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.

Blackburn, Eldon

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Eldon Robert Blackburn
Dec. 11, 1924-Jan. 2, 2015

Eldon Blackburn, 90, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital on Friday, January 2, 2015 with his family by his side.

Eldon was born on December 11, 1924 to the late George Herman and Thelma (Roy) Blackburn in Niles, Michigan. After school Eldon enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp where he proudly served his country. While in the service he served as a sharpshooter and pilot before his honorable discharge. Soon after Eldon came home he wed the love of his life, Donna Goodling at a ceremony in Merced, California. The two were married for 68 wonderful years before Donna passed in late 2012. 

Eldon was always a busy man. He was a supervisor at Clark Equipment Company in the Axle Engineering Department. Many times Eldon worked two jobs to support his family and give them the life he thought they deserved. Family was very important to Eldon and he cherished his time spent with them. He and Donna were members of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and he loved to hunt, fish, collect coins and play BINGO. If you couldn’t find Eldon and Donna at home you knew they were probably out enjoying BINGO or fishing at Bear Lake in Jones, Michigan. The two helped manage the campground there and made many life long friendships at the campground.

Eldon is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; daughter, Gail Harmon; and brother Kenneth Blackburn.

He is survived by his children, Kathy (Jeff Burrows) Malone of Niles, Gary (Sandy) Blackburn of Byron Center, Michigan and Barbara Speers of Pinellas Park, Florida; grandchildren Thomas (Becky) Kessler, Wendy (Jeromy) Hanson, Amy (Brett) Nielsen, Kelly (Sara Gibson) Rakowski and Erin (Dylan) Brooker; 20 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; a brother Dwayne Blackburn of North Carolina; and a special friend Penny Hocker of Niles. 

A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. 

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Eldon’s name may do so to the Wounded Warrior Project at PO Box 758517 in Topeka, Kansas 66675 or The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church located at 13 South 4th Street in Niles. 

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation services.

Damouth, Mary Kaye

editor Obituaries

Mary Kaye Damouth 
September 26, 1942 - January 5, 2015 

 
 
  Mary Kaye Damouth  
 

Mary Kaye Damouth, 72, of Niles, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. Mary Kaye was a lifelong Niles resident born September 26, 1942. She graduated from Niles in 1960, she was also a beautician having graduated from Vogue Beauty College, South Bend. On May 4, 1963 she married James R. Damouth at the Niles Church of Christ. She and Jim enjoyed over 51 years of marriage and adopted all their children. They also have extended family in Tegucigalpa Honduras who called Mary Kaye mom and Grandma. She served the church faithfully all her life. She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Tara (Scott) Smith, Michael (Angie) Damouth, Kelle (Bobby) Teeter, Susan Damouth, Janie (Ken) Totten, Raymond Damouth, Dan (Shanna) Damouth and Kathy Pledger; brother, John Tolliver; sister, Barbara (Rex) Polley, nineteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mary Kaye is preceded in death by her parents. Funeral Services for Mary Kaye will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan with viewing for family and friends from 11 am to 1 pm. Graveside services will take place at 10 am on Friday, January 9, 2014 at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

http://www.hovenfunerals.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2894388&fh_id=13894

Ellis, Robert V.

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Robert V. ‘Bob’ Ellis, of South Bend
Feb. 12, 1936 — Jan. 3, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:04am Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Robert Vaughn “Bob” Ellis, 78, of South Bend passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He was born February 12, 1936 in Niles, Michigan to Artie and Mildred (Poort) Ellis.

Bob retired from Tyler Refrigeration of Niles, Michigan in 1985 after 30 years of service. He was owner and operator of Ellis Furniture in Niles for 13 years of his early retirement. He was a member of many civic organizations in South Bend including the Saint Joseph Young Men’s Society, the Bowlers Country Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge, American Legion and many more. He was a devoted American and had served in the National Guard. He loved life and was always on the go. Bob was a devout Notre Dame fan attending football games there since 1963. He was an avid golfer, bowler and enjoyed playing cards. Bob and his wife proudly traveled through the capitals of all 50 states. Above all Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all, as he cherished spending time with his family and friends.

Robert V. Ellis
Robert V. Ellis

On April 24, 1972, Bob married the former Ernestine Springfield and together they had celebrated 42 years of marriage. Ernestine survives with sons, Robert (Jenny), Ellis Jr. and his children, Ben, Tyrrell, Henry and Isaac Ellis; James (Sherrie) Ellis, Sr. and his children Michelle, James Jr, Lindsey, Kelly, Christopher; and Richard (Steve) Ellis; a daughter, Lois (Gregg) Longacre and her children, Christopher Eslinger and Brittany Eslinger and 12 great-grandchildren.

Bob is also survived by one brother Dan (Teresa) Ellis, one sister Edna (Steve) Burns and many loving nieces and nephews. Bob will join two older sisters who preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Bob Ellis will be held at Noon on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor David Szymczak of First Church of Christ-Christian officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to services on Friday.

Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the American Cancer Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Miller, James Gordon

editor Obituaries

J. Gordon Miller, formerly of Niles
Nov. 2, 1927 — Jan. 18, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:55am Wednesday, January 21, 2015

J. Gordon Miller, 87, of Mishawaka, formerly of Niles, Michigan died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness. He was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Indianapolis to John Harold and Lillian Rosamond (Bernhardt) Miller.

Gordon was previous married to Geraldine Elliott, who later died in 2009. Gordon married Rosemary (Ernst) Runyan on Feb. 8, 1986. Rosemary survives as well as Gordon’s two daughters, Kathryn (Joe Antus) Denaut of Elkhart and Linda L. Miller of Niles; one stepson, Rod (Kim) Runyan of Texas and one step-daughter, Bonnie (Dave) DeRitter of Florida.

The funeral service for J. Gordon Miller will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, and from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday.

Donations may be made to the veteran’s organization or animal charity of choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Bennett, Bobbie May (Tatum)

editor Obituaries

Bobbie May Bennett, of Niles
May 27, 1941 — Jan. 19, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:17am Friday, January 23, 2015

She was born on May 27, 1941 in Whiteville, Tennessee to the late Robert and Tishie M. (McNeal) Tatum.

Bobbie May Bennett
Bobbie May Bennett

Bobbie has always had a close walk with God, becoming a member of El Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Tennessee and attending services locally throughout her life. She married the love of her life, Cecil Bennett, on Nov. 29, 1962, in Jackson, Tennessee. Bobbie worked for many years for Simplicity Pattern as a folder. She enjoyed traveling out west to spend time with her family. She loved listening to R&B and going to the movies. Her most treasured time was spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Herbert Tatum and two sisters, Thelma Robinson and Gwyn Hunt Bridges.

Bobbie leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband Cecil Bennett of Niles, four daughters; Patricia Shannon of Niles, Angela Bennett of Niles, Anita Bryant of Mississippi and Cherie Bennett of Niles, a son Timothy Bennett of Niles, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Leevon and Lorenzo Tatum of Las Vegas, Nevada and two sisters, Virginia (Jimmy) Bartheleny of Las Angeles, California and Gertrude Tatum of Chicago, along with countless other nieces, nephews and hearts she touched.

Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at noon at Brown Funeral Home with a time of visitation beginning at 11 a.m. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Bobbie may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles

Linville, Norma Lisa

editor Obituaries

Norma Lisa Linville
Dec. 18, 1981-Jan. 22, 2015

Norma "Lisa" Linville Dec. 18, 1981 - Jan. 22, 2015 SOUTH BEND - Norma Lisa Linville, 33, residing in South Bend, passed away at home Thursday evening, January 22, 2015. She was born December 18, 1981, and had lived in the Michiana area her entire life. Lisa is survived by her mother, Dorothy (Kennedy) Linville of Hilton Head, SC; and brothers, Chris (Carla) Linville of Niles, MI, and Jeff (Stacey) Linville of Buchanan, MI. She was preceded in death by her father, Terrence Linville, & her sister, Brandi Linville. Lisa was a client of Logan Industries, through which she worked at Quality Dining. She will be greatly missed by her friends and caregivers at Logan Center. Lisa was a fun-loving girl with a big heart. She participated in Special Olympics programs for softball, swimming and track. A great love for animals and people kept her busy and content. Funeral services for Lisa will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 27, 2015, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Monday, January 26, 2015, in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be donated to Logan Center, 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615. Online condolences may be left for the Linville family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=norma-linville&pid=173958729&fhid=8852#sthash.Ir9AFnBu.dpuf

Wolf, John David

editor Obituaries

John David Wolf, of Niles
Sept. 20, 1926 — Jan. 25, 2015

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:10am Tuesday, January 27, 2015

John D. Wolf, 88, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 25, 2015 at West Woods of Niles, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on September 20, 1926 in Niles to the late LeRoy and Evadean A. (Stockberger) Wolf.

John David Wolf
John David Wolf

Mr. Wolf was a graduate of Niles High School and during his senior year enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He served his country proudly during World War II and was instrumental in the occupation of Japan. On June 28, 1947 he married Mary Jane Crouch. He owned and operated Wolf’s Meat Market in Niles for many years. He enjoyed cooking for his families and friends, gardening and canning vegetables and making jelly. Mr. Wolf’s family was always his priority and will be remembered for his great sense of humor, kindness and love toward others.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane Wolf, a brother George Wolf and two sisters Martha Jane Wolf and Mary Alice Waldo.

Mr. Wolf is survived by his three daughters; Diane (Terry) Hamrick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sandra (Jim) Kidwell of Niles and Sue (Tim) Yoder of Berrien Center, nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1409 Niles-Buchanan Road in Niles. A time of sharing memories and food will be immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Wolf’s memory to Grace Hospice.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with Mr. Wolf’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

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