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.

Crouch, David Scott, Jr.

David S. ‘Scott’ Crouch, Jr., 40
June 18, 1972-March 18, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:05pm Tuesday, March 19, 2013, print Wednesday, March 20, 2013, page 5, col. 1-4.

David S. “Scott” Crouch, Jr., 40, of Niles, Mich., died at 12:05 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013 at his home unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

Crouch
Crouch

He was born on June 18, 1972 in Niles to David Scott and Jerie Lea (Gardner) Crouch, Sr. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1991, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fire science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He has lived in Niles all of his life, and was employed at the Niles City Fire Department.  He also owned and operated the Matthew 4:19 Fishing Guide Service.

Scott was a member of Granger Community Church. He has been a personal trainer at both the Niles YMCA and Niles High School. He helped bring Dragon Boat Racing to Niles, helped build the sand volleyball court on the riverfront, and helped establish the fire department’s little fire truck “Flash”.  He was currently helping plan the Twin Waterfalls and Collection Pool for the Niles riverfront.  In 2010, he responded to a call to the oil pipeline spill on the Kalamazoo River, eventually becoming a team leader on the project, and was featured in an article in the Niles Daily Star.  Through all the excitement and activities, he always looked forward to coming home to his dog, Ellie.

Surviving family includes his parents, David and Jerie Crouch of Niles; his brothers and sisters, Gary (& Cheryl) Crouch of Niles, Barry Crouch of South Bend, Melissa (& David) Schiele and Kristen (& Steven) Marsh, both of Niles; nieces and nephews, Kyle Crouch, Courtney Crouch, Carson Schiele, Sydney Schiele, and Amelia Marsh; a great-nephew, Brennen Crouch; and Scott’s grandfather, Gerald Gardner of Cadillac, Michigan.  Scott was married to Anna Patterson.

The family of Scott Crouch will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with a Firefighter’s Ceremony at 4 p.m. by the Niles City Fire Department.  Committal services will be private on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with the pastoral staff of Granger Community Church officiating.

Contributions in memory of Scott may be made to the Twin Waterfalls project.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

 

Annis, Hollis B.

Hollis B. Annis
Feb. 8, 1904-Oct. 27, 1976


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 2, 1976, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Hollis B. Annis, 72, of The Borden House, 730 N. Fifth St., died Oct. 27.

She was born Feb. 8, 1904. Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery with the Rev. Morton Hempel of the Church of God Full Gospel officiating.

Bradfield, Harold C.

Harold C. Bradfield
June 19, 1927-Nov. 8, 1980


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 8, 1980, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Harold C. Bradfield, 53, of 1616 US 31, died at 10:28 a.m. in Pawating Hospital after a brief illness.

A Navy veteran of World War II, Bradfield was born on June 19,1927 in Buchanan and had resided locally throughout his lifetime.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Niles Elks, American Legion Post 26 and the Westside Notre Dame Fan Club.

Bradfield is  survived by his mother, Mrs. Maxine Bradfield of Berrien Springs; one daughter, Mrs. Sheri Ann Parrott of Mishawaka, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey of St. Mary's Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery's Veterans Section.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday and after 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Community Library.

 

Bradford, Amanda

Amanda Bradford
May 1, 1888-Nov. 12, 1980


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 13, 1980, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Amanda Bradford, 92, of 1182 Giles Rd., Howard township, died on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Pawating Hospital after a long illness.

Born on May 1, 1888, in Charleston, Miss., she had been a resident of Cass County since 1954.

Mrs. Bradford's husband, Robert, died in 1969.

Survivors include three sons, Henry Buckley and Wardell Bradford, both of Charleston, Miss., and Willie Buckley, of Memphis, Tenn.; one sister, Mrs. Irene Willis, of Niles, and 33 grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 17, 1980, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Amanda Bradford, 92, of 1182 Giles Rd., Howard Township, died at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Pawating Hospital following a lengthy illness.

A homemaker, she was born Nov. 12, 1888 in Charleston, Miss. and had lived here since1954.

She was married to Robert Bradford who died in 1969.

Survivors include three sons, Henry Buckley of Charleston, Willie Buckley of Memphis, Tenn., and Wardell Bradford of Charleston; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Willis of Niles; and 33 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm. Monday at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church. The Rev. M.L. Daniel will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  The Pifer-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

*Death record has dob as May 1, 1888.

 

Bressler, Lester J.

Lester J. Bressler
Jan. 30, 1876-June 5, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 5, 1926, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

L.J. BRESSLER IS TAKEN BY DEATH

RAILWAY MAN PASSES AWAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS WITH HEART TROUBLE

 

Lester J. Bressler, 50, died at his home at 903 Sycamore street at 12:15 o'clock this morning.  He had been in failing health for about two months, but his illness had not been considered serious until a week ago. He had not been confined to his bed, but it was known that he was in a critical condition. Death is attributed to heat trouble. [sic]

Funeral services will be held at the . . .[illegible] . . . 2:30 o'clock by Rev. John Shurman, pastor of the Evangelical church. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Bressler was born January 30, 1876, in Indiana.  He moved to Niles with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bressler, about 35 years ago.  He never married and has made his home with his mother all his life. He had been in the employ of the Michigan Central railway for several years.  His father preceded him in death several years ago. The surviving relatives are his mother, Mrs. Barbara Bressler, one sister, Mrs. Grant Bolton, and one brother, Orena Bressler, all of Niles.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 8, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL TODAY

Funeral services for Lester J. Bressler, who died at his home at 903 Sycamore street, Saturday morning, were conducted this afternoon at the home by Rev. John Shurman, pastor of the Evangelical church. . .Silver Brook Cemetery.

Bybee, Isabelle

Isabelle Bybee
Feb. 8, 1910-Nov. 17, 1980


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 19, 1980, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Isabelle Bybee, 70, of 251 Cass Street, died at 9:30 p.m. Monday in Bledsoe, Kentucky after a two-year illness.

A former waitress, she had resided here since 1940 after moving from Chicago. She was born on Feb. 8, 1910.

Funeral arrangements are being completed at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

 

Deutsch, Mina

Mina Deutsch
Jan. 1848-Apr. 28, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 28, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS DEUTSCH DIED


Miss Mina Deutsch died at her home, 618 S. St. Joseph avenue, about 9:30 o'clock this morning after a week of illness, an announcement which brings sorrow to a wide circle of friends of the deceased. She is survived by a brother, Charles Deutsch, and by five sisters, Mrs. David Gitchell, Mr. Hugh Dean and Miss Addie Deutsch, of Niles, and Mrs. D.F. Reid and Mrs. Martha Paddleford, of Chicago.  The funeral plans will be announced later.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 29, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL FRIDAY


Funeral services for Miss Mina Deutsch will be held at the home, 618 St. Joseph avenue, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. M.W. Ross, rector, of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 30, 1926, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

COMMUNICATED

_____


A Testimonial

 

By the death of Miss Mina Deutsch her many kinsman and friends are made aware that a noble, pure and loving woman has entered into the land of fadeless day. For many years she was afflicted with asthma, but her last illness extended over a brief period of seven days and she died April 28, 1926.

Miss Deutsch was a daughter of George and Hannah Deutsch and was born in Niles in a small frame house that stood on N. Front street, about where is now situated the business place of late Joseph S. Tuttle.  When a young child she, with her parents moved in the house built by her father on St. Joseph avenue, where she has resided hitherto. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and was a devoted member.

Miss Deutsch was a woman of uncommon truth, fairness and character. Nothing was too arduous for her to do if it was right; nothing was done by her if it was wrong or contemptuous.  Her good deeds were done in silence and came from a clean heart.

To her, death had no fears and it never does for those whose faith is strong and whose lives are guided by truth. Death should not be scorned; it is a door that leads to light and is wonderful. It is a necessary end and is nothing.

We are always mindful of the passing of our dear ones and cannot . . .[illegible]. . .our faith grows stronger and our griefs are overcome by the healing power of hope and love.

Miss Deutsch was a follower of her Maker. She was true. She was loyal. She was steadfast. Let this be her epitaph.