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.

Fisher, Henry

Henry Fisher
March 2, 1847-July 30, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1929, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

HENRY FISHER, 82, SON OF ONE OF BERTRAND'S FIRST SETTLERS, DIES

Henry Fisher, 82, a highly respected and lifelong resident of this section, died on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Weaver, 122 Parkway, where he had made his home since the death of his wife 22 years ago. His death followed several months of severe illness with heart disease.

The funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, and at 2:30 o'clock in the Evangelical church in West Niles. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Mr. Fisher was born in Bertrand on March 2, 1847, a son of Godfrey Fisher who had come to America from Germany and settled in Bertrand more than 100 years ago.  The father, Godfrey Fisher, left Bertrand during the gold rush to Alaska in '49, and never returned, having joined the gold rush to Alaska and died while there.  Mr. Fisher engaged in farming upon attaining young manhood and until 30 years ago when he retired.  Mrs. Fisher, who maiden name was Mary Catherine Young, died in 1907.

Surviving Mr. Fisher are two sons, John and Harvey, and one daughter, Mrs. Weaver, all of Niles; also by 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

The deceased was a member of the Buchanan lodge of Masons, Berrien county lodge, No. 6, I.O.O.F., New Century Rebekah lodge, Niles chapter Order of Eastern Star, Calanthe lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Niles temple Pythian Sisters. The funeral services will be under Masonic auspices. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Fisher was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and had served as a member of the vestry. The services are held in the Evangelical church in accordance with his request that he services for him be as similar as possible as those held for this wife.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 1, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL HENRY FISHER

Funeral services for Henry Fisher were conducted this afternoon in the Evangelical church in West Niles after a prayer at the home of Mr. Fisher's daughter, Mrs. William Weaver, 122 Parkway, where he died on Tuesday afternoon.  The funeral services and committal were under the auspices of Buchanan Masonic lodge with the Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the church, as the officiating minister.  Many beautiful flowers attested the esteem in which Mr. Fisher was held. The pallbearers were selected from among the members of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Harry Edwards and Mrs. Arthur Smith sang. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery in the family lot where Mrs. Fisher was buried 22 years ago

Simons, Stewart

Stewart Simons
May 13, 1856-July 27, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 29, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF STEWART SIMMONS

Funeral services for Stewart Simmons, 73, who died on Saturday afternoon at 2:10 at th home of his sister, Mrs. R.E. Stitts, Platt street, were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford Funeral Home. The Rev. Sumner Young, pastor of the Evangelical church, officiated.  Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Simmons had spent most of his life in Chicago until five years ago when he came to Niles of live with Mr. and Mrs. Stitts.  He was a victim of paralysis. He is survived by his mother, who is 94 years of age and who lives with Mrs. Stitts, and by one sister, Mrs. Stitts.  Another sister, Mrs. Mary Garner, died at Mrs. Stitts home in April of his year.  Mr. Simmons had been married but his wife died 15 years ago.

Note:  Name is spelled “Simons” on Michigan Death record and in cemetery record; dob from death record.

Calder, Bette

Bette Calder
July 24, 1929-July 25, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 25, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH INFANT CALDER

The daughter born last evening to Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Calder, (June Wetherspoon), 414 N. Second street, at Pawating hospital, died at 6 o'clock this morning. Burial was made this afternoon in Silver Brook cemetery.

Kehrer, James

James Kehrer, of Niles
1931- April 16, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:45pm Wednesday, April 16, 2014

James Kehrer, 83, of Niles, died Wednesday, April 16. Cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial service to honor his life at a later time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Kelly, Emma G. (Fowler)

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly, of Niles
March 25, 1940 — Oct. 5, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14am Friday, October 10, 2014

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly, 74, of Niles, went to be at her eternal rest on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Kelly was born on March 25, 1940 in Caruthersville, Missouri to Earnest and Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler.

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly
Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly

At a young age Emma accepted Christ into her life and was baptized. She has been a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church since 1961, where she has served in many capacities. After graduating from Niles High School, Mrs. Kelly furthered her education at Lake Michigan College. She worked for several years at both Simplicity Pattern and AT & T. She enjoyed her time working at Howard Ellis Elementary where she worked in the Food Service department.

On Nov. 29, 1958 Emma married Edward E.W. Kelly at a ceremony in Buchanan. The couple have enjoyed almost 60 years together.

She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler and two brothers Bruce and James Odell Fowler.

Mrs. Kelly leaves to cherish her memory her father, Earnest Fowler of Niles; beloved husband, Edward E.W. Kelly of Niles; five children, Deborah Kelly of South Bend, Brian A. Kelly of Niles, Jheri (Marcus) White of South Bend, Vernita Kelly of South Bend and Angela Kelly of Niles; seven grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; her sisters, Marilyn Fowler of Niles and Ruby Smith of South Bend; brothers, Leonard Fowler of Atlanta, Georgia and Ernie (Deborah) Fowler of South Bend; and three special childhood friends, Helen Hurd, Eileen Yarber and Marvine Nicks.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 601 Ferry St. in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the services. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Mrs. Kelly or send their condolences may do so at 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.

Krueger, Henry Norman

Henry Norman Krueger, of Niles
Sept. 29, 1935 — Oct. 14, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:58am Thursday, October 16, 2014

Henry Norman Krueger, 79, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness. He was born Sept. 29, 1935 in Niles to William and Bertha (Yena) Krueger.

Henry Norman Krueger
Henry Norman Krueger

Henry was a graduate of Niles High School and a veteran of the United States National Guard Army Reserve. He worked for Clark Equipment in Buchanan, Georgie Boy Manufacturing in Elkhart, and the former United Tech Company in Niles.

On Oct. 18, 1958 in Niles, Henry married the former Sally Ann Lathrope, she preceded him in death on Sept. 2, 2007.

Surviving family includes a step-son, Christopher (and Carol) King and a daughter, Pamela (and Brad) Cross, all of Niles; grandchildren, Angie (and Toby) Mann, Amy (and Andy) Chodzinski, Matthew Cross, and great-grandsons Blake and Kyle Mann. Henry is also survived by one brother, Lawrence (and Jane) Krueger of Cassopolis, Michigan.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Krueger; five brothers, Wilbur Krueger, Harvey Krueger, Otto Krueger, Leroy Krueger and William Krueger; and four sisters, Marian Swartz, Lucille Clark, Florence Frantz and June Laymon.

Funeral services for Henry Norman Krueger will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Lonnie Rhodes of Portage Road General Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to services. Donations in memory of Henry may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Patterson, Jimmie B.

Jimmie B. Patterson, of Niles
June 27, 1944-Oct. 15, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:38am Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Jimmie B. Patterson, 70, of Niles, died at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, at Riveridge Manor in Niles unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

He was born on June 27, 1944, in Holly Bluff, Mississippi to S. J. and Lucille (White) Patterson, attended school in Arkansas, and has lived in Niles most of his adult life. He was first employed at the French Paper Company in Niles, and then had a long career at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.

Jimmie served in the United States Army, and was a veteran of the Viet Nam era. He enjoyed gardening and bowling, and attending the Patterson family reunions in Arkansas. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, and he often attended their activities, especially the athletic events.

He was previously married to Linda Christie.

On May 25, 2001, he married the former Peggy Ann (Harrold) Mantke who preceded him in death on June 8, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents and by several siblings: Patrick Patterson, Mildred O. Marshall, Margie Rachel Guidry, Patsy Sumerall, Vonnie Colon, and S. J. Patterson, Jr.

Surviving family includes his daughter, Rebecca A. (Daniel) Riddle of Elkhart, Indiana and son, Daniel L. Patterson of Riverside, California; grandchildren Matthew B. Thompson, Joshua A. Thompson, Chloe E. Patterson, and Abigail L. Patterson; and Jimmie’s siblings, Juanita Mille of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Beverly Benedikt of Yucca Valley, California, James Aubrey Patterson of Columbus, Mississippi, William Floyd Patterson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Troy Patterson of Franklin, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Jimmie Patterson will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The family will gather later, privately at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery where the Catholic Committal Rite will be read by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of Saint Mary Catholic Church. That event will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

Contributions in memory of Jimmie Patterson may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com