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.

Beebe, Lyle

Lyle Beebe
May 17, 1903-Feb. 11, 1917

Long, Brave Struggle for life is ended in death of Lyle Beebe. 

Succumbs to injuries received when interurban car struck automobile on Walton’s Crossing August 11, 1916.

Lyle Beebe the 14 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Beebe who reside north of town, died at 4:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon in St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend from injuries sustained when an automobile in which he was riding with the late Frank Sparks was run down by an interurban car at Walton’s Crossing on the fifth day of last August. The boy had since put up a long brave fight for life but medical services were powerless to avoid the fatal termination toward which the case steadily receded. 

The citizens of town and country sided have profess apathy for the parents and death of the boy, who has been cut down in life’s all morning.

The body was brought home last evening by undertaker Price and funeral survives will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the house. 

Details of Tragedy.

The following clipping from the Daily Star of August 11, 1916, recalls the details of the tragedy at Walton’s Crossing. 

If Walton’s crossing on the line of the Southern Michigan Railway Company is hear after known as “Death Crossing.” It will be because it received its baptism of blood this afternoon a well when the life of Frank Sparks a well known farmer, who resided four and one half miles northwest of town, was snuffed out and Lyle Beebe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Beebe, who reside in the same neighborhood, was terribly injured by the northbound interurban car. Mr. Sparks, who was 62 years of age, and Lyle Beebe a 13 year-old boy, were coming to town to the formers Ford Car, when the accident occurred. The interurban care swung around the sharp curve and struck the automobile, hurling it against an embankment about 20 feet form the interurban tracks. Both of Mr. Sparks legs were broken, and the bone protruded through the flesh. He was other wise mutilated and died without regaining consciousness. The Beebe boy had a leg broken and was cut up so badly that John Wynn who helped place him in an automobile and accompanied him to Dr. Van Noppen’s sanitarium, did not recognize him. Mr. Wynn also looked into the disfigure face of Mr. Sparks who he had known for years, and was unable to identify him Mr. Wynn was dumbfounded when he learned that the men who were victims of the accident were neighbors.

At this writing, Dr. van Noppen and Dr. Homer Carr are bandaging Lyle Beebe’s wounds., Undertaker  Price has gone to Walton’s Crossing to take charge of the body of the late Mr. Sparks, whose death will prove a profound shock to the entire countryside. Mr. Sparks leaves a daughter, Mrs. Lloyd Butts, where resides northwest of town.

Walton’s Crossing from a veritable ambush, by reason of the high banks and foliage that prevents the approach of an interurban car from being seen by drivers of vehicles on the highway, and numerous accidents have happened there.

Published Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 12, 1917, page 1

Beebe, Norman

Norman Beebe
Feb. 6, 1908-Feb. 2, 1909

Niles Daily Star, Wed. Feb. 3, 1909, page 2

LITTLE NORMAN BEEBEE
Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon at 2 O’clock


      Little Norman Beebee, the one-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. N.P. Beebee of 515 Oak street, died yesterday afternoon of pneumonia.


“And Oh, when aweary, may we be so blest,
And sink like the innocent child to rest,
And feel ourselves clasped to the Infinite breast.”

      Thus over a happy home the shadow of a little grave has fallen; and, as another has said, it is wonderful how long a shadow a little grave can throw. This beautiful baby life was so precious, so fraught with blessing to his parents that he seemed a flower of paradise permitted to bloom for a brief
season by their side, than recalled by its maker, leaving the earth road for
them dark and lonely, indeed.
      The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, Rev. W.R. Yonker conducting services at the home at 2 o’clock. The remains of the little boy will be laid at rest in Silver Brook cemetery.

* * *

 Niles Daily Sun, Wed. Feb. 3, 1909, page 3

The funeral of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Norman P. Beebe will be held from the residence on Oak street tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note:  Gravemarker says Albert M.

Beebe, Norman P.

Norman P. Beebe
March 9, 1878 – Dec. 27, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Thurs. December 27, 1945, page 1

Norman P. Beebe, 67, dies Early today at Home

Former Mayor of Niles, Prominent Agriculturist is Stricken Unexpectedly. 

A sudden heart attack early this morning claimed this life of Norman P. Beebe, 67, in his home at 533 Oak Street.

One of the city’s most prominent citizens, Mr. Beebe was a founding director of the First National Bank of Niles, a onetime mayor of the city and one of the State’s most diversified agriculturalist.A graduate of the law school of the University of Michgian, Mr. Beebe had been admitted to the bar but had never practiced law. In his own words, he found “farming more interesting.” 

Vice President of Bank

At the time of his death he was active as vice president of the Niles bank which he helped to found in 1933.

Often described as “Michigan’s most diversified muck farmer,” Mr. Beebe was born in Mendon, Mich. March 9, 1878, the son of a farmer. He spent his youth on the farm, then attended the University of Michigan where he was graduated in 1903.

Although he received his law degree, Mr. Beebe followed his own desires and those of his father and joined him in a farm venture east of Niles in 1905. His holding now include three farms totaling 2,468 acres which have been devoted largely to the growing of mint and vegetables. 

Active in Civic Affairs

In 1950, Mr. Beebe was honored as a master farmer by member of the Michigan Muck Farmers Assocaition.

For some time he was very active in community affaires, having served as an alderman from 1920 to 1924 as mayor in 1924 and 1925 and as president of the chamber of commerce in 1928 and 29.

Active in organizing the Niles Hospital association, Mr. Beebe was a director of that organization at the time of his death. He was instrumental in establishing the original hospital and gave much of his time toward promotion of the new building program.

Before the war, Mr. Beebe spend most of his winters traveling. His trips have taken him to 80 foreign countries where he exposed countless feet of motion picture film to preserve his experience.

 

Fled flames of War.

Mr. Beebe was traveling through China when the Japanese began invading the country. With his wife and daughter he narrowly escaped the city of Peking, just before that city was captured by the Japanese other trips took him to Africa where he was a member of the big game hunting expedition. In later years he traveled extensively in Mexico, photographing unknown and out of the way places in that country.

Mr. Beebe is survived by his wife, Georgia, whom he married in Ann Arbor, October 20, 1904; his mother, Mrs. Esther Beebe, Mendon; a daughter, Mrs. Wallace Coles, Niles; a brother, Clyde of Benton Harbor, and two grandchildren.

Hold Rites Saturday

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, the Niles rotary club, the Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templars and the Shriners lodge.

Niles Daily Star, December 28, 1945

Pallbearers for Beebe Rites set.

Pallbearers were named today for the Norman P. Beebe funeral services which will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian church.

Earl Warrell P.S. Faruhar, Fred Eaglesfield, L.S. Storms, Arthur Saathoff and Ralph Smith will conduct the body to its Silverbrook Cemetery burial site. Serving a honorary pallbearers will be William McKinney, W.F. Harrah, Harry Parker, William Saathoff, Wilber N. Burns, Floyd Wood and Thomas E. Cain Sr.

  The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the Niles Presbyterian Church will officiate at the rites for Mr. Beebe, who died suddenly in his home Thursday morning.

On of the most prominent citizens, Mr. Beebe served as mayor in 1924 and 1925 and was one of the founding directors of the first national Bank of Niles, of which he was vice-president at the time of his death.

Prior to services Saturday friends may call at the Kiger funeral Home.


Beebe, Roswell K.

Roswell Beebe
1893-Oct. 25, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, October 25, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

WELL KNOWN YOUNG MAN DEAD

Roswell Beebe, aged 23, son of Mrs. and Mrs. A.R. Beebe, died last night at St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend.

Roswell Beebe, aged 23 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Beebe, passed away last evening at St. Joseph Hospital at South Bend, where he was taken a week ago yesterday for treatment for diabetes from which he has been a sufferer for several years.

The body was brought to Niles last evening and taken to the family home north of the city.

The death of the young man is a sad blow to the parents and family, who had expected he would recover. He was highly esteemed in the neighborhood and by a host of friends.

Mr. Beebe was born at the present home of his parents, four miles north of Niles and had always resided at the family home.

Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers, Arthur and Lyle Beebe. The latter is also a patient at St. Joseph Hospital, while recuperating from injuries received when an automobile in which he was riding was struck by an interurban car and Frank Sparks with whom he was riding was killed. The parents are therefore ill prepared to bear the causing sorrow of the death of their son.

The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 12 o’clock from the house. Interment will occur at Silver Brook Cemetery.

* * *

Niles Daily Star, Wed., Oct. 25, 1916, page 4

DEATH CLAIMS ROSWELL BEEBEE

 

Roswell Beebee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Beebee, who was taken to St. Joseph hospital of South Bend, died there yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Diabeticoma, aged 23 years. Mr. Beebe was born on his father’s farm which is located one mile west of Walton’s crossing, and has lived there all his life.

He leaves besides his father and mother, two brothers, Arthur Beebee, and Lyle Beebee, both of this vicinity. Next to his room at the hospital were[sic] he died, lays his brother Lyle, who was injured in an interurban wreck at Walton’s crossing some time ago, and who is getting along nicely.

The funeral services will be held from the home of his parents, at 12 o’clock noon, Friday, with interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Beehler, Harry C.

Harry C. Beehler
July 13, 1895 – April 10, 1985

Harry C. Beehler, 89, 2231 Yankee Street, Niles, died at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at his residence.

Born July 13, 1895 in Niles, he was a lifetime area resident.  He was a retired employee of Penn Central Railroad, World War I Army Veteran and member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Disabled American Veterans and Amon Brothers No. 55.  On July 19, 1924 in Cassopolis he married Florence F. Walter, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, John W. Beehler of Niles and two grandchildren.

Services are 3:15 p.m Friday in the Halbritter Funeral home, Niles, with Rev. Frederick S. West of St. John’s United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. John’s United Church of Christ Memorial fund.

Published Niles Daily Star

Beehler, Mary

Mary Beehler
July 18, 1868 – March 3, 1939

Milton Township Pioneer stricken

Mrs. M. Beehler, member of prominent Old Family dies.

Ill two days of influenza, Mrs. Mary Beehler (Reum), 70, member of an old Milton Township family, died at 8:20 o’clock this morning in her home at 1213 Oak Street. She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Thursday night.

Mrs. Beehler was the widow of Charles Beehler, who died in 1930. She had lived in and near Niles all her life and at one time occupied the old Beehler homestead near Niles.

A daughter of Ernest and Eya Marie Zimmerman Reum she was born July 13, 1868 into one of Milton Township’s oldest families.

Mrs. Beehler was a member of St. John’s Evangelical  Church and its Ladies Aid Society.

Survivors are two sons, Harry and Wallace Beehler; a daughter, Mrs. George Reid; three brothers, Yust Reum, Chris Reum and William Reum; a sister, Mrs. Chris Swartz and seven grandchildren, all of Niles.

The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home. Service arrangements are incomplete.

Published in Niles Daily Star, March 3. 1939

  

Beehler, Maybelle

Maybelle Beehler
May 17, 1900 – Jan. 5, 1957

Mrs. Maybelle (Webber) Beehler

Funeral services for Mrs. Maybelle Beehler, 2219 Yankee Street, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church. She passed away in Pawating Hospital Saturday after and illness lasting 18 months.

Mrs. Beehler was born in Milton Township, Cass County on May 17, 1900, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Webber. On Feb. 5, 1920 she was married to Wallace Beehler in Niles.

Survivors in addition to the father and widower include three daughters, Mrs. Clarence Bachman, Mrs. Frank Unger and Mrs. Johnny Swartz, all of Niles; a son, Richard W. Beehler at home; six grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. V.G. Burnett, Kensington, MD.

Mrs. Beehler was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church and of the Yankee Street Neighbors club.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until noon Tuesday. The Rev. H. A. Meussling of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church will officiate at services. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Published in Niles Daily Star, January 7, 1957.