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.

Wallace, J. Donald

J. Donald Wallace, 84
July 3, 1926 — Oct. 15, 2010

J. Donald Wallace, of Pletcher Avenue in Niles, died at 7:52 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness. He was 84.

He was born on July 3, 1926 in Saint Augustine, Fla. to William and Ida (Hill) Wallace and has lived in NIles most of his life, graduating from Niles High School.

He was employed by the New York Central Railroad and retired from Conrail following 45 years of service.

He enjoyed golfing at area courses, hunting and fishing and vegetable gardening. He also cared for his family.

On March 29, 1949 in NIles, he married the former Gertrude Clarke with whom he celebrated the 61st anniversary of that wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Gertrude Wallace; their daughters Vickie (Mark) Nolan and Kathleen (Noah) Johnson, both of Niles; grandchildren Tracee, Stacie, Aimee, William, Jessica, Ashley and Tiffany; great-grandchildren LeeSonn, KeTryn, ZiEn, SudDynn, Loryn, Haley, Kali and Hayden; sisters Patsy Hipshear of Niles, Valdona Melloh of Cocoa, Fla.; brother William Wallace of Houston, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, William Wallace who died on July 13, 2000.

Funeral services for J. Donald Wallace will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends between 6 and 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Don Wallace may be made to the American Heart Association.

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:59pm Sunday, October 17, 2010

Onderdonk, Howard C.

Howard C. Onderdonk, 82
April 15, 1928 — Oct. 16, 2010

Howard C. Onderdonk of Niles died at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness. He was 82.

He was born on April 15, 1928 in South Bend, Ind. to Howard Walter and Marie G. (Taylor) Onderdonk and lived in South Bend and New Carlisle prior to settling in Niles 45 years ago.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army.

He was employed as a cook in several area country clubs and restaurants and had the honor of cooking for President Gerald Ford when he visited Niles.

Howard enjoyed playing poker at home with family and visiting Las Vegas and formerly enjoyed golfing.

He liked to watch sporting events on television especially the Chicago Cubs and University of Notre Dame football.

He was first married to Zelma Jeanette Doyle. He later married Dessie Pauline Karnes, who preceded him in death on March 9, 2003. He was also preceded in death by sons Robert Ray Onderdonk in 2006, Jess Lee Onderdonk in 2008 and James Rex Onderdonk in 1955 as well as two sisters and three brothers.

Surviving family includes his children, Linda Lou Onderdonk, Howard Lamont Onderdonk, Ricky Dean Onderdonk all of South Bend, Mary Paulette Cook, Vickie Lynn Onderdonk, Harold Paul (Tori) Onderdonk, Kathern Ann (Mark) Bailey, all of Niles, Leroy (JoBeth) Onderdonk of Fort Myers, Fla., Martha Marie Schlender of Thayer, Mo. and Dean Ralph Onderdonk of Mishawaka; step-daughters Janice Fay Duttenhaver of Niles and Earnestine (Bob) Ellis of South Bend; 34 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral services for Howard C. Onderdonk will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor David Szymczak of the First Church of Christ, Niles officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by American Legion Post #26, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Howard Onderdonk may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published 12:06am Monday, October 18, 2010

Green, Nancy L. (Parks)

Nancy Green, 78
April 29, 1932 — Oct. 17, 2010

Nancy L. Green, 78, of South Third Street, Niles, died at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born April 29, 1932 in South Bend to Charles Joseph and Irene M. (Ostrander) Parks and lived in this area her whole life, graduating from Niles High School in 1950. She was employed fro 25 years at the former National Tea Co. and the former A&P grocery stores in Niles.

Nancy enjoyed playing bingo and visiting the Blue Chip Casino and Las Vegas. She also enjoyed working in her yard and caring for her daughters and their families.

On Feb. 1, 1958 in South Bend, she married Robert L. Green. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary before Bob’s death July 5, 2003.

Nancy was also preceded in death by two sisters, Willadean Arata and Phyllis Parks.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Carmen (Michael) Burks of Niles and Missy (Scott) DeLay of Parker, Colo.; grandson, Jake DeLay; step-grandchildren, Corey (Kristina) Burks, Christopher Burks and Michelle Pence; seven step-great-grandchildren; a brother and sister, Charles Parks and Melba Bestle, both of Niles; several sisters- and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Nancy L. Green will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home with Pastor David Mitchell of Faith Victory Fellowship in Buchanan officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 p.m. until the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to Niles-Buchanan Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:44am Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Allen, John Lee

John Allen, 86
April 24, 1924 — Oct. 18, 2010

John Lee Allen, 86, of Niles, died at 7:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph of natural causes.

He was born April 24, 1924 in Amite County, Miss. He had lived in the Niles area since 1969.

John was a saw mill technician and a member of Spiritual Vision Church of God in Christ in Niles.

He married Eula Mae Allen on Nov. 25, 1944 in Liberty, Miss. She preceded him in death June 15, 1997.

John was also preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Georgia (Morton) Allen, and a daughter, Camel Lee Allen, on June 7, 2008.

John is survived by his sons, Charles (Geneva) Allen, Johnnie (Regina) Allen, JL Allen, Willie (Mary) Allen, Leroy Carl Allen and Ronnie (April) Allen; daughters, Georgia Mae Allen, Jessie Mae Allen, Jeanette (Rochell) Foster and Ola Mae Rose; brothers, Jack Allen of Amite County, Miss. and Bennie Allen of Amite County, Miss.; 40 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and special friends, Mrs. Heron, Ms. Rosetta Lowery and Mr. Jack.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2010 at Spiritual Vision Church of God in Christ, Niles, with Pastor Elijah Thompson III of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25 at the church.

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:36am Friday, October 22, 2010

Jacobs, Mary Ann (Fisher)

Mary Jacobs, 94
April 2, 1916 — Oct. 21 2010

Mary Ann Jacobs, 94, of North Fifth Street, Niles, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born April 2, 1916 in Kosiosko County, Ind. to Artie Merl Fisher and Mary Lucille (Cripe) Fisher. She lived most of her life in Niles.

She enjoyed raising a large family and being involved in their lives.

She married Jack J. Jacobs on June 19, 1932 in St. Joseph. He died Nov. 14, 1999.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Jack L. Jacobs, who died in 1982, and several brothers and sisters.

Mary is survived by her sons, George D. Jacobs of New Orleans, La., Robert J. Jacobs of Niles, James A. Jacobs of Niles, Michael R. Jacobs of Niles and Daryl D. Jacobs of Niles; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family will gather privately for services at a later date.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:36am Friday, October 22, 2010

Webb, Lisa

Lisa Webb, 34
Jan. 5, 1976 — Oct. 19, 2010

Lisa Webb, of Hendricks Lane in Niles, died at 11:12 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Lakeland Community Hospital following an extended illness. She was 34.

She was born on Jan. 5, 1976 in Niles to Harlan Webb and Stacey Miller.

Webb
Webb

She attended Niles Community Schools and lived here all of her life. She was a member of Ontwa Baptist Church. She loved her children, her sister Jennifer and doing for others.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Dave and Joan Miller and grandfather Otis Lintz.

She is survived by Ted (Tamilla) Lintz; mother Stacey Lintz of Niles; father Harlan Webb of Delphi, Ind.; her sons Steven, Jonathon and Donald Webb all of Niles, sister Jennifer Webb of Niles; grandmother Dolores Goldman of Niles; grandparents Dorothy and Bill Webb of Buchanan and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services for Lisa Webb will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Elsey of Ontwa Baptist Church officiating.

Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:53pm Sunday, October 24, 2010

Marshall, Bessie M. (Fay)

Bessie M. Marshall
June 21, 1924 — Oct. 22, 2010

Bessie M. Marshall, 86, of Sycamore Street in Niles, died at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on June 21, 1924 in Niles to William H. and Frieda Louise (Wadel) Fay and has lived in Niles all of her life. In her teens, she was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company from which she retired following 35 years of service.

She returned to school to complete her last semester and graduated from Niles High School in 1986.

She was a lifelong member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ. She enjoyed golfing at Plym Park and other area courses and was a proficient golfer until her final round at age 82.

Her family remembers her as a wonderful homemaker, mother and grandmother.

On Sept. 12, 1942 in Niles she married J. Wesley “Wes” Marshall who died on Aug. 6, 1968. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister, Betty Jones on March 4, 2007 and by two other sisters, Bernadine Bolle and Irene Hambly.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Nora S. (Jerry) Pitcher and Karen (Terry) Malling, both of Niles; grandchildren Sean (Michelle) Bryant, Kristine Groves, Julie (Jim) Young and Jennifer (Daniel) Moore; great-grandchildren Nichole Price, Brian Connors, Bradley Connors, Katelyn Connors, Hannah Moore and Casey Moore;  great-great-grandchild Mackenna and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Bessie M. Marshall will be held at 11 a.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Harry L. Clark of Saint John’s United Church of Christ officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Bessie Marshall may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ.

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:56am Tuesday, October 26, 2010