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.

Webber, Arthur C.

Arthur C. Webber
May 26, 1900-June 12, 1977

    Arthur C. Webber, 77, formerly of Niles, of North Liberty, Ind., died at 10:40 p.m. Sunday at his home, following a short illness.
    Mr. Webber was an employe of and retired from the French Paper Co. of Niles after 45 years of service. He was born May 26, 1900 in Niles. On Oct. 9, 1930 in Crown Point, Ind., he married Lucy Cisler, who survives.
    Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Geraldine Chamberlin of North Liberty and Mrs. Gwendolyn Engle of Munster, Ind.; a sister, Mrs. Marie Long of South Bend; and nine grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Anthony Letcal officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the A.M. Manuel Funeral Home in North Liberty.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 13, 1977, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Young, Eugene L.

Eugene L. Young
1915-1997
Retired, Tyler Refrigeration


    No services will be offered for Eugene L. Young, 81, formerly of 202 Fort St., Niles.
    Mr. Young will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    He died Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Woodfield Manor following a brief illness.
    Mr. Young was born in Niles June 6, 1915, and was a life-long resident.
    On Aug. 14, 1937, in South Bend, Ind., He married the former Marjorie Jean "Peg" Holmgren, who survives.
    He was a member of Teamsters Union Local No. 364 of South Bend.
    Mr. Young retired in 1975 after 27 years with Tyler Refrigeration in Niles.
    Survivors include, a daughter, Susan K. Gourlay of Niles; a son, Phillip L. Young of Niles; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister Florence Sommers of Niles; and a brother, Max Young of Niles.
    He was preceded in death by three brothers, Russell, Claude and Earl.
    Memorials may be made to Fernwood Botanic Garden or Greater Niles Babe Ruth Baseball Leagure.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 19, 1997, page 2, col. 5-7, microfilm Niles District Library)

Holloway, Richard G. Sr.

Richard Guy Holloway Sr.
1928-1997
Retired truck driver


    Private family services are planned for Richard Guy Holloway Sr., 69, 2472 Dick St., Niles.
    Mr. Holloway died Friday at 12:25 a.m. at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles of natural causes.
    He was born Feb. 14, 1928, in Rochester, Ind.
    On Aug. 30, 1946, in Rochester, Ind., he married the former Beatrice Pearl Rauch, who survives.
    Mr. Holloway served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
    He retired in 1918 from Associated Truck Lines, South Bend, Ind. where he was employed as a truck driver.
    Survivors include a daughter, Diane Meyer of Niles; two sons, Richard G. Holloway Jr. of Niles, and Donald I. Holloway of South Bend, Ind.; eight grandchildren; and a sister Geraldine Patzer of Edwardsburg.
    Cremation has taken place.  There will be no visitation.  The cremated remains will be buried at a later date in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Memorials may be made to the Emphysema Foundation.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 10, 1997, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Garwood, Lucinda

Lucinda (Rupe) Garwood
April 23, 1840-November 24, 1916


Lucinda (Rupe) Garwood
April 23, 1840-November 24, 1916

PIONEER RESIDENT OF NILES TOWNSHIP CLAIMED BY DEATH
Mrs. John Garwood Passes Away at Ripe Old Age--Had Lived on Same Farm Many Years.

    Mrs. John Garwood, residing two miles south of town, passed peacefully away this morning, age 70 years.  Mrs. Garwood, whose maiden name was Lucinda Rupe, was united in marriage to John Garwood, Nov. 13, 1865, and they had since resided on the same farm in section 11, Niles township.  Their only child, Sarah E., is the wife of Joseph Webber, who with his family, reside[sic] at the Garwood homestead.  John Garwood, who survives his wife, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., April 23, 1840.  At the age of 20, he went to Cloud county, Kas., where he purchased a farm of 160 acres, improving the same by breaking prairie, cultivating the fields, planting hedge fences and adding other equipments.  He remained there for 18 years engaged in general farming.  During this time  the land greatly appreciated in value and on his removal from the state he sold the farm of 160 acres for $4,500, the sale netting him $1,000.  Returning from the west he again located in St. Joseph county, Indiana, but soon afterward came to Niles township and purchased the farm where he now resides.  He has 120 acres, but rents his land to his son-in-law, while he is practically living retired from active business cares.
    During their long residence in this vicinity, Mr. and Mrs. Garwood gained a wide acquaintance and enjoyed the favorable regard of many friends. who will deplore the passing of this estimable lady.
    The funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon by Rev. Edward G. Lewis at the Methodist church, of this city, of which Mr. Garwood has been an officer for 19 years, acting as trustee and in other official positions.  He has also been stewart[sic] and his beloved wife's connection with church work covers a period of 30 years.  They have both been untiring in their labors to promote its growth and extend its influence and their lives have been in constant harmony with their professions.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 24, 1916, page 1, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

MRS. JOHN GARWOOD HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM
M.E. Church Filled for the Funeral Services on Sunday.

    The funeral of the late Mrs. John Garwood was held Sunday afternoon at the residence at 1:30 pm., and the Methodist church at 2 o'clock, which was crowded to its utmost capacity with relatives and friends and members of the church who had come to pay their last respects to one who had been a member of the Methodist church for 40 years.
    Dr. E.G. Lewis, the pastor, spoke from Second Corinthians, fifth chapter and first verse, "For we know that if this earthly house of our tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands. eternal in the heavens."
    This text was a favorite one of Mrs. Garwood, who requested that it be her funeral text.  The speaker said: "The wealth of this world does not compare to the mansion we shall have in the world to come if we have led a beautiful life, such as Mrs. Garwood's."
    The floral offerings were many from the relatives, friends and neighbors in the vicinity of Truitt's chapel, besides the Methodist class meeting and the Woman's Adult Bible class.
    A quartette composed of Prof. J. Drury Revis, Mrs. S.A. Conrad and Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Putnam sang "Abide With Me", and "The Sweet Bye and Bye".
    The pall bearers were George C. Reum, Charles H. Reum, August E. Reum, Fred Edwards, Frank Fulkerson and William H. Webber.
    About 40 relatives were present from St. Joseph county, Indiana, and with the entire congregation procceded[sic] to Silver Brook cemetery where the remains of Mrs. Garwood were laid to rest.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Monday, November 27, 1916, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Callender, Kathryn

Kathryn Callender
Oct. 29, 1858-August 24, 1941


Kathryn Callender, Ill 6 Months, Dies; Rites Wednesday

    Mrs. Kathryn Callender, 82, of Route 4, Niles, died Sunday night at 11:15 in Pawating hospital. She had been ill since February of general complications. She was a member of St. Mary's church.
    She was born Oct. 29, 1858, in St. Joseph.  Her husband, Fred M. Callender, died Jan. 10, 1931.  A daughter, Mrs. Anor Rosenberger Clifford, died Sept. 1937. She is survived by a grandson, John Clifford, South Bend.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home.  Requiem high mass will be conducted Wednesday morning at 9 in St. Mary's church by the Rev. Fr. Joseph Rochford.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 25, 1941, page 2 col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Whitcher, Lillian B.

Lillian B. (McLanathan) Whitcher
November 28, 1876-September 3, 1941


Mrs. W.C. Whitcher Dies in 3 Rivers; Funeral in Niles

    Funeral services for Mrs. W.C. Whitcher, who died Wednesday morning in Three Rivers, will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel.  She had been ill for some time.
    Mrs. Whitcher, the former Lillian B. McLanathan, was born in Leavenworth, Kans., Nov. 28, 1876, the daughter of F.H. and Mary McLanathan.  She spent the early years of her life in Kansas City where she was married to Mr. Whitcher in 1905.
    The Whitchers lived in Kansas city several years before coming to Niles.  They lived here 18 years and three years ago moved to Three Rivers.
    Mrs. Whitcher was a member of the Christian Science church and was first reader of the church here for three years.  Mr. Whitcher was formerly general manager of the Dry Kold Refrigerator company here.
    Beside her husband she leaves one son by a former marriage, Frank Woodward, Three Rivers.
    D.N. Wheeler will read the Christian Science service Friday with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.  The body will be brought to Niles from Three Rivers just before the service.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, September 4, 1941, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Linsenmier, Charles

Charles Linsenmier
April 11, 1859-Sept. 3, 1941


C. LINSENMIER, 82, CLAIMED BY DEATH

    Charles Linsenmier, 82, lifelong resident of Niles community, died Wednesday afternoon at 3:15 at his home on M-40. He had been ill several years.
    Mr. Linsenmier was born April 11, 1859, in Niles and had lived 46 years in the home where he died.  He was the son of William and Fredericka Linsenmier. He was a farmer by occupation.
    On July 22, 1885, he was married in Niles to Matilda Ranft, who preceded him in death.  He was one of a family of nine children.  Two brothers, Fred Linsenmier, Buchanan, and Albert Linsenmier, South Bend, and a sister, Mrs. Ida Nieb, Niles, survive.
    Mr. Linsenmier also is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Weller, and a granddaughter, Miss Allene Weller, at home. A son, Arthur, died several years ago.
    Friends may call at the home on M-40 where funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Burial will be in Silverbrook.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 4, 1941, page 2 col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)