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.

Alward, Cyrus Frederick

Cyrus Frederick Alward
Feb. 2, 1853-Dec. 21, 1928


Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 21, 1928, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

TO BRING BODY TO NILES


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

FRED ALWARD BURIED HERE


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.

Dalenberg, Charlene (Cook)

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

Whalen, Phillip Max

Phillip Max Whalen
June 24, 1886-Dec. 17, 1943


KILLS PEDESTRIAN

PHILLIP WHALEN, 57, STRICKEN DOWN ON NORTH FIFTH STREET

Ernest Wegner, 29, Dowagiac, to Face Inquest Monday Night

 

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.

 

First in 18 Months

 

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

Flint, Marjorie

Marjorie Flint
Nov. 1, 1921-Nov. 15, 1943


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 17, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Marjorie Flint Dies in Chicago; Service Friday

 

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

FLINT FUNERAL


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.


Hanley, Mary Susan

Mary Susan Hanley
Dec. 3, 1857-Nov. 14, 1943


MRS. MARY HANLEY DIES; RITE TUESDAY

 

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

Henkel, Carrie Maude

Carrie Maude Henkel
Nov. 20, 1889-July 3, 1915


AMBITIONS OF A YOUNG LIFE ENDED

Carrie Maude Henkel Succumbed This Morning After Long Illness

 

The ambitions of a young life were cut short, only partially fulfilled. Miss Carrie Maude Henkel graduated with the class of 1908 of the Niles High school, imbued with an inspiration to develop talents, which  were undoubtedly hers, and to become an artist.

She continued her schooling, going to the Kalamazoo college for her higher education. She remained there during the year of 1909 and 1910, from there going east and received her diploma from the Emerson School of Oratory in 1913.

But here her ideals were to end. Returning to Niles her health began to fail and since that time she has gradually grown weaker, the end coming this morning at 10:55, the cause of death being pulmonary tuberculosis.  Although long expected, the news of the taking of this young life saddened the hearts of her many friends and deepest sympathy is given the bereaved mother, father, and sister.

Carrie Maude Henkel was born Nov. 20, 1889, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Henkel.  There is one other daughter, Frances.  The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 3, 1915, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Ferguson, Alice (Correll)

Alice (Correll) Ferguson
Dec. 6, 1856-Dec. 29, 1943


ALICE FERGUSON, 87, OF PIONEER NILES FAMILY, SUCCUMBS

 

Mrs. Alice Ferguson, 87, formerly of 122 South Fourth street, died at 6 this morning at the Quick Convalescent Home after a long illness resulting from a broken hip.

Mrs. Ferguson was born in Niles township Dec. 6, 1856 and had taught in the rural schools for many years.  She was married in 1895 to John C. Ferguson, who preceded her in death.

Nieces and nephews who survive are George F. Correll and Mrs. Genevieve Hance, Niles; Horace M. Correll, Lansing; Mrs. Frank Cameron and Mrs. Harriett Colby, Chicago, and Robert Chamberlain, Kansas City, Kans.

Rites Friday

Mrs. Ferguson, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George A. Correll, was a member of the Presbyterian church and a member and teacher of the Whatsoever class.  She was also a member of the Missionary society and Ladies Aid society of the Presbyterian church and a member of the Ill-a-heTil-a-kum club.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2:30 Friday by the Rev. Guy W. Simon. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 29, 1943, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library