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.

Stewart, Prince

Prince Stewart
Died September 1, 1886

Buchanan Record, Sept. 2, 1886, page 3

Prince Stewart, employed in Johnson’s restaurant in Niles, was thrown under the cars in the Michigan Central yard, Tuesday evening, and both legs cut of, one above and the other below the knee. He died yesterday morning.

Thomson, Samuel

Samuel Thomson
1798-December 25, 1882

Niles Democrat, Sat. Dec 30, 1882, page 3, col. 3

SAMUEL THOMSON, Esq., died at his home in Niles township on Christmas Day.

Samuel Thomson was in the 85th year of his age. Mr. Thomson was a native of Scotland, having been born near the city of Glascow[sic], in April, 1798. He removed to Niles in 1844 and purchased a farm on the west side, in Niles Township, where he resided until his death. He possessed a vigorous mental and physical organization, and maintained a character for strict honesty, unswerving integrity and uncompromising Christian character. In religion, he was a strong pillar in the Presbyterian church; in politics, he was a staunch democrat, and having after mature deliberation adopted a principle, he remained steadfast in that belief to the end. For nearly 40 years he was a constant subscriber to the DEMOCRAT, and was one of the most prompt of our patrons. As a husband and father and as a neighbor and citizen, his presence and counsel will be sadly missed notwithstanding his extreme age. He was buried in Silver Brook cemetery on Wednesday.

also

Berrien County Record, Thurs. Dec. 28, 1882, page 3

Mr. Samuel Thompson, for 38 years a resident of Niles township, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, died at his home Monday, in his 85th year.

Tomlinson, Rachael (Huff)

Rachael (Huff) Tomlinson

1872-1952

Deaths, Rachael Tomlinson, 79

Rachael Tomlinson, of 1103 Hickory street, died Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the
Smith Rest home in Three Oaks following a month's illness.
Funeral services will be held in the Pifer funeral home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday,
with the Rev. Ray L. McCoy, of the Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be
in Silverbrook cemetery.

Survivors include: a son Harold H. (Slim) Tomlinson, of this city; a brother,
George Huff, also of here; a sister, Ella Shockley, of Niles; and a grandchild.
Her husband, Alton, died in 1941.

Mrs. Tomlinson was born in Buchanan Aug. 6, 1872, and spent most of her life in
this area.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 20, 1952, p. 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Tomlinson, Harold H. "Slim"

Harold H. "Slim" Tomlinson
March 23,1901-Feb. 16, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Sat. Feb. 18, 1978, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library

PLANT CITY, Fla.—Funeral services were scheduled for today at 2 p.m. here for Harold H. Tomlinson, formerly of Niles. He died Thursday at 5 a.m. at the South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.

Mr. Tomlinson, of Route 10, Box 2398, Plant City, moved to Florida in 1972 from Niles. He was the retired owner of Slim’s Garage.

Mr. Tomlinson was born March 23, 1901, in Buchanan. He was a life member of the Niles Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Casper Tomlinson, a daughter, Mrs. Charles Burgess of Crestwood, Mo., and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Plant City. Burial is to be in the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The Halbritter Funeral Home is handling the local arrangements.

Tomlinson, Alton Monroe

Alton Monroe Tomlinson
October, 16, 1874-May 18, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 19, 1941, p. 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

A. M. TOMLINSON,, NILES RESIDENT 20 YEARS, IS DEAD

Alton Monroe Tomlinson, 1138 Fort street, died Sunday night at 6 in Berrien Center after an illness of two years. He was a member of the Baptist church and the Modern Woodman of America.

Mr. Tomlinson was born October 17, 1874 in Buchanan and come to Niles 20 years ago. He was married July 27, 1898 in Buchanan to Rachel Huff who survives.

He is also survived by a son, Harold; a grandchild, Catherine Jane; an aunt, Mrs. D.D. Pangborn and a niece Mrs. Clyde Catterlin, all of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Alta Boyer, Seattle, Wash. He was a machinist.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2. The Rev. Floyd Johnson will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Herkimer, John

John Herkimer
Died March 31, 1906

John Herkimer, residing five miles southwest of the city, died this morning at 5 o’clock at his home. The deceased was about 42 years of age and died from chronic valvular heart trouble, with which he has suffered for several months.

He leaves a wife and two children, besides a sister, Mrs. James Thomson, residing west of Niles; a brother, Dr. C.R. Herkimer of Dowagiac, and a mother, Mrs. J. Herkimer, who resided with him. The deceased was born here and has always lived in this vicinity. The funeral will take place from the house Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. C.E. Marvin of the Presbyterian church officiating. The body will like in state all day Tuesday. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sat. March 31, 1906, page 3, col. 3)

Blanchard, Rebecca

Rebecca Blanchard
Nov. 6, 1868-Feb. 1, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 3, 1958, page 2, col. 4,  microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. REBECCA BLANCHARD

            Mrs. Rebecca Blanchard, 89, of 839 North 11th Street, died at 12:25 p.m. Saturday in the Quick Convalescent Home here following an illness of several years.  Her Husband, Edward, died in 1945.

            Mrs. Blanchard was born Nov. 6, 1868, in New York State and came to Niles 50 years ago from Berrien Springs.

Surviving are:  two sons, Wilbur E. and Lewis E. Blanchard, both of Niles; four daughters: Mrs. Edgar Adams, Mrs. Robert Badgero and Mrs. George Fink, all Niles, and Mrs. Frank Ribble, Mishawaka, Ind.; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.