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.

Duval, James Robert

editor Obituaries
James Robert Duval
Oct. 7, 1957-June 12, 1993

James R. Duval
1957-1993
Partner/operator of Michiana Rebuilders

    Funeral services for James Robert Duval, 35 of 980 S. 14th St., Niles, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Leo E. Kostizen, of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Duval died at 12:52 p.m. Saturday at Lee Memoral Hosptial in Dowagiac following an accident.
    Born Oct. 7, 1957, in Muskegon, Duval was a resident of the area since 1966, coming from Muskegon.
    On March 5, 1988, in Niles, he married the former Dawn R. Howard, who survives.
    He was a partner and operator of Michiana Rebuilders in South Bend.  He was a Niles High School graduate. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan and was active in the Elks Bowling League.
    Other survivors include three sons, John L. Fisher, Brandon E. Duval and Kyle R. Duval, all living at home; his parents, Everett and Lois Duval of Niles; his grandmother, Alma Hughes of Muskegon; five brothers, Leon Duval of Auburn,Ind., Larry Duval of Muskegon, Joe Duval of Niles, Richard Duval of Niles and Jerry Duval of Mishawaka; a sister Mary Kannenburg of Buchanan; an aunt, Ann Noone of Kalamazoo and an uncle, Ron Hartman and his wife Phyllis of Muskegon.
    Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 14, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Sallee, Iris

editor Obituaries
Iris Sallee
July 21, 1939-April 3, 1993

Iris Sallee
1939-1993
Lifetime Niles resident

    Funeral services for Iris Sallee, 53, of 527 Eagle St., Niles are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. William Mack, evangelist of Free-Will Baptist Churches.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Sallee died at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at her home following an extended illness.
    Born July 21, 1939, in Chicago, she was a resident of Niles most of her lifetime.
    On Oct. 27, 1956, in Chicago, she married Robert Sallee Sr., who survives.
    Other survivors include her mother Jean Schroer of Niles; a daughter, Laurie Harwood of Niles; seven sons, Robert Sallee Jr., of Niles, John Sallee of South Bend, Thomas Sallee of Niles, Kenny Sallee of Niles, David Sallee of Niles, Tracy Sallee of Buchanan and Gene Sallee of Niles; 15 grandchildren and a sister, Camelia Fatter of Niles.
    Friends may call one hour prior to Wednesday's services at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 5, 1993, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Poulson, Jessie F.

editor Obituaries
Jessie F. Poulson
Aug. 20, 1893-April 2, 1993

Jessie F. Poulson
1893-1993
Retired from Montgomery Ward
and Parmalee Stores

    Funeral services for Jessie F. Poulson, 99, 1333 Wells St., Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Nolan R. Williams officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Poulson died at 9:45 p.m. Friday at Riverridge Manor following an extended illness.
    Born Aug. 20, 1893, in Atlantic, Iowa, she was a resident of this area all of her life.
    On Aug. 18, 1923, in Flint, she married the former Robert S. Poulson, who preceded her in death on May 4, 1982.
    She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and a member of the Marine Mothers.
    Survivors include a daughter, Fern Burks of Buchanan; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, William Stevens of Granbury, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
    Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 5, 1993, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Coleman, Willie

editor Obituaries

Mrs. Willie Coleman
Jan. 22, 1921-June 3, 2009

Mrs. Willie Coleman, 88, of North 10th Street, Niles, died at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at home.

Funeral services will be at noon, Wednesday, June 10, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Bryant Bacon, of the church, officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements were by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:41am Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Cole, Junella J.

editor Obituaries

Junella J. Cole, 90
June 16, 1919 – Jan. 21, 2010

Junella J. Cole, 90, of Lawndale Avenue, Niles died at 1:57 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka following a brief illness.

She was born June 16, 1919 in Niles to John Helmick and Olive Zimmerman. She graduated from Niles High School and lived here all her life.

She married Robert E. Cole on Aug. 6, 1950 in Niles. He died May 18, 1977.

She was previously employed at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. in Niles. She was a member of the Apostolic Temple Church in South Bend.

She is survived by a son, Kevin R. Cole of Niles; stepsons, Max E. Cole of Niles and Doyne L. Cole of Niles; grandson, Kacey Cole; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Cole, and a stepson, Robert D. Cole, who died April 24, 1986.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Peter D. Rowe of Apostolic Temple Church in South Bend officiating.

Burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Published 1:09am Saturday, January 23, 2010

Polly, Mildred D. "Millie" (Squires)

editor Obituaries

Mildred D. ‘Millie’ Polly, 43
Aug. 5, 1966 — Feb. 5, 2010

Mildred D. “Millie” Polly, 43, of Zilke Street, Niles died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 unexpectedly but of natural causes.

She was born Aug. 5, 1966 in Niles to Charles Alvah Aquires[sic] Sr. and Mary Lucille (Lindsley) Squires. She graduated from Dowagiac High School and lived in Dowagiac most of her life. She enjoyed and pursued hair-cutting and styling for others and fishing.

On Sept. 23, 2006 in Vandalia she married Michael Polly Sr., who survives.

She is also survived by a daughter, Tabitha Combs of Niles; sons, Kyle Combs of Buchanan, Michael Polly Jr. of Niles and Aaron Polly of Buchanan; father, Charles A. Squires Sr. of Dowagiac; brother, Charles A. Squires Jr. of Dowagiac; sister, Katheryn Perkins of Haleyville, Ala.; and grandchildren, Cole, Gavin, Abby and Zoie.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Russell Haines of Calvin Community Chapel, Cassopolis officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 Niles Daily Star, Published 10:41am Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Hatcher, Opal Mae

editor Obituaries

Opal Hatcher, 84
Dec. 29, 1925 – March 23, 2010

Opal Mae “Aunt Opal” Hatcher, 84, of Woods Edge Drive, Niles died at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following an illness.

She was born on Dec. 29, 1925 in Tiptonville, Tenn. to Will and Willie Mae (Churchwell) Moore.

She was a resident of the Hatcherville community of Niles for more than 60 years where she was also a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and a caregiver to neighbors and friends. She also enjoyed playing bingo at the former Eastgate Mall and flower gardening her yard.

She was married to Harold J. Hatcher, who preceded her in death in 1990.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Cross, and a brother, Robert Jermison.

Surviving family members include her 13 children, Marvine Nicks and Marlene Wade, both of Niles, Carolyn Hatcher and Opal Faye Hatcher, both of South Bend, Geraldine Hatcher and Janet Sue White, both of Niles, Harold Hatcher Jr., of Oakland, Calif., Deborah Grady, of Inkster, Mich., Donna (and Joe) Coleman, Romonna (and Arthur) Jones, Michael Hatcher and Lisa Hatcher, all of Niles, and Tracey (and Chris) Hatcher, of Dowagiac; 34 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren and 17 great great-grandchildren, all of those grandchildren lovingly calling her “Big Momma.”

Also surviving are her brothers, John (and Josephine) Moore and Troy (and Florence) Moore, both of Chicago; sisters, Lovie Mae (and Eugene) Nichols, of Chicago, and Rosalie Lyons, of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Opal Hatcher will be at noon Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Niles, with Opal’s son, Elder Tracey Hatcher of Peace Temple Church of God in Christ, officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Monday at the church.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:05am Friday, March 26, 2010

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