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.
Ruiz Infant
Feb. 22, 1954
Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 22, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
An eight and a half ounce baby boy was born four months prematurely at 12:30 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital and died one hour later. The parents are Mr. and Mrs. Tony Ruiz, 17 ½ Parkway. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Arthur E. Thomas
July 5, 1889-Feb. 21, 1954
Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 22, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Arthur E. Thomas, 116 Edwards street, died Sunday morning at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill three weeks.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnibel; three sons, Marion, of Marshall, Ernest, of Ferndale, and Daniel, of Pennsylvania; two daughters, the Misses Lois and Marilyn Thomas, of Detroit, and seven grandchildren.
He was born on July 5, 1889, in Bowen City, Mich., and came here from Detroit three years ago. He owned a service station and lunch counter on US-112 east.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Elizabeth Whisman
Jan. 20, 1879-Jan. 8, 1954
Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 8, 1954, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Whisman, 66 South Third street, died at 6 a.m., today in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Gardner, 118 Forest avenue. She had been ill a short time.
Surviving are her children, Mrs. Robert Gardner, of Niles, Mrs. Fred Corbin, of Flint, Mrs. Fred Kirby, of Detroit, and Mrs. George Abbott, of Chicago; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one brother, Delbert Sill, of .. [Illegible] . . . Jan. 20, 1879, in Marshall County, Ind., and came her from Buchanan 1919.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Belle (Warner) Bachman
Sept. 30, 1885-July18, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 18, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
DEATH MRS. BELLE BACHMAN
Mrs. Belle Bachman, wife of Jacob Bachman, died at their home, 17 Parkway, this afternoon about 1:30 after an illness of several months duration. Surviving Mrs. Bachman is her husband, her son, Leo Weiser and one sister, Mrs. Grace Gohn, of South Bend. Mrs. Bachman was formerly in business in Niles for several years conducting a variety store. A more detailed obituary will be given tomorrow and the funeral plans will be announced tomorrow.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 19, 1929, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Mrs. Belle Bachman will be held in the home, 17 Parkway, Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock and will be private. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver brook cemetery.
Mrs. Bachman was born in New Buffalo on Sept. 30, 1885. Her maiden name was Belle Warner. When she was a girl of 12 years the family moved to Niles and she had since resided here. She attended the Niles public schools and entered the high school. For a number of years Mrs. Bachman engaged in business in Niles conducting a bazaar and notions store. She was married in June 1919 at South Bend to Jacob Bachman who survives her. She is also survived by one son, Leo Weiser, born of a former marriage, and one sister, Mrs. Grace Gohn, of South Bend. Her aged grandmother, Mrs. J.C. Mullholland, 82, of Eau Claire, also survives. The death of Mrs. Bachman's mother, Mrs. Anna Warner, occurred in 1916.
Mrs. Warner was stricken with illness last fall. In October she went to the Mayo Bros. Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and had an operation. She returned to Niles on the day before Thanksgiving and for a time the family and friends were encouraged by an improvement in her condition. However, seven weeks ago she became ill again and had steadily failed until her death.
Mrs. Bachman was a member of the Rebekah Royal Neighbors and Mooseheart legion lodges. She was active in these organizations, and had held offices in each and , through her fraternal and business relations, she had become widely known in the city and many regret her death.
Friends may call at the home this afternoon and evening and until noon tomorrow to view the body.
William Bowerman
1876-July 21, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 19, 1929, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
William Bowerman, 53, formerly in business in Niles for a number of years, but who more than a year ago suffered a complete collapse which prevented him from further work, died on Sunday in the Michigan State hospital in Kalamazoo. The body is now at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms. Funeral plans are not completed awaiting the arrival in Niles of the widow who is expected this afternoon from Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Bowerman was born in Indiana. He came to Niles 25 years ago and had since made his home here . He operated a candy business at one time but later launched into the business of an electrician and had one of the prominent stores on Main street.
Mr. Bowerman is survived by a widow, one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Shaw, of Des Moines, Iowa, and by the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. Laura Matthews and Mrs. Pearl Whitman, of South Bend, Mrs. Elizabeth McLaughlin, of New Troy, Mrs. Frank Bleazhy and Mrs. Emma Smith and Henry Bowerman, of Niles. Mrs. Smith makes her home with Mrs. Bleazby just south of M-60 about a mile east of Niles. Another sister Mrs. Ida Adams was killed, as was also her father-in-law at Attica, Ind., recently.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 23, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
FUNERAL WM. BOWERMAN
Funeral services for William Bowerman will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 fast time, in the Troost and Augustine chapel. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will conduct the services. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The widow of the deceased, and their daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Shaw, of Des Moines, arrived in Niles this morning in response to the telegram announcing Mr. Bowerman's death.
Mary Beyrer
1863-July 21, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 19, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
DEATH MISS MARY BEYRER
Miss Mary Beyrer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Beyrer, deceased, died on Sunday evening in Kalamazoo. She had long been ill with tuberculosis. The body was brought to Niles today. Miss Beyrer is survived by three sisters and one brother. They are Mrs. Louise Kehrer, of Sisters lakes, Misses Minnie and Sara Beyrer who reside on the Beyrer homestead, two and one-half miles north of Niles, and William Beyrer, of Wilmette. Ill. The funeral plans are not completed.
Note: This family name seems to have been variably spelled as Beyers. This lady is in cemetery book as Beyers while parents and siblings named in obituary are listed as Beyrer.
Mae Pollock Champion
Nov. 2, 1870-June 30, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 1, 1929, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Mae Pollock, champion, [sic] wife of Frank Champion, died at their home, 329 N. Third street at 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, death bringing release from sufferings patiently borne for many weeks. Four years ago Mrs. Champion had an operation and until about a year ago she was apparently in good health but for a number of months she had steadily failed.
Mrs. Champion was born in Ashland, Ohio, on Nov. 2, 1870, a daughter of John and Emily Pollock, deceased. She was married to Mr. Champion in Eaton county on July 16, 1894. The came at once to Niles and they had since resided in this city, Mrs. Champion enlarging her acquaintances and friendships with the years and taking an active part in the work of the Methodist church when her health permitted. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Champion, a daughter who died in infancy and a son, Francis Champion, who is now in the forestry service of the United States and stationed at Madison, Wis. Besides her husband and son, Mrs. Champion is survived by two brothers and two sisters who are Allen Pollock, of Lansing, Charles Pollock, of Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Van Bentley, of Battle Creek and Mrs. James Carpenter, of Climax. Mrs. Bentley and Mrs. Carpenter are in the city and their brother, Allen is expected tomorrow.
Mrs. Champion was a member of Niles Circle, No. 45, Ladies of the G.A.R.
The funeral services will be held in the home on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Champion had been a faithful member for many years, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.