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.

Timmons, George W.

editor Obituaries

George W. Timmons
1845-Jan. 7, 1887

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 13, 1887, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The community was startled early last Friday morning by the report that Geo. W. Timmons had shot himself, the night before, in a woodshed in rear of F. A. Schmidt's meat market. The report was only too true, for his body was there cold and stiff in death, with a bullet hole through his head. Business reverses had preyed upon his mind until reason was dethroned, hence the tragic ending. He was an ex-city treasurer, was always popular, and many friends are left to deplore his sad ending. He was a Knight Templar, and was buried on Sunday afternoon by the members of the Masonic fraternity, the funeral being largely attended.

 

Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 15, 1887, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Geo. W. Timmons, under the charge of the Masonic fraternity took place on Sunday last and despite the bitter cold was largely attended by sorrowing friends.

 

Topping, Retha G.

editor Obituaries

Retha G. Topping
Nov. 4, 1903-July 11, 1977

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 15, 1977, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Retha g. Topping, 73, of 325 Huron St., died Monday at her home following an extended illness.

A retired employe of the Niles Cabinet Co., she was born Nov. 4, 1903 in Fulton, Ind.  She had lived here since 1923, coming from Fulton, Ind. Her husband Charles L. Topping, died March 7, 1971.

Survivors include a son, Robert E. Johnson, of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Liggett Fox of South Bend; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will  be at  8 p.m.  today at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Trattles, Carl D.

editor Obituaries

Carl  D. Trattles
Dec. 5, 1908-July 8, 1977

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 8, 1977, page 9, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES―Carl D. Trattles, 68, of 2260 N. Fifth St., died at 3 a.m. this morning in Berrien General Hospital after an extended illness.

Mr. Trattles was an retired employe of Radio Distributing Co., in South Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran from World War II.

He was born on Dec. 5, 1908, in Berrien Springs and spent his lifetime in the area.

On Feb. 20, 1960, he married Mary M. Wendt in Niles. She survives.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

 

Martin, Vernon

editor Obituaries

Vernon Martin
Sept. 7, 1926-May 15, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 28, 1945, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Youth, 18, Dies on Okinawa

Eighteen-year-old Vernon Martin, pharmacist mate third class, was killed in action on Okinawa, according to a Navy Department telegram received Saturday by his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Martin, 1008 Birch street.

The date of his death was not given in the notification.

Martin had returned to action after being hospitalized for wounds suffered on Okinawa on Aug. 11.  He had been overseas since August 1944.

Born in Niles on Sept. 7, 1926, Martin attended Niles' schools prior to joint the Navy in September 1943.

Surviving are his mother; two brothers, Donald and David Martin, and five sisters, June, Jean and Doris Martin, Mrs. Edwin Hojara and Mrs. Loris Dewey.

Nelson, Howard D.

editor Obituaries

Cpl. Howard D. Nelson
Nov. 16, 1910-April 13, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 23, 1945, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

57th Serviceman From Niles Dead

Cpl. Howard Nelson, 33, was killed in action in Germany on April 13 while serving with the infantry, the War Department Sunday notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson, rural route one.

He was the 57th serviceman from Niles reported killed in the second World War.

A former employe of the Tyler Fixture Corporation, Cpl. Nelson was inducted in the Army in January, 1942. He had been overseas since Feb. 7, 1945.  He attended Chicago schools.

 

Johnson, Mary Louise

editor Obituaries

Mary Louise Johnson
Dec. 8, 1875-May 29, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 29, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Johnson Dies at Age 69

A resident of Niles since 1914, Mrs. Mary Louis Johnson, 69, 1001 Topinabee road, died t 9:40  this morning in Pawating hospital.  She had been ill since January.

She was born in Vermont, Ill., on Dec. 8, 1875, and came to Niles from York, Neb.

Surviving are her husband, C. Theodore Johnson, and two sisters, Mrs. M.D. Kellogg, Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. J.W. Mason, Missoula, Mont.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Jones, Henry

editor Obituaries

Henry Jones
April 2, 1863-May 21, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 22, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal Services for Henry Jones, 82, Set

Committal rites for Henry Jones, 82, a native of Niles, will be conducted Wednesday in Silverbrook cemetery by the Rev. Guy W. Simon.

Jones died in his home in Chicago Monday. The body is expected to arrive in Niles at 11 .am. Wednesday and will be taken immediately to Silverbrook cemetery for burial.

Born in Niles in 1863, he lived here during his youth. Niles relatives are a niece, Lena Vanderburg and three nephews, Henry, Frank and Lester Vandenburg.

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