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.

Allen, Floyd

editor Obituaries

Floyd Allen
Jan. 5, 1935-Dec. 25, 1957

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 2, 1958, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Niles Navy Man Told

Floyd Allen Drowns in San Francisco Bay

A 22-year-old Niles sailor has lost his life in the waters of San Francisco Bay, according to word received by his family recently.

He is Seaman Floyd Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Allen of 310 Water Street.

A telegram and letter from Allen's commanding officer to the family stated the sailor drowned Dec. 15[sic] while working at the San Francisco Naval Yard.  Allen lost his footing and fell into water alongside a pier, the letter stated. Rescue attempts failed and the body has not yet been recovered.

Allen was graduated from Niles High School in 1955 and enlisted in the Navy in June, 1956.

Besides his parents, he is survived by three brothers, Charles of Chicago; William, stationed with the U.S. Navy on Malta in the Mediterranean, and Clarence, who is serving in the Army, and a sister, Sheila Louise, at home.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 14, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

ALLEN RITES SET

Funeral devices will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday Pifer Funeral Home here for Floyd Allen, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Allen, of 310 water Street, who drowned Dec. 25, 1957, while working at the San Francisco Naval Yard. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with military rites at the graveside.

The young sailor was drowned when he lost his footing and fell into the water alongside a pier.

The body will arrive late Thursday afternoon here, and friends may call at the funeral home beginning Friday.

Surviving besides his parents are: three brothers, Charles Allen, of Chicago, William Allen, in the United States Navy, and Clarence Allen, stationed with the Air Force in New Mexico, and a sister Shiela Louise Allen, at home. 

He was born Jan. 5, 1935, in Kansas City, Kas., and had lived in Niles since 1948.  He graduated from Niles High School in 1955, and enlisted in the Navy in June, 1956.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 17, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

RITES SATURDAY

The Rev. Elder J. Harrington, pastor of the Church of God in Christ, will officiate at funeral services to be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral home here for Floyd Allen, 22, son of Mr and Mrs. John Allen, of 310 Water Street, who was drowned Dec. 25, 1957, while working at the San Francisco Naval yard. Members of the Naval Reserve Armory in South Bend will conduct military rites at the graveside, Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Baker, Louise S. (Johnson)

editor Obituaries

Louise S. Baker
May 25, 1856-Dec. 16, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 16, 1941, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

LOUISE BAKER, 85, EX-TEACHER, DIES

Mrs. Louise S. Baker, 85, of 1024 North Sixth street, a resident of Niles for 82 years, died this morning at 5:45 in the Canada Rest home, Berrien Springs.

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac R. Johnson, she was born in Kinderhook, N.Y., May 25, 1856. She was married in 1890 to Samuel S. Baker, who preceded her in death.  She was a retired school teacher, and a member of the First Presbyterian church.

Lewis S. Baker, a son, of Ossining, N.Y., is the sole survivor.

Funeral will be conducted Friday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home by the Rev. G.W. Simon. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Briney, Harry H.

editor Obituaries

Harry H. Briney
May 10, 1888-March 18, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 19, 1976, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Harry H. Briney, 87, of 85 Marmont St., died at 4:20 pm. Thursday at Pawating Hospital. He retired in 1957 as a salesman for Modern Woodman Insurance.

Mr. Briney was born May 10, 1888, at Hollywood, Mich., but had lived here most of his life. His wife, the former Helen Colburn, whom he married Feb. 12, 1972, at Buchanan, died Dec. 31, 1972.

Surviving are a son, Harold of Niles, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m Monday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home. The Rev. john Wyngarden, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Briney was a member, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral chapel after 7 p.m. Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church radio fund.

Cochran, Marietta

editor Obituaries

Marietta Cochran
Nov. 22, 1890-March 12, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 13, 1976, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Mrs. Marietta Cochran, 85, of 1541 Michigan St., died at 5:15 p.m. Friday in Dor-A-Lin, following an extended illness.

She was born Nov. 22, 1890 in Paradise, Ky., and had lived in this area since 1939 when she moved from Greenville, Ky. She married Charles Cochran Jan. 1, 1939 in Greenville, Ky. He died Jan. 6, 1971. 

Mrs. Cochran is survived by a sister, Mrs. Elida Miller, of Farmington, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark D. Graham, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 pm. Sunday.

 

Davis, Debra Christine

editor Obituaries

Debra Christine Davis
March 2, 1976-March 2, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 3, 1976, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Debra Christine Davis was stillborn at 7:31 a.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rex A. Davis, 2713 Paul St., ; her grandparents, Mrs. John Davis Jr. of Niles and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Mitchell of Muskegon, and Great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Davis Sr. and Mrs. Charles Kiste of Niles.

Committal services were held at 1:30 p.m. today at Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. John Cole, pastor of the Bertrand Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Fox, May (Dougan)

editor Obituaries

May D. Fox
1879-Jan. 30, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 1, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library 

Mrs. May D. Fox, 79, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., former Niles resident and aunt of Paul Blackmond, of Niles, died Thursday at New Port Richey.

Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Ardel Blackmond, of New Port Richey,and several other nieces and nephews.

The body will arrive Sunday afternoon in Niles, and friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home beginning Sunday evening.  Committal rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating.

Hines, Willard H.

editor Obituaries

Willard H. Hines
May 15, 1909-March 18, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 19, 1976, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Willard H. Hines, 66, of 3035 Adams Rd., died at 10:19 p.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital.

Mr. Hines was born May 15, 1909, at New Salem, Ind., and came to Niles 30 years ago from Decatur. He was a retired employe of Torrington Bearing Co.

His wife, the former Janet Ralph, died Jan. 17, 1973. Surviving are two brothers, John of Wyandotte, Mich., and Bernie of Los Angeles Calif., and two sisters, Mae H. Campbell of Niles and Miss Clara Hines of Cleveland, Ohio.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home, followed by burial in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral chapel after noon Sunday.

 

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