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.

Rhoades, Frederica (Vetter)

Frederica Rhoades
March 4, 1858-May 11, 1914

Mrs. Frederic Rhoades
Passed away with all her children at her bedside
Mrs. Frederic Rhoades was an industrious, faithful Wife and Mother.

Last night at 10:45 o’clock, May 11, 1914, with her children gathered at her bedside, Mrs. Frederic Rhoades passed from the life, ending a period of usefulness and good works. For about a years and a half Mrs. Rhodes had been in poor health, Suffering from pernicious anemia, and for four weeks she had been bedfast. Her demise had been expected for more than two weeks, but the blow was just as severe and hard to bear. Frederica Vetter was born in Whittenbery, Germany, March 4, 1858. At the age of 14 she came to Berrien County with her parents and in Sept. 16, 1879, she was united in marriage to John Rhoades of Buchanan, residing in that village for a time, before their removal to this city 18 years ago. Their home was located at 117 Lincoln Avenue.

She is survived by her husband, John Rhoades; five children, Mrs. Clara James of Clark Station, Ind., Chas Rhoades of Uppper Sandusky, Ohio, Ralph Rhoades of Gary, IN, Harriett of Niles and Vernon of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; five grandchildren; and a brother, Chas Vetter of Near Niles.  The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock form the house and at 2 o’clock from the Evangelical church of which, the deceases was a member. Rev. Renner will officiate. Interment will be made at silver Brook Cemetery.

Mrs. Rhoades was well loved, her ever willingness to help others endearing her to all the neighbors, and the work “Neighbor: as used by her, meant much. Any one in need received her attention. 

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reutter, Olga E.

Olga E. Reutter
March 28, 1908-Feb. 17, 1994

Olga E. Reutter, 85, of 1894 Lewis Drive, Niles, died at 1:30 p.m. Thursday Feb. 17, 1994,  in her home after an illness. Mrs. Reutter was born March 28, 1908. On July 9, 1926, she married Donald Reutter. He died March 6, 1992. Surviving are a daughter, Carole Reutter of Niles; a son, Donald A. Jr. of Niles; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

There will be no services or visitation. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Pifer-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reum, Minnie A.

Minnie A. Reum
Aug. 30, 1869-Nov. 11, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 12, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Minnie A. Reum, 85, died at 8 o’clock last night, Nov. 11, 1954, at her home 1519 North Fifth Street, after a two year illness.

Born Aug. 30, at Fraubeighting, Germany, she came to Niles from Germany 85 years ago. On Sept. 14, 1886, she married Christ Reum at Niles. He died Feb 12, 1941.

She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church and an honorary member of the Church Women’s Guild.

Survivors are four daughters, Mrs. Lola Scholl and Mrs. Larned Williams, both of Inglewood, Calif., Mrs. M.E. Yonker and Mrs. John Jaroch, both of Niles; four sons, William and Herman Reum, both of Niles, Edward Reum, Cynthiana, KY, and Clyde Reum, Espanola, NM; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral Home where the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Reformed Church, will conduct services at 2 p.m. Monday. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. 

 

Reum, George F.

George F. Reum
Nov. 25, 1864-Dec. 30, 1916

Life’s journey is ended for Geo. F. Reum

Well known successful Business man goes the way of all mankind.

After an acute illness covering a period of about 30 days. Geo. F. Reum passed away at about 10 o’clock this morning Dec. 30, 1916, at his home in N. 3d street, aged 52. Death was due to cirrhosis of the liver.

Mr. Reum who was known as a successful business man and good citizen, was born in Niles Nov. 25, 1864. He first engaged in the retail liquor business 27 years ago, but soon began to branch out and acquired a profitable wholesale trade also. As the years rolled on, he prospered, and had acquired a competency when he retired from business in the spring of 1915. However, a life of retirement did not suit him, and he soon engaged in the bakery business, which he sold out a few months ago and went to Kansas in hopes that rest, change of scene, and recreation would benefit his health, but this was not to be. He returned a few weeks ago to dies “at home.”

On October 30, 1889, Mr. Reum married Miss Carrie Mikesell, the ceremony being performed by Rev. F. Rahn, pastor of St. John’s church. This marriage proved a happy and fortunate one.

Fraternally, Mr. Reum was identified with the Elks, I.O.O.F., and the German Workingmen’s Assn.  He leaves a widow; five brothers and three sisters to mourn his untimely demise. The brothers and sisters are John, Carl and Chris of Niles, Gus of Deerfield, Ill, Ernest Reum, and Mrs. Minnie Fihn of Shell Lake Wis.; and Mrs. Ann Gillette and Miss Carolyn Reum of Grand Rapids. The funeral will take place from St. John’s Church at 2:40 o’clock next Tuesday afternoon. Rev. F. Rahn officiating, assisted by Rev. W. H. Phelps. Interment will be made in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reum, Fred L.

Fred L. Reum
March 29, 1993-Jan. 2, 1968

Fred L. Reum, 84, of 2330 West Bertrand Road, died today, Jan. 2, 1968, at 3:50 a.m. in Pawating Hospital, following a 8 day illness.

He was a member of the Portage Prairie EUB Church and the Farm Bureau.

Formally director of the Niles Federal Savings and Loan for 37 years. Mr. Reum was born in Cass County, March 29, 1883. As a retired farmer he lived a lifetime in this area.  On Nov. 16, 1910 he married Cleta Bestle in Bertrand Township, who survives.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in the portage Prairie EUB Church with the Rev. Haldon Ferris officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.Friends may call at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reum, Frank C.

Frank C. Reum
April 24, 1886-May 11, 1955

Frank C. Reum, 69, of rural route two, Niles, lifetime resident of Niles Township, died at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 1955, in his home.

Reum was born April 24, 1886, in Niles Township, and was well-known farmer. He was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and St. Johns Evangelical and Reformed Church. His wife, Marian, died April 20, 1948.

Surviving are a son, Donald Reum at home; a sister, Mrs. Russell File of Niles and two brothers Fred L. Reum of Niles and Gus A. Reum of South Ben.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in St Johns Evangelical and Reformed church with the pastor, the Rev. Herbert Meussling officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reum, Cleta M. Bestle (nee Korn)

Cleta M. Reum
Aug. 21, 1888-Sept. 23, 1982

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 24, 1982, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Cleta M. Reum (Bestle), 94, of 2330 West Bertrand Road., Niles, died at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday at Pawating Hospital of a brief illness.

Born on Aug. 21, 1888 in Bertrand Township, she was a lifetime resident of this area. She was a member of the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church, the Shakespeare club, charter member of the Portage Prairie Home Economics Club.

On Nov. 16, 1910 in Niles she was married to Fred. L. Reum, who has preceeded her in death on Jan. 2, 1968. Survivors include 14 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, as well as four great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Portage Prairie United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert P. Stover officiating. The burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home.  Memorials may be given to the Portage Prairie Untied Methodist Church Memorial fund.