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.

Perkins, Frank W.

Frank W. Perkins
June 19, 1879-April 5, 1948


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 6, 1948, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS
Frank W. Perkins, 68

    Frank W. Perkins, 68, a former Niles resident, died yesterday afternoon in the Kalamazooo Bronson hospital where he had been patient 11 days.  Perkins had been ill two years.
    Although arrangements are incomplete, interment will be in the Niles Silverbrook cemetery.
    Perkins was born in Niles June 19, 1879, a son of John and Lydia Perkins.  For the past 37 years he has resided in Kalamazoo where he headed the order department of the Kalamazoo Stationery company.  He was a charter member of the Dowagiac Elk's lodge, and a member of St. Luke's Episcopal church in Kalamazoo.
    Surviving are his wife, Georgia; and a brother, Charles E. Perkins of Ashtabula, O. Also several nieces and nephews survive.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 7, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

PERKINS RITES SET
    
    Funeral services for Frank W. Perkins, former Niles resident who died Monday at Kalamazoo, will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal church, Kalamazoo, at 11 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.

Hinderer, Emma M.

Emma M. Hinderer
Jan. 23, 1876-May 17, 1948

    Miss Emma M. Hinderer, 72, of 221 Bond street, died at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Osteopathic hospital in Chicago.  She had been ill for two years.
    Miss Hinderer was born Jan. 23, 1876, in Niles and maintained her residence here although she resided in Chicago for a number of years.    
    A teacher by profession, she taught in the Niles public schools for several years and later in the Chicago schools. She retired in 1941 after 47 years of teaching in Chicago.  She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's club in Niles, as well as the Eastern Star and the Presbyterian church.
    Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. George Earl and Miss Bertha Hinderer, both of Niles, and a niece, Mrs. Ray Bruder, of East St. Louis, Ill.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home Wednesday evening.  Services will be conducted here at 2 p.m. Thursday by Dr. G.W. Simon, pastor emeritus of the First Presbyterian church. The body will be cremated and buried in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 18, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Wyant, Anna Mary (Sommers)

Anna Mary Wyant
June 22, 1890-May 18, 1948


    Mrs. Anna Mary Wyant, 57, Berrien Center, died at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating hospital.  Mrs. Wyant, who lived near Smith lake, had been seriously ill for the past month.
    Last rites will be at 2 p.m Friday in the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. G.A. Steeby officiating.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Wyant was born in Berrien county June 22, 1890, and spent her entire lifetime in this vicinity. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethern church. Her husband, Clarence, died Jan. 21, 1947.
    Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Floyd Hinkle, Hartford; Mrs. Robert Versaw, Sodus; Oscar Wyant, San Mateo, Cal.; Harry Wyant, Niles; and Victor at home.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Bertha Kull, Battle Creek; three brothers, August Sommers, Niles; Carl Sommers, Berrien Center; and John Sommers, Decatur.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 19, 1948, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Whalen, Paul James

Paul James Whalen
Jan. 30, 1948-May 16, 1948


RITES FOR INFANT

    Paul James Whalen, three-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Whalen, died at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the residence after a brief illness.
    Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger funeral home where friends may call.  The Rev. H.L. Nicholson will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    The infant was born Jan. 30, 1948 in Pawating hospital.
    Surviving besides the parents are the grandparents. Mrs. E.L. Webber, Niles, Forrest Whalen, Flint, and Mr.and Mrs. Arthur Pearce, Sutton Coldfield, England.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 17, 1948, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

Tusing, Anna K.

Mrs. Anna K. Tusing
Dec. 5, 1856-May 16, 1948


    Mrs. Anna K. Tusing, 82, 201 Canal street, died at 2:15 a.m.  Sunday in the Berrien Springs Wall Nursing home. She had been ill several years.
    Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday in S.[sic] Mary's Catholic church with the Rev. Leo Zavatsky officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home.
    Mrs. Tusing was born Dec. 5, 1856 in Niles and spent her lifetime here. She was a member of St. Mary's church.
    Surviving are her husband, Samuel; a daughter, Mrs. Jeanette Murphy, Niles; and a sister, Mrs. Carrie Wittner, South Bend.
    Nephews will act as pallbearers.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 17, 1948, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

Brickel, Anna M. (Garlanger)

Anna M. Brickel
Dec. 11, 1869-May 14, 1948


Anna M. Brickel Dies

    Mrs. Anna Mabel Brickel, 78, 47 South Fourth street, died at 7 p.m. Friday at her residence following a two months illness.  
    Last rites will be conducted 4 p.m. Monday at the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Brickel was born in St. Joseph Dec. 11, 1869, and moved to Niles when a child. She spent her lifetime here. She was a membr[sic] of the First Mthodist[sic] church, and a member of the Woman's Soicety[sic] Christian Service of the church.
She taught the Berean class many years.
    She is survived by her husband, Marion S. Brickel, and a brother, E.E. Garlanger, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 15, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Bonfoey, Ferne H. (Gilmore)

Ferne Bonfoey
June 13, 1897-May 14, 1948


FERNE  BONFOEY RITES

    Services for Mrs. Ferne H. Bongoey, 50, will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Kiger funeral home.  Dr. Guy W. Simon will officiate.
    Mrs. Bonfoey died 10:30 a.m. Friday at her residence, 1122 North Sixth street, after a four months illness.
    Members of the GIA are requested to meet 1:45 p.m. Monday at the funeral home to attend the rites for Mrs. Bonfoey.
    She was born June 13, 1897 in Goodwine, Ill. She came here from North Judson, Ind., in 1937 and has been a resident since. Mrs. Bonfoey was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the GIA.
    Survivors include her husband, Lee, and the following stepchildren: Carl Bonfoey, Tacoma, Wash., John Bonfoey, and Lee J. Bonfoey, both of Benton Harbor, Mrs. Barton Dawson, Chicago, Mrs. I.E. Baushke, Benton Harbor; a niece, Mrs. H.E. Woodworth, Niles; a sister, Mrs. George Harmison, Niles; a twin-brother, Forrest Gilmore, and another brother, Arnold Gilmore, both of North Judson.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 15, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.