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.

Howe, Zora 1868-1896

Zora Howe
February 2, 1868-January 11, 1896

Niles Weekly Mirror (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 15, 1896, page 5, column 3

The many friends of Miss Zora Howe, who was at one time a teacher in our public schools and who moved to Chicago a few years ago, will regret exceedingly that a dispatch received in Niles yesterday announces her death, caused by spinal-cerebro-meningitis, which occurred at St. Peter, Minn., Saturday, January 11. The remains will be brought to Niles, probably reaching here tomorrow.

Niles Weekly Mirror (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 15, 1896, page 5, column 3

The remains of Miss Zora Howe arrived today at 12:28 and were taken to the residence of Mrs. Wm. Platt. The funeral services occurred this afternoon at the Episcopal church, Rev. R.H.F.. Gardner officiating. The remains were interred in Silverbrook cemetery.

Koerner, Nina Christina 1894-1896

Nina Christina Koerner
May 20, 1894-January 14, 1896

Niles Weekly Mirror (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 15, 1896, page 5, column 2

Nina Christina Koerner, aged 22 months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Koerner at South Bend, died at her home in that city at 9:40 last evening. The remains will be brought to Niles on this evening's train and taken to the home of Henry Knott, from whose residence the funeral will occur tomorrow after noon at 1:30, Rev. F. Rahn officiating.

 

Peabody, Arthur L. 1915-2007

Arthur L. Peabody
Nov. 2, 1915-Jan. 30, 2007

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, February 1, 2007, page 2, col. 3

Arthur L. Peabody, 91, of Regent Street, Niles, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at Riveridge Manor, following an illness.

He was born on Nov. 2, 1915, in Norwood, Ohio to the late Charles and Carrie (Beach) Peabody.

Arthur married Lois Rooks on May 30, 1952, in Niles.

Arthur moved to Niles in 1951 and was employed at South Bend Tool and Die, L.M. Berry Company and during retirement worked for Pinkerton Security. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ferris Peabody, and a granddaughter, Carrie Tyler.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Lois Peabody of Niles; a son, Robert (Jane) Peabody of Garland, Tex., a daughter Virginia (Todd) Tyler of Niles; seven grandchildren, Patrick (Monica) Tyler of Columbus, Ohio, Daniel Tyler of Chicago, Robert (Medea) Peabody, Drew, Joel and Laura Jane Peabody, all of Garland, Tex., and a sister Goldie Brownyard of Indianapolis.

In keeping with Arthur's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral services.

Memorial contributions can be made in Arthur's name to the Foundation at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St. in Niles.

Arrangements have been entrusted at Brown Funeral Home and Cremations Services of Niles.

Thornton, Pauline R. (Lillie) 1915-2007

Pauline R. Thornton
April 10, 1915-Jan. 30, 2007

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Thursday, February 1, 2007, page 2, col. 1-2

Pauline R. Thornton, 91, of Cass Street, Niles, died at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, Following an illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb 3, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Cindy L. Van Parys, chaplain of Lakeland Community Hospital, officiating.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. To 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

She was born April 10, 1915, in Jackson to Curtis Lillie and Freda Walters.

She lived in Niles most of her life.

She attended Saint John's United church of Christ in Niles, and enjoyed playing bridge and camping.

On June 17, 1939, she married ward Thornton, who died on July 31 1831.

She was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Robert Lillie, Richard Lillie and William Lillie; a sister, Dorothea Smallwood; a son-in-law, Fred

Huffman; a grandson, Ronald Wagley; and a granddaughter, Lisa Huffman.

She is survived by three daughters, Jo Anne (James) Wagley, of Niles, Wanda Huffman, of Niles, and Judith Plevin of Fort Myers, Fla.; two Sons, Robert (Rose Marie) Thornton of Sante Fe, N.N., and Michael (Karen) Thornton of Niles; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of the donor' choice.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

 

 

 

 

 

Tyson, George W. 1867-1961

George W. Tyson
Nov. 8, 1867-May 18, 1961

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, May 19, 1961, page 2, col. 6

George Washington Tyson, 93, 62 Marmont St., Died at 12:55 p.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient for one day. He had been in Failing health for seven months.

Mr. Tyson, a retired installer for the Kawneer Co., where he had worked for 23 years, was born Nov. 8, 1867, in Bucks County, Pa., and came to Niles in 1920 from Trenton, N.J. He had retired from Kawneer in 1943.

Surviving are: his widow, Fern; two step-children, Maurice Shepherdson, Benton Harbor; and Mrs. Mildred Anderson, Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Josephine Jenks, Trenton, N.J.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

 

 

Zimmerman, Marie 1887-1961

Marie Zimmerman
April 11, 1887-May 18, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Friday, May 19, 1961, page 2, col. 6

Mrs. Marie Zimmerman, 74, 614 Cass St., died at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Berrien County Hospital, Berrien Center, following an illness of one month.

Mrs. Zimmerman was born April 11, 1887, in Neodsha, Kan., and came to Niles in 1936 from Iowa City, Iowa. Her husband, Alfred D. Zimmerman, died Oct. 4, 1937.

Surviving are: two sons, Elmer Zimmerman, Phoenix, Ariz., and George Zimmerman, Iowa City, Iowa.

Committal services will be held at 2 pm. Saturday Cemetery with Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of First Methodist Church of which she had been a member officiating.

Friends are being received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home.

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Lewis, Elmer A. 1902-1993

ELMER A. LEWIS
May 8, 1902 – Dec. 23, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Friday, Dec. 24, 1993, pg. 2.

NILES – Elmer A. Lewis, 91, of 222 N. 13th St., died at 9:30 AM Thursday at Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mr. Lewis retired after 46 years with National Standard. He was born May 8, 1902, in Rosedale, Ind., living in Niles since 1918. In 1922 in St. Joseph, he married Gladys Siebert. She died Oct. 22, 1985. On Sept. 25, 1988, in Niles he married Mildred I Prather Taylor Lewis. She survives with a daughter, Betty Runnels of Niles; two grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; three sisters, Elizabeth Marrs of Talahomam, Tenn., Helen Davidson and Carrie Jane Shoemaker, both of Buchanan; and two brothers, Charles of Niles and Albert of Rockville, Ind.

There will be no services or visitation. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association.