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.

Riley, Pvt. Robert Dale

editor Obituaries
Pvt. Robert Dale Riley
Nov. 4, 1921-July 7, 1944

The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.), Wednesday, August 16 1944, page 3, col 3

Two Niles Men Are Reported Killed In France And Pacific

    Niles, Aug. 16--Two more Niles men have been reported killed in action, raising Niles' war-time death toll to 22 today.
    Pvt. Robert D. Riley, 22, with the U.S. Marine Corps, was reported killed in the Pacific area. Wounded twice previously, Pvt. Riley had been overseas since November, 1942, and had fought in the Solomon and in other major battle areas. He was born November 4, 1921 in Buchanan and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Riley of 24 Parkway, Niles.
    . . .

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 12, 1948, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Body of Pvt. Riley to Arrive From Saipan in U.S. Soon; Burial Here

    The body of Pvt. Robert Dale Riley, of the marine corps, who was killed at Saipan on July 7, 1944, is enroute to the United States, according to notice received by his parents today.
    A military funeral will be conducted upon arrival of the body at the Pifer funeral home.  No date has been set for arrival.
    Private Riley was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Riley, 24 Parkway, who survive.  Other survivors are three brothers, Harold, Mishawaka; Donald, rural route three; and John, at home; three sisters, Mrs. June Frazier, rural route four; Norma Jean and Beverly Ann, both at home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 14, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

RILEY RITES WEDNESDAY

    Last rites for Pvt. Robert Dale Riley, 22, late son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Riley, 24 Parkway, will be held at 2 p.m. , Wednesday at the First Methodist church, the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home Tuesday night, where the body will be held until the services on Wednesday.
    Pvt. Riley's body will arrive here Tuesday after having been shipped from over-seas, where he was killed in action as a member of the marine corps on July 7, 1944, at Saipan.
    Announcement has been made that members of the Navy Mothers are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday in front of the postoffice before attending rites for Riley.
    Members of Mothers of World War II are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m., in front of the First Methodist church to attend services for Pvt. Riley.
    Daughters of America members are requested also to  meet at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday at the Methodist church to attend the Riley services.

Cogswell, Infant

editor Obituaries
Infant Daughter Cogswell
May 3, 1949

INFANT DAUGHTER DIES

    Committal services for the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cogswell, of Benton Harbor, born prematurely, which died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, will be conducted at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
    The Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church, will read the service at the Pifer funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 4, 1949, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

Cogswell, Doris C.

editor Obituaries
Doris C. Cogswell
Dec. 1, 1902-May 11, 1998

    Funeral services for Doris C. Cogswell, 95, of Sycamore St., Niles, are Thursday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by Dr. Glenn McNiel of Grace United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
    Mrs. Cogswell died Monday at 3:50 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following a brief illness.
    She was born Dec. 1, 1902 in Paoli, Ind., and lived in Niles since 1929, coming from Paoli.
    On May 21, 1921 in Paoli she married David W. Cogswell, who preceded her in death July 1, 1966.
    Mrs. Cogswell was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
    She retired in 1967 after 20 years as an operator for Michigan Bell Telephone.
    Survivors include a daughter, Joan Schmeltz of Walkerton, Ind.; a son, Kenneth Cogswell, Plainwell; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a son, Jack Cogswell on May 21, 1995; and six sisters and brothers.
    Friends may call Wednesday from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 13, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Cogswell, David W.

editor Obituaries
David W. Cogswell
April 2, 1899-July 1, 1966

    David W. Cogswell, 67, of 1203 Sycamore St., died Friday at 11 a.m. in Pawating Hospital, where he had been a  patient for 43 days. Mr. Cogswell had been ill for the past three years.
    His widow, Doris, survives him.  Also surviving are his children: Jack, Elkhart, Ind.; Kenneth, Livonia; and Mrs. Joan Schmeltz, Walkerton, Ind.: 12 grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Russell, Columbus, Ohio; Ralph, Indianapolis: Mrs. Emma Wyle, Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. John Caldwell, Sacramento, Calif.; Mrs. Helen York, Washington, Ind.; and Mrs. Roy Benson, Sandwich, Ill.
    Mr. Cogswell was born April 2, 1899. He married the former Doris C. Wells May 21, 1921, in Paoli. They came to Niles in 1929.
    Mr. Cogswell was a retired cabinet maker. He was a veteran of World War I and a past commander of Post 26 of the Niles American Legion.
    He was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.  Mr. Cogswell also belonged to the Berrien County Conservation Club and Four Flags Barracks 1093 of the Veterans of WWI.
    Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.  Services will be conducted by the Rev. Leonard F. Putnam, pastor of the Niles EUB church.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Graveside military rites will be held by the Niles American Legion.
    Friends may call Sunday afternoon at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 2, 1966, page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library.

Whetstone, Frances "Frankie"

editor Obituaries
Miss Frankie Whetstone
Nov. 3, 1880-Nov. 14, 1970

    Frankie Whetstone, 90, of 714 N. Fifth St., died at 2 a.m. Wednesday in her home, after being in ill health for some time.
    A retired secretary at Niles Steel Tank Co., Miss Whetstone was born Nov. 3, 1880, in Niles and her lived here her entire life.  She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Niles and the St. Agnes Guild of the church.
    Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Thomas Donnelly of Bay City, and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 5, 1970, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Whetstone, Helena B.

editor Obituaries
Helena B. Whetstone
June 5, 1878-Oct. 19, 1970

    Helena B. Whetsone, 92, of 714 N. Fifth St., died at 7:45 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, after being in poor health for several weeks.
    Miss Whetstone was born June 5, 1878, in Niles, and had lived here all her life. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and the St. Agnes Guild of the church.
    Surviving are two sisters, Frankie of Niles and Mrs. Thomas Donnelly of Bay City.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Trinity Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 20, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Whetstone, Charles

editor Obituaries
Charles Whetstone
Jan. 17, 1852-March 2, 1905

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 2, 1905, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS IN NILES
THREE ARE RECORDED IN THE CITY TODAY

CHAS WHETSTONE
A Well Known Resident Passed Away Last Night--Also Mrs. Mack and Mrs. Sawyer

    Charles Whetstone, proprietor of the Forler House, died last midnight, of tubercolosis[sic], aged 53 years.  The deceased was born in Beyenheim, Germany, and was brought to this country by his parents, when 18 months old. His parents came to Michigan and settled in the Upper Peninsula, where they remained until the deceased was four years old, when they came to Niles, where he  had since resided. Mr. Whetstone was married in 1876 to Miss Magdalen Forler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George K. Forler. This union was blessed with six children, who together with their mother, mourn the departure of a kind husband and parent.  The children are William and George of Boulder, Montana, and the Misses Lena, Frances and Magdalen and Carl of Niles.  Mr. Whetstone also leaves a brother, whose address is not known here.
    Fraternally the deceased was identified with the Masons, the M.W. A. and the German Working men's Benevolent association.
    Mr. Whetstone had been proprietor of the Forler House since his father-in-law, G.K. Forler, retired in 1895, and he was widely known amoung railroad men and the traveling fraternity, as well as by the public generally throughout this section.
    The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

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