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.

Hargreaves, Luann (Harger) 1942-2021

editor Obituaries

Luann Hargreaves, of Niles
Oct. 8, 1942-Aug. 28, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:07 pm Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Oct. 8, 1942 — Aug. 28, 2021

On Aug. 28, 2021, Luann Hargreaves, of Niles, passed away peacefully at Brentwood of Niles after a brief illness.

Luann was born in Niles on Oct.  8, 1942, to the late Donald and Dorothy (Crippen) Harger. She was raised in Niles with her brother, D. Richard, and graduated from Niles High School in 1960. Luann attended Michigan State University for two years where she earned an Associate’s Degree in business and joined the Sigma Kappa Sorority.

On Aug. 10, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Roger Hargreaves. The wedding took place at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. The couple would spend the next five decades in Niles raising their two boys, working in and around the local community, and enjoying the comradery of their friends and family. Approximately eight years ago, they moved to Granger, Indiana, but Niles has always remained their haven.

Luann retired in 2000 after having been employed by Harger Accounting and Tax Services in Buchanan, Michigan and the Niles Community School System.

Luann believed in service to her community and helped as a volunteer with both the Niles Service League and the Meals on Wheels program. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles where she served as a Deacon and an Elder. Luann also enjoyed membership in the Ladies Historical Society and the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan.

In her free time, Luann enjoyed playing paddle tennis at Signal Point, a game of bridge, and traveling around the country with Roger. However, Luann’s primary focus was always directed towards supporting and caring for her family and friends.

Luann was preceded in death by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her husband, Roger; two sons, Paul (Susie Weldy) Hargreaves, of Niles, and Dan (Wendy) Hargreaves, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Sue Harger, of Niles; brother-in-law, Gary (Della) Hargreaves, of Cape Coral, Florida; grandchildren, Lauren, Michael, Mathew, Madison, Chloe, Brian, Brittney, Taylor, and Toby; three great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews, dear friends, and her grand dogs, Luna and Barron.

The family would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Brentwood of Niles and Caring Circle Hospice for their compassionate care of Grandma Lulu. The family would also like to recognize Brenda and April for the comfort and care they provided to her.

Funeral Services for Luann will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Niles with Rev. Christopher Mergener officiating. Family will receive guests beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be privately held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial donations in Luann’s memory may be made to The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. 4th Street, Niles, MI 49120. Photos of Luann, memories of your time together, and condolences for the family may be shared at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Gross, Dora M. (Hart) 1933-2021

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Dora M (Hart) Gross
March 20, 1933-July 6, 2021 (age 88)

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Dora M. Gross, 88, of Niles, passed away on Tuesday July 6 after a lengthy illness.

Dora was born on March 20, 1933 in Niles to the late Cecil and Bessie (Fulkerth) Hart.

On July 12, 1951 in Buchanan she married Robert Gross who passed away in 1992.

She is also preceded in death by her sons, Robert Jr. and Daniel Gross, as well as her 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Patricia (Kurt) Shepard of Niles, grandchildren; Raven, Bill, Brent, Steven, and Marita, great grandchildren; Ella, Drake, Peyton, Lily, Niklaus, Matthew, Tyler and Damon.  She is also survived my numerous nieces and nephews.

Dora had worked at Gene’s Polly Clean many years ago.  She enjoyed collecting knickknacks and unique items.  Dora also enjoyed sewing.  She was a Cubs and Braves fan.  Dora and her special friend Denver Bartley would go for walks all over town.  It was common to see the two of them strolling down the street.  More than anything, Dora loved her family.  It was always a special time for her when she was able to be with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

A graveside service for Dora will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Silverbrook Cemetery at 11am. 

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Memorials in Dora’s name may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/.

Miller, Roy W., 1926-2021

editor Obituaries

Roy W. Miller, of Niles
June 2, 1926-July 23, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:38 pm Monday, July 26, 2021

Roy W. Miller, 95, of Niles, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at his home. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Roy Westbrook Miller

Roy Westbrook Miller, 95, of Niles, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at his home. He was born on June 2, 1926, in Boston Georgia, to the late Thomas and Pearl (Roper) Miller. In 1943, he moved with his family to Michigan, where he met and married the former Katherine E. Wanko, on December 23, 1950, they had celebrated fifty years of marriage before her passing in 2001. In February of 2004, he married Agnes Wilson; they shared five years together before her passing in 2009. Roy was a farmer for many years and would have loved to have spent his lifetime farming. Out of necessity he went into the workforce and worked for several different manufacturing companies throughout his lifetime. Roy was a very talented woodworker, creating many beautiful pieces, which his family will forever value and count as treasures. At ninety-five he still took great pride in his garden and being able to maintain his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Katherine Miller; second wife, Agnes Miller; brother, Dr. Thomas (Violet) Miller; and a sister, Betty (Fred) Young. Roy is survived by his two daughters, Sandra (Gary) Dickson of Normal, Illinois; Barbara (Joe) Curry of Rockhill, South Carolina; son, Thomas Miller of Niles; two grandchildren, Ryan Curry of Rockhills South Carolina; Logan (Alejandra) Curry of Cramerton, North Carolina; great-granddaughter Penelope Curry; brothers, Rev. Henry (Carolene) Miller of Tremont, Illinois; Herbert (Marcia) Miller of Statesville North Carolina; along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 521 E. Main St in Niles. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church, 216 Beeson Rd. Niles, Michigan 49120. 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.

Schrumpf, Ruth E. (Kiemle) 1918-2021

editor Obituaries

Ruth Schrumpf
July 25, 1918-Feb. 18, 2021

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Ruth Elizabeth Schrumpf of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, bowler, baker, and traveler died peacefully at 8:42 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center, Saint Joseph, Michigan having attained the remarkable age of 102 years old.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of The Chalet of Niles.

She was born on July 25, 1918 near Three Lakes, Washington in a logging camp where her parents, George and Marie (Geigling) Kiemle ran the camp kitchen.  She was graduated from Everett (Washington) High School, and joined her family’s restaurant, the Delt Lunch Restaurant, serving all of the loggers and railroaders.  In 1941 she came to Niles and was first employed as a stenographer before spending time at home to raise her family.  In the 60’s she returned to the workforce and was employed in the bookbindery of the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company through the 1970s.

Ruth was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.  She bowled on the Simplicity Pattern league, recorded a perfect 300 game at the former AA Timber Lanes in Niles, and continued to bowl competitively past the age of 60 years.  At home, she continued the baking skills that she had learned at the Delt – where she was the pie baker – using a large library of cookbooks and recipe cards, and was well known for her special sugar cookies, coffee crisps, and gingersnaps.  She and her husband visited most of the western and central United States pulling their fifth-wheel trailer.  More recently they spent winters in more permanent housing at Siesta Bay in Fort Myers, Florida.

On August 9, 1941 in Niles she married Walter Marohn George Schrumpf with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-fourth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on July 21, 2006.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her sisters, Louise McDougall and Marguerite O’Denius.

Surviving family includes her children, Robert D. (& Shelby) Schrumpf of Hutchinson Island, Florida and Tina M. (& Michael D.) McBride; grandchildren Shanna M. (& Andrew) Guetler and Colleen E. (& Jon) Monti; great-grandchildren Mackenna and Delaney; and nephews Michael and Patrick O’Denius.

The family of Ruth Schrumpf will gather privately at her graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for Committal Services.  Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Ruth was active through most of her one-hundred-plus years, whether in the kitchen or at the bookbindery, at the bowling alley or at church, or on the highway with Walt.  And her activity always included sharing good times with others, even her triple-digit birthday parties at The Chalet, all evidence of loving people and loving God.

Clark, Laura Joyce (Klute) 1951-2021

editor Obituaries

Laura Joyce Clark
Dec. 7, 1951-July 20, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:14 pm Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Laura Clark, 69, of Niles, died Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, of Niles.

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Laura Joyce Clark, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, gunsmith, cook, and traveler died peacefully at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

She was born on December 7, 1951 in Niles to Martin Edward and Joyce Laura (Seeberger) Klute and was graduated from Niles High School.  She continued her education at Western Michigan University.  She was employed for many years as a gunsmith at her family’s business, The Firing Pin in Niles and was also a retail clerk at the Kohl’s department store in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Laura was a long-time member of the former Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles (now Redeemer Church) and had attended the Granger (Indiana) Community Church.  As a young mother she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader.  She enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Europe and visiting most of the United States including Alaska.

She was a great home cook, with a special recipe for green bean casserole and another recipe for hand-cranked cranberry sauce, each containing at least one secret ingredient.  She was also well-known for a wide variety of pies.  More recently she enjoyed various collectables, and has always enjoyed Christmas, keeping decorations up year-‘round for her pleasure (not from procrastination).

Most of all, she loved people.  When she recognized a need, she would provide, even when no one else knew of the need, and she was completely accepting of everyone she met.

On April 25, 1970 at Fulkerson Park Church she married Daniel Boone “Boonie” Clark with whom she celebrated a few months ago the remarkable Fiftieth Anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Daniel and their children, Daniel James (& Angela) Clark of Elkhart, Indiana, Jason (& Lori) Clark of Niles, Laura Jeanette (& Eric) Frye of Niles, Janelle (& Michael) Kornecki of Abingdon, Maryland, and Joseph (& Shawna) Clark of Albion, Michigan; grandchildren Matthew Clark, Christopher Clark, Tiffanie (& Kurt) Jones, Brandon Frye, Shawn Frye, Laura Frye – fifth generation Laura, Elaina Kornecki, Freya Kornecki, and Mabel Clark; great-granddaughter Tiffany-Lily Jones; and Laura Joyce’s brother, Michael (& Linda) Klute of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Daniel Kluth.

The funeral service for Laura Clark will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Bob Jackson of the First Church of God in Niles officiating.  Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Laura may be made to Rock Steady Boxing of Michiana, 50698 State Road 933, South Bend, Indiana, 46637, http://michiana.rsbaffiliate.com/ which provides therapy for those with Parkinson’s disease.   Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Laura’s enjoyment in entertaining everyone, including visitors at the dining room table who were previously strangers, was evidence of her generosity and willing to accept everyone.  Her life was a testimony to the command to Love People and Love God.

Drolet, Donna Pauline (Jones) 1925-2021

editor Obituaries

Donna P. Drolet
Feb. 22, 1925-Dec. 7, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:49 pm Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Feb. 22, 1925 — Dec. 7, 2021

Donna P. Drolet, 96, died at the home of her daughter early Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, after a brief illness.

She was a lifelong resident of Niles having been born in Niles on Feb. 22, 1925, to Byford and Rubie (Canfield) Jones, the eldest of four daughters. She married Louis P. Drolet on June 5, 1948, at St. Mary’s Church in Niles. Together they raised five daughters, Mary Ellen Drolet, Margaret (Jerry) Hansen, Marla (Tim) Stuver and Marissa (Joseph) Ryder of Niles and Martha (Allan) Watrud, of Middleton, Wisconsin, all of whom mourn her loss deeply. In addition to her five daughters, she leaves eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Her sister, Dorlene Depoy Saratore, of Niles, also survives; two sisters, Anita (Kenneth) Cogswell and Ellen (Don) Morrow preceded her in death.

Second only to her love for her family was her passion for local history-especially the history of Fort St. Joseph. A supporter of the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Project, she would recount how her third-grade class walked from Central School to the Fort St. Joseph rock in 1933 and the teacher promised that “they would find the original fort someday.” Retiring by nature, she was not quiet in her advocacy for Fort St. Joseph and the Four Flags. She was a founding member of Support the Fort and served on the Niles Historical Commission. She was also a member of the Rebecca Dewey Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

According to her wishes, services will be private and there will be no visitation. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery next to her beloved husband Louis P. Drolet who died in 1993.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, 615 E. Main St., Niles.

Gulbranson, Lenora F. (Gross) 1925-2021

editor Obituaries

Lenora Gulbranson
April 7, 1925-October 4, 2021 (age 96)

Habritter-Wickens Funeral website:

Obituary

Lenora Frieda Gulbranson, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, aunt, devout Lutheran, cook, and flower enthusiast died peacefully at 10:43 p.m. on Monday, October 4, 2021 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

She was born on April 7, 1925 in Dowagiac, Michigan to Gustav and Lydia (Skibbe) Gross, and was graduated from Dowagiac High School.  She came to Niles in 1946, and was employed for many years in the Donahue and Drew Law Office at Third and Sycamore, and was later employed in the offices of the National-Standard Company.

Lenora was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles where she also served on the Altar Guild.  Arranging the flowers on the altar at church was a natural extension of her interest in flower gardening, and decorating her home’s tables with vases of fresh-cut flowers including fresh arrangements at-least monthly.  She was also known for her kitchen skills, especially her bean soup and its spicy cousin, chili.

She was a great fan of the University of Notre Dame, especially its men’s basketball team and the football team, and always looked-forward to the season’s opening game.  She enjoyed reading, rarely missing the daily newspapers.

On August 17, 1946 in Dowagiac she married George Louis Gulbranson with whom she celebrated the – quite remarkable – Sixty-ninth Anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on April 30, 2016.  They were sadly, unexpectedly preceded in death by their fourteen-year-old son, Timothy Gulbranson who died on October 5, 1970 after an illness of only 5 days.  Lenora was also preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings, Edyth Bercini and Oscar Gross.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Pamela (& Mark) Peacock of South Bend, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Lenora Gulbranson will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore Street in Niles, with the Rev. Joseph Liss of the church officiating.  Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The services will be available livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the church beginning at Noon.  Contributions in memory of Lenora may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120, https://www.stpaulsniles.org/.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Lenora lived a full life, caring for law office clients and co-workers at National-Standard, cheering for the teams at Notre Dame and quietly arranging beautiful flowers, and working with fellow churchwomen to prepare for Sunday mornings.  More than those activities, she loved her family, 70 years with George, only 15 years with Tim – but still daily in her heart for 50 years – and the special love and understanding between a mother and her daughter, Pam.  And above all, faithful to the Creator of these blessings.

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