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.

Smotherman, Mary

Mary Smotherman
May 15, 1913-July 10, 1968

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 11, 1968, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary Smotherman, 55, of 931 Cherry St., was dead on arrival to Pawating Hospital at 10 a.m. Yesterday.

Born in Niles on May 15, 1913, Mrs. Smotherman was a lifetime resident of this area. She was employed by the Simplicity Pattern Co.

She is survived by a daughter, Caroline at home; four sisters, Mrs. Edna Wadel, Mrs. Bernice Campbell, and Mrs. Howard Eisele, all of Niles, and Mrs. William Reed of Galien; a brother, Victor Leggett, of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Asire, pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral Home.

 

Sittler, Harold L.

Harold L. Sittler
Sept. 9, 1898-Feb. 25, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 25, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Harold L. Sittler, 59, of 556 West Main Street, foreman at Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan, died at 9:15 a.m. Today in  Pawating Hospital  following an illness of three months. Mr. Sittler was born Sept. 9, 1898, in Pittsfield, Ill., and came to this community 40 years ago to make his home. He was a past master of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F. and A.M., and a member of the Niles Elks Lodge.

Surviving are:  his wife, Frieda, who he married on July 26, 1919, in Niles; a son, Richard Sittler, of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Maurice Trobough, of Niles, and Mrs. Walter Wilson, of Dowagiac; three grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Dwight Markham, of Buchanan.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ [Evangelical and Reformed], officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Sisk, Connie May

Connie May Sisk
June 11, 1957-Jan. 18, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 20, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

INFANT DIES

Connie May Sisk, six-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sisk, died Saturday in Northern Indiana Children's Hospital, South Bend, following an illness of four days.

The infant was born June 11, 1957, in Niles. Surviving besides the parents are: the grandparents, Mrs. Elleanor Sisk, of Niles, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Myers, of Buchanan; a twin brother, Ronnie Ray, and a sister and three other brothers, Caroline, Eddie, Larry and Danny, all at home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home here with the Rev. Chester Wetzel, assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.  Burial will be n Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Mumby, James Robert

James Robert Mumby
July 23, 1941-Nov. 29, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 1, 1941, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

INFANT BURIED HERE

James Robert Mumby, four-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mumby, Mishawaka, was buried in Silverbrook cemetery this afternoon after funeral services in Sprague's chapel, Mishawaka. Mrs. Mumby is a niece of Grover Hobart, Niles.  The child died Saturday after a month's illness.

Cloutier, Lindsey Jo-Erin (Drake)

Lindsey Jo-Erin Cloutier, of Niles
Feb. 27, 1983 — May 1, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Monday, May 5, 2014

Lindsey Cloutier
Lindsey Cloutier

Lindsey Jo-Erin (Drake) Cloutier, 31, of Niles, passed away while surrounded by her husband, family and friends at 12:37 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014, eastern standard time after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.

Lindsey was born on Feb. 27, 1983, in Simi Valley, Calif.

She was a happy child who started learning at a young age. By 15 months old she spoke in fluent sentences. At the age of 16 Lindsey was diagnosed with leukemia.

While in high school she missed over one year of her schooling due to her health. She was so determined to graduate on time that when she was feeling better she went to school full-time during the day and then full-time at night, and graduated with her classmates in 2001 from Niles High School.

Lindsey attended Southwestern Michigan College, where she earned an award for her writing abilities. After high school she worked for some years in the food service industry, which culminated in her supervisory position at Knollwood Country Club’s banquet facility.

Four years ago, she met her work family at Leader Publications where she was employed as an Outside Advertising Sales Representative. She customized advertising for and formed friendly relationships with many of the local business owners in Niles and Buchanan.

Lindsey was an inspiration to many in the area, personally and professionally. On June 6, 2010, Lindsey wed the love of her life, Daniel Cloutier, at a beautifully unique outdoor ceremony at the Inn at the Old Republic in New Carlisle, Ind.

Lindsey had a vivacious spirit and quickly made friends. She often noted that she made “insta-friends.” She loved camping, festivals, traveling and going on vacations, spending time in nature, kayaking, tie-dye, arts, crafting, flowers and gardening, peace signs, family time and even quiet time at home, especially if it was spent with her loving husband and dogs or Xai and Jay.

Lindsey will also be remembered for her no-drama attitude and love for all things comedy and light-hearted.

Lindsey was a fan of all music. Her musical taste ranged from Jay-Z and Janet Jackson to Paul Simon and Mumford and Sons, and she most recently discovered EDM.

She is preceded in death by the man whom she called “Dad” and loved dearly, Papa Mark Asmus; her uncle, Leonard Drake; paternal grandparents Charles and Ruth (Richardson) Drake; father-in-law Thomas Cloutier and her two pet dogs Cameo and Ella.

Lindsey is survived by her husband Daniel “Dan” Cloutier of Niles; mother Patresa “Patt” Shelton of Niles; father Charles “Chuck” Drake of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Alison (Betsy Lucal) Moss of South Bend, Ind.; niece Jaymeson Janerin Moss of South Bend; nephew Xavier Logan-Joseph Moss of South Bend; maternal grandparents James and Betty (Kasper) Shelton of Granger, Ind.; paternal grandparents Leon and Carolyn (Sellers) Asmus of Niles; mother-in-law Sharon Cloutier of Niles; many aunts, uncles, extended family members and the best groups of friends a girl could have.

Lindsey will also be missed by her two dogs Wiley Joe and Luna.

A time to celebrate Lindsey’s courageous life was held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 with a time of visitation for family and friends. Lindsey’s family asked that attendees support Lindsey by not wearing formal attire, but instead dressing in bright colors, purple and tie-dye.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Lindsey’s name may do so to Riley’s Hospital for Children located at 705 Riley Hospital Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202; Ronald McDonald House of Indiana located at 435 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202; Make-a-Wish Foundation located at 7330 Woodland Dr., Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46278; or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, located at P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, all of which helped Lindsey and her family during her time of need.

Those wishing to leave a message for her family, upload a photo of Lindsey or send a message of condolence 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.

Cusick, Meta

Meta Cusick, 89, of Niles
Died March 4, 2014

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:06am Friday, March 14, 2014

Meta Cusick, longtime resident of Niles, passed away on March 4, 2014. She was 89 years old. At the time of her passing, she was residing in Cedar Park, Texas.

She is survived by her sons Roger Cusick and daughter-in-law Marilyn from Niles, and Gary Cusick and daughter-in-law Sandy, residing in Cedar Park, Texas.

Meta had four grandchildren, Amy, Andy, Crista and Casey, and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo. M. Cusick.

No services are planned.

There will be a family gathering to be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, her final resting place beside her late husband.

Britton, Donald Edward

Donald Edward Britton, 41
Oct. 1, 1971-Feb. 21, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:02pm Sunday, February 24, 2013

Donald Edward Britton, 41, of Lewis Drive, Niles, died on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1971, in Buchanan, to Donald Gene and Gloria Joan (Cordell) Britton.

Britton
Britton

Donald owned Britton’s Painting Company and painted many houses in the Niles area.  He most recently worked for Fabco Inc. in Buchanan.  Donald enjoyed playing bingo, horseshoes and fishing.  He loved spending time with his family, whether it was gathering for a cookout or a friendly debate about sports.  He especially loved every minute spent with his only granddaughter.

Donald is survived by his children, Jessica (and Derrick) Smith, of Mishawaka, Ind., Christopher Lintz of Conroe, Texas, Bradley Ritchie and Dakota Green, both of Niles; and one granddaughter, Mackenzie Smith.  Donald is also survived by his parents, Donald and Gloria Britton; sister, Gayla (Bo) Zimmerman; and two nephews, Dustin (Katie) Zimmerman and Jeremy Zimmerman, all of Niles.

Funeral services for Donald Edward Britton will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Jeff Oliver officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 p.m. until the time of service.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.