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.
Arlie Beasecker
March 13, 1924 – June 23, 1997
Arlie “Jeanne” Beasecker, 73, of 1438 Merrifield, Niles, died Monday in Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center. Survivors include a daughter, Linda A. Frantz of Niles; a son, Jerry G. of Niles. There will be no services or visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Lottie E. (DeMott) Bell
July 17, 1887 – April 23, 1953
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 22, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Lottie Fisk Bell, 83, pioneer resident of the community and retired school teacher, died suddenly at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday at her home on 23 North Fifth Street North.
Mrs. Bell was born July 17, 1887 in Niles Township the daughter of John E. and Catherine (Herkimer) DeMott. She was married to Charles Fisk who died in 1914. She later married John Bell who died in 1931. Mrs. Bell attended the University of Michigan and taught at the DeMott School here and several other area rural schools. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church here. A past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and member of the Monday Reading Club. University Club and Musical Club.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. James Crawford, Fort Wayne, Ind.; a son, DeMott Fisk, Charlesburg, Ind. And two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe, pastor officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call the Kiger Funeral Home.
Margaret C. Bella (Wessel)
Feb. 5, 1916 – Nov. 4, 1998
Margaret C. Bella, 82 of 2939 S. Third St., Niles, died Wednesday in Riveridge Manor Nursing Home. Survivors include her husband, Gaza; two sons, James Lolmaugh of Niles and Eugene Lolmaugh of Buchanan; and two sisters, Virginia Wharton of Three Oaks and Irene Grayson of Muskegon, Mich. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call a half hour before services.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Jennie (Reynolds) Best
Aug. 21, 1856-Oct. 16, 1936
Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 16, 1936, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Jennie Best, 80, who had spent her entire life in that community died at 10:30 o’clock this morning at her home, one and one half miles east of Buchanan. Death was due to a heart attack.
She was born in Niles, August 21, 1856, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Reynold. Her husband, Jerome Best, died several years ago.
Survivors are a son, Carson at home; a daughter, Mrs. Maude Vinton, San Antonio, Tex., and a sister, Mrs. J.F. Canty, Porterville, Calif.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The body is at the Lowell Swem Mortuary, Buchanan.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 19, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News In Brief: BEST RITES TODAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Jennie Best, 80, who died Friday at her life time home one and one half miles east of Buchanan, were held at Buchanan this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, followed by burial in Silverbrook cemetery here. Mrs. Best was bron Aug. 21, 1856, in Niles.
Carl Billett
Nov. 22, 1894 – Dec. 29, 1959
Carl Billett, 65, former Niles resident died Monday morning in New Borgess hospital, Kalamazoo.
Mr. Billett was born Nov. 22, 1894 in Niles and is survived by a sister, Mrs. Imogene Cuss, Vicksburg.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home with Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Claudine C. Billett
April 18, 1872-Sept. 5, 1929
Mrs. David Billett former Niles resident dies at S. Bend Home.
Mrs. Claudine C. Billett, wife of David Billett died on Thursday afternoon at 1:15 at their home, 324 East South Street, South Bend. The family formerly lived in Niles for many years. Mrs. Billett's death followed nine months of severe illness during which she was bedfast.
The funeral services will be held on Monday morning at 10 o’Clock daylight saving time in the home. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook Cemetery.
Mrs. Cillett’s maiden name was Claudine C. Burge. She was born in Niles on April 18, 1872. She was married in South Bend to Mr. Billet on October 29, 1890. The family moved to South Bend from Niles 18 years ago.
Mrs. Billett is survived by her husband; a son, Carl and two daughters, Mrs. W. R. Armstrong and Mrs. E. A. Kuss of South Bend. She is also survived by two brothers and one sister, William and Wesley Burge and Mrs. U.C. Allbright, all of Niles.
The deceased was a member of Niles Hive No. 339, Ladies of the Macabees.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
David E. Billett
1871-Sept. 18, 1930
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, September 18, 1930, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
David E. Billett, 59, 224 E. South street, South Bend, and former resident of Niles for many years, dropped dead of a heart attack last evening in an automobile parking lot at Lippincott park in South Bend, where he had gone to attend the Friedman-Redman boxing bout. With him where he was stricken were his two daughters, Mrs. W.F. Armstrong and Mrs. E. H. Kuss, both of South Bend. He had been troubled for some time with heart disease and complaining of not feeling well. As he was about to step from the car he sat down on the running board to rest a moment and almost instantly fell dead.
The body will be brought to Niles for burial although the funeral plans are not complete. His wife, Mrs. Claudine Billett died on September 5, 1929, and her body was brought to Niles for burial.
Mr. Billet is survived by three children Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Kuss and Carl Billett, all of South Bend, also by two sisters, Mrs. George Kemp and Mrs. Arthur Holmes of Dayton, Ohio and a brother, Henry Billett of Berrien Springs.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, September 20, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL DAVID BILLETT
Relatives and Niles friends of the David Billet family will attend the funeral services for Mr. Billett in South Bend this afternoon and the committal services in Silver Brook cemetery in Niles. The Rev. J.W. Lake of the United Brethren church in South Bend, will conduct the funeral services and the committal services.