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.

Hipshear, Harold W.

Harold W. "Huck" Hipshear
Jan. 9, 1923-April 8, 2009

Lifelong Niles resident, Harold W. "Huck" Hipshear, 86, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on West River road, Niles at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Harold was born on January 9, 1923 in Niles to William F. and Frances (Siebert) Hipshear. He graduated from Niles High School in 1941, and entered the U.S. Army as a combat engineer in September 1941. He fought in World War II from the beaches of Normandy to Berlin. After the war he returned to Niles and married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanne Edna Clay in Detroit on April 6, 1946.

Completing his tool and die apprenticeship at South Bend Tool & Die, he had a 37 years career with them and Capitol Industries of South Bend. Many lasting friendships were made from his employment.

Harold was a lifelong member of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, serving on the council and the Building and Grounds Committee. He was the church's unofficial greeter" for many years. An avid metal and woodworker, he used his skills to help many friends and family members over the years. He enjoyed working on his farm, hunting, fishing and travel. Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, who always made those he met feel like they were a part of the family.

Surviving family include Jeanne, his wife of 63 years, their children, Marcia (Edward) Wirth of Zeeland, MI, Tom Elliot of Zeeland, Fred (Janie) Hipshear of Dowagiac, MI, Mark (Linda) Hipshear of Elkhart, IN, and Diane (Daniel) Jackson of Bristow, VA. Mr. Hipshear's grandchildren include, Christopher Wirth, Jeff Joers, Brooke Calhoun (Dustin), Alex Hipshear, Adam Jackson, Allyson Jackson, Nora Hipshear, Ashlee Jackson, Rick Rivera, Lauren Hipshear and great-granddaughter, Caroline Calhoun. Other survivors are his brother, Wallace (Pat) Hipshear of Niles and a sister, Joan Savage of Escanaba, MI.

The funeral services for Harold W. Hipshear will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 in Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles with full military honors by American Legion Post 51.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Hipshear may be made to the church.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Kuhn, Betty (Horner)

Betty Joan Kuhn
December 12, 1934-April 5, 2009

Betty Joan Kuhn, 74, of Blanchard Drive, Niles, MI, died at 11:03 p.m. Sunday April 5, 2009 in Riveridge Manor, Niles, Following a brief illness.

She was born on December 12, 1934, in Niles to John and Margaret (Schrumpf) Horner. She attended Niles School and had lived in Niles all of her life.

Betty was affiliated with Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles.

On June 25, 1955 in Niles she married Thomas L. "Johnny" Kuhn who preceded her in death on January 10, 1997.

Mrs. Kuhn is survived by her sister, Evelyn Bailey; and brother, John Horner, both of Niles; and several niece and nephews.

The family will gather privately for services. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles

Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Saint John's United Church of Christ.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lyon, Martha N. (Coolidge)

Martha N. Lyon
Feb. 10, 1831-Nov. 24, 1912

Martha M. Lyons[sic], 82, mother of Henry, Chas. and Will Lyons, also Mrs. Chas. Cross of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. Hattie Dongola of Riverside, Cal., and Mrs. Fannie Nichols and Mrs. May Emerson of Jackson, MI, died yesterday at Jackson. The deceased left Niles 23 years ago.

The body will arrive here for interment at Silver Brook cemetery tomorrow afternoon at 1 o’clock. A daughter, Mrs. Etta Smalley, died one month ago.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 25, 1912, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Lynn, Donnia Cledis (Elsey)

Donnia Cledis Lynn
Feb. 25, 1921-Dec. 26,2007

Donnia Cledis (Elsey) Lynn, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in her home. She was born Feb. 25, 1921. Survivors include children, Cledis “Jean” (Jim) Cummings of Ogema, WI, Jessie (Art) Hess Dowilar of Elkhart and Lawrence (Karen) Lynn of Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. A time of visitation will be on Friday, Dec. 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Brown Funeral Home and Cremation services, Niles, where the funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Pastor Dave DeVoll will officiate. Donnia will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Luther, Katherine (Hattenbach)

Katherine E. Luther
June 20, 1864-Oct. 20, 1922

Katherine Elizabeth Luther (Hattenbach), was born in Germany June 20, 1864, and came to America when an infant to Niles, Mich. She was married to Fred. C. Luther at Niles, MI, April 15, 1890. To this union were born four daughters and a son, Frank Luther and Marjorie Luther at home, Lena Luther, South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Chas. (Bertha) Loose, Niles, MI, Agnes Luther, Buchanan; two sisters, Mrs. Frank Southerton, Buchanan, and Mrs. George Eisele, Niles; and a brother, Herman Hattenbach of Buchanan, also survive. Funeral services will occur at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon at Presbyterian Church. Rev. F. Rahn will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

She died Oct. 20, 1922.  She was the daughter of John and Caroline Hattenbach.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Luth, Inalizette (Tellkamp)

Inalizette Luth
Sept. 2, 1909-March 10, 1999

Inalizette Luth, 89, of Eagle River, Wis., formerly of Niles, Mich., died on Wednesday, March 10,  1999, at the Eagle River Health Care Center.

She was born on Sept. 2, 1909, in Grovertown, Ind., the daughter of John and Hermina (Goppert) Tellkamp. She was raised in Niles and was a graduate of Niles High School.

On May 31, 1942, she married Burt Luth in Niles. He preceded her in death on Dec. 6, 1994. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bernhard and Louis Tellkamp.

Mrs. Luth was employed as a registered nurse at the Clark Equipment Company. After retiring she volunteered as an esophageal speech teacher for the Berrien County Cancer Service.

She was a member of the Christian Science Church, the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 332, and St. Joseph's Holy Cross Nurse Alumni Association. She enjoyed painting, reading and music.

Mrs. Luth is survived by her son, James (Mary Louise) Luth of Titusville, Fla.; a daughter, Gretchen (Dennis) Passmore of Sugar Camp, Wis.; five grandchildren, Becky, David and Brian Luth, and Daniel and Jason Passmore; three great-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews.

There will be no services for Mrs. Luth. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The Carlson Funeral Home of Rhinelander, Wis., is in charge of arrangements.

Lunger, Shirley (Cooper)

Shirley M. Lunger
Dec. 14, 1929-Oct. 26 1999

Shirley M. Lunger, 69, of 3887 North Mission Hills Road, Northbrook, Ill., died following a brief illness at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1999, in Highland Park Hospital, Highland Park, Ill.

She was a former resident of Niles, Mich., living at 702 Chippewa Trail before moving to Northbrook with her husband in 1982.

Mrs. Lunger was born on Dec. 14, 1929, in Niles, to Lynn R. and Mable (Feldkemp) Cooper, and was a 1947 graduate of Niles High School.

She was the owner and operator of the former What's That Shoppe, Ltd., which was located on South Eleventh Street in Niles.

Mrs. Lunger was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. She loved quilting and visiting with her children and grandchildren.

On Sept. 10, 1949, in Niles, she married Charles W. Lunger, who survives. She and her husband had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Mrs. Lunger is also survived by her children, Deborah L. Lunger of Chicago, Ill., Charles G. and Gary L. Lunger, both of Carrollton, Texas, and Scott C. Lunger of Minneapolis, Minn.; seven grandchildren; and by her sister, Ann Reum of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Wherley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Reverend Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions in memory of Shirley M. Lunger may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown