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.

Hellwig, Duane

Duane Hellwig, of Niles
Sept. 7, 1928 — June 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:33 am Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Duane C. Hellwig, 88, passed away at 4 a.m. Sunday, June 18, 2107, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Duane was born Sept. 7, 1928, in St. Joseph, to the late Clarence and Georgia (Slavicek) Hellwig.

Duane Hellwig

Duane was preceded in death by a daughter, Toni Barbee, and a sister, Bonnie (Bruce) Fletcher.

On Oct. 17, 1960, in Piggott, Arkansas, Duane married Elizabeth (Ward).

She survives along with children, Teresa (Courtney) Glover, Trica (Ralph) Ojeda, Duane Jr. (Hope) Hellwig, Doreen (Jeff) Whittaker and Steven (Cheryl) Hellwig; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sisters Donna (Carl) Newsom, Sally Newman and Nancy Atkinson.

Duane was a tool and die maker and retired from Clark Equipment Company in 1982. He later he worked at Sears, Michiana Christian Embassy and Meijer. He Enjoyed making golf clubs, traveling with his wife and family gatherings. He was the oldest registered freshman at Southwestern Michigan College.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St., Niles, where family and friends may gather for an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.

Beers, Mary Richardson

Mary Holt Richardson Beers, of Rushford, MN
Sept. 9, 1844 – Oct 16, 1893

Niles Weekly Mirror, Published October 25, 1893, page 5, col. 2, submitted by family member

Mrs. W. [Walter] W. Beers of Rushford, Minn., formerly Mary [Holt] Richardson, of this city, died yesterday and the remains arrived here today noon.  Interment took place at Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. J. G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, offered prayer.  Deceased was an aunt of Mrs. L. J. Morgan.

Fedore, Anna Irene (Willard)

Anna Fedore, of Niles
Nov. 24, 1925 — April 22, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:03 am Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Anna Irene Fedore, 91, of Niles, died peacefully following an extended illness at 3:47 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, with her family gathered around in her house.

She was born Nov. 24, 1925, in Niles, to Hugh Jay and Madeline Pearl (Bruce) Willard.

Anna Fedore

She graduated from Niles High School and moved to Kalamazoo to work in the original Gibson Guitar manufacturing plant. In 1975, she returned to Niles and was employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company. She was also a partner with her sister, Ruth, at the former Melt N Mold candy shop located at 303 E. Main St. in Niles.

Anna was a member of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles. She volunteered as a grandmother for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She enjoyed camping — often at Potato Creek State Park — and annual vacations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

On Nov. 20, 1975, she married William M. Fedore. He preceded her in death Jan. 7, 1982.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann Johnson on Jan. 8, 1975, and by her siblings, George Jay Willard, Mary C. Bolinger, Ruth Edna Kuehn, Helen Jane Huntly and Edwin F. Willard.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Marcia Marie Briggs of Niles; her grandchildren, Andrew T. Johnson and Jalen Rose Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Anna Fedore will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, with the Rev. Ronald Smith of Hope Community Church officiating. Committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Anna may be made to Huntly Memorial Baptist Church. halbritterfunerals.com

Marshall, Barbara A. (Hutchins)

Barbara A. Marshall
April 16, 1923-April 15, 2017

Barbara A. Marshall, 93, of South Bend, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Creekside Village in Mishawaka.

She was born on April 16, 1923 in Greenville, Mississippi to the late Robert and Pauline (Hernandez) Hutchins.

Barbara married Fred Marshall and the couple celebrated many wonderful years prior to his passing in 1974. A homemaker most of her life, Barbara also worked at the Niles Simplicity Pattern. Barbara loved to sing and cook and always looked forward to time spent with family. She always enjoyed hearing from friends and kept the many cards she received as treasures

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Fred Marshall, two grandchildren, Tiffany and Jason, as well as her twelve brothers and sisters

Barbara is survived by her children; Betty Ann Gray of Mishawaka, Eric Marshall of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Frederick (Jackie) Marshall of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eugene (Veronica) Blaylock of Chicago, Steven (Nancy) Marshall of Winchester, California and Pamela Marshall of South Bend. She will also be missed by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project.

http://www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com/obituaries/Barbara-Marshall-8/#!/Obituary

Calder, Bonnie R. (Geary)

Bonnie R. Calder, of Buchanan
April 4, 1929 — April 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:17 am Friday, April 21, 2017

Bonnie R. Calder, 88, of Buchanan, passed away April 18, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

Bonnie was born in Middleton, Ohio, to parents Nellie and Estel Geary.

After moving to Niles, she met and married Gilbert “Bugs” Calder. They were married for 54 years prior to Bugs’ passing in 2002.

Bonnie Calder

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Ronnie Geary; and her daughter, Rosie Lewandowski in 2010.

Bonnie, affectionately known as “Grandma Butterfly,” is survived by her children, Kent, Scott, Colette (Rick) Pointer and Gail (Tim) Basore; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Through the years, Bonnie spent a lot of time crafting. She enjoyed oil painting, sewing and crocheting to name a few things. She and her husband enjoyed traveling together and took countless bus trips across the U.S. Bonnie also enjoyed collecting butterflies and playing slots at the casino with her “children’s inheritance.” During the past year, she loved playing bingo, at 4 p.m. sharp, with her friends at the Cass County Medical Care Facility.

The family wants to thank the caregivers at the Cass County Medical Care Facility and Lakeland Hospital in Niles for their caring help and support during Bonnie’s stay.

Funeral services will be hosted at noon Sunday, April 23, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles, with a time of visitation beginning an hour prior. An interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cass County Medical Care Facility, 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis, MI 49031, or to a charity of one’s choice. Share your favorite memories of Bonnie with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.

Carbenier, Gladys May (Douglas)

Gladys M Carbiener
November 02, 1922 - April 09, 2017 

ELKHART- Gladys May Carbiener, 94, of Elkhart, passed away on Sunday April 9, 2017 at her home.  She was born November 2, 1922 in Niles, Michigan to the late Albion & Blanch (Wertenberger) Douglas.

     On November 29, 1953 she married John A. Carbiener.  He preceded her in death on January 4, 2008.  Surviving is a granddaughter, Kimberly A. Hawkins of Elkhart; two great-grandchildren, Jazzmyn Spillers, Joshua Spillers and two great great grandchildren, Anna Spillers and Karter Spillers.  She was preceded in death by a son, David Carbiener who passed away on Dec. 21, 1993 and two brothers and a sister.

     Gladys graduated in 1941 from Elkhart High School.  She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and a member of EVAC.  Gladys retired from the Dunlap United Methodist Church Pre-School where she worked for 22 years.

     Visitation for family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. till noon on Friday April 14, 2017 at Waterman-Westbrook-Clouse Funeral Home.  A procession will form at the funeral home immediately after visitation and a graveside service will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan.  Pastor Tom DeFries from the ST. Paul’s United Methodist Church will preside.

     Memorial contributions may be given to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund.

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/gladys-carbiener

Douglas-Watts, Bryan

Bryan Douglas-Watts, of Niles
Dec. 24, 2003 — April 1, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:50 am Monday, April 10, 2017

Bryan A. Douglas-Watts, 13, of Niles, passed away suddenly Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Quality Inn Hotel in Niles.

He was born Dec. 24, 2003, in Niles to Paula A. Watts at Lakeland Hospital..

To know Bryan (“Lil B”) was to love Bryan, and if you ever met Bryan, you know exactly what I mean by that..

Bryan’s age may have said he was only 13 years old, but from birth I knew my child had been here before. He had an old soul, and every time he opened his mouth he amazed whomever he talked to. When I carried Bryan in my womb, I knew I was carrying the gift of life. Oh my God, Bryan was so special; he was our everything!.

Family meant the world to Bryan. All he ever wanted was for his family to be together all at once. Bryan had a heart like David; he really was a child of God. He had a heart for people and everybody knew it. Every time we saw a person in need, Bryan gave his last to them..

If you really want to know what kind of kid Bryan was, look at the person next to you, take the shirt off your back and give it to them. Look down at your feet, take your shoes off and give it to them. Bryan was a giver, and all the kids and adults loved him so much, he protected kids he didn’t even know because he didn’t like people being messed

Bryan Douglas-Watts

with..

He was a lover, and I used to say jokingly, “Boy you don’t know nothing about love.” He’d say, “Yes I do momma, you showed me what love is.” Bryan was a golden child, and he lived his life to the fullest. I know my child will live for eternity. Our last conversation we had, he said to me: “Mom, I think God finally heard my prayer. Before I went to sleep I read my Bible and when I woke up this morning, you didn’t have to tell me to pray or read my Bible because I already did it.” It made me feel so, so, so good to hear him say that. As I dropped him off, he opened my car door, gave me a hug, kissed me on my cheek and said: “I’m ‘bout to have fun this weekend momma. This party gone be lit.” I said: “OK Bryan. Have fun, be happy.” He said: “Thank you, mom. You go be happy, too.”.

Bryan attended his birth church Old Path COGIC, Living Word Cathedral COGIC, Faith Apostolic Ministries and his current church, New Beginnings Ministries.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Paul Watts, and a very special father-figure in his life, Derrell Jenkins..

Bryan is survived by his loving mother, Paula A. Watts (James Stokes) of Niles; sister Brianna Brown; paternal grandparents Elsie and Clarence “Nick” Smith; aunts and uncles Robert Rolan, Doletha Rolan, John (Marjorie) Rolan, Corey (Denise) Rodgers, Regena Rolan and Paul (Jazmyn) Watts; special aunts Shannon McNeal-Dixon, La Shawn Brookins and Angela Nickens; cousins Juanita Buck, David (Candice) Shannon, Victor Shannon, Corey “C.J.” Rodgers, Brieona Maxwell, Kendra Sambo, Janelle (Paul) Watts and Farries Maxwell (Lil Farries); best friends Jabri, Demetrius, Jason, K.K. and Taya; a special friend, Cameron Peterson; and a host of family members and friends who loved him..

A time of visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, April 13, 2017. at Faith Apostolic Ministries, 909 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana. Committal services will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles..

Memorial contributions may be made in Bryan’s memory to his mother, or on the GoFundMe page at https://goo.gl/Q77m2s..

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.