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.

Woodruff, Walter G.

Walter G. Woodruff
Jan. 24, 1916-March 21, 1984


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 22, 1984, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Walter "Bud" G. Woodruff, 68, 1530 Inner Dr., Niles, died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend, following a brief illness.

Born Jan. 24, 1916, in Niles, the lifetime area resident was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Army veteran of World War II and an employee of Williams Home Centers, Niles. On Sept. 17, 1955, in Eau Claire, he married Ruth E. Yetter, who survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Martha S. Woodruff and Ellen L. Woodruff, both of Niles; one brother, Robert of Pontiac; and one sister, Mrs. Ann Louise Pryce of Canby, Ore.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. David N. Henderson of that church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.  Memorials may be give to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

 

Baker, Paul G.

Paul G. Baker
April 2, 1883-March 16, 1960

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 17, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


Paul G. Baker, 76, of 1731 Oak St., Died at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday in the Oak Grove Manor rest home. Ill three months, he had been in the rest home only three days prior to his death.

Mr. Baker was born in North Manchester, Ind., on April 2, 1883. He moved to this area 50 years ago and was a retired yard conductor for the New York Central railroad.

Mr. Baker was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Masonic lodge and the Pioneer Assn.

His wife, Laura Eyclesheymer Baker, died on Feb. 9, 1956.

Surviving are children, Mrs. Ardis Palmer and Burdette Palmer of Irving, Tex., and Charles Bucknell of Burr Oak; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Georgia Kingston of Niles, and Mrs. Ruth Mack of Three Rivers.

Friends may call at the Kiger & Halbritter Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. John MacLachlan officiating. Masonic services will be held at graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Benning, Harry J.

Harry J. Benning
Sept. 2, 1894-Aug. 19, 1970


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 19, 1970, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla.--Harry J. Benning, 75, of New Port Richey, a former Niles resident, died at 1:15 a.m. today in the Cambridge Nursing Home, after an illness of six months.

Born Sept. 2, 1894, in Logansport, Ind., Mr. Benning had lived in Florida for the last 25 years, coming from Niles. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Eagles, and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church of New Port Richey.

Survivors include a son, Bernard F. of Greenwich, Conn.; two brothers, George of Tarpon Springs, Fla.and Bernard of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. Kathryn Fries of Niles, and three brothers.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Pifer Funeral Home.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 20, 1970, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--Funeral services for Harry J. Benning, 75, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Benning, a former Niles resident died Wednesday at New Port Richey, Fla.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Slowey will officiate at the funeral services and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 8 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home, where friends may call after 7 tonight

 

Berkompass, Albert N.

Albert N. Berkompass
Oct. 18, 1888-Aug. 21, 1970


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 22, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Albert N. Berkompas, 81, of 1325 Oak Street, Niles, died at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital. He had been ill four months.

He had lived at Niles since 1933. He was retired.

Mr. Berkompas was born October 18, 1888 in Hull County, South Dakota. On March 24, 1913, he married Winnie Farma, who survives.

Other survivors are two sons, the Rev. Elwood J. Berkompas of Monroe, and Alfred J. Berkompas of New York City; a sister, Mrs. Ella DeVries of Holland; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m .Monday at the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 p.m., Saturday.

 

 

 

Bingham, Ursula

Ursula Bingham
1887- March 9, 1960


Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 11, 1960, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of Mrs. Ursula Bingham, who died Wednesday in Atlanta, Ga. is being returned to Niles for burial at 4 p.m. Saturday in Silverbrook Cemtery, it was announced today by the Pifer Funeral Home.

Brock, Vernon Chester

Vernon Chester Brock
Nov. 28, 1912-March 25, 1984


Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 26, 1984, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Vernon Chester Brock, 71, 1128 Centerfield St., died at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He retired in 1976 as a group leader of National-Standard Co. and was a member of Pokagon Lodge No. 0136 Masonic Lodge F & AM.

He lived in the county since 1950, coming from Caraway, Ark. Brock was married to Werlene Eaves, who died in 1972.

Surviving are three sons, Wayne, Ronald D. and Jerry Brock, all of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Martha Eaves and Mrs. Lloyd (Nola) Campbell, both of Niles, and four grandchildren. A daughter, Phyllis Brock, died in 1952.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Allan Poage officiating. He is from the Bethel Baptist Church, of which Brock was affiliated.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Masonic services will be conducted by the Pokagon Masonic Lodge.

 

Brodersen, Paul F.

Paul F. Brodersen
Jan. 12, 1883-March 30, 1960


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 31, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Paul F. Brodersen, 77, 1726 Regent St., died at 6:27 p.m. Wednesday in the Berrien County Hospital, Berrien center, following an illness of five months.

Mr. Brodersen, retired employe of the Kawneer Co., was born Jan. 12, 1883, in Clinton, Ia.; and had lived in Niles for 50 years, coming here from Indianapolis, Ind. His wife, Bertha, preceded him in death in September, 1958.

Surviving are: a son, Henry Brodersen, Niles, and four granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Orlan Njus, pastor of the Bertrand Bible Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.