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.

Haggerty, Hampton

Hampton Haggerty
March 1, 1844-April 11, 1922


Hampton Haggerty, Civil War Veteran, Goes to Meet Many of His Comrades of Company L, 2d Michigan Cavalry, Who Marched With Sherman To the Sea

Civil War Veteran and Retired Pioneer Farmer, Now Sleeping the Dreamless Sleep

. . .illness, borne with heroic fortitude, Hampton Haggerty, 78, passed peacefully away at his cozy home, 298 North Third street, at 3:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
    Thirteen months ago, Mr. Haggerty suffered a stroke of paralysis and had since been confined to his home.  About a month ago he suffered a second stroke, and had since been unable to speak.
    Mr. Haggerty was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on March 1, 1844.  He was a son of Thomas and Nancy Haggerty, native of New Jersey, who resided for some years in Ohio, and in 1848 came to Michigan with their family, driving an ox team through, and located in Niles township, where the mother died at the age of 40 and the father when 65 years old. They were the parents of nine children, four daughters and five sons, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but none of whom is now living.
    Hampton Haggerty was a child of four years when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and one year later was orphaned by his mother's death.  He attended school in Niles township, and grew to manhood sturdy, ambitious and energetic.
    At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Haggerty, then a youth of 17 years, enlisted in the defense of the Union, and his name was enrolled as a member of Co. L. second Michigan cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war, being the youngest soldier in his regiment.
From the ranks he was promoted to the position of corporal, and in that capacity participated in many of the important engagements in Sherman's march to the sea, proceeding thence to Washington.  In 1865, he received his discharge at Nashville, Tenn., and returning to Michigan resumed the ordinary pursuits of life.
    For about two years, Mr. Haggerty worked on a farm in the emloy of others. In 1867, he married Fannie, daughter of William and Mary Lambert.  Mrs. Haggerty, who has been a faithful helpmate to her husband all these years, was born in England, and in her childhood accompanied her parents to Michigan, in 1846, and has since made her home in this  state.  After his marriage, Mr. Haggerty rented a farm for a few years, after which he purchased the old Ives farm, four miles west of this city, consisting of 100 acres, which he cultivated for three years,  He then sold the property and purchased the H.N. Cameron farm, and later on bought still other farm property, meanwhile conducting a general farming and stock raising business.
    About 11 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty left the farm and came to this city, to spend the evening of life in peace and contentment.
    In politics, Mr. Hagerty was a Republican, and he had served in the township as a member of the board of education. "Uncle Hamp," as he was more familiarly known, was splendid type of the rugged pioneer--the type that was instrumental in subjugating the forests and causing the countryside to blossom like the rose.  During the greater portion of his life he was blessed with seemingly inexhaustible good health, and was a confirmed optimist.  He loved the hills, the birds, and the steams, and always had a yearning for the old days and the old manners.  He was a kindly man, a loyal friend.  His cheery presence was always welcome wherever he went. When in a reminiscent mood, " Uncle Hamp" used to love to relate thrilling experiences of Cival[sic] war days.  He also frequently recalled the old-time neighborhood spirit, the huskings, quiltings, or apple cuts or raisings, or "bees" of any sort.  The processes of the dairy as his boyhood knew them, were reviewed with zest--the churning treadmill, the lifting of great masses of golden butter from the churn with the ladle, and much more of those Halcyon, haloed days!  And then the ride to town, over miles of corduroy road in the lumber wagon. The spring plowing, the sowing, the haying, the harvesting, even the road making, "Uncle Hamp" lived over again--all seen through the mellowing haze of time.  How remorselessly he killed off with a flintlock musket the bright-eyed chipmunks in the corn in "those days" and trapped and shot henhawks and crows, was told as he recounted his boyhood memories.
    "Uncle Hamp" is survived by the widow and one half-sister, Mrs. Hannah Kinney, of Lawton, and his niece, Mrs. Eugene Myers.
    The funeral services will be conducted at the Methodist church at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, by the pastor, Mr. Lathrop. Interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star-Sun, Wednesday, Apr. 12, 1922, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.)

Hess, Mary M.

Mary M. Hess
January 13, 1860-June 5, 1939


MRS. MARY HESS, ILL 5 YEARS, DIES
Mother of Niles Teacher Stricken at 79; Rites Wednesday

    Mrs. Mary M. Hess, a native of Canada and widow of Casper Hess, died at 12:30 o'clock this morning in her home, 515 Cherry street.
    She had been in ill health for the last five years, and had been confined to her bed since September. She was 79 years old.
    She leaves one daughter, Miss Florence Hess, an instructor in Niles grade schools; a son, George, Niles; four brothers, Fred Walker, Niles; Henry and Lewis Walker, South Bend, and William Walker, Bourbon, Ind.; a sister, Miss Elizabeth Walker, Niles; also three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
    Another daugther, Mrs. Ann Snoor, died in 1930.
    Mrs. Hess was  born in Smithville, Ontario, Can., Jan. 13, 1860, and came to Niles with her parents when she was six weeks old.  She was educated in the Niles schools and was married to Mr. Hess Oct. 1, 1877.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Werheim in St. John's Evangelical church.
    Mrs. Hess was a member of the First Presbyterian church and the Maccabees.
    Services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. Guy W. Simon officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 5, 1939, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Walters, Candace Ann

Candace Ann Walters
1950-1997
registered nurse


    Graveside services for Candace Ann Walters, 47, 701 Vann St., Niles, are Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Mrs. Walters died early Monday at home of natural causes.
    She was born Jan. 20, 1950 in Niles.
    Mrs. Walters was a registered nurse.
    She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Niles.
    Survivors include her mother Gloria Walters of Niles.
    Visitation will not be offered.
    Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home of Berrien County.
    Arrangements were handled by Pifer-Smith Nursing Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 27, 1997, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Walters, Harold L.

Harold Walters
April 30, 1923-March 28, 1983


    Harold L. Walters, 59, 701 Vann St., Niles, died 8:59 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Pawating Hospital, following a short illness.
    Born Apirl 30, 1923, in Kalamazoo. In Dowagiac, On August 6, 1946, he married Gloria N. Cox, who survives. He had been a resident of Berrien County most of his life.
    He was a retired auto salesman from Fefferman Olds-Cadilac[sic] in South Bend and a World War II Army veteran.  He was a member of st. Mary's Catholic Church and B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1322.
    Survivors include: his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton Walters of Niles; one daughter, Mrs. Charles (Candace) Kirchner of Seattle, Waeh.[sic]; one brother, Robert Walters of Kalamazoo; two sisters, Mrs. Leslie (Eileen) Glassburn of Niles and Mrs. Joyce Semrinec of Spring Lake, Mich.
    Services will be 12:00 noon Thursday, March 31, at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. John M. Steffey of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating.  Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.  March 30, at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 30, 1983, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Oswalt, Harvey E.

Harvey E. Oswalt
August 21, 1857-November 22, 1927

HARVEY E. OSWALT SUCCUMBS TO DEATH
Passes Away at River Street Home After Long Illness

    Harvey E. Oswalt, 28 River street, died at 12 o'clock today after more than two months of illness with stomach trouble and dropsy.  Mr. Oswalt was for 10 years prior to the time he was stricken with illness an employe at the Kawneer company, and was well known and liked by fellow employes.
    Mr. Oswalt was born in Nappanee, Ind., on August 21, 1857.  He is survived by a widow and by two step-children, who are Frank Stearns, of Oberlin, Ohio, and Mrs. Samuel Zartman, of Niles.
    The body was removed to the Rutherford Funeral Home, and friends may call there. While the plans for the funeral are not completed it probably will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source; Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 22, 1927, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Brownell, Martha

Martha Perkins Brownell
February 12, 1852-November 21, 1927


MRS. MARTHA BROWNELL IS STRICKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away at S. Fifth St. Home After Short Illness

    Mrs. Martha Perkins Brownell, 76, died this morning at 10:45 at her home, 230 S. Fifth Street. She was stricken with paralysis about 10 days ago and her condition has been considered hopeless almost since the time she was stricken.  The deceased was a life long and highly esteemed resident of Niles.
    Mrs. Brownell was born in Niles on Feb. 12, 1852. She was married to Marcus Albert Brownell on April 4, 1880.  He died several years ago.  Mrs. Brownell is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hutchins, of Diamond lake, and Mrs. Minnie Veness who made her home with Mrs. Brownell.
    The funeral plans were not completed.  The deceased was a faithful member of the Trinity Episcopal church and was for many years prominent in its activities.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 21, 1927, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Cox, Edward Claude

E. Claude Cox
April 6, 1893-June 10, 1968

E. Claude Cox, 75, of 701 Vann St., was dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 8 p.m., Monday.
Moving here from Indianapolis, Ind., in 1917, Mr. Cox was born in Silverville, Ind., April 6, 1893.  He retired in 1958 from the National-Standard Co.
In addition to his widow, Angie, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Gessinger of Garver Lake; Mrs. Harold Walters of Niles, and two grandchildren.
He was a member of the St. Joseph Valley, F&A.M., 4.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Schloop, pastor of the Wesley Methodist United Church, officiating. Graveside services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 11, 1968, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)