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.

Leet, Glenna E. (Passig)

Glenna E. Leet
Aug. 8, 1921-Aug. 11, 1982


Glenna E. Leet, 61, of 1063 Leet Road, Niles, died Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. in South Bend Osteopathic Hospital after an 18 month illness.

Born on Aug. 8, 1921, in Niles, she was a life-long resident.  A homemaker, she was a member of the M60 Study Club and was affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church.

On Jan. 25, 1945, she was married to Gerald E. Leet in Niles.  Her husband survives.  Two sons, Fred and Robert Leet, both of Niles; a brother, Howard Passig of Niles; and two sisters, Mrs. Ross (Maxine) Leazenby of Niles and Mrs. Stanley  (Louella) Przybysz of South Bend, Ind., also survive, along with four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, with Rev. David Henderson of Westminster Presbyterian Church officiating.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call between 2-4 p.m. and 7-0 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 12, 1982, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Everhart, Marcel E.

Marcel E. Everhart
May 10, 1912-Aug. 7, 1982


Marcel E. Everhart, 70, of 630 N. 7th St., Niles, died suddenly on Saturday at 3:18 p.m. at Pawating Hospital.

He was born May 10, 1912, in Dowagiac, spent most of his life in the area, and was a retired book binder set-up man for Simplicity Patern Company. He was a civl war re-enactor.

On Sept. 29, 1935, in Coldwater, he married Rosella Goff, who survives. One son, Marcel D. (Bud) Everhart of Bridgman; and two daughters, Mrs. Willis (Sandra) Leavitt of Niles and Mrs. William (Sharon) Reed of Buchanan, survive. Two sisters, Mrs. Francis Runyon of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Raymond (Audrey) McLaughlin of Niles also survive, along with nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, with Rev. W.J. Coad of the Apostolic Faith Assembly of Niles, officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call between 7-9 p.m. Monday evening and all day Tuesday at the funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 9, 1982, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Minshall, Jack M.

Jack M. Minshall
July 10, 1935-Aug. 4, 1982


Jack M. Minshall, 47, of 1229 Morris Dr., Niles, died at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday in St. Vincent Hospital at Indianapolis following a lengthy illness.

He had been employed as auto mechanic for Marv Borr, Inc., at South Bend.

Mr. Minshall was a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles and had been a Girl Scout leader for 10 years.

He was born July 10, 1935 in Hartford and had lived here for the past 21 years, coming from South Bend. He married Sharlene Stilwell on Sept. 9, 1956 in Silver Creek Township. His wife survives.

Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Minshall of Hartford; two daughters, Mrs. William (Janet) Wadlington of St. Mary's, Idaho and Miss Tracey Minshall of East Lannsing; two sisters, Mrs. Ralph (Dorothy) Bourner of Parchment and Mrs. Fred (Barbara) Buckham of Schoolcraft.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles.  Rev. William Fuerstenau will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or the Christian Children's Fund.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 6, 1982, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Klindworth, Russell J.

Russell Klindworth
Nov. 13, 1916-Aug. 10, 1982


Russell J. Klindworth, 65, of 2406 Bond St., Niles, died at 5:16 p.m. Wednesday at Pawating Hospital after a sudden illness.

He had retired in 1978 as a truck driver for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company.

Mr. Klindworth was born Nov. 13, 1916 in Waukegan, Ill.  He had lived here for the past 45 years, coming from Chicago.  He married Fawn I. McGill on March 30, 1940 at South Bend.  His wife survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Kathleen Northrop of Buchanan, Miss Sherry Klindworth at home, and Mrs. Molly Kurtis of Niles; a son,  Michael Klindworth of Niles; three brothers, William Hall of Mishawaka, Harold Hall of Niles and Tom Hall of Benton Harbor; and seven grandchildren.

He was a member of the LaRue Messenger Post 26 American Legion.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m Saturday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles.  Rev. David Henderson of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Niles will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Pifer-Smith Funeral home from 3:30 p.m to 8 p.m. Friday (tonight).


Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 13, 1982, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Manley, Rex J.

Rex J. Manley
Dec. 19,1918-June 3, 1974

NILES--Rex Manley, 55, of 421 Chestnut St., Dowagiac, died at 1:30 a.m. today in Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac, after an illness of two years.

A World War II army veteran, Mr. Manley was born Dec. 19, 1918 in Bryant, Ind., and had lived in Niles most of his life.  On Jan. 7, 1958, in Buchanan, he married Edna L. Null, who survives. He was employed by Buchanan Steel Products Division of National-Standard Co.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Rex. Jr. of Niles; three step-daughters, Mrs. Louise Souers of Cassopolis, Mrs. Reba S. Goodman of Constantine and Mrs. Linda Clubb of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Vanrhie Thomas of Niles and Mrs. Irene Miller of Syracuse, N.Y., and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Trenery of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 3, 1974, page 2, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

Goldfuss, Catherine M.

Mrs. Catherine M. Goldfuss
Oct. 29, 1888-June 1, 1974


NILES--Mrs. Catherine M. Goldfuss, 85, of 92 S. 14th St., died at 5:30 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph, after an illness of one year.

Born Oct. 29, 1888, in Wells County, Ind., Mrs. Goldfuss had lived here since 1944. On Dec. 16, 1950, in Niles, she married George A. Goldfuss who died in 1971.

Surviving are six sons, Harry Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind. Ernest W. and Don W. Thomas of Niles, Elmer Ray and Delbert J. Thomas, of Elkhart, and Walter J. Thomas of Memphis, Tenn.;  two daughters, Mrs. Leonard Thompson of Elkhart and Mrs. Helen Black of Benton Harbor 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 this afternoon in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Arlan Schlundt of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 3, 1974, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Beall, Harold Keith

Lt. Keith Beall
July 30, 1924-Dec. 6, 1944


Death of Niles Army Officer Is Confirmed

 

The death of Lt. Keith Beall, 20, killed in action in Italy, Dec. 6, 1944, was confirmed today in a War Department announcement which made public a list of Michigan soldiers killed in action in the Mediterranean area.

Pilot of a B-17, Lt. Deall was the husband of Genevieve Wickler Beall.  His mother, Mrs. Harold Beall, lives at 16 North Seventh street.

The next of kin has previously been informed.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 6, 1945, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library