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.

Foote, Helen

Helen Foote
Died February 15, 1888



Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 22, 1888, page 5, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 16, 1888, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of Mrs. Amos Foot was attended yesterday by a large portion of the population of Howard township, and a large number from this city.  Mrs. F. was a great favorite with all in the circle of her aquaintance[sic].

Foot, Lydia M.

Lydia M. Foot
Abt. 1805-January 23, 1875


Niles Republican, Thursday, February 4, 1875, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

FOOTE--In Howard, Cass county, January 23d, of Pulmonary Consumption, Mrs. Lydia M., wife of Amos C. Foote, aged sixty-nine years.

St. Joseph Valley (Ind.) Register, Thursday, January 28, 1875, page 3, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

    Near Niles, Mich., on the 23d, Mrs. A C. Foote, aged 69 years.
    Many persons will remember Mr. Foote's family, as residents for a long time of Mishawaka and vicinity, and as amongst its best citizens, especially by their immediate friends and acquaintances.  C.H.

Ward, Mary Esther

Mary Esther Ward
November 27, 1841-February 10, 1846


Died
    In this village, on the 10 inst., Mary Esther, eldest daughter of Mr. S.S. Ward, aged four years, two months and two weeks.
    We sincerely sympathise with neighbor Ward on this, his second great loss but a few weeks since he followed his companion to her earthly home, and now he is forced to part with one of those little pledges left by her to his care  and keeping. This world is indeed one of grief and sorrow.

Niles Republican, Saturday, February 14, 1846, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Ward, Mary I. (Hager) Phelps

Mary I. (Hager) Phelps Ward
(Mrs. Moses W. Ward)
Died March 23, 1894

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 29, 1894, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. WARD

    The death of Mrs. M.W. Ward, which occurred last Friday night, saddened the hearts of many friends. She was born and reared in this city and won for herself an esteem that was but the natural result of a true womanly life.  To her husband the blow is a sad one, and the little ones she leaves behind will miss a fond mother's care. But in the sorrow that her death has caused there is the bright assurance that her beautiful Christian llife on earth will receive its reward in the home of the blest.

Hoffman, Marguerite (Ehlenfeldt)

Marguerite E. Hoffman
December 9, 1908-June 15, 1993


Marguerite E. Hoffman
1908-1993
Retired teacher, grew up in Niles

    Funeral services for Marguerite E. Hoffman, 84, of 4079 Oxford Drive, Leland, Mich., are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Houseman, of Temple Baptist Church in Ionia, Mich., officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Hoffman died at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday at Leelanau Memoral Hospital in Northport, Mich., following a brief illness.
    Born Dec. 9, 1908, in South Bend, she had lived in Leland since 1992, coming from Grand Rapids. She grew up in Niles and graduated from Niles High School.
    She was a retired teacher in the Wyandotte (Mich.) school district.  She was a graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan and held bachelor's and master's degrees. She was a member of the Alumni of University of Michigan and was a member of the Michigan and National Education Associations.  She was a member of Bertrand Bible Church.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mary K. McMillen of Portland, Mich.; a son, William A. Hoffman of Leland; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and a sister, Dorothy Wade of Galien.  A brother, Ervin Ehlenfeldt preceded her in death on May 9, 1993.
    Friends may call at Halbritter's Funeral Home one hour prior to Thursday's services.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Care Center at Leelanau Memorial Hospital.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 16, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Saathoff, Robert Lee

Robert Saathoff
Sept. 9, 1923-June 14, 1968


    Funeral Services for Robert Lee Saathoff, 44, of 10607 Kenilworth Ave., Bethesda, Md., who died Friday morning will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  The Rev. Ray Cunningham, pastor of the First Baptist Church of  which he was a member will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Born Sept. 9, 1923, in Litchfield, Ill. Mr. Saathoff moved to Maryland from here in 1949.  He was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., On July 16, 1949, he married Alice Knott in Niles.
    In addition to the widow, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Walter Saathoff of Niles.
    A veteran of World War II, he was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge, 4, F and A.M.  Masonic services will be held at the cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 17, 1968, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Saathoff, Hazel I.

Hazel I. Saathoff
December 6, 1903-March 25, 1982


    Mrs. Hazel I. Saathoff, 78, of 811 Rynearson, Buchanan, died at 7:45 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.
    Mrs. Saathoff was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles. She was born on Dec. 6, 1930 in Litchfield, Ill.
    She married Walter R. Saathoff on March 27, 1921 in Litchfield, Ill. He died in 1961.
    Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Evah Waer Rice of Hillsboro, Mo., and Mrs. Laura Hammontree of Springfield, Mo.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Rev. Ray C. Cunningham of the First Baptist church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.
    The family suggests memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Fund.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 26, 1982, page 1 col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library