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.

Frankenberry, Fred

Fred Frankenberry
March 8, 1889-Aug. 27, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 28, 1945, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Former Resident of Niles Dies in Ypsilanti

Word was received today by friends in Niles of the death Monday of Fred Frankenberry, 53, fromer[sic] Niles resident, at his home in Ypsilanti.
Born in North Liberty, Ind., Frankenberry lived in Niles seven years before moving to Detroit almost 20 years ago. He was employed by the Michigan Central railroad at their main offices there. He married the former Florence Bunbury of Niles, who survives him. He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal church and the St. Joseph Valley lodge F. & A.M.
Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Ann, a sister in Youngstown, Ohio, and a brother in Indiana. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Gentry, Carmella Sue

Christina Lou Gentry
Carmella Sue Gentry
June 28, 1962-June 28, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 29, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

COMMITTAL RITES

Committal rites were held this morning at Silverbrook Cemetery for Christina Lou and Carmella Sue, infant twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Keith Gentry, 1815 Cass St., who died at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital about an hour after birth.
Worthy Rowe of the South Bend Apostolic Temple, officiated.
Surviving besides the parents are the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Forest Gentry and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brockus, all Niles.
Arrangements were made by the Pifer Funeral Home.

Gentry, Christina Lou

Christina Lou Gentry
Carmella Sue Gentry
June 28, 1962-June 28, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 29, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

COMMITTAL RITES

Committal rites were held this morning at Silverbrook Cemetery for Christina Lou and Carmella Sue, infant twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Keith Gentry, 1815 Cass St., who died at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital about an hour after birth.
Worthy Rowe of the South Bend Apostolic Temple, officiated.
Surviving besides the parents are the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Forest Gentry and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brockus, all Niles.
Arrangements were made by the Pifer Funeral Home.

Hoese, Ruby F.

Ruby F. Hoese
June 1887-July 5, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 5, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Ruby F. Hoese, 75, 2292 N. 5th St., died at 8:23 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital where she [illegible].
Mrs. Hoese was born June 1887 in Niles and had lived her lifetime here.
Surviving are: her husband, Frank; two sons, Edward Losure, with the United States Navy, Washington, D.C. and James F. Rundborge, Buchanan; two daughters, Mrs. Lester Newton, Kewaskum, Wis., and Mrs. Clayton Muntz, Niles; five step-children, Mrs. Gladys Reed, South Bend, Mrs. Homer Womble, Mrs. George Loveland and Ward Hoese, all Niles, and Glen Hoese, Buchanan; 37 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Esther MacDonald, Chicago, and six step-brothers and sisters, Mrs. George Masterman, South Bend, Mrs. George Abair, Elisnor, Calif., Mrs. Scott Woodcock, Argus, Ind., and Willis, Frank and Herbert Low, all Niles.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Swartz, Charles

Charles Swartz
June 8, 1873-July 5, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 6, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles Swartz, 89, formerly of Niles, died at 2:45 a.m. Thursday at Berrien County Hospital.
Mr. Swartz was born June 8, 1873. He leaves no known survivors. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pifer Funeral Home with Capt. William . . .[illegible]. . . Army officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends are being received at the funeral home.

 

Kujawa, Darlene (Jones)

Darlene Kujawa, of Niles
Jan. 4, 1927 — Feb. 6, 2018

Niles Daily Star, by Scott Novak, Published 8:17 am Friday, February 9, 2018

Darlene Kujawa, 91, passed away at 11:18 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018

Darlene Kujawa

Darlene was born on Jan. 4, 1927, in Niles, to the late Glenn and Doris May (Walter) Jones. On Nov. 30, 1946, Darlene married Zymonth “Zig” Kujawa and he passed away on Jan. 22, 2004. Darlene was also preceded in death by a son, Joseph Kujawa on Sept. 22, 2017.

Darlene is survived by her children, Linda Logalbo, Steve (Linda) Kujawa, Frank (Janet) Kujawa, Rita (Joe) Bumgardner, and Scott Kujawa; grandchildren, Carl Carrico, Jeff Carrico, Jill Swartz, Carey Wickler, Nikki Kujawa, Erin Kujawa, Derek Kujawa, Cody Kujawa, Joshua Kujawa, Dori Prange.

Darlene always wanted to be a writer, and even had a short story published in the newspaper. She had many pen pals that she wrote to for years. She loved to write.

She was a 1945 graduate of Niles High School and worked at Simplicity Pattern Company. She belonged to the Cassopolis Senior Center and the Altar-Rosary Society at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. She collected stamps since childhood and enjoyed Bingo and garage sales. Zig and Darlene were charter members at St. Mark’s Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 in Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. Family and friends may meet at St. Mark’s Catholic Church beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday Feb. 12, 2018 for visitation prior to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Briggs, Willie May

Willie Briggs, of Niles
April 7 1940-Feb. 11, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:50 am Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Willie Briggs, 77, of Niles, passed Feb. 11, 2018. Funeral services will be at noon on Feb. 16, 2018 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

And

Published at Brown Funeral Home https://brownfuneral.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/details/2099/Willie-Briggs/obituary.html#tribute-start

Obituary of Willie Briggs

Willie B. Briggs, 77, of Niles left this earthly home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ, on Sunday, February 11, 2018 surrounded by her family.

Willie was born to the late Roosevelt and Mattie (Cofey) Washington in Hayti, Missouri on April 7, 1940.

She was known for her brains, and at the age of 16 graduated from Niles High School.  Soon after graduating from high school, Willie met Ossie Briggs.  Ossie married Willie at a ceremony in Niles on November 2, 1956.

Willie also owned and operated Tina’s Tavern for over a decade and retired from Dexter Axle.  When her health permitted Willie enjoyed playing softball and was an avid Cubs fan.  Willie always enjoyed time in the kitchen, and was known for her delectable lemon cakes.

She is preceded by her parents; her husband, Ossie Briggs; her grandson Michael W. Briggs;  her brother, Lloyd Washington; her sisters, Earlene Murray, Mary Nichols, and Irene Washington; stepson, Tony Briggs; nephew, Tony Briggs.

Willie is survived by her children, Craig Briggs of Illinois, Gwendolyn Briggs of Niles, Ronald Briggs of New Orleans, Michael Briggs of Niles, Diane Stone of Saginaw, and Tonja Wade Farrow of Niles.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katina Briggs, Elbert Briggs, Amber Briggs, LaTanya Briggs, Jennifer Briggs, Mikeya Briggs, Milyne Briggs, Stacia Briggs, Regina Hackney, DiJonna Williams, and Elijah Williamson; a host great-grandchildren; one sister, Rose Harvey; a brother, Roosevelt Washington, Jr.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 12:00 pm at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street in Niles. A time of visitation will begin on Friday at 11:00 am at the church. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for Willie’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.