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.

Schmidt, Carrie B.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Carrie B. (Ives) Schmidt
October 3, 1862-March 25, 1925

DEATH CALLS MRS. SCHMIDT
WIFE OF FORMER NILES MERCHANT DIED THIS MORNING

    Sadness was brought to many in Niles today by announcement of the death this morning at 10 :45 o'clock of Mrs. Carrie B. Schmidt, wife of F.C. Schmidt, at her home,  298 Broadway.  Mrs. Schmidt had been in ill health from heart disease and diabetes for a number of months, but her condition had not been serious only within the last 10 days, although hope for her recovery was entertained until last evening.
    Mrs. Schmidt was born in Hillsdale, Mich., on October 3, 1862, and was a daughter of Edwin B. and Elmira Brooks Ives.  Her family moved to Niles a few years later, and Mr. Ives for many years or until his death engaged in the photograph business here. Mrs. Schmidt was married in Niles to Frederick B. [sic] Schmidt who until his retirement a few years ago engaged in the retail meat business.
    Besides her husband, Mrs. Schmidt is survived by the following children: Dr. Harry B. Schmidt, Detroit; Karl B. Schmidt, Niles; Mrs. Bion R. East, Detroit; Mrs. Donald A. Noble, Detroit, Mrs. George I. Vetter, Niles, and Miss Carribel Schmidt, Niles.
    For more than 25 years the Schmidt family home has been at Third street and Broadway, and the graciousness and hospitality of Mrs. Schmidt will long be remembered.  She was of a kindly and charitable disposition, and much beloved by old and young alike.
    The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, and will be private.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.
    The family requests that flowers be omitted.

(Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 25, 1925, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Bates, George H.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
George H. Bates
September 14, 1870-March 6, 1953

    George H. Bates, 1702 North Twelfth street, died Friday morning at Pawating Hospital after a lengthy illness.
    A bachelor, Bates is survived by one sister, Mrs. Lena Thurston, Niles; one nephew, George Thurston, Niles, and one niece, Mrs. Stewart Purinton, River Forest, Ill.
    Bates was born on Sept. 14, 1870, in Niles, and had lived here all his life. He was retired from the New York Central Railroad Company.
    Friends may call at the residence until 12 noon on Tuesday, when the body will be taken to the Pifer Funeral Home for services at 2 p.m.  The Rev. H.A. Meussling, pastor of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetry.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 7, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Smith, Grace

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Mrs. E. Grace Smith
April 15, 1883-March 8, 1953

    Mrs. Grace Smith, 731 Hickory street, died at 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital. She was the wife of Ben H. Smith, vice president of Michigan Wire Goods, Inc., here.
    Surviving besides her husband are two sons, Mahlon, of Niles, and Roland Smith, of New Orleans, La.; one daughter, Mrs. Dale Apt, South Bend, and two grandchildren.
    Mrs. Smith, who was born on April 15,1883, in Sherwood, Mich., came here from Three Rivers in 1903.  She was a member of the First Methodist church, Fort St. Joseph Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, a charter member of the Niles Musical Club, and a member of the Monday Reading Club and of the Methodist Berean Class.
    Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home.  Services will be conducted by the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, the place to be announced later.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 9, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Warner, Theodore H.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Theodore H. Warner, 54
April 22, 1898-March 9, 1953

    Theodore H. Warner, 1623 Ferry street, owner of Warner's Radio Shop and Repair Service here, died at 7 a.m today in his home.  He had been ill since last June.
    Surviving are his wife, Ethel Sheaks Warner; one son, Robert, Niles; one sister, Mrs. W.S. Phillips, South Bend, and three grandchildren.
    Warner was born on April 22, 1898, in South Bend, and came here from Mishawaka, Ind. in 1939.
    Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 4 p.m Wednesday by the Rev. Ray L. McCoy, Baptist pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 9, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Saathoff, Walter R.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Walter R. Saathoff
December 15, 1900-October 3, 1961

    Walter R. Satthoff[sic], 60, 536 W. Main St., died at 3:30 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital, where he had been a patient since Sept. 11.  He had been ill for the past six months.
    Mr. Saathoff, an employe of United Dairies here, was born Dec. 15, 1900, in Walshville, Ill., and came to Niles 31 years ago from Litchfield, Ill.
    Surviving are: his widow, Hazel; one son, Robert L. Saathoff, Durham, N.C.; two brothers, Henry Saathoff, Litchfield, Ill., and George Saathoff, Monrovia, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Everett Lowe, Litchfield.
    Funeral services will be at 2 30 p.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church of which he was a member, with the pastor, Rev., Earl J. Wickstrom, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends will be received at the Pifer Funeral Home from noon Wednesday until noon Thursday.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 3, 1961, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Saathoff, Lena

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Lena Saathoff
June 17, 1889-November 27 1949

    Mrs. Lena Saathoff, 912 Hickory street, died at 5:33 p.m. Sunday after an illness of a week.
    Surviving are her husband, William, and son, Arthur; two grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Marie Garrett, of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Sophia Beckman, of St. Louis, Mo.
    Mrs. Saathoff was born in Alhambra, Ill., on June 17, 1889 and came here from Staunton, Ill., in 1925.  She was a member of the First Baptist church, Order of Eastern Star, Niles Business and Professional Women's club and the Madonna White Shrine.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon on Wednesday. Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. C.K. Graham in the First Baptist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 28, 1949, page 2 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Skaggs, Harry

Obit Editor Obituaries

Harry Skaggs
June 27, 1944-Sept. 11, 2009

Harry Skaggs, 65, of Pine Street, Niles, died at 2:55 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at his home, of an illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Church of Christ, Niles, with David Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends and relatives today, Monday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

He was born on June 27, 1944, in Benton Harbor, to Clarence and Elsie (Selvidge) Skaggs. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1962. He also graduated from Freed-Hardeman University and had attended Michigan Christian College and Harding University. He lived in this area all of his life. A man of faith, he loved God, family and country. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Sam Houston, Texas and the 97th General Hospital in Frankfort ,Germany. A life-long member of the Church of Christ, he served as a minister of the Gospel for 25 years. He was a messenger for Baker & Daniels law firm in South Bend, Ind.

On Sept 16, 1972, in Benton Harbor, he married his wife of 37 years, Linda (Peck) Skaggs, who survives. He is also survived by their daughters, Amy Skaggs of Niles and Liana (John) Legus of Grand Ledge; grandson, Wiley Allen Legus; his mother, Elsie Skaggs of Benton Harbor; brother, Wayne (Dorothy) Skaggs of Stevensville; sisters, Alma Wheeler of Benton Harbor, Clara (James) Button, Melinda (David) Sayle and sister-in-law, Gracie Skaggs all of Tucson, Ariz. and many nieces, nephews and loving friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence and his brother, Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

 

 

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