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.

Dittmar, Lizzie

Lizzie Dittmar
Dec. 28, 1847-June 22, 1901

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 24, 1901, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Lizzie, wife of Henry Dittmar, died at the home on north 11 street, Saturday, after an illness of seven months, aged 53 years.  Deceased was a member of Niles Hive No. 39, Ladies of the Maccabees. A husband and four children are bereft.  The funeral will occur tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the German church, Rev. Rahn to officiate.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 25, 1901, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Henry Dittmer was buried in Silver Brook cemetery this afternoon. The funeral was from the German church at 2 o'clock. Rev. F. Rahn conducted the services.

 

Niles Republican, Thursday, June 27, 1901, page 7, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Lizzie Dittmer Passes Away After a Long Illness.

Monday's Sun.

Mrs. Lizzie Dittmer, for many years a resident of Niles, passed away Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, at her home on north Eleventh street, after a long and patient suffering covering a period of [Illegible] months.  The cause of death was anemia.

The Deceased was born in Germany, on Dec. 28, 1847, and for many years had resided in Niles. She was a member of the L.O.T.M., No 29, and was a highly respected lady. Her husband, Henry G. Dittmer, section foreman on the Air Line, and four children remain to mourn her death.

 

Note:  Gravemarker reads Dittmer

 

Ducey, Jennie (Thayer)

Jennie Thayer Ducey
1861-Feb. 4, 1899

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 7, 1899, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL OF MRS. DUCEY

Last Tribute Paid Her By Her Friends

The remains of the late Mrs. P. Ducey, who passed away at her home in Michigan City, Ind., last Saturday, arrived here at 10 o'clock this morning, accompanied by several near relatives. The impressive funeral service was conducted at the M.E. Church at 1:30 this afternoon.  Rev. Chapman spoke touchingly of the deceased.  The church was filled with her many friends who have long remembered her.

Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton, Mrs. W.B. Bunbury and Mr. Donmall rendered more inspiring the occasion by the rendition of the following beautiful and appropriate selections:  “Go bury thy sorrow,” “God be with you til we meet again” and “It is well with my soul.”

At the conclusion of the services at the church the remains were conveyed to Silver brook cemetery and tenderly consigned to the repose of the grave.

 

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 8, 1899, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Mrs. Ducey

Mrs. Jennie Ducey, wife of J.P. Ducey, an employe of the Michigan Central, died about 9 o'clock this morning at the family residence o the east road opposite the eating house.  Death was caused by pneumonia and lung fever which set in a week after the birth of a child which occurred two weeks ago.

Jennie Thayer, which was the maiden name of the deceased was born near Niles, Mich., and was 36 years of age. She was married sixteen years ago to Mr. Ducey. They resided in Niles and then moved to Georgia, where they lived until nine years ago, when they came to Michigan City.

Three young children are bereft of their mother by the death of Mrs. Ducey.  They are Forrest, Edward and the girl baby, 2 week's old. Three brothers and one sister and a mother are the near surviving relatives. The brothers are George F. Thayer, of Aneta, North Dakota; Wm. A. Thayer of Buchanan, Mich. and Charles Jones of Niles.  The sister is Mrs. Alice John, of Berrien Springs and the mother is Mrs. Mary Thayer of Independence, Iowa. The deceased was a kind and loving mother and a dutiful wife. She was a member of the First congregational church.--Michigan City News, Saturday.

The remains of the decease will arrived here tomorrow about 10 o'clock and at 1:30 p.m. the funeral service will be conducted at the M.E. Church, Rev. Chapman officiating.  Several relatives of the deceased will accompany the remains to this city.--Monday's Star.

 

Flannery, James

James Flannery
March 17, 1873-Aug.  31, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 3, 1952; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Buchanan – Funeral services were held today at the Pifer funeral home in Niles for James Flannery, (illegible text).

Flannery died Sunday at the Berrien County Hospital following an illness that lasted eight months.

Survivors include: two sons, Raymond of Muskegon and Orval of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Stevens of Niles and Mrs. Julia Cole of this city. His wife Julia, died in January, 1941.

Flannery was born in Ohio on March 17, 1873, and came to Buchanan from South Bend 11 years ago. He was a drain contractor before retirement.

The Rev. Guy Dillon, of the First Baptist church at Berrien Springs, officiated at the funeral services and burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery at Niles.

 

Harris, Frederick S.

Frederick S. Harris
Dec. 31, 1889-Nov.  18, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 19, 1952; page 2, col. 7, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

GOBLES – Frederick S. Harris 62, of Gobles, a former resident of Niles, died Tuesday in Allegan after a brief illness.

Harris was a former manager of Plym Park Golf Course in Niles and a former car salesman there. He was born in Marcellus on Dec. 31, 1889. He was a member of Kalamazoo F. and A. M. Lodge 22.

Surviving are: his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Mrs. Nevangeline Richards and Mrs. Bettie Strelitz, both of Jackson; three brothers, David, Orin and Grover, all of Kalamazoo, and Loren of Florida; two sisters, Mrs. Pearl Owen and Mrs. Sadie Swayer, both of Kalamazoo; and three grandchildren

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Langeland Funeral Chapel in Kalamazoo. 

Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

 

Herring, Ella M.

Ella M. Herring
Aug. 10. 1868-Oct. 2, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 2, 1952; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Mrs. Ella M. Herring, 84, widow of the late Dr. Nathaniel A. Herring, died this morning in her home at 525 Oak street following an illness of five years.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until time for the services at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church.   The Rev. T. M. Greenhoe will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Herring was born in Greenfield, O., on August 10, 1868 and came to Niles 20 years ago from Benton Harbor.

A son, Frederick J. Herring of Little Rock, Ark., and a brother, John Parrett of Greenfield, O., survive.   Dr. Herring died in 1950.

 

Hertel, Herman

Herman Hertel
August 14, 1904 - February 28, 1970

Niles Daily Star published Monday March 2, 1970, pg. 2 (from E. Lee)

NILES -- Herman Hertel, 65, of 2705 Creek Road, died at 6:10 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after an illness of two months.

A retired supervisor for Dawn Fresh Mushroom Co., a division of Green Giant Co., Mr. Hertel was born Aug. 14, 1904, in Sarnstal, Germany.   He had lived here since 1926, coming from his place of birth.   His wife, Gladys, died Dec. 28, 1952.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Edward S. (Frieda Ann) Method of Elkhart and two brothers, Heinrich and Julius, both of Germany.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Theodore Laesch of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating.   Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home. 

Jones, Richard Wilbur

Richard W. Jones
Feb. 22, 1915-Aug. 27, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 29, 1952; page 2, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Funeral services for Richard Wilbur Jones, killed Wednesday morning in an auto crash west of Cassopolis, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Connelly Funeral home in Cassopolis. The Rev. T. M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Jones, who was employed by the Michigan Central railroad here, is survived by the widow, Virda; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Jones, 304 South Fourth street; two sisters, Mrs. Margrette Kelley, Cassopolis, and Miss Estella Jones, also Niles, and two brothers, David (Lilly), of Washington and W. L. Jones, Niles.

 

Note: DOB from Michigan Death Record