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.

Benjamin, Allen

Allen Benjamin
Feb. 12, 1899-Feb. 11, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 12, 1980, page 2, col. 8 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Allen Benjamin, 80, of 925 Silverbrook, died at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital, following an illness of two years.

The former plant manager of the Green Giant plant, Mr. Benjamin retired in 168. He was born Feb. 12, 1899 in Niles and lived her his lifetime.

A veteran of the U.S. Army in World War I, he was a member of the Four Flags Barracks 1093 of the Veterans of WWI, the Elks Lodge 1322 and the LaRue messenger American Legion Post 26.

In January 1923, he married Lillian Wolford Egbert. She died Jan. 5, 1970.

Survivors include two brothers, Charles Benjamin of Cassopolis, and Robert Benjamin of Buchanan; and a sister, Mr. Larry Nielsen of Niles.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are calling at the funeral home.

 

Dunek, Mildred M.

Mildred Dunek
Jan. 21, 1907-Feb. 1, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 1, 1980, page 3, col. 5 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Mildred M. Dunek, 73, of 1405 Park Lane, died at 5:21 a.m. Today at Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and was born Jan. 21, 1907 in Niles, and lived here all her lifetime.

On April 1, 1924, in St. Joseph, she married John P. Dunek, who survives.

Also surviving is a son, Richard D. Dunek of Niles.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home wit the Rev. Vincent J. Anderson of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.  Burial will be at the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Eggert, Gordon D.

Gordon D. Eggert
Aug. 1, 1898-Feb. 6, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 7, 1980, page 3, col. 6 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Word has been received here of the death Wednesday of Gordon D. Eggert, formerly Niles, of Deltona, Fla.

Mr. Eggert died at 8 p.m. at the Seminole Memorial Hospital, Sanford, Ala., following an extended illness.

A member of the United Methodist church of Deltona, and a retired farmer and former Member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors, he was born Aug. 1, 1898 in Berrien County. He lived in Niles until 1971.

On July 29, 1961, in Kalamazoo, he married Helen E. Williams, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Gerald D. Of State College, pa., and Edward E. of Kelseyville, Calif.; a daughter, Mrs. Jack Sauer of Schoolcraft; two brothers, Myron F. Eggert and Russell R. Eggert, both of Deltona; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Graham of the Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m Sunday at the funeral home.

Gregory, C. Geraldine

C. Geraldine Gregory
Oct. 17, 1904-Feb. 11, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 12, 1960, page 2, col. 8 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Mrs. C. Geraldine Gregory, 75, formerly of 251 Cass St., died at 2:45 p.m. Monday at the Berrien General Hospital, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.

A member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist church, she was born Oct. 17, 1904 in Oxford, Ohio, and had lived here since 1956, coming from Cleveland, Ohio.  

On March 17, 1974, in Niles, she married Leonard Gregory, who died Oct. 20, 1978.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Vivian Nolan of Cleveland; and nieces Mrs. Rufus (Menella) Leath, Mrs. John (Betty) Marsh, Mrs. Lois Jones and Mrs. Carolyn Mason, all of Niles, and Mrs. Marianne Hollis of Battle Creek.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. Wednesday. A wake service will be conducted here from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Kennedy, Joseph Duran

Joseph D. Kennedy
April 6, 1896-Aug. 24, 1924

Niles Dsily Star, Tuesday, August 26, 1924, page 4, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

YOUNG MAN DIES

Joseph Kennedy, 28, died this morning at 10 o'clock at his home, 1001 Ferry street, after a prolonged illness with tuberculosis. He is survived by his wife. The funeral arrangements have not been made.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 27, 1924, page 4, col. 1 (microfilm Niles District Library)

FUNERAL SERVICE THURSDAY

Funeral services for Joseph Kennedy, 1101 Ferry street, will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Troost and Augustine funeral chapel. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Kennedy died Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness with tuberculosis. The surviving widow was formerly Miss Doris Finley, a daughter of Schuyler Finley.

 

Note: DOB/DOD from Michigan Death records

London, Anna

Anna London
Feb. 11, 1902-Feb. 9, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 11, 1980, page 2, col. 6 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Mrs. Anna London, 77 of 1521 Cherry St., died at 6:35 p.m. Saturday at the Michigan Skilled care Center, following an extended illness.

She was born Feb. 11, 1902 in Sullivan, Ind.  and had lived here since1950 coming from Indiana.

On Oct. 28, 1919 in Sullivan, she married Merrill J. London, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Virginia L. Dutton of Niles; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Theodore Laesch of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m.

McMenamin, Catherine A.

Catherine A. McMenamin
Oct. 4, 1894-Feb. 25, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 26, 1980, page 2, col. 6 (microfilm Niles District Library)

NILES—Mrs. Catherine A. McMenamin, 85, of 911 S. Third St., died at 6:45 p.m. Monday at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, following an extended illness.

A member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and the St. Agnes Guild, she was a retired employee of the National-Standard Company.

She was born Oct. 4, 1894 in Woodside, England, and had lived here since 1928, coming from Chicago.

On April 26, 1913 in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, she married Thomas G. McMenamin, who died Nov. 11, 1940.

Survivors include two sons, George E. McMenamin, of Indianapolis, Ind., and James R. of Berwyn, Ill.; a daughter, Mrs. Keith (Helen) Milburn of Niles; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Vincent J. Anderson of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Altar Guild of the church.