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski.

Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Nick may be made to the Four Flags Players or the Niles Drama Club.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:54pm Monday, April 11, 2011, published in print Tuesday, April 12, 2011, page 2

Trudeau, Winfield S.

Winfield S. Trudeau
May 6, 1859*-April 11, 1924

Winfield S. Trudeau, a former resident of Niles, died this morning at his home in Chicago. The body will be brought to Niles Monday afternoon on Michigan Central train No. 10, due at 7:00 p.m., and will be taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Trudeau is survived by a widow, who was formerly Miss Amy Smith and who is a sister of Mrs. George Dittmer of West Niles, and by one son, Floyd, of Chicago.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 12, 1924, page 8, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

*Date of Death from Illinois Deaths.

 

Clevenger, Edith E.

Edith E. Clevenger
Oct. 22, 1876-March 10, 1940


Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 11, 1940, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES STRICKEN

Mrs. Edith E. Clevenger, 63, who had lived in Niles all her life until eight years ago, died in her home in Detroit Sunday morning.  Her body will be brought to Niles for funeral services and burial.

She leaves her husband, Jacob Louis Clevenger; a son, John, Niles; a daughter, Mrs. James Shipperley, Niles; four grandchildren; four nieces--Mary Fox, Karney, Nebraska; Gertrude Berg, Detroit; Marjorie Brennen, New York City, and Irene Travis, Hinsdale, Ill.; also three sisters, Mrs. Mary Gambee, Detroit; Mrs. Anna Fox, Karney, Nebr., and Mrs. Etta Carrett, Hinsdale, Ill.

Mrs. Clevenger was born in Niles Oct. 22, 1876. She was a member of the Methodist church and the Royal Neighbors.

Services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in her home, 530 Cherry street, now occupied by her son, John. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 13, 1940, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

CLEVENGER RITES TODAY

The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiated this afternoon at 2:30 at services for Mrs. Edith E. Clevenger, 63, former resident of Niles, who died in her home in Detroit Sunday.  The service was held in the home of Mrs. Clevenger now occupied by her son, John, at 530 Cherry street. Pallbearers will be Thomas Farrell, Lloyd H. Krueger, Gerald Wedel, John Vogelsang.

Vetter, Frank D.

Frank D. Vetter
June 7, 1866-Nov. 9, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 9, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Frank D. Vetter, Retired Farmer Dies Early Today

Frank D. Vetter, 78, of Route 4, retired farmer, died at 3:55 a.m. today in Pawating hospital.  He had been ill a year and a half.

Born in Bertrand township June 7, 1866, Vetter has spent all his life in the Niles vicinity. He made his home with a niece, Mrs. Iva Weaver.

A sister, Mrs. Carl Schanbacher, also survives.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral chapel where services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. by Dr. Guy W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church.  Burial will be made in Silverbrook.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 11, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

VETTER FUNERAL

Services for Frank D. Vetter, 78, of Route 4, who died Thursday in Pawating hospital, were conducted today in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel, followed by burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  Dr. Guy W. Simons, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiated.  Pallbearers were John Weaver, Charles Pierce, Fred and Edward Vetter, Frank Schanbacher and Henry Kist.