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.

Arthur, Hiram

Hiram Arthur
July 31, 1862-April 12, 1915



Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 12, 1915, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TODAY OF H. ARTHUR

After 20 Weeks of Illness Death Claims Highly Esteemed Resident of Niles--Funeral Wednesday

 

Hiram Arthur passed away this morning at 2:30 o'clock at his home, 701  Bond street, after an illness of about 20 weeks' duration.

Mr. Arthur was born in Macedon, Wayne county, New York, July 31, 1862.

He was married to Dora J. Bidwell, who survives him, Thursday, Aug. 7, 1884, at Girard, Mich.  For a time after his marriage Mr. Arthur was employed as a pharmacist by the Coleman Drug company, in Kalamazoo.

Eighteen years ago Mr. Arthur came to Niles to take a position with E.C. Griffin, and remained here for a number of years.  Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have resided for the greater part of the time in Niles and Dowagiac.

Mr. Arthur has been in the employ of Dean's Sons, druggists, for nearly two years, but on account of ill health has been unable to be at the store but little of the time for several months.  His ambition was great, however, and his employers speak in the highest terms of praise of the deceased for his efficiency and faithfulness to duty. He was a man of good habits, a first class pharmacist, a genial companionable man in every respect and was highly esteemed by all who enjoyed his friendship. For a number of years Mr. Arthur was in the employe of E.C. Griffin in this city and the latter adds his testimony to the many excellent qualities of the deceased. As a mark of respect both the Dean and Griffin drug stores will be closed during the hours of the funeral.

Besides the widow, two children, Alan H. Arthur of Dowagiac, and Mrs. Lois E. Crawford, wife of Norris Crawford, also of Dowagiac, and one grandchild, Richard Arthur Crawford, survive Mr. Arthur and one sister, who resides in Chicago.

Mr. Arthur was a member of St. Joseph lodge No. 4 of Niles and the Tribe of Ben Hur.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock from the residence, and will be under the auspices of the Masonic lodge.  Rev. A.W. Lyons, of the Baptist church will officiate. Members of the Masonic lodge at Dowagiac will attend also. Interment will occur at Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 12, 1915, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HIRAN[sic] ARTHUR PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING

 

Niles was saddened this morning by the word of the death of Hiram Arthur.  Although this gentleman had been in Niles only a comparatively short time, he had made an unlimited number of close friends, and those who had only a short passing acquaintance express deep regret at his demise. Dowagiac was formerly Mr. Arthur's original home, but he spent considerable time in this city, first as drug clerk for E.C. Griffin, and he last acted in that capacity for Dean's Sons.  A kindly man, he was patient and brave in the hours of deepest trouble and his gentlemanly, courtly manner won respect and highest regard of all.

After a number of months of illness with heart trouble, the end came this morning at 2:30 o'clock at the home in Bond street.  He was born in Wayne county, New York, July 31, 1862.  A widow, of this city and a son and daughter are left, Allen and Mrs. Norris Crawford of Dowagiac.

Fraternally Mr. Arthur was affiliated with the Masonic order and with the Tribe of Ben Hur.  The former order will have charge of the body at the grave, burial to be made in Silver Brook cemetery., following funeral services which take place Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock from the home in Bond street, Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating

 

Orr, Emma C. (Brown)


Emma C. Orr
April 10, 1858-April 9, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, April 9, 1915, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. A.R. ORR DIED AT NOON

Daughter of Judge and Mrs. Brown Was Seriously Ill but a Few Days With Grippe and Complications

 

Mrs. Orr, wife of A.R. Orr and a daughter of Judge and Brs. [sic] Brown, passed away at noon today at their home, 609 Platt street.  Mrs. Orr had been in ill health for some time, but she had been seriously ill only since last Sunday with grippe and complications.

Mr. and Mrs. Orr came to Niles about two years ago to reside and have made many friends, who deplore the death of the estimable lady.  Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Orr is survived by three daughters--Mrs. Elbert Blake, who resides on the farm just east of her parents' home, Mrs. Fred Menhennette of Indianapolis, who came to Niles yesterday and Miss Mildred Bush, who resides at home.

The funeral arrangements have not been made.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 9, 1915, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. A.R. ORR PASSES AWAY AT THE NOON HOUR.

 

At noon today, after an illness which extended only from Sunday, Mrs. A.R. Orr of 609 Platt street, passed away.

Grippe with other attendant complications was the cause of her demise. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

The family and her entire large circle of friends are stricken with grief because of the sad occurrence.


Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, April 10, 1915, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for the late Mrs. A.R. Orr will be held from the residence on Platt street Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. W.H. Phelps of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 12, 1915, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

 

The funeral services for the late Mrs. A.R. Orr were held at her home yesterday, conducted by the Rev. Wm. Phelps of the Presbyterian church with interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Emma C. Orr, only daughter of Judge and Mrs. C.R. Brown, was born at Beren, Ohio, April 10, 1858. Departed this life April 9, 1915, at Niles, Mich.

In 1879 she was married to Nye A. Bush, who died March 28, 1906. As the issue of that marriage there were three children: Mrs. Florence L. Blake, of Niles, Mich.;  Mrs. Helen Menhennette of Indianapolis, Ind., and Miss Mildred I. Bush of Niles. Mrs. Blake is the mother of four children and Mrs. Menhennette of two. Her daughters were all present at her death.

December 27, 1910, Mrs. Bush was married to Archie R. Orr, of Negaumee, Michigan.  In the spring of 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Orr removed to Niles and purchased "Melrose Farm," one of the pleasantest and most attractive houses in the city.

Mrs. Orr was an artist of marked ability and for many years was a teacher in oil, water color and tapestry.

She is survived by her husband, father and mother, the three daughters above mentioned and three brothers, George P. Brown of Marquette, Mich., Charles H. Brown of St. Louis, Mo., and William A. Brown of Cheboygan, Mich.

Among those present from out of the city were her brother Wm. A. Brown, Mrs. Menhennette, Mrs. Mary Brown and daughter, Mabel of Benton Harbor, a large number of Mr. Orr's immediate family and her cousins, Mrs. S.C. Van Antwerp and Mrs. Harvey C. Beeson of Vicksburg, Mich., the latter two with Mrs. D.D. Waltz of this city are own cousins of Mrs. Orr, the mothers being sisters.

Miss Maude McNabb of his city rendered two beautiful solos.

Mrs. Orr will be missed by a large circle of relatives and friends, but by none more than her devoted husband.

Mrs. Orr's 57th birthday would have occurred on April 10, which occasion her family had hoped to celebrate with her.  Rev. Mr. Phelps in the course of his remarks read the following touching lines which we understand were composed by him on the occasion of his own mother's birthday. . .

 

Clark, Audrey A. (Nelson)

Audrey Clark, 89
Jan. 30, 1922 — May 14, 2011

Audrey A. Clark, 89, of Windingwood Drive in South Bend, died at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Hospice House in Elkhart, Ind. following a brief illness.

Audrey Clark, 89

Mrs. Clark was born Jan. 30, 1922 in Mishawaka, Ind. to Wilbur David and Harriet Beldine (Ritter) Nelson. She graduated from Central High School in South Bend with the Class of 1940. She was a lifetime Michiana resident.

Audrey attended Southwestern Michigan College from 1978 to 1988, focusing on art classes. She was awarded an honorable mention for her acrylic painting titled “Swamp Flower.” She was a freelance artist and co-owner of the Riverfront Gallery.

Audrey was a member of the Niles Lady Elks and Niles Art Association. She was a past president of the Niles PTA at Cherry Street School.

On Jan. 19, 1947 in Sturgis, Mich., she married Lee E. Clark, Sr., who preceded her in death Nov. 11, 1987.

She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew Clark, who died in February 1989.

Surviving family includes a son, Lee E. (Maureen) Clark of Georgetown, Texas; a daughter, Kristina L. Pendley of South Bend; grandchildren, Sara (Joseph) Gillespie of Marietta, Ga., Patricia Clark of Berkeley, Calif., Molly Clark of Ann Arbor, Mich. and Erin and Catherine Clark, both of Georgetown.

Funeral services for Audrey A. Clark will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 18 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Audrey may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County in Mishawaka, Ind.

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:27am online Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Wegner, John R.

John Wegner, 83
May 18, 1927 — May 14, 2011

John R. Wegner, 83, of Evergreen Road in Niles, died at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at his home following an 18-month battle with lung cancer.

John Wegner, 83

Mr. Wegner was born May 18, 1927 in Plainwell, Mich. to Ralph H. and Virginia A. (Bell) Wegner. He moved from South Bend to Niles in 1940.

On May 1, 1987, he retired after 28 years of service at National Standard Co. in Niles. He was also formerly employed for 10 years at New York Central Railroad.

John was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 4, 1944 to June 19, 1946.

He was a member of the B.P.O. of Elks in Niles Lodge 1322 and American Legion Post 26 in Niles.

He was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying golf, baseball, basketball, bowling, pool and anything else with a ball in it. For 20 years, he held a Niles High School basketball record for the most points in a game. He was a big supporter of the NHS sports program. He was also an avid fisherman and loved to dance and watch his grandchildren’s sports and school activities.

On Sept. 7, 1946 in Niles, he married the former Dorothy R. “Dot” Welsher, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughters, Stacey A. (Robert Evans) Wegner and Vicki L. Podjan, both of Niles; grandchildren, Heather (Billy) Zimmerman, Jamie L. (Jamie L.) Zimmerman, Joshua E. Weaver, Sarah (Casey) Gowen, Ben Evans, Jenny (Holli) Evans and Jessica (Nathan) Tonkin; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, James (Nancy) Wegner of Niles.

He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Ava Zimmerman, and a sister, Judith Kolig.

Funeral services for John R. Wegner will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Elder Ray Fulbright of First Presbyterian Church in Niles officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of John may be made to Hospice at Home or Disabled American Veterans.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:29am Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Harwood, Carl Alton

Carl Harwood, 87
June 12, 1923 — May 18, 2011

Carl Alton Harwood, 87, of Detroit Avenue, South Bend and formerly of Niles, died at 7:21 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Hospice House in Elkhart, Ind. following a brief illness.

He was born June 12, 1923 in New Troy, Mich. to John Harwood and Fayetta Huffsmith. He attended a one-room school at 13th Street and Ontario Road in Niles, and moved to South Bend in 1983. Carl retired in 1983 after 47 years of service at Conrail Railroad.

He enjoyed yardwork at home and traveling throughout the United States. He was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army.

He was married for several years to Virginia Harwood.

Carl is survived by his daughters, Linda (Bruce) Swanson of Cordova, Tenn., Diane Washington of Louisville, Ky. and Patricia (Bob) Wroblewski of South Bend; sons, Edward Harwood of South Bend, Jesse Harwood of Niles and Frank (Pat) Harwood of Niles; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Harwood; mother, Fayetta Fulkreth; stepfather, Rolland Fulkreth, who raised Carl; and brothers, Charles Harwood, John Harwood and Alice Harwood.

The family will gather privately for services with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. A flag presentation and “Taps” by the U.S. Army Honor Guard will follow services at the graveside.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home of Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:13am Friday, May 20, 2011

Phillips, John H.

John H. Phillips
Nov. 9, 1882-April 24, 1942


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 25, 1942, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

John H. Phillips, Ex-Policeman in Niles, Stricken

 

MICHIGAN CITY, April 25--John H. Phillips, 59, a member of the Niles police force for 12 years and for the last nine years on the Michigan City police staff, died after a heart attack here Friday afternoon.

Born in Buchanan, Nov. 9, 1882, Phillips had served on the Michigan Central railroad detective force in Niles, Michigan City and Chicago in addition to his city police work.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, Michigan City; a daughter, Mrs. Harold Snook, and son Russell, both of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Robert Burgoyne, Sturgis, and Arley Mitchel, Cadillac, and four brothers, Edward, Leslie, Claud and Gerald, all of Buchanan.

After funeral rites in Michigan City at 1 (CWT) Monday, an escort of Michigan City Police will accompany the procession to Niles where burial will be in Silverbrook at approximately 4 (EWT).


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 27, 1942, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

PHILLIPS RITES


Burial rites for John H. Phillips, 59, former Niles policeman who was stricken in his Michigan City home Friday, will be conducted in Silverbrook cemetery this afternoon at 4.  An escort of Michigan City policemen, members of Phillips' squad there, will accompany the funeral procession to Niles.

Bair, Jennie (Fowler)

Jennie Bair
Sept. 15, 1867-April 28, 1942


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 29, 1942, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. JENNIE BAIR STRICKEN TUESDAY

 

Mrs. Jennie Bair, 74, died suddenly of a heart attack at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon in her home, 226 North Sixth street. She was born Sept. 15, 1867, near Niles and lived in this vicinity all of her life.  Her maiden name was Jennie Fowler.

She leaves her husband, Frank, to whom she was married Oct. 18, 1894; two sons, Gordon and Edward, both of Niles; and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Selfridge, Niles.

Mrs. Bair was a member of the Methodist church, the Women's Adult Bible class, and the American Legion auxiliary.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 3 Thursday afternoon, by the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 30, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BAIR SERVICES


Pallbearers for the funeral of Mrs. Jennie Bair, 74, this afternoon, were William Skelly, John Scamehorn, William F. Morgridge, Ollie Frigaard, Walter Enger and Earl Bair. Mrs. Bair died Tuesday in her home.  Services were at 3 this afternoon in the Pifer funeral home.  The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.