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.
Martin Snavely, of Niles
May 25, 1958-Oct. 18, 2022
Niles Daily Star, Published 12:12 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Martin Snavely, 64, of Niles, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com
Madesta Ellen (DePoy) Robinson
May 8, 1920 ~ November 13, 2022 (age 102)
Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website
Madesta Ellen Robinson, 102 of Niles, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022 in Lake Zurich, IL.
Madesta was born on May 8, 1920 in New Carlisle, Indiana to the late William E. and Edna O. DePoy. She has been a resident of Niles since 1928 moving to Niles from Indiana.
She attended the Niles schools and graduated in 1938 from Niles High School. Then in 1939 she attended the South Bend College of Commerce and graduated in 1940.
Madesta was employed in the home office of Associates Investment Company in South Bend.
On October 19, 1946 she married Noble L. Robinson in Niles at the Evangelical Church.
After she was married, Madesta and Noble started their family In September of 1969 she became the secretary of First Presbyterian Church where she worked until May 1985 when she retired.
She was preceded in death by her husband Noble in 2009. She is also preceded by her brother Max DePoy, her parents and her son-in-law, Ronald Flubacker.
She is survived by a daughter Patricia Ann Flubacker of Barrington, IL and by a son Dr. Michael E. (Jane) Robinson of Barrington, IL and by 5 grandchildren, Carlin (Greg) Shifler of Seattle, WA, Morgan Flubacker of Bloomington, IL, Kyle (Kristen) Flubacker of Mount Prospect, IL, Laura (Blake) Smith of Barrington, IL, and Jeffrey (Laura) Robinson of Hoffman Estates, IL. She has 9 Great Grandchildren.
Madesta was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles and served as an Elder, Deacon and on the Foundation Board of the Church after her retirement. She enjoyed her family, going to the YMCA, and the Riverfront for her exercise. She loved to work in her flower beds and yard in the Spring and Summer time.
Visitation for Madesta will be on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church 13 S. 4th Street Niles. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Memorials in Medesta’s name may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com
Thomas A Roberts
March 6, 1961 ~ October 19, 2022 (age 61)
Published on the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website
Thomas A. Roberts, 61 of Niles, passed away on Thursday October 19, 2022 in Spectrum
Lakeland Health in St. Joseph.
Tom was born on March 6, 1961 to the late Harry A. and Maudie (Smith) Roberts.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Edwin F. Willard.
Tom was the owner of several businesses in the area. He owned T A Roberts (home inspection)
and T A Roberts Environmental (pest control). Tom also served on the Howard Township
Zoning Committee. He will be remembered for his love of Notre Dame Football and the Chicago
Bears. Tom was dedicated to his business, his friends, family and football.
Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers and sister, Don (Leslie) Roberts of Kalamazoo,
Andrew Roberts of Niles, Ginger (Mike) Pyslko of Lake Orion, MI, step sisters; Darla (Floyd)
Walls of Niles and Vicky Papczynski of Niles, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his
family at T A Roberts.
A memorial visitation for Tom will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2022 from 3:00pm to 5:00
pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. Niles. There will be short Prayer
Service at 5:00pm .
Burial will be at a later date in Silverbrook Cemetery where Tom will be laid to rest with other
family members.
Online condolences, stories and memories may be shared with the family at
www.halbritterwickens.com.
Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to LaPorte Children’s Charity Auction at
https://www.laportecountyrealtors.com/deserving-children-charity
Joe Henry James Sr.
Jan. 1, 1936-Oct. 28 1935
Niles Daily Star, Published 9:54 am Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Jan. 1, 1935-Oct. 28, 2022
Joe Henry James, Sr., 87, of Niles, MI passed away on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN.
On Jan. 2, 1935, Joe was born to Fannie Mae Brooks and Willie James in Blytheville, AR. He was raised by Leoma and Willie James from the age of 9. He worked at Elkhart Foundry for 35 years.
Joe is survived by his children, Marci James, Stephanie (Charles) Wilson, Joe H. (Leoney) James Jr; brothers, Willie Spencer, John James, Charlie James, Charles L. James, Ebenezer Spencer; sisters, Lucinda Patrick, Pauline James, Ruthie James; grandchildren, Ashley James, Deshawn James, Antwaun James, Christopher Wilson, Amber Smith; great-grandchildren, Jaliyah Woods, Amyah James, Ryleigh James, Mikinzi James, Ariyon James, and Cameron Higgins.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Joann James; parents, Fannie Mae, Leoma James, and Willie James; brothers, Willie James Jr, Henry Anderson; and sister, Hattie Mae Kelly.
Funeral service for Joe will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front St., Buchanan, MI 49107. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com
Ricky Lee Green
December 31, 1957 ~ November 15, 2022 (age 64)
Ricky Lee Green, 64 of Niles, passed away at home following an extended illness.
Ricky was born on December 31, 1957 in South Bend, IN to Marvin and Mary (Newsome) Green.
Ricky is preceded in death by his father Marvin, his brother Terry Green and sister, Debra Green.
Ricky had worked as a contractor for many years. He previously worked with concrete construction, carpentry and home remodeling. Ricky was an avid outdoorsman who was always up for an adventure. He enjoyed camping, hunting and life in general. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to pull pranks. Ricky also enjoyed playing cards, pool and being with his friends. His laughter and playfulness will be missed.
Ricky is survived by his mother Mary Green of Niles, his children; Rikki Lei Gonzales of South Bend, Lee Sharrer of Niles, Rachel Sharrer of Niles, Jennifer Kutz of Berrien Springs and Roenika Anderson of Niles. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Robert C. Green of Niles, Katherine (Wade) Harrell of Broken Arrow, OK, Greg (Michelle) Green of Niles, Lisa Green of Niles, Tina (Elton Johnson) Green of Niles. He has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends.
Visitation for Ricky will be on Monday November 21, 2022 from 12noon to 2pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com
Ricky’s family is asking for assistance to help with the cost of his funeral expenses. Those who are able to help may click on the link http://www.halbritterwickens.com/payments
Margaret Fox-Danquah, of Stevensville
July 8, 1947-Nov. 15, 2022
Niles Daily Star, Published 6:49 pm Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Margaret Fox-Danquah, 75, of Stevensville, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.
Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website 12/26/22, 3:01 PM
Obituary for Margaret Ann Fox-Danquah
Margaret Ann Fox Danquah 75, was born in Niles, Michigan on July 8, 1947 and passed
on November 15, 2022.
Ann was the daughter of Ozzy Lee Fox and Dessie Lee Cobb.
Ann was preceded in death by her son, Rodney Fox, father, Ozzy Lee Fox, mother,
Dessie Lee Cobb, grandmother, Lena Briggs, siblings, Monie Kay Murphy, Larry Fox,
Sr., Augustine Kyles, Dwight Moss, Leroy Cobb, Jr. and Kenny Cobb.
Ann leaves to cherish in her memory a son, Simeon Fox of Niles, Michigan, a daughter
Denise Grahm of East St. Louis, Illinois, grandsons, Arsimo (AJ) Fox, Taylor (T) Fox,
granddaughter, Mataya Fox, all of Niles, Michigan. Sisters, Jean Bradley and Darlene Macon, Special sister-inlaw Deborah Fox of Niles and a host of family and friends.
The most cherished moment in Ann’s life was when her granddaughter Mataya would come to visit. They
would play Connect Four until Mataya started cheating.
Everyone that knew Ann, knew of her love of cooking and nurturing of her plants.
Ann will be greatly missed!
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday November 19, 2022 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 3001
Cleveland Road #8404, South Bend, Indiana, with a time of visitation beginning at 2:00 PM.
An Internment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
Gwendolyn Briggs
Dec. 29, 1956-Nov. 2, 2022
Niles Daily Star, Published 7:54 pm Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Dec. 29, 1956-Nov. 2, 2022
Miss Gwendolyn Briggs of Niles, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.
On Dec.29, 1956, Gwendolyn was born to Ossie and Willie Briggs in Niles, Michigan.
At a young age, Gwen confessed her love for Christ and attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles, MI. Gwendolyn was a caring mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Anyone who knew Gwen knew of her sweet personality and her love for her family. She made friends everywhere. She enjoyed traveling with her friend, Fredrina Alexander. She also enjoyed shopping and going to the salon. She worked several years in retail and the healthcare field.
She leaves to cherish her precious memory, four children; Katina Briggs, Elbert Briggs and Amber Briggs all of Niles and Latanya Briggs-Mason (Larry Mason) of Mishawaka, Indiana. Three brothers; Craig Briggs of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Ronald Briggs of New Orleans, Louisiana and Michael Briggs of Niles, two sisters; Diane Stone of Saginaw, Michigan and Tonja Wade-Farrow of Niles and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Ossie and Willie Briggs, a brother, Tony Briggs, a grandson, Evion Ballin-Briggs and a nephew, Michael Briggs.
In our hearts a memory will always be kept of the one we loved and will never forget.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles with a funeral service to begin at 1 p.m., and a time of visitation one-hour prior.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.