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.
Roger Ruth
April 5, 1951-April 5, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 6, 1951; page 2, col. 4, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Committal services for Roger Ruth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ruth, 1989 Lewis drive, were held at Silverbrook cemetery at 4 p.m. today. The baby was stillborn at 11:40 p.m. Thursday at Pawating hospital. Surviving beside the parents is a sister, Rebecca Sue, at home.
Margaret E. Shaw
Feb. 24, 1829-Feb. 26, 1917
Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 26, 1917; page 1, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Mrs. M.E. Shaw, a well known and highly esteemed pioneer residing in Niles and vicinity, passed away this morning, following an attack of acute indigestion. Last Saturday was Mrs. Shaw’s 88th birthday anniversary and she had intended celebrating the occasion with a party, but illness prevented. Mrs. Shaw’s husband died years ago, and she leaves no children, but there are some nieces and nephews, who reside in the West. She was a lovable, noble woman, who made friends of all with whom she came in contact.
The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o’clock Thursday.
Mark L. Shell
Oct. 6, 1878-March 25, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 26, 1951; page 2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Mark L. Shell, 72, of 1208 Cedar street, died at 5:40 a.m. Sunday at Pawating hospital after being ill for two years.
He was born Oct. 6, 1878, in Prairie due Sac, Wis., and came here eight years ago from Eau Claire. His wife, Ethel, died in December, 1949. He was a retired farmer and was a member of the First Presbyterian church.
Surviving are a son Francis, of Niles; a daughter, Miss Viva Shell, of Grand Haven; two brothers, Rollo, of Sibley, Ia., and George of Madison; and a sister, Mrs. Pruda Hart, of Prairie due Sac.
The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe will conduct services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home.
Mrs. Katherine B. Siebert
June 15, 1873-May 15, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 16, 1951; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Mrs. Katherine Bachman Siebert, 77, a lifelong Niles resident, died at her home at 1012 North Fifth street at 3:45 p.m. Friday after being ill for a year. Her husband, Charles E., survives.
Mrs. Seibert was born June 15, 1873, in Niles. She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church, of the Women’s guild of the church, and of the auxiliary of the Switchman’s Union of North America.
Also surviving are a son, Earl Bachman, Sr., a grandson Earl Bachman, Jr.; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Meyers and Mrs. Rudolph Geldman, both of Niles; and two brothers, Harry Wurz and Henry Korman, both of Niles.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church. The Rev. Theo Eisen, retired pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home.
Members of the S.U. of N.A. are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m. Monday at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church to attend services for Mrs. Charles Siebert.
Amy Smith
Dec. 25, 1863-March 12, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 13, 1951; page 2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Dowagiac, March 13 – Mrs. Amy Smith, 87, of Dowagiac, died at 2 p.m. Monday in Helens Rest Haven here. She had been ill for several years.
Mrs. Smith was born in Niles December 25, 1863. She was a member of the Episcopal church. There are no survivors.
Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home in Niles where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Percy Jones will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Marion S. Sroka
Nov. 23, 1908-June 13, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 13, 1951; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Marion S. Sroka, 42, of 1018 Herbert street, was found dead in his car at 8 a.m. today on a road about six miles east of Valpariso, Ind. Porter, Ind., county officials said he had committed suicide by running a rubber hose from the exhaust pipe of his car through a window.
He was born Nov. 23, 1908, in Posen, Poland, and came here from Chicago in November. He was a machine operator for the Bendix corporation in South Bend.
Surviving are his wife, Wanda, and a daughter, Pamela Wendy, at home, and a brother, Leon, of Dallas, Tex.
Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home after today. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Fred Swartz
March 16, 1869-May 9, 1951
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 10, 1951; page 2, col. 5, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton
Fred Swartz, 82, of Friendship house, Richmond, died at 8 a.m. Wednesday after being ill for 12 days.
He was born March 16, 1869, in Niles. A nephew Charles Swartz, of rural route four, survives.
The Rev. L. George Beacock, of the First Methodist church, will conduct funeral services at 4 p.m. Friday at the Pifer funeral home.