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.

Scanlon, Earl Jr. 1940-2024

editor Obituaries

Earl Scanlon Jr.
December 31, 1940-March 5, 2024

The Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:43 am Thursday, March 7, 2024.      

 Earl Scanlon Jr., fondly known to friends and family as “Squeak,” passed away on March 5, 2024, just a few months after celebrating his 83rd birthday. Born on Dec. 31, 1940, in Mishawaka, IN, Earl embodied the qualities of dedication, compassion, humility, and resilience throughout his life. An army veteran, his humble spirit belied the strength and courage he held within. Earl, a long-time resident of Niles, MI, was a retired truck driver in the transportation industry. His passion for driving was only rivaled by his love for his hobbies. Earl was an avid fisherman and hunter, and he also enjoyed working on bikes and go-karts, often using his mechanical skills to bring old machines back to life. His playful spirit led him to video games, an unexpected hobby that brought him much joy and laughter. Above all, Earl was a dedicated family man, placing his loved ones at the center of his universe. His compassionate nature was evident in the love and tenderness he showered upon his family. Earl is lovingly remembered by his children, Diana Worland, Patricia Scanlon, Earl Scanlon III, David Scanlon, Penny Nelson, and Donna Gentry; sons-in-law, Robert Ingle, Greg Nelson, and Greg Walsh; daughters-in-law Lisa Scanlon and Debbie Scanlon; sister, Kathy Davis, brother-in-law, Ernie Davis. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored. Earl was preceded by his father, Earl Scanlon Sr., mother, Jewell Scanlon, beloved wife, Patricia Scanlon, son, Dewayne Scanlon, grandson, Scott Smith Jr, one brother, and 3 sisters. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 4 p.m., and on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Hoven Funeral Home, 414 East Front Street, Buchanan, MI. A service to celebrate and share Earl’s life will follow on March 13, 2024, at 12 p.m., at the same location. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI. We invite you to leave your precious memories of Earl and upload photos to his memorial page. It is through these shared memories, stories, and images that we can continue to keep Earl’s spirit alive in our hearts.

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2024/03/07/earl-scanlon-jr/

Carey, Patrick William 1942-2023

editor Obituaries

Patrick W. Carey
December 15, 1942 — December 5, 2023

Published on website for Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

Obituary

Patrick William Carey, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, aviation enthusiast, and computer hobbyist died peacefully at 11:25 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Buchanan Meadows in Buchanan, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on December 15, 1942 in Niles to William and Ruth (Valentine) Carey, and was graduated from Niles High School.  He continued his education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, but soon began a long career in the engineering department at the Niles plant of the National-Standard Company, from which he retired following 39 years of service.  He has lived all of his life in Niles.

Pat had a great interest in aviation history, especially the World War II era, and also appreciated the contemporary era including several personal sky-diving adventures, and attending the Experimental Aircraft Association annual AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  At home, he was quite fascinated by computers from the very beginning of home-size units, ordering components to construct his own computers, and keeping up-to-date with rapidly advancing technology, improving existing units, and starting from scratch with new units when needed.

On May 15, 1965 he married the former Patricia Bartels, with whom he remained for sixteen years.  Later, on June 19, 1982 he married the former Janice (Smith) Thompson, with whom he celebrated earlier this year the forty-first anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Janice Carey, and his children, Jefferson (& Danetta) Carey of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Daniel Carey of Charleston, Illinois; Janice’s children, Cheri (& Danny) Kulwicki of Three Rivers, Michigan and Craig (& Michele) Thompson of Niles; grandchildren Gary Driver, Ariel Driver, Robin Carey, Daniel (& Athena) Kulwicki III, Krista Kulwicki-Bizjak (& Joe Bizjak), Katie Kulwicki, Christopher (& Holly) Thompson, Ashlyn Thompson, and Ashlee Pellico; several great-grandchildren; and Pat’s sister, Lee Ann Carey-Fedeli of Minneapolis, Minnesota and her daughter, Angie Heyne.

The family of Patrick Carey will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Committal will be private, at a later date, in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Pat may be made to the American Cancer Society, http://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Patrick clearly enjoyed life, and was observant of the fine details, which is required of the successful mechanical engineer, skydiver, and computer technician, but he was also successful in caring for the people in his life, especially his family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patrick W. Carey, please visit our flower store.
 
 
 

Demos, John T. 1923-1996

editor Obituaries

John T. Demos
July 4, 1923-July 28, 1996

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 29, 1996, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

John T. Demos
1923-1996
Decorated Purple Heart Army veteran

A mass of Christian burial for John T. Demos, 73, of 1410 Barron Lake Road, Niles will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Niles, by the Rev. Joseph W. Koma, C.S.C., of the church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Demos died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born July 4, 1923 in Niles, and was a lifetime resident.

He was married to the former Dorothy M. Gross in Niles on April 9, 1945; she survives.

Mr. Demos retired from Tyler Refrigeration in 1971, where he had been employed as an inspector.

He was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 27th Infantry Division in the South Pacific during World War II, belonged to the Michigan chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors’ Association, the American Legion Post 26 of Niles and the D.A.V. Chapter 55 of Niles.

He received the Bronze Star at Pearl Harbor in 1942, and received the Purple Heart Award Nov. 12, 1981.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Tom Demos of Niles; two daughters, Shirlee Wakkinen of Hurley, Wisc. And Margaret C. Clubb-Piszker of Niles; three granddaughters, Kellie, Bella, Keri Burtzlaff and Amber Clubb, all of Niles; a grandson, Nicholas Bella of Niles.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. A rosary will be said at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and full military honors will be given at graveside by American Legion Cmdr. John McLaughlin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

 

Foster, Barbara Bell 1854-1929

editor Obituaries

Barbara Bell Foster
October 20, 1854-December 14, 1929

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 15, 1927, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. JOHN FOSTER DIES AT FARM HOMESTEAD
Wife of Well Known Niles Township Farmer Claimed by Death

Mrs. Barbara Foster, 73, wife of John Foster, a well known and highly respected lady and pioneer school teach, died at her home in Niles township, December 14.  A few months ago she fell and broke her arm, injuring her hip as well.  She was taken to Pawating where she partially recovered before being removed again to her home.  She was unable to walk, however, up to the time of her death.

Barbara Livengood was born October 20, 1854, in Elkhart, Ind., the daughter of John and Catherine Livengood.  She was educated in the schools of Elkhart and at the seminary in Roanoke, Ind.  She took a teacher’s training course at Hillsdale college and later became a teacher in Cass and Berrien counties. On her arrival in Michigan she made her home with her cousin, Mrs. C.B. Groat.  She became the wife of John Foster, of Niles township, on November 9, 1880.  She was the mother of three children, Fred L., who resides near the old home, Ray and Miss Zoe at home. Besides her husband and three children, two brothers, Willard, of South Bend, and Henry Livengood, of Elkhart, Ind., survive her.  A large circle of Friends and neighbors also deeply mourn her loss.  Rev. Larsen will conduct strictly private funeral services at the home on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, December 20, 1927, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NEWS in Brief: PLACE BODY IN MAUSOLEUM

The body of Mrs. Barbara Foster, wife of John Foster, was placed in the mausoleum at Silver Brook cemetery after the funeral services held at the home north of the city.  The services were conducted by Rev. Larsen, pastor of the Pokagon circuit.

Foster, G. Ray 1892-1966

editor Obituaries

G. Ray Foster
February 29, 1892-November 28, 1966

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, November 29, 1966, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

G. Ray Foster, 74, of 3233 M-140 N, died unexpectedly at 9:45 p.m., Monday in Pawating Hospital.

Mr. Foster, a farmer, was born Feb. 29, 1892, in Niles Township, and lived his lifetime in this area. He married Millie Radewald Oct. 21, 1933, in Lansing. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, George, Hawthorne, Calif.; and two daughters, Mrs. Montgomery Cook, Columbus, Ohio, and Margaret Foster, at home.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Young People’s Social Club of North Niles, in addition to life memberships in the Niles Commandery 12, Knights Templar and St. Jospeh Valley Lodge 4 Free and Accepted Masons.

Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in his church.  The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today.

 

 

Foster, Zoe B. 1888-1965

editor Obituaries

Zoe B. Foster
August 23, 1888-August 13, 1965

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, August 13. 1965, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Zoe B. Foster, 76, of 3233 M-40, died at 8 a.m. this morning at home after an illness lasting two months.

Surviving is her brother G. Foster, with whom she made her home.

Miss Foster was born Aug. 23, 1888, in Niles Township, and spent her life time in the area.  She was a member of the First Methodist Church and the North Niles Study Group.

The Rev. William A. Hertel of the First Methodist Church will conduct services at 2 p.m. Monday at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon Saturday.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, August 14, 1965, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

WRONG ADDRESS

Miss Zoe B. Foster, 76, who died Friday morning, had lived at 3233 M-140. It had been reported that she lived on M-40. 

She is survived by her brother, G. Ray Foster.

Grimes, Franklin T. 1916-1980

editor Obituaries

Franklin T. Grimes
March 20, 1916-December 15, 1980

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, December 17, 1980, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Franklin T. Grimes, 64, of 976 Jean Ann Drive, St. Joseph, died 2 p.m. Monday, in Cape Coral, Florida.

Grimes was born March 20, 1916, in Chicago, and came to Niles at the age of seven months.  He attended Niles schools, and graduated in 1934. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, and had retired from Whirlpool.

He married Nadine Chapman July 24, 1937, in South Bend.  She survives him.

Also surviving are a son, Michael, of Littleton, Colorado; and three daughters, Mrs. Peggy Shepherdson, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Mrs. Philip (Patty) Damice, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Judy Nicklo, of Bradenton, Florida.

A brother and four sisters also surviving are Thomas R., of South Bend; Mrs. Ruth C. Cook, of Niles; Mrs. Gwendolyn McDade, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Charles (Carolyn) Baldwin, of Irvine, California, and Mrs. Jack (Betty) Barry, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, December 19, at St. Joseph’ Catholic Church, in St Joseph. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at Dey-Florin Funeral Chapel, 2506 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 9 Thursday evening. Liturgy and prayers will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Heart Fund.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 18, 1980, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Father Leroy White, of St. John’s Catholic Church, Benton Harbor, will officiate at services, 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19, at St. John’s.

Bottom Menu 1

Bottom Menu 2

Bottom Menu 4