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.

Willard, Carrie E.

Carrie E. Willard
Feb. 1, 1861-Feb. 13, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 14, 1948, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Carrie E. Willard, 87, rural route two, died at 7:20 last night at her Yankee street home after several years' illness.

Last rites will be conducted at the Kiger funeral home 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Clarence Graham will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Mrs. Willard was born in Augusta, Me., Feb. 1861, and has lived in the Niles area since 1865. She was a member of the First Baptist church; and a charter member of the Yankee Street club which held its first meeting at her home.

Surviving are one son, Hugh J. Willard, Niles; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He husband, Jay J. Willard, died 20 years ago.

 

Cullom, Bertha J.

Bertha J. Cullom
1903-March 6, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 8, 1948, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Bertha J. Cullom, 51, was found dead in a gas filled room in her home Saturday at 2:45 p.m. The coroner returned a report of accidental death. Mrs. Cullom was born in Tiptonville, Tenn., in 1903, and moved to Niles from Blytheville, Tenn., in 1942.

Surviving are her husband, Calvin, one daughter, Mrs. George Boysette, both of Niles; and two sisters, Mrs. Walter McGarrity, Heth, Ark., and Mrs. J.W. Lucy, Blytheville, Ark.<

Funeral services will be held at the Pifer funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. C.K. Graham, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Dickeson, Infant son

Dickeson Infant
March 8, 1948-March 8, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 8, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DICKESON INFANT DIES

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Bernhard Dickeson, rural route one, expired shortly after birth early this morning at Pawating hospital. A prayer service will be conducted Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Kiger funeral home by the Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Fowler, Katherine

Kathryn Fowler
Aug. 17, 1879-March 6, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 8, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Kathryn Fowler, 69, died Sunday afternoon at the memorial hospital in South Bend. The only known survivor is a cousin, Mrs. Edward Vincent, Buchanan.

Mrs. Fowler was born in New York City, and her last residence was given as 913 Lawndale, South Bend.

Services will be at the Pifer funeral home Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, pastor of the Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note: DOB from Indiana Death Records

Gerth, Florence

Florence Gerth
March 18, 1900-March 2, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 2, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FLORENCE GERTH SUCCUMBS

Florence F. Gerth, 1211 Cedar street, died at 9:50 a.m. Today in her home after an illness of two years.
Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday by the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Friends may call at the funeral home starting Wednesday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Gerth leaves her husband, Herbert e. Gerth, Niles, her mother, Mrs. Inez Smith Marion, Ind.; a brother, Howard Alberts, of Marion; three sisters, Mrs. Crystal Jones, Niles; Mrs. Mary King, Anderson,Ind., and Mrs. Tessie Pickering, Greentown, Ind.

She was born on March 18, 1900, in Hackelman, Ind., and came to Niles from South Bend five years ago.

Hall, Blanche

Blanche Hall
May3, 1887-Feb. 23, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 24, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Blanche Hall, 60, of 316 North Eighth street, died at 11 p.m. Monday at her home, after an illness of five months.

Mrs. Hall was born May 3, 1887, in Bloomingdale and came to Niles 20 years ago from Dowagiac. Surviving are her husband, Leon; a son, Oral Shriver, Niles; three daughters, Betty Jean at home, Mrs. George Wanko, Niles and Mrs. Ira Harbaugh, Roseburg, Ore., and six grandchildren.

Also surviving are five sisters, Mrs. Roy Zelner, Dowagiac; Mrs. William Bailey, Boyne City; Mrs. Belle Denecour, Mrs. Clarence Ostrander and Mrs. Francis Hart, all of Battle Creek.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday by the Rev. Clarence K. Graham, pastor of the First Baptist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Baker, Carrie (Huff)

Carrie Baker
April 4, 1866-March 19, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 20, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

     Carrie Baker, 81, 1115 Cedar street, died at 8:45 p.m. Friday at her home where she had been ill since Christmas.
     Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pifer funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
     Surviving are the following children: Daniel J. Baker, Chicago; Mrs. Willard Collins and Mrs. George Lane, both of Niles. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Rachel Tomlinson, Mrs. Ella Shockley, and George Huff, all of Niles. Mrs. Baker's husband, George, died in 1933.
     Mrs. Baker was born April 4, 1866 west of Buchanan. She has lived in Niles 56 years.

Note: Per Berrien County Marriage and Death Records, spouse was William R. Baker.