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.

Nelson, Douglas Eugene

Douglas Eugene Nelson, of Niles
June 25, 1957 — Dec. 16, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:30 am Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Douglas Eugene Nelson, 58, formerly of Niles, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 surrounded by family and friends.

Doug was born on June 25, 1957, in Niles to Ray W. Nelson and Marilyn L. (Colcord) Nelson.

Douglas Eugene Nelson
Douglas Eugene Nelson

After graduating from Brandywine High School in 1976. Doug began work at Fruehauf of South Bend, where he worked for 13 years. For the past 20 years, Nelson worked at Freightliner, serving as parts manager first in Grand Rapids, then at the Kalamazoo branch.

Doug was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He had a love for music, especially Stevie Nicks. However, his greatest passion was the time spent with friends and family. His presence and personality will be missed by so many.

Surviving family include two brothers, Rickie Nelson of Niles, Michigan. and Randy Nelson of Granger, Indiana, a sister, Cindy O’Connor of Niles, Michigan, two nieces and a nephew. He also leaves behind many close friends that he considered family. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ray and Marilyn Nelson.

A celebration of life will be held after the holidays at his home in Paw Paw, Michigan. Memorial contributions can be made in Doug’s name to the Vasculitis Foundation.

Powell, Terrill Alan

Terry Powell, of Niles
June 7, 1956 — April 26, 2016

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:19 am Friday, April 29, 2016

Terrill Alan “Terry” Powell, 59, of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 10:16 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital — Niles.

Terry Powell, of Niles
Terry Powell, of Niles

He was born on June 7, 1956 in Niles to Ralph L. and Mary L. (Ball) Powell. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1974, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (East Lansing). He has lived in Niles most of his life, and was employed for many years at Powell Tool Supply. He had also served in the security offices of Marriott hotels, and was retired from Gene Michael Productions.

As a young man, Terry was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and had earned the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed bicycle riding, eventually becoming a successful racer and challenger for a position in USA Cycling to race on the world stage at the Olympics. He also enjoyed jazz music, was a proficient trumpet player, performed at area live gigs, and was a studio musician — often at GMP — for video and movie scores and other background music. Wherever he was, and whomever he was with will remember his great sense of humor.

He was formerly married to Tera Jamesen.

Surviving family includes his mother, Mary Powell and a sister, Janice Powell, both of Niles; Jan’s children, Ryan Wozniak, Shawn Wozniak, and G. Patrick Lutin; and a great-niece and nephew, Gabe and Aylivia.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be scheduled at a later date, and will be announced to the public. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Terry may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or to the La Salle Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Phillips, Charles E.

Charles E. Phillips
June 15, 1874-Feb. 9, 1936

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 10, 1936, page 1, col. 4, cont. page 2, microfilm Niles District Library

CHARLES E. PHILLIPS, OIL FIRM HEAD, DIES OF INJURIES BY AUTO

Hurt Jan. 25 in Sumnerville Crash; Was Improving in Hospital for Time.

Charles E. Phillips, 61, proprietor of the Phillips Sales corporation, Dowagiac, and a widely known resident of Niles for the last 18 years, succumbed at 7 o'clock, Sunday night at Pawating hospital to injuries sustained Jan. 25 when his car collided with another at Sumnerville.

Mr. Phillips, who suffered the injuries while en route to Niles, was at his home, 15 South Third street for a time after the accident and later was taken to the hospital for treatment.

He had made slow by steady progress toward recovery until last Wednesday, when his condition took a sudden turn for the worse.

A native of Pokagon, in Cass county, Mr. Phillips was born June 15, 1874, a son of John M. and Mary Gertrude Phillips.

His marriage to Miss Blanche Garwood, who survives, took place April 17, 1884, at Pokagon.  Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had lived in Niles since 1917.

Mr. Phillips as prominent in civic and fraternal circles, holding membership in Niles lodge no. 900, M.W.A., and Niles lodge No. 1322, B.P.O.E..  He was a past master of Pokagon lodge No. 136, F. and A.M.

Survivors, besides the widow, are a daughter, Mrs. F.D. McCally,, and two grandsons, Niles; five brothers, George B., Robert C., and Edward J. Phillips of Dowagiac: Frank J., and John H. Phillips, of Jackson, and Mrs. Gervais Phillips, of Jackson, and five sisters, Mrs. Joseph Kibler, Mrs. Anna Hoover and Mrs. Gervaic Bair of Dowagiac: Mrs. Fred Barrett and Mr. Ford Lake, of Pokagon.

A sister Mrs. R.S. Waterson, Niles died Dec. 26 last , and another brother, William Phillips, died Jan. 15, 1935, at Detroit.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at this Elks' temple, with the Rev. G.W. Simon, of the Presbyterian church officiating. [Illegible] Masonic ritual.  Committal rites at Silverbrook cemetery will be conducted by the Elks lodge.

The body was taken to the Rutherford-Phillips mortuary, and will be returned to the home, 16 South Third street, Tuesday morning. It will lie n state at the elks' temple from 1 to 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 11, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  BROTHERS PALLBEARERS

Five brothers and a brother-in-law of the late Charles E. Phillips, who died Sunday night of injuries sustained in an automobile accident, will serve as pallbearers at the funeral Wednesday afternoon. They are George, Robert and Edward Phillips, Dowagiac; Frank and John Phillips, Jackson, and Dr. Roy B.. Waterson, Niles,  The service, followed by a Masonic ritual, will be conducted at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Elks temple, with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  The committal service at Silverbrook will be conducted by the Elks lodge.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 12, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  PHILLIPS RITES TODAY

Funeral services for Charles I.[sic] Phillips, who succumbed Sunday night to skull injuries sustained in an automobile collision, were conducted at 3 o'clock this afternoon at the Elks temple by the Rev. G. W. Simon, of the Presbyterian church.  Afterward the Masonic lodge conducted its ritual. Committal services at Silverbrook cemetery were held by the Elks lodge.  A private prayer service was said at 11 o'clock this morning at the home., 16 South Third street.  The Phillips Sales corporation at Dowagiac, which Mr. Phillips operated, was closed this afternoon.

Reed, Ezra Henry

Ezra Henry Reed
Jan. 11, 1860-Feb. 14, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 15, 1936, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Ezra Henry Reed Dies Friday, at 75

Ezra Henry Reed, 75, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jennie Rockwell, south of Niles Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Mr. Reed was born in Indiana Jan. 11, 1860. He leaves three sons, Will, Charles and Walter Reed, and Mrs. Rockwell, Mrs. Marie Lessee and Mrs. Louise Blanchard, all of Niles, also 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 17, 1936, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  EZRA REED BURIED

Ezra Henry Reed, 75, was buried this afternoon at Silverbrook after services at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger chapel. Mr. Reed was born in Indiana, Jan. 11, 1860, and died Friday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jennie Rockwell, south of Niles.

 

Tyson, William H.

William H. Tyson
April 14, 1863-Feb. 14, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 15, 1936, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

William H. Tyson Dies at Home Here

William H. Tyson, 72, died Friday night at 7 o'clock at his home, 24 River street.

He was born April 14, 1863, in Pennsylvania, and May 5, 1887, was married to Lillian Grimes.

He leaves one brother, George W. Tyson, Niles, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary F. Fogg, Mrs. Josephine Pierson and Mrs. Ida Slack, all of Trenton, N.J.  Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 15, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  TYSON RITES TUESDAY

Funeral services for William H. Tyson, who died Friday night at his home, 24 River street, will be condccted in the Rutherford mortuary Tuesday afternoon

at 2 o'clock. The Rev. James F. Goodman will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 19, 1936, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Rites Held For William H. Tyson

Funeral services for the  late William H. Tyson, 24 River street, were conducted Tuesday afternoon in the Rutherford mortuary.   Rev. James F. Goodman, pastor of the Baptist church officiated.

Gordon Bair sang two numbers during the service, “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “Abide With Me.”

Mr. Tyson was an old resident of Niles, having lived here for 50 years.  For many years he was employed a the French Paper company plant and for 16 years at the Kawneer.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Lillie Tyson, a brother George in Niels, and two sisters in Trenton, N.J.

Mrs. Caroline Grimes, Chicago, was called to Niles over the week-end by Mr. Tyson's death but returned to her home Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Chester Houghton, Benton Harbor, attended the service Tuesday.

Pallbearers were Lawrence Elder, Edward Hahn, Clarence Pfeil, Bide Hoisington, Paul Maxant and Paul Mantke.

 

Webster, James R.

James R. Webster
March 3, 1866-Feb. 13, 1936

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 13, 1936, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

James R. Webster Dies at Age of 70

James R. Webster, 70, a lifelong resident of Niles, died this morning at 3:30 o'clock at the family home,944 Cherry street.  Mr. Webster had been in failing health for several years but his death came suddenly and unexpectedly.

He was born on a farm north of Niles March 3, 1855, and was a former employ of the French Paper company.  He retired several years ago because of failing health.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Fannie Webster, three sons, Milo C., Roy and Herman, and one daughter, Mrs. Carl Vogelsang, all of Niles.  He leaves also seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Price and Kiger chapel Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. T.O. Lee, officiating and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Members of the Modern Woodmen, of which he was a member, will act as pallbearers.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 14, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  WEBSTER RITES SATURDAY

Pallbearers chosen for the funeral of James R. Webster, 70, who died Thursday morning at his home, 944 Cherry street, were announced today.  They are John Rosenberger, George Francia, Dr. H.B. Heinlen, Henry Starke, Dr. R.D. Giddings and Fred D. cook.  The services will be conducted int eh Price and Kiger chapel Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. T.O. Lee officiating.

 

Grote, August C.

August C. Grote
Sept. 30, 1857-Feb. 21, 1936

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 22, 1936, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

August C. Grote, 78, Dies at Barrett Home

August C. Grote, 78, died Friday night at 9 o'clock at the home of H.A. Barrett, 516 South Lincoln street. Mr. Grote had lived with the Barretts for the last 45 years.  He had been in Failing health for the last five years.

He was born in Chicago, Sept. 30, 1857, and came to Niles in 1907.  He leaves no relatives, so far as friends are able to learn.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Price and Kiger chapel Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, William Putnam officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home before the hour of the funeral.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 25, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  GROTE RITES TODAY

Funeral services for Gustave Grote were conducted this afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home, William Putnam officiating. Mr. Putnam sang two solos,” Nearer, My God, to Thee” and “Beautiful Tale of Somewhere.”  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.