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.

Graham, Edward Frank

Edward Graham
Feb. 16, 1930-Sept. 10, 2006

Edward Frank Graham, 76, of 2326 Floral Drive, Niles, Michigan, died of natural causes at 6:59 a.m. Sunday, September 10, 2006, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County, South Bend, Ind.

He was born on February 16, 1930, in Niles, Michigan, to the late Daniel and Gladys Graham. On September 5, 1963, in Niles, Michigan, he married Mary Lucille Morris, who preceded him in death on June 5, 2002. He was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Edward Graham in 1982; two brothers, Daniel and John Graham; and by a sister, Dorothy Olinghouse.

He was a lifetime resident of Niles, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and a U.S. Navy veteran. He enjoyed shuffleboard, bowling, volleyball, watching people and listening to music at Riverfront Park.

He is survived by a son, Douglas F. Graham of Niles; a daughter, Martha I. (Richard) Bean of Albion, Mich.; two grandchildren, Adam and Ryan Shissler; special friends, Paul and Cathy Hein, and daughters, Elizabeth and Loren; his mother-in-law, Phyllis Morris; brothers-in-law, Chuck Olinghouse, Ray (Sandy) Morris, George (Janet) Morris and Lee Morris; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Graham, Norma (Don) Arnold, Margie (Gene) Sherwood and Lena (Dale) Young; and by several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, in Wesley United Methodist Church, with Rev. Emmett H. Radwell Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Goodwin, Larry E.

Larry E. Goodwin
Jan. 24, 1929-Feb. 26, 1996

Larry E. Goodwin, 67, of 3140 Center Drive, Buchanan, died of natural causes at 12:40 a.m. Monday Feb. 26, 1996, in his home. Mr. Goodwin was a salesman and regional manager at Mederith Corp. He was born Jan. 24, 1929, in Omaha, Neb., and had lived in the Buchanan area since 1978, coming from Elgin, Ill. On Nov. 24, 1965, in Leeds, S.C., he married Virginia R. Snyder. She died May 25, 1988. On Dec. 3, 1988, in Buchanan, he married Mary ''Midge'' Moore. She survives with three daughters, Janice Lamere of Nashwauk, Minn., Linda Cyrus of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Ronda Adams of Buchanan; five sons, Richard Goodwin of Orlando, Fla., John Thorpe of Brooklyn Park, Ronald Goodwin of Green Forest, Ark., Charles Cauffman of Sparta, Tenn., and Dan Cauffman of Niles; 29 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, William of Pueblo, Colo. He was a member of Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Hoven Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Goodling, Donald Arthur

Donald A. Goodling
Aug. 14, 1919-Aug. 12, 2002

Donald Arthur Goodling, 82, of Englewood, Fla., formerly of Frantz Drive, Niles, Mich., died at 5:20 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12,  2002, in Englewood Community Hospital.

He was born on Aug. 14, 1919, in Niles, to Mary (Melz) and Norman Goodling, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Williedean Boettcher.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, and retired in 1986 after 40 years as an aeronautical engineer with the Bendix Corporation. He was a member of the Englewood United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Donnabelle (Shock) Goodling; a son, Norman W. (Judith) Goodling of Kalamazoo, Mich.; three grandchildren, Juli (Matthew) Seiferlein, Donald (Michelle) Goodling and Arick (Nancy) Goodling; and by five great-grandchildren, Zachary, Mattason, MacKenzie, Mason and Andrew.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with Dr. Ronald Wakeman officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, in the Pifer-SMITH Funeral Home, Niles.

Memorials may be made to the charity of donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Goodline, Norma Fay (Nussbaum)

Norma Fay Goodline
August 26, 1926-July 28, 2007

Norma Fay Goodline, 80, South Bend, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2007, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Norma was born on August 26, 1926, in Lacona, IA, to the late Ferman and Chloe (West) Nussbaum. On November 23, 1961, in South Bend, she married Donald Goodline, who preceded her in death on March 17, 2005.

Surviving Norma are her children, Lori Goodline of South Bend, David (Cindy) Goodline of Auburn, MA, and Todd Goodline of Pinehurst, NC; and a brother, Corwin Nussbaum of Greensboro, NC.

Her sisters, Etha Jones and Willie Gorog, and a brother, Loren Nussbaum, preceded her in death.

Norma worked for RACO for 15 years before deciding to stay home to raise her family. Later in life, she enjoyed bowling on a league at the Chippewa Bowl and meeting friends for morning walks at the U.P. Mall. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend who will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, August 1, in the McGann Hay-University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road at Ironwood, with Rev. Sergio Pereira officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the services in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

To send condolences or for directions, log on to www.McGannHay.com.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Gondeck, James F.

James F. Gondeck
Feb. 25, 1926-Nov. 4, 2001

Mr. James F. Gondeck, 75, of East Main Street, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 10:06 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4,  2001, in Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

He was born on Feb. 25, 1926, in South Bend, Ind., to Joseph J. and Wanda (Repczunski) Gondeck, and was graduated from Niles High School. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Ill. For many years he owned and operated the Pop-Lur Company, Niles, which manufactured fishing flies. He was retired from Tyler Refrigeration, Niles, in 1993 after 28 years of employment.

Mr. Gondeck had been raised in the Catholic Church, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of American Legion Post #26, Niles, and was formerly active in the Lions Club and the Irish Youth Hockey League. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending much of his time outdoors. When indoors, he spend his time working with wood, creating many beautiful pieces.

While attending the American Conservatory, he met the former Patricia D. Kamin, and they were married on Jan. 13, 1951, in Maywood, Ill. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of that marriage this year, and traveled to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. In Alaska, they visited many of the stations at which he served in World War II.

Surviving family includes his wife, Pat, and their children, Kristine Lynch of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Timothy Gondeck of Niles. He was preceded in death by three brothers.

Funeral services for James F. Gondeck will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Canon Marian M. Kencik of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag presentation by American Legion Post #26 Commander John McLaughlin.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Gondeck may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

   

Gombosi, William John

William J. Gombosi
June 6, 1906-Oct. 4, 1994

William John Gombosi, 88, of 17 N. Seventh Street, Niles, died at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 4, 1994, at Pawating Hospital.  Mr. Gombosi was with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for 30 years.  He was born June 6, 1906, in Hungary and came to this country when he was 18 months old.  On May 3, 1926, in St. Joseph, he married Mildred Ann Yeoman.  She survives with two sons, Bill and David, both of Niles; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Fred of Niles. He was a member of Fraternal Organization of Police and Unity Church of Lake Worth, Fla.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Silverbrook Cemetery, where burial will follow. There will be no visitation. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is in charge of arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Gombosi, Mildred A.

Mildred A. Gombosi
Feb. 11, 1908-Dec. 25, 2003

Mildred A. Gombosi, 95, of Sheffield Avenue, Niles, died Thursday Dec. 25, 2003  in Lakeland Hospital after an illness. She was born Feb. 11, 1908.  Survivors include two sons, William J. Jr., and David E., both of Niles. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m today in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. were handled Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown