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.

Mueller, Jacob 1899-1987

Jacob Mueller
Jan 31, 1899-April 15, 1987

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, April 18, 1987, page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Jacob Mueller, 88, 809 Platt St., Niles, died early Wednesday morning at home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was retired from Kawneer Co., Inc., as a maintenance engineer.

Born Jan. 1, 1899 in Niederhelfenschwiel, Switzerland, he lived in this area since 1942, coming from Chicago.

On June 16, 1923 in Chicago, he married Elizabeth Bach, who died March 12, 1983.

Surviving are a daughter, Elizabeth McNeill of New Buffalo; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

There will be no services or visitation. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Arrangements were made by Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.

Nicholson, Sophie B. (Pietrowski) 1904-1978

Sophie B. Nicholson
March 16, 1904-Dec. 15, 1978

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, December 18, 1978, page 2, col 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES―Sophie B. Nicholson, 74, of 3114 S. Woodlawn, died Friday at her home.

She was born March 18, 1904 in Michigan City, Ind.

On June 26, 1933, in Plymouth, Ind., she married James A. Necholson[sic], who died Aug. 15, 1975.

Survivors include a nephew, Joe Carr of Niles; three brothers, Roy, Anthony and Max Pietrowski, all of Michigan City; a sister, Mrs. Matilda Hatfield of Detroit; and a half-sister, Mrs. Helen Johnson of Lafayette, Ind.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Asire of Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery

Friends may call after 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Ribble, Mable M. 1890-1978

Mable M. Ribble
Dec. 24, 1890-Dec. 11, 1978

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, December 14, 1978, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES: Word has been received here of the death at 6:30 a.m. Monday of Mrs. Mable M. Ribble, formerly of Niles, of Staten Island, N.Y.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ribble were to be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. William Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial was to follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Ribble was born Dec. 24, 1890 in Vandalia, and left Niles, in 1933. She lived in South Bend for many years, moving to New York in 1960.

She married Frank Ribble in Niles in 1914. He died in 1963.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Marion Gable of Staten Island; and a sister, Mrs. Robert (Lena) Badgero, of Niles.

Webster, Walter J. 1858-1940

Walter J. Webster
Jan. 18, 1858-Nov. 17, 1940

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 18, 1940, page 2, col 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Walter Webster, Native of Berrien, is Stricken at 82

Walter J. Webster, 82, native of Berrien county, died Sunday afternoon at 5:30 in the home of his son, Floy Webster, Route 3.

He was born in Berrien county Jan. 18, 1858, and had lived most of his life here, except for 14 years with the Studebaker corporation in South Bend. He was employed there from 1917 to 1931.

Surviving are his son Floy and Mrs. Vera Hand, the latter of Berrien Springs. He also leaves four grandchildren.

Services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger chapel, where friends may call prior to the funeral. The Rev. John Hagens, Berrien Springs, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook. Mr. Webster was a member of the Woodmen of the World.

He was married April 14, 1884 to Mary E. Beall, who died in 1905. She was the mother of Floy Webster and Mrs. Hand. In 1914 he was married to Nellie B. Miller, in South Bend. She died in 1937.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 22, 1940, page 2, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Service Wednesday for Walter Webster

The Rev. John Hagans of Berrien Springs, officiated Wednesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral chapel at services for Walter J. Webster, who died Sunday in the home of his son, Floy Webster, Route 3.

Pallbearers were Joseph File, Lyle Morris, L.H. Sparks, Roscoe Lybrook, Frank Vandenberg and Vern Hunt.

Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Wiatrolik, Veronika 1884-1940

Veronika Wiatrolik
Nov. 7, 1884-Nov. 18, 1940

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 18, 1940, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. A. Wiatrolik, 56, Niles Resident 20 Years, is Dead

Mrs. Verena Wiatrolik, 56, of 320 North Twelfth street, who had lived in Niles 20 years, died at 6 this morning in Berrien county hospital. She had been ill 10 years.

She was born in Germany in 1884 and came to Niles from South Bend.

Surviving are her husband, Fred; two sons, Theodore, Niles, and Clem, Bertrand; four daughters, Mrs. Martha Fye, Mrs. Sophy Fye and Mrs. Clara Brubaker, South Bend, and Mrs. Mary Kubiak, State Line; two brothers, Frank and John Kucharski, both of South Bend, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, November 20, 1940, page 2, col 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Wiatrolik Rites and Burial Today

Services were held this afternoon at 2:30 in the Pifer funeral home for Mrs. Alfred Wiatrolik, 56, of Bertrand.

Mrs. Wiatrolik died early Monday after 10 year's illness.

The Rev. Theo Eisen officiated at services today and burial was in Silverbrook.

Pallbearers were Jasper Fye, Oral Fye, Clarence Fye, Sr., Clarence Fye, Jr., Lee Kubiak and Fred Brubaker.

Note: Spelling of first name and dob from Michigan Death Record; grave marker says Veronica and obituary says Verena.

 

 

Woodbridge, Robert William Jr. 1940-1940

Robert William Woodbridge, Jr.
Nov. 17, 1940-Nov. 17, 1940

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 18, 1940, page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Private Services Are Announced for Woodbridge Infant

Private services for Robert William Woodbridge, Jr., infant son of Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Woodbridge, 501 South Third street, will be conducted Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. at Silverbrook cemetery. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, pastor of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate.

The child died at birth Sunday night at 7:30 in Pawating hospital. Beside the parents, he leaves his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Crabill and Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Woodbridge.

 

 

Travick, Anita M. (Finley) 1899-1978

Anita M. Travick
Sept. 11, 1899-Dec. 1, 1978

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, December 1, 1978, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Anita M. Travick, 79, of 2140 Indian Lake road, Niles, died at 11:20 a.m. Friday in Memorial hospital at South Bend.

She was born Sept. 11, 1899 in Bridgman and had lived her entire life in this area. She married Thomas H. Travick on Sept. 20, 1919 in Niles. He died in 1946.

Mrs. Travick was a member of the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas, Jr., of Gary, Ind., and Frank of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Gene Cunningham of Detroit and Mrs. Dolly Blanchard of South Bend; three brothers, Homer Finley of Chicago, Clarence Finley, Jr. of Niles, and Seth Finley of Puyallup, Wash.; two sister, Mrs. Esther Woodford of White Cloud and Mrs. Norma Taylor of Niles; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home. Mr. Calvin Hargis of the Jehovah Witnesses will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Sunday.