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.

Boyle, Carrie (Hess)

Carrie (Hess) Boyle
Died Nov. 26, 1926

Mrs. Carrie Boyle dies of injury in Fall on Stairs

Pitches head First Down cellar steps at J. R. Miller Home.

Dies at Hospital

Had stopped to visit neighbor who also had been hurt in fall.

Injuries received by Mrs. Carrie Boyle, wife of William E. Boyle, 541 Cherry street, in a fall last evening about 5 o’clock proved fatal this morning at 6:15 at Pawating hospital. The death of Mrs. Boyle is shocking to her relatives and wide circle of acquaintances in the community.

The fatal accident occurred at the home of Joseph H. Miller, 403 S. Fifth Street. Mrs. Boyle had been down town shopping and as she was returning home she stopped at the Miller home to call upon Mrs. Miller, who was injured about 10 days ago by falling down a flight of stairs leading to the cellar. While she was talking to Mrs. Miller, there was a knock a the door and Mrs. Boyle graciously offered to respond to the knock to save Mrs. Miler from leaving her couch. However, instead of opening the door leading to the porch Mrs. Boyle opened the door leading into the cellar, and with her next step she fell down the stairs and struck the cement floor heavily.

Mrs. Miller reached her husband by telephone at a store a few doors away, and called her physician Dr. B.D. Giddling. Mr. Miller realizing the seriousness of Mrs. Boyles condition did not attempt to mover her until the doctor came which was within a few minutes. And she was then carried upstairs.

While she was conscious for a few minutes. Mrs. Boyle soon lapsed into an unconscious condition and did not regain consciousness. It was apparent that she was suffering from a fractured skull, and the physician after making her as comfortable as possible, at 7 o’clock had her removed to Pawating hospital. Dr. Walter Baker of South Bend, called in consultation, diagnosed the case as a fractured skull, also, and although everything possible was done to help her, she died as the hour states.

Mrs. Boyle was born in Buchanan township, a daughter of John and Elizabeth M. (Riffer) Hess, deceased. In 1892 she was married to Mr. Boyle and they went at once to Dowagiac to reside. Later they were located on farms near Niles. About 12 years ago they moved from a farm on Yankee Street to the present home.

Mrs. Boyle is survived by her husband and by the following brother and sisters,  George Hess, Buchanan, Mrs. Katherine Eisele of Portage Prairie, Will, Charles and Henry Hess of Buchanan, and Mrs. Arthur Adams of Michigan City. All these relatives reached the hospital during the night, also Mr. Boyle’s sisters, Mrs. Thomas Huff and Mrs. Flora Townsend of Elgin, Il. His bother, Hugh Boyle and his wife after expected from Detroit this afternoon.

Mrs. Boyle was well known as a gracious friend and neighbor and for her kindness for those in distress, and it is noteworthy that the accident should have befallen her, while engaged in a neighborly and sympathetic call upon one in distress. Much sympathy is expressed for the grief stricken husband and other relatives.

Mrs. Boyle was a member of Dowagiac Hive No. 1, Lacxy Maccabees.

The funeral services will be held at 3:30 o’clock Friday afternoon the Presbyterian church. Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms until Friday afternoon.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Boyle, William E.

William E. Boyle
Oct. 12, 1871-Feb. 26, 1942

William E. Boyle Stricken Thursday

William E. Boyle, who suffered a stroke of paralysis four years ago, died Thursday afternoon at 2 in the home of his sister, Mrs. Kathryn Huff, 403 North Fourth Street.

A native of Weesaw townhip, he was a son of the late William and Ellen Boyle.  For a number of years he operated a farm east of Niles.  About 12 years ago he moved to Niles to live at 541 Cherry Street and later moved to the Bend of the River community. He was employed 10 years by the Kawneer Company. His wife, the former Carrie Hess, preceded him in death.

Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Huff, Niles, Mrs. Marion Snyder, near Galien and Mrs. Flora Townsend, Elgin, Ill.; a brother, Hugh Boyle, Detroit; a niece, Miss Jean Boyle, Detroit and a nephew, Vine Townsend, Elgin.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger Funeral Home where the services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Bressler, Barbara A. (Bowerman)

Barbara A. (Bowerman) Bressler
Nov. 1, 1857-Aug. 3, 1935

Death takes aged resident of Niles

Mrs. Barbara Ann Bressler, 77, died at family home: service Monday.

Mrs. Barbara Ann Bressler, 77, widow of Frank Bressler, died early Saturday morning in her home, 903 Sycamore street, after a prolonged illness. Mrs. Bressler was born in Ohio, Nov.1, 1857, coming to Niles when a child. She had spent nearly all her life here.

Two children survive, Orren Bressler, Niles and Mrs. Grant Bolton also of this city. She leaves also a granddaughter, mars. Hazel Barnes, and six great-grandchildren; also two brothers, Freeman and George Bowerman, both of Niles and three sisters, Mrs. Christiana Douglas of Niles and Mrs. William Morehouse and Mrs. Lewis Todd of Chicago.

Funeral services will be held at the family home Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock where friends may call prior at the hour of the funeral. The Rev. A.P. Kuehn will officiate and burial will be in Sliverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Brigham, Pamela Kay (Lintz)

Pamela Kay Brigham
June 6, 1957 – July 10, 2007

Pamela Kay Brigham, 50 passed away Tuesday, July 10 in her sister’s home. She is survived by her husband, Steve A. Brigham; sons, Keith and Aron Brigham, both of Niles; grandchildren, Paige Lintz and Haley Plew, both of Niles; and Melissa Cox of Elkhart; mother, Marion (Fred) Goffeney of Niles; brothers, Charles (Sherry) Lintz Jr. and Randy D Lintz, both of Niles; a sister, Robin Lintz of Niles; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, where friends may call two hour before services.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Bright, Donald William, Sr.

Mst. Sgt. Donald W. Bright, Sr.
May 25, 1937- Jan. 1, 2008

Mst. Sgt. Donald William Bright Sr., US Army retired, 70 of East Bertrand Road, Niles, died at 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, January 1, in the home of his brother following an extended illness.

Mr. Bright was born on May 25, 1937 in south Bend, IN, to Harold W. and Ruth E. (Miltenberger) Bright. He moved from Sanford, FL, to Niles three years ago, Donald was employed for 18 years with the United States Postal Service in Sanford, FL. He retired a as a Master sergeant after 22 years of service from the United States Army. Donald’s service included three tours of duty in Vietnam with the Special Forces as a Green Beret.

Donald attended the First church of God in Niles. He was a member of the American Legion Post #26, Niles and was a service officer.

Mr. Bright is survived by his wife, Glenada Bright of Lewiston, Maine; two sons, Donald W. Bright Jr. of Lewiston, ME and Glenn Bright of North Carolina; a daughter, Donna Sue of North Carolina; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; four brothers, George H. bright of Fort McCoy, FL, Gene w. bright and Brian L. bright, both of Niles and Jack J. Bright of Osceola, IN; and a stepsister, Margaret Husa of Lawrence, MI.

His sister, Mary Jo Kiste who died on March 6, 2007, preceded Donald in death.

Funeral services for Mst. Sgt, Donald William Bright Sr., will be at 11 a.m. Monday January 7, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Robert E. Jackson of First Church of God, Niles officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. American legion Post #26., will perform full Military Honors following the services at the graveside.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Briney, Eva (Kanous)

Eva Briney (Kanous)
April 21, 1892-April 28, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 29, 1954, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eva Briney, 85 Marmont Street, was found dead at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of her home. Death by suicide was ruled by Berrien County coroner Franklyn G. Rice, City Police were called to investigate.

Surviving are her husband, Harry; one son, Harold; four grandchildren and two brothers, Lotis and Milo Kanous of Galien.

Mrs. Briney was born on April 21, 1892, in New Troy, and came here from Buchanan 27 years ago. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and of Modern Woodman of American.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, presiding. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Briney, Harold

Harold L. Briney
July 23, 1912-May 24, 1987

Harold Lealand Briney, 74, 1229 Phoenix St., Niles, died at 10:55 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Medical Center following a long illness.

In 1974 he retired as a machinist with Clark Equipment Co., Buchanan, and was a member of Modern Woodman, the Buchanan moose Lodge Nor 449 and the Berrien Krusers of Good Sam Club. He also belonged to first Presbyterian Church.

Born July 23, 1912 in New Troy, he was a lifelong area resident.

On Nov. 7, 1932 in Paw Paw he married Evelyn M. Burton, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Harold L. Briney Jr. of Niles; two daughters, Betty Knoll of Niles and Carol Moyer of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren . a daughter, Mary Lee Briney, died in 1967.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, with Rev. Donald E. Nepstad of First Presbyterian Church, Buchanan, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home.

‘Memorial may be made to Berrien County Hospice; the Berrien County Cancer Services of First Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown