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.

Cole, Charlotte A. (Lockhard) 1950-2021

editor Obituaries

Charlotte A (Lockard) Cole
October 31, 1950-November 30, 2021

Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Services website:

Obituary

Charlotte Cole, 71 of Niles, passed away after a brief illness.

Charlotte was born on October 31, 1950 in Hazard KY to the late Cloyd and Josephine (Collins) Lockard.

On September 20, 1969 in Jackson, KY she married Ronnie Cole who survives.

Charlotte is also survived by her brother Mitchell (Joyce) Lockard of Hazard, KY, her niece Heather (Eric) Hall and their sons, Bradley and Sawyer Hall.

Charlotte worked in Medical Records at Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) in Niles for 19 years. She was an active member of Fairland Christian Church.  Charlotte enjoyed embroidery, sewing and traveling. She loved taking pictures of the American Flag. Charlotte collected Cardinals and Gone with the Wind memorabilia.  She cherished the time that she had with her family and close friends. Charlotte loved people and had an unforgettable warmth and kindness about her.

A Graveside service for Charlotte will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 1:00pm at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  A memorial service will be held for her at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services 615 E. Main St. Niles.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Bella, Mary W. (Lemmerhart) 1888-1917

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Mary W. Bella
Nov. 19, 1888-Jan. 24, 1917

South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana), Thursday, January 25, 1917, page 5

Mrs. Michael Bella

Mrs. Michael Bella, 327 1/2 North St. Peter street, died at 7 o'clock last night. She had been ill two weeks with typhoid fever. She is survived by her husband, Michael, two children, Virginia and Jean, living at home, one brother, Frank Lammerhart, her father, Ernest Lammerhart, and four step sisters, Miss Nellie, Miss Emma, Miss Luella and Miss Minnie Smith, all of whom live in this city. She was born at Niles, Mich., Nov. 19, 1888, and was 28 years old. Funeral services will be held at Niles at 2 o'clock , Saturday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.

Burge, Jacob Lamar 1999-2021

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Jacob Lamar Burge
Dec. 24, 1999-July 12, 2021

Brown Funeral Home:

Obituary of Jacob Lamar Burge

Jacob L. Burge, 21, of Niles passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 after injuries sustained from an accident. An early Christmas present, Jacob was born on December 24, 1999 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend to Brian and Maribeth (Reichanadter) Burge. Jacob would be sure to tell you that he was the oldest of the triplets. He took on the role of being the “protector” of his two sisters very serious. He was a 2019 graduate of Brandywine High School where he was part of the golf team and NHS. After graduation, Jacob continued to hone his skills in machine repair. He had an affinity for tractor repair, given that he would spend hours working on his grandfather’s old 1952 Ford tractor. Jacob landed his dream job at Krupp’s Power Sports. There he quickly picked up new skills where he was learning to fix just about anything that was put in front of him. Being out on the water in his new hard earned bass boat was always the place where Jacob wanted to spend his free time with his best friends that he loved. Whether you would ask Jacob or not, he was always quick to point out that the largest bass he ever caught was bigger than his dad’s or grandpa’s largest bass. Jacob loved to travel and found that the Wisconsin Dells was a favorite destination of his. He was also a huge Marvel Comic Universe and Star Wars fan. Though from the DC Universe, Jacob’s favorite superhero of all-time was the Flash. Jacob was also a Fantasy Football fanatic and loved the New England Patriots. Preceding Jacob in passing are his grandfathers, Samuel Burge and Larry Reichanadter. Jacob will be missed profoundly by his parents, Brian and Maribeth Burge, his big brother, Sam Burge, and his “younger” sisters, Grace and Emily Burge all of Niles. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother, Anna Burge of Niles, his maternal grandmother Betty Reichanadter, also of Niles and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who Jacob cared for all deeply. A time of visitation for Jacob will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Brown Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services to celebrate Jacob will take place Sunday, July 18th, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at 601 Sycamore Street in Niles. A private interment will be held on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Jacob can be made to the Brown Funeral Home for a scholarship that will be established in his name. The family would greatly appreciate any memories, photos, or condolences that are left for Jacob’s family at www. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Jacob’s no frill, dry sense of humor, easy-going approach to life, and his ability to make you feel at ease will be missed by those who had the privilege to be a part of his life.

Jordan, Calvin Earl 1936-1936

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Calvin Earl Jordan
Jan. 6, 1936-July 9, 2021

Brown Funeral Home:

Obituary of Calvin Earl Jordan

Calvin “Cal” Earl Jordan, 85, of Niles, passed away at home on Friday, July 9, 2021. Cal was born on January 6, 1936, to the late Albert and Lavena (Crackle) Jordan, in Rector Arkansas. He graduated from high school, married, and had children while also working for Clark Equipment. Cal stayed at Clark’s until they closed and a short time later he found himself at AM General where he stayed until his retirement. While at AM General Cal was the head of the UAW Bargaining group who negotiated contracts. Fishing, sports (especially the Cardinals and Notre Dame), and Willie Nelson were some of Cal’s hobbies but nothing trumped his hunting time and his family time. Cal was the dad who coached all of his kids' sports and when they went on to other sports he continued to coach because he liked it so much. His grandchildren were always the bright spot in his day. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Levena Jordan; wife, Rita (Watkins) Jordan; son, Keith Jordan; and sister, Sue Freeze. Cal is survived by his children, James “Jim” (Kristina) Jordan of Georgia, Melissa (Bruce Robinson) Merritt of Georgia, Teri Milam of Missouri, and Ricky (Linda) Payne of Arkansas; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Perea of Missouri; and many extended family members and close friends. A private funeral has been held and Cal was interred at Silverbrook Cemetery next to his wife, Rita.

Nolan, Joseph Albert 1857-1921

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Joseph Albert Nolan
Jan. 20, 1857-Aug. 20, 1921

South Bend News-Times (South Bend, Indiana), Sunday, August 21, 1921, page 3, @Newspapers.com

NILES―Albert Nolan, 64, died at his home here yesterday. He was born in Elkhart, Ind., and was a veteran of the Spanish-American war. He received a congressional medal for bravery in action. His widow, five children and two brothers survive. One brother, Edward Nolan, lives in South Bend. Funeral services will be held Monday.

 

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Sunday, August 21, 1921, page 6, @ Newspapers.com

Veteran Who Won Honor in Spanish War, Dies

Joseph A. Nolan, 52 years old and a member of the James Ballentine post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, died yesterday after an illness of several months at his home in Niles, Mich., according to word received here last night by T.M. Thomson, commander of the Minneapolis post. Mr. Nolan was a member of Company B. of the 45th Infantry which was organized at Fort Snelling. He was one of the few veterans awarded a medal of honor for his services during the Spanish-American war in the Phillipines[sic], Mr. Thomson said. Funeral services and burial will take place at Niles.

Reading, Edgar Burke 1899-1924

editor Obituaries

Edgar Burke Reading
April 6, 1899-Dec. 5, 1924

South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana), Monday, December 8, 1924, page 2, @Newspapers.com

BRING BODY HOME
Edgar M. Reading, Student at Theological Seminary Takes Life.

The Tribune's Special Services

NILES, Mich., Dec. 8.--The body of Edgar M. Reading, Niles student at Union Theological seminary in Hew York, was brought to Niles, and taken to the home his mother, Mrs. E.M. Reading seven miles north of Niles. The funeral services will probably be held on Tuesday. Mr. Reading who was studying for the ministry, and who had been active in local church work, and especially as a worker with boys, took poison while despondent over ill-health, it is stated. He left a note for his mother, which she has not yet received. He was 25 years old, a graduate of University of Chicago, and was completing his work at Union seminary after a summer spent at home. His father, Dr. E. M. Reading, a Chicago physician for many years, died last year.

Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), Sunday, December 7, 1924, page 10, @ Newspapers.com

READING—Edgar B. Reading, beloved son of Mrs. Clara B. Reading and the late Dr. E.M. Reading of Berrien Springs, Mich., and nephew of Dr. Arthur H. Reading, suddenly in New York city. Funeral notice later.

Brann, Jerry E. 1939-2021

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Jerry E. Brann
Sept. 21, 1939-June 3, 2021

BrownFuneralHomeNiles.Com

Obituary of Jerry Brann

Jerry E. Brann, 81, of Niles, passed from this life into his eternal rest on Thursday morning, June 3, 2021. He was born on September 21, 1939 in Union City, Tennessee to the late Sam and Dora (Boyd) Brann. Jerry wed Mona R. Alston on August 6, 1960. Jerry worked for the City of Niles for 27 years and together he and Mona owned and operated Brann Adult Foster Care Home in Niles. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mona in 2020 and a son, Jeffery Brann. Jerry is survived his children, Barry Brann and Jerry Wayne Brann, both of Niles and Karen Brann of Portage, Indiana; Twenty-two grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his siblings, Juanita Slaughter of Massachusetts and Carrie Parchmon (Lee Nicks) of Niles, along with countless nieces, nephews, and other family members. Private family funeral services will be held at Noon on Friday, June 11, 2021, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. A time of public visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memories of Jerry may be left for his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. The family of Jerry Brann is being cared for by Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

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