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.

Elder, John R.

John R. Elder, 76
June 8, 1936-Jan. 17, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:23am Monday, January 21, 2013

John Richard Elder, 76, of Niles, Mich., died at 1:55 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on June 8, 1936 in Niles to Richard Wilson and Virginia (Harter) Elder, and lived here all of his life.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and attended the University of Michigan. He was employed in the kitchens of several area restaurants.

John was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles.  He enjoyed classical music

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Richard Elder, and by a sister, Judith Wright.  Surviving family includes his brother, D. Stephen Elder and wife Hilda Maness of Pittsboro, N.C.; and nieces and nephews, Heather Ehnat, Kathy Wright and Tom Wright; and several grand-nieces and nephews

Services for John R. Elder will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles with The Reverend James Slack of the church officiating.  Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.  Contributions in memory of John may be made to the donor’s choice.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Eisenhart, Donna Jean (Walls)

Donna Eisenhart
Aug. 22, 1941-Jan. 30, 2008

Niles Daily Star, Published 1:21am Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Donna Eisenhart, 66, of Cherry Street, Niles, died at 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., following an illness.
Arrangements are being completed by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Eisenhart, Clement J.

Clement J. Eisenhart, 77
March 4, 1936-April 7, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:54am Monday, April 15, 2013

Clement J. “Clem” Eisenhart, 77, of Niles, Mich., died at 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Hospice House in South Bend, Ind., following an extended illness with his family at his side.

He was born on March 4, 1936 in South Bend to Jesse Paul and Ida Dell (Dodds) Eisenhart. He lived many years on Marmont Street in Niles before moving to Los Angeles to work at the Harville Corp. He returned to Niles in 1963 and was employed by the Niles Community Schools for 30 years. In retirement, he was employed at Tyler Automotive.

Clem was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2094 in Niles, and the Sons of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles.  He enjoyed playing euchre at the Eagles and at tournaments.  He also enjoyed fishing and camping with his family.

On Aug. 11, 1961 in Niles he married the former Donna Walls with whom he celebrated the forty-sixth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Jan. 30, 2008.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Gladys Nemeth and Nora Lee Grenert, and brothers Jack, Everett, Ervin, Donald, Eugene, and William Eisenhart.

Surviving family includes his son, Robert (and Verna) Eisenhart of Elgin, Ill.; grandchildren Elizabeth (and James) Eisenhart Colwell and Christopher Eisenhart; three great-grandsons and Clem’s brothers, Fred Eisenhart of Los Angeles, and Thomas Eisenhart of San Antonio, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Clement Eisenhart will be gathering on Aug. 11, 2013 at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery for services with the Rev. Robert Jackson of the First Church of God, and the Rev. Jeffrey Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy officiating.

Contributions in memory of Clem may be made to the Emphysema Foundation, or the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Clement “Clem” Eisenhart

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:36pm Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The funeral service for Clement J. “Clem” Eisenhart, who died on April 7, 2013, and whoseobituary was published at that time, will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the Silverbrook Cemetery, in Niles, with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy, officiating.

Arrangements are being made at the HalbritterFuneral Home in Niles.

Buwa, Deborah Ann

Deborah Ann Buwa, 60, of Niles
Dec. 25, 1952-Aug. 18, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 4:45pm Monday, August 19, 2013

Deborah Ann Buwa, age 60 years died on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013 at her home following an extended illness.

Buwa
Buwa

Deborah is survived by her husband David of Niles, sons Kenny Buwa of Niles and Marvin (and Joni) Buwa of South Bend, daughter, Missy (and Steven) Barenie of Edwardsburg, five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, one step-great-granddaughter and seven siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with burial at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013 at the funeral home.

Donations in memory of Deborah may be made to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Worsham, Lillie M. (Gantt)

Lillie M. Worsham, 94, of Niles
Jan. 23, 1919-Aug. 17, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:53pm Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lillie M. Worsham, 94, of Niles, died Aug. 17, 2013, in Berrien Center, Mich.

Worsham
Worsham

Lillie was born on Jan. 23, 1919, to Prush and Ludie (Bussell), in Buckner, Arkansas.

On July 27, 1939, Lillie married Henry Worsham, who precedes her in death.

Lillie is survived by a daughter, Tommie Prichett-Peace of Niles; and a brother, Richard Gantt of Dallas; three grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be at noon on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, with a service to follow at 1 p.m., at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 2262 Mulder Drive, Niles, with Rev. Fletcher McAfee officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funera Home, Buchanan.

Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Walters, Gloria (Cox)

Gloria C. Walters, 87, of Niles
Dec. 7, 1925-Aug. 23, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:08pm Monday, August 26, 2013

Gloria C. Walters, 87, of Niles, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, following an illness.

She was born on December 7, 1925 in Niles to the late E. Claude and Angie Ferrol (Johnson) Cox.

After graduating from Niles High School, Gloria married the late Harold Walters and to that union was born a daughter Candace Walters who also preceded her in death.

Gloria was a secretary for many years as well as an accomplished organist. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Niles as well as a member of the Embroiders Guild of America, Friends of the Niles Library as well as the Peacemakers.

She is survived by her many friends that have shared the gift of caring and love.

She will be laid to rest by her husband, at a private ceremony, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gloria’s memory to the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be left at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com

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

Stevens, Barbara J. (Harroff)

Barbara J. Stevens, 81,
Aug. 15, 1932-Aug. 26, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:48pm Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Stevens
Stevens

Barbara J. (Harroff), age 81, LPN and homemaker, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. Barbara was born on Aug. 15, 1932 in Niles, Michigan, to her parents Clarence and Marion Harroff. She was united in marriage to Dale E. Stevens on January 3, 1959 in Niles, Mich.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; daughter, Connie Chew; parents, Clarence and Marion Harroff; brothers, James and Carl. Survivors: sons, Mark (Keri) Stevens of Clearwater, Michael (Janet) Stevens of Hartsville, TN; daughters, Heidi (Mark) Jolliffe of Wichita, Hayley (Jim) Bieker of Clearwater; grandchildren, Joey Beyer, Micha Truong, Santtana Seal, Miranda Seal, Bleir Beyer, Garrison Chew, Landon Chew, Megan, Emma, Michael Stevens; great-grandchildren, Madison Seal, Jada Bell Seal, London Truong, and Aiden Beyer.

Memorials can be sent to Wichita Children’s Home,  810 Holyoke St, Wichita, KS 67208. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30th at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Webb-Shinkle Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. www.wsmortuary.com