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.

Fleming, Debra (Kirtdoll) 1961-2020

editor Obituaries

Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Fleming
Aug. 3, 1961-Jan. 9, 2020

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Debra Ann Fleming

Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Fleming, 58, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. Debra was born on August 3, 1961, in Bell City, Missouri to the late Acie and Eva (Jenkins) Kirtdoll. Debra accepted Christ at an early age and was raised by both parents who gave her a strong Christian upbringing. When the family relocated from Missouri to Niles, Michigan, Debra was the tender age of 5 and attended Niles School Systems and Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, Indiana. She was a greeter at her local church and loved her job working as a lunch attendant for the Catholic School System in St. Joseph Michigan. On June 15, 2003, Debra married L.C. Fleming who preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. Debra was a fun-loving Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, and Friend to everyone she encountered. She loved fashion/ dressing up, music, skating, decorating/home décor, reading her daily scriptures, spending time with her kids, grandkids, and family. Debra loved to laugh and share good times with her loved ones, especially her children and close nieces and nephews. Debra was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; Barbara Hamilton, Jessie Ballard, Ella Louise Haynes, Josephine Kirtdoll and two brothers; Clarence McKinnes, Willie Pete Kirtdoll and a very Special and Dear Aunt Essie Dee Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons; James (Tasha) Kirtdoll of Buchanan, Michigan, Christopher (Danielle) Kirtdoll of South Bend, Indiana, Three Daughters; Nadia (Sherman) Waller of Fayetteville, Georgia, Knenah Kirtdoll of South Bend, Indiana Nichole Kirtdoll of Niles, Michigan, 21 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers; Willie (Vestee) McKinnes of Muskegon, Michigan, Billy (Yvette) Kirtdoll of Dallas, Texas, Benny Kirtdoll of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 4 sisters; Frances Roland and Martha Kirtdoll both of Detroit, Michigan, Betty Ward of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary (Ivery) Cross of Niles, Michigan and a host of close nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home.

Kirtdoll, Knehah Shyree 1980-2022

editor Obituaries

Knenah Kirtdoll
Feb. 3, 1980-March 18, 2022

Published in Niles Daily Star 10:35 am Thursday, March 24, 2022

Knenah Kirtdoll, 42, of Mishawaka, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Knenah Shyree Kirtdoll

Knenah Shyree Kirtdoll, 42, of Niles, passed away after a long hard fought battle with cancer on Friday, March 18, 2022. Knenah was born on February 3, 1980, to James Berry and Debra Kirtdoll-Flemming. After graduating from high school, Knenah went on to attend college for social services. She was preceded in death by her mother, Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Flemming. Knenah is survived by her father, James Berry of Niles; children, Isaiah Syson of Mishawaka, J’Kayla Syson of Mishawaka, Jacob Syson of Mishawaka, Zhaneah Kirtdoll of Mishawaka; grandson, Justin; siblings, Nadia (Sherman) Waller of Fayetteville, Georgia, James Kirtdoll of Niles, Christopher (Danielle) Kirtdoll of South Bend Nichole Kirtdoll of Niles, James Hendrix of South Bend, Marcus Treadwell of Tennessee, Brandine Brown of Niles, Shawn James of Niles, Antwaun (Summer) James of Niles, and Ashley James of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends. Homegoing services to celebrate Knenah’s life will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Noon with visitation one hour prior at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles. Pastor Bryant L. Bacon will be officiating and Knenah will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles near her mother.

Francis, Willie L. Jr. 1951-2022

editor Obituaries

Rev. Willie Francis, Jr.
June 24, 1951-March 27, 2022

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Rev. Willie Francis, Jr.

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, the Rev. Willie L. Francis, Jr., passed away peacefully at home. Willie was born on June 24, 1951 in Niles, MI to the late Willie L Francis, Sr. and Aimee L. Harris. Willie never met a stranger. He loved people and imparting his wisdom and ideas onto others. He enjoyed family time, fishing, movies, firing up the grill, reading his bible, watching the discovery channel about animals, people, places and things. Willie was the second child of three. Willie’s employment included Rent-a-Center in Benton Harbor, of which he loved being of service to his customers and General Manager at Aarons Rent-to-Own. He was ordained as a Deacon on September 4, 2005 at New Good Hope Baptist under the leadership of Pastor James I. Robinson. He served there faithfully until he moved his membership to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Willie continued to serve faithfully at Mt. Olive as a Deacon until he was called into Ministry as Asst. Pastor to Rev. Fletcher McAfee. This mentorship grew into a father/son relationship that Willie cherished. Willie was ordained as a Minister on August 11, 2013. Willie was united in Holy Matrimony on June 30, 1973 to the love of his life, Michele Elaine Hatcher. To this union there were two children. Willie is survived by Michele, his loving and devoted wife of 49 years; his two children, Stephanie Francis of Lansing, Michigan and Steven Francis of Buchanan, Michigan; two sisters, Betty Francis of St. Joseph, Michigan and Marcia McGuirt of Buchanan, Michigan; four grandchildren, Joshua Francis of Mesa, Arizona, Javarri (Melissa) Beachum of Diamondhead, Mississippi, Brianna Francis of Panama City, Florida and Brayden Dewaters of Niles, Michigan; his dog Jack; several nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends. Willie was preceded in death by his Parents. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at 2262 Moulder Drive in Niles with Rev. Fletcher McAfee officiating. A time of visitation will begin on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. The family has asked that everyone in attendance to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Condolences and memories of Willie may be left for his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Berry, Kate Burnett 1872-1937

editor Obituaries

Kate Burnett Berry
July 7, 1872-Feb. 20, 1937

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, February 23, 1937, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: BERRY RITES HELD

Committal services were conducted at 1 o'clock this afternoon at Silverbrook cemetery for Miss Kate B. Berry, former Niles resident, who died in Women's Hospital, Detroit, Saturday night.

Bleazby, Frank 1872-1937

editor Obituaries

Frank Bleazby
Oct. 12, 1872-Feb. 25, 1937

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, February 27, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: BLEAZBY RITES SUNDAY

Final rites for Frank Bleazby, 64, who died Thursday night at his home two miles east of Niles, will be conducted at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. A.R. Kuehn will officiate. Committal will be in Silverbrook cemetery Monday. Mr. Bleazby had been an employe of the National Printing and Engraving company for 32 years.

Dustman, William 1859-1937

editor Obituaries

William Dustman
July 31, 1859-Feb. 27, 1937

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, February 27, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: WILLIAM DUSTMAN DIES

William Dustman, 78, R. 3, Niles, brother of Mrs. C.F. Snyder, River Bluff, died at 12:40 o'clock this afternoon in Pawating hospital. Mr. Dustman's death resulted from complications which set in following the amputation of his leg. He entered the hospital on Feb. 21. The body was taken to the Turner and Pifer funeral home. Arrangements for the funeral are incomplete.

Alonso, Richard C. 1940-2022

editor Obituaries

Richard C Alonso
Jan. 19, 1940-Feb. 18, 2022 (age 82)

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website

Obituary

Richard C. Alonso, 82 of Niles, passed away in Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

Richard was born on January 19, 1940, in Manhattan, NY to the late Harold and Rose (Vasquez) Alonso, Sr.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Gladys.

On June 21, 2005 he married Carmencita Vega. 

Those left to cherish Richard’s memory are his wife, Carmen and children; Ronald James (Rosalie Martinez) Alonso of Long Island, NY, Joanne Alonso of Long Island, NY, John Alonso of Loveland, CO, Kathleen (Edwin Rodriquez) Alonso of Orlando, FL, Daniel Alonso of Teaneck, NJ, Lynda Alonso of Niles, MI, Phillip (Danielle) Alonso of Long Island, NY, Laura (Rafael Melendez) Hernandez as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brothers, Harold Alonso, Jr. of Florida and Robert (Elaine) Alonso of LaPorte, IN.

Richard had served in the United Sates Air Force.  He retired from the Memorial Hospital Engineering Department after 20 years. He earned a diploma in professional locksmithing , advance locksmithing and Steam Energy Conservation. Richard enjoyed woodworking and making wood crafts. He would make a miniature doll house and then give it away to someone who would appreciate the time and craftmanship that he put into each house. Richard also loved collecting ships.  He was a man who had his designated chair that only he sat in. As his health continued to be a challenge, Richard could spend all day in his chair either watching TV or being on the computer. 

Visitation for Richard will be on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:00 am in St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Burial will follow with military honors from the Air Force at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

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