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.
Ida Graves
abt. 1847-Aug. 21,1849
Niles Republican, Saturday, Sept. 1, 1849, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
On the 21st instant in this village of the Scarlet fever, Ida, daughter of Mrs. & William Graves, aged two years.
Also on the 24th, of the same disease, Charles, son of Doctor James Bloodgood, aged three years.
Charles Bloodgood
Abt. 1846-August 24, 1849
Niles Republican, Saturday, Sept. 1, 1849, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
On the 21st instant in this village of the Scarlet fever, Ida, daughter of Mrs. & William Graves, aged two years.
Also on the 24th, of the same disease, Charles, son of Doctor James Bloodgood, aged three years.
Cyrus Frederick Alward
Feb. 2, 1853-Dec. 21, 1928
Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 21, 1928, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
The body of Cyrus F. Aldward[sic] will be brought to Niles form Chicago tomorrow and will be taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery from the Michigan Central station for burial in the family lot. Mr. Aldward was a former resident of Niles. No particulars concerning his death or the names of surviving relatives were given in the message sent to M.A. Rutherford asking him to meet the body.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 22, 1928, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The body of Fred Alward was brought to Niles this afternoon from Chicago and was taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery where Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterial[sic] church, conducted the committal ceremonies at the family lot. Dennis Alward, of Lansing, and Frank Alward, of Albany, Ind., brothers of the deceased, was among those who met the body here. Dennis Alward is secretary of the Michigan state senate and is also secretary of the Michigan State Republican state central committee.
Charlene Dalenberg, 63
Sept. 4, 1947 — March 27, 2011
Charlene Ann Dalenberg, 63, of St. Joseph and formerly of Niles, died at 6:23 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph following an extended illness.
She was born Sept. 4, 1947 to Charles Willis and Virginia May (Rodgers) Cook and graduated from Niles High School in 1963.
She was employed for several years in area restaurants, and then serves as a nurse’s aide at the former Pawating Hospital in Niles.
Surviving family includes a daughter, Cindy Lee (Mitchell) VanDyke of Edwardsburg; grandchildren, Daniel G. Ott, Allison P. Heady and Ashley E. Higdon; a sister, Alana (Jesse) Madrigal of Austin, Texas; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Gary Cook and Moonie Cook.
The funeral service for Charlene Dalenberg will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 4 the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Pablo Martinez, assistant pastor of Ebenezer Assambleas de Dios, Holland, Mich. officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:33pm Friday, April 1, 2011
Phillip Max Whalen
June 24, 1886-Dec. 17, 1943
Phillip Max Whalen, 57, who lived a quarter mile north of Niles on M-40, was killed instantly at 6:30 this morning on North Fifth street 300 feet inside city limits when struck by a car driven by Ernest T. Wegner, 29, Dowagiac.
Whalen, an employe of the Berrien county highway department, was reported to be walking on the road going toward Niles when the accident occurred.
Police reports said Wegner was attempting to pass another car when his auto struck Whalen. Two unidentified men from the other car summoned police.
Riding with Wegner at the time were his bride of one day, Dulcia Wegner, and his uncle, Charles Wegner.
Coroner William Pifer said Whalen died instantly of a broken neck.
Jurors were sworn in this morning and an inquest was set for 7:30 Monday night. The jury includes George Kickins, Fred Mattix, Frank Strunk, Howard Churchill, W.R. Duddington and Chester Overcash.
Whalen's death was the first traffic fatality in Niles since July 1, 1942, when Mrs. Bessie Otteson was injured fatally by an overturning truck at Front and Main Street.
Whalen lived in a tenant house on the Homer Womble farm and at the time of the accident was on his way to the Berrien county highway garage on Lake street.
He was born in Niles township June 24, 1886, and lived in this area his lifetime.
Surviving are a brother, Forrest Whalen, Flint; and four sisters, Mrs. Kathryn Smith and Mrs. L.N. Curtis, Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Eva Harra, Three Rivers, and Mrs. Grace Higgins, near Niles.
The body was taken to the Price and Kiger chapel, where friends may call by Saturday night. Services will be conducted there Monday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. J.K. Hoffmaster. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 17*,1943, page 1, col. 6, *Front page is mislabeled Dec. 24), microfilm Niles District Library
Marjorie Flint
Nov. 1, 1921-Nov. 15, 1943
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 17, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
Miss Marjorie Flint, 22, daughter of Mrs. Leona Flint, Niles, died Monday morning in the municipal sanatarium [sic], Chicago. She had been in poor health for the last year.
Born in Niles Nov. 1, 1921, she lived here until going to Chicago four years ago.
Surviving with her mother are four sisters, Joan, Patricia, Rosetta and Sonjia, Niles.
Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be held Friday afternoon at 2. The Rev. Emory Davis will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 19, 1943, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Services for Miss Marjorie Flint, who died Monday were held this afternoon in the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. Emory Davis conducting. Pallbearers included Charles Brown, Harold Finley and Henry Curry, Niles, and Albert Folks, George Young and Donald Griffin, Dowagiac. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.
Mary Susan Hanley
Dec. 3, 1857-Nov. 14, 1943
Mrs. Mary Susan Hanley, 306 Eagle street, died in her home at 7:45 Sunday morning after an illness of several years.
Born in Muncie, Ind., Dec. 3, 1857, she came to Niles at the age of three years. She was the widow of the late John Hanley.
Four children survive--Charlotte D. Hanley, Niles; Grace M. Hanley, Berrien Springs; Mrs. C.M. Wooley, Berrien Springs; and Richard Hanley, South Bend; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Price and Kiger chapel where services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3. Dr. Guy W. Simon will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 15, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library