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.

Cutting, William H.

editor Obituaries

William H. Cutting
Oct. 9, 1862-Sept. 17, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 17, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

W. CUTTING, FORMER POLICE OFFICER, DIES

Stricken After 10 Years of Failing Health; Rites Thursday Afternoon

William H. Cutting, 72, of 903 Oak street, died early this morning at his home, following a long illness. Mr. Cutting was born near Niles on what is now the Spansail farm Oct. 9, 1862,.  He had lived here all his life.

Mr. Cutting served on the Niles police force for 13 years before his retirement. Prior to joining the police force he had operated a baggage transfer line. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Jada Davis Cutting, to whom he was married May 11, 1887, in Buchanan.

Other survivors are three sons and two daughters, Roy W. Cutting and Mrs. Harry Paddock of Niles and [illegible] H. Cutting and Clarence J. Cutting, Detroit, and Mrs. Paul Etzcorn, of Clawson. One daughter, Mrs. Lee Ridley, died six years ago.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 178, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  CUTTING RITES THURSDAY

Funeral services for William H. Cutting, who died early Tuesday morning will be held in the Rutherford funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Two of his associates on the police force before his retirement will act as pall bearers. The other bearers will be members of the present force.  They are: George Francis, former chief of police; Frank Skalla, former member of the department, and Lawrence Elder, Fred Solloway, Marion Peterson and Lester Barbour.

DeForest, Ida P.

editor Obituaries

Ida P. DeForest
Feb. 1860-Nov. 18, 1866

Niles Weekly Times, Tuesday, November 22, 1866, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

On the 18th last, IDA P. DEFOREST, aged 5 years and 9 months.

Dittmar, Kenneth W.

editor Obituaries

Kenneth W. Dittmar
May 18, 1912-April 24, 1991

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 25, 1991, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Kenneth William Dittmar, 78, of 610 Howard St., Niles, died at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at his home following a brief illness.

He was born May 18, 1912 in Niles and had lived in this area all his life. A retired U.S. Postal Service employee, he was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. 

In 1945 in Niels, he married the former Velma P. Long, who survives.

Other survivors include a step-son: Cordon Sears of Niles: a sister, Elaine Reum of Niles; three grandchildren; Michael Lee sears, Kenneth Paul Sears, and Diana Rose McComber, all of Niles; three great-grandchildren; a nephew: William Reum of Niles; and a niece, Mary Reum of Niles.  A sister, Delores Molnar preceded him in death.

There will be no public services or visitation. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home.

NOTE;  In city db under DITTMER but gravemarker and obit say DITTMAR.

 

Espey, William

editor Obituaries

William Espey
Sept. 6, 1856-Nov. 30, 1914

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1914; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

The body of Will Espey was brought to Niles today and is at Paul Skalla’s undertaking rooms.  He passed away last evening from general debility.  Mrs. Jack Korwin of Niles is a sister of the deceased and John Espey a brother, also Mrs. Tom Kaley of Freeport, Kan., a sister and Walter Espey of Vandalla, a brother survive.

Robert and Arthur Espey of Kalamazoo are sons.  Funeral arrangements have not been completed, although they will be held from the undertaking rooms and internment will be made in Silverbrook Cemetery some time tomorrow.

Note: DOB/DOD from Michigan Death Record

 Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1914; page 4, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Arrangements have been changed relative to funeral services for Will Espey and instead of being held from Paul Skalla's undertaking rooms as stated elsewhere in this issue, they will be held from the home of his brother, John Espey, 599 St. Joseph avenue, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, W.F. Putnam officiating and interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Flora, Clifford E.

editor Obituaries

Clifford E. Flora
July 10, 1900-April 12, 1991

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 17, 1991, page 2, col. 6-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Clifford E. Flora, 90, of 2019 Baldwin Drive, Niles, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home by the Rev. Everett R. McCormick of Mapleview Free Methodist Church.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Flora Died at 6:40 p.m. Friday at Teresa's Harvest Home in Berrien Springs, following an extended illness.

He was born July 10, 1900 in Chicago.  A retired machinist, he moved to the Niles area in 1974.

Survivors include a niece, Margaret McClintic of Houghton Lake; a nephew, Robert Flora of Dallas, Texas; a sister-in-law, Mrs. George (Ethelyn) Flora of Niles; and two great-nieces.

Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.

Gentry, Jean

editor Obituaries

Jean Gentry
July 23, 1929-Oct. 5, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 5, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Jean Gentry, 6, Dies Today of Diphtheria

Jean Gentry, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Gentry, died early this afternoon at the family home, 1529 Maple street.  Private funeral services will be held in the family home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 7, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: SERVICE HELD SUNDAY

Private funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the family home for Jean Gentry, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Gentry, 1529 Maple street.  Jean died Saturday afternoon of diphtheria.  The Rev. Harry Barnes, of the Pentecostal church, officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Gesland, Carl A.

editor Obituaries

Carl A. Gesland
April 19, 1920-July 23, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 24, 1951; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Carl A. Gesland, 31, of Oakland, Ill., father of Carol and Judy Gesland, of Niles, was killed at 2:30 a.m. Monday in an auto accident 14 miles east of Michigan city, Ind., on US-20.  His body was found under a car which had rolled down a ravine.

Gesland was born April 19, 1920, in Gage, Okla. He was a railroad lineman for the New York Central system and a veteran of World War II.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Karn, of Dowagiac; his daughters; and two sisters, Mrs. Edith Lundgren, of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Violet Merrill, of Dowagiac.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home after Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  The Niles American Legion post will conduct graveside rites at Silverbrook cemetery.

 

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