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.

Forler, George A.

George A. Forler
April 17, 1862-May 31, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 2, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

George A. Forler, 85, prominant grocer and civic leader, died Saturday, at 8:45 p.m. at Pawating hospital after six months' illness.

The son of George and Katherine Forler, pioneer residents of Niles, he was born here on April 17, 1862, and was married on Jan 10, 1894 to Dora Jane Spansail of Chicago.

He attended the Niles schools and a Detroit business college and on returning to Niles entered his father's grocery business, serving as manager until 1895, when he purchased his father's interest. He continued in this business until his retirement in 1935.

Maintaining a deep interest in civic affairs, he served as an alderman and as treasurer of the school board for two terms. He [illegible] in Niles of the Calanthe lodge No. 50, Knights of Pythias and was a member of the advisory board of the Niles Old Timers' asoscition[sic].

Besides his wife, he is survived by five daughters, the Misses Dorothy, Gladys, and Elizabeth Forler, all of Niles; Mrs. Paul Blackmond of Niles; and Mrs. William Bartholomew, Waynesburg, Pa.; four grandchildren, Mrs. Gilbert Lenning and Stephen Blackmond, Niles, and George and William Barthlomew[sic], of Waynesburg; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Reinicke, Kent, O., and Mrs. Mrs. Oscar Massnick, Detroit, and a brother, Henry Forler, Detroit.

Christian Science services will be conducted by Charles Kitterer on Tuesday, at 2 p.m. at the Pifer funeral home, and committal rites will be conducted by the Knights of Pythias at Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home until the hour of services.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 4, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

ATTEND FORLER FUNERAL

Out-of-town relatives and friends who attended the funeral yesterday of George A. Forler included: Dr. and Mrs. William Bartholomew, Waynesburg, Pa.; Mrs. Joseph Reiniche, Kent, O.; Mrs. Oscar Missnich and Henry {illegible[, Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harrison, Pomona, Cal.; Mrs. Ted Custer, San Diego, Cal.; Chief Petty Officer and Mrs. Richard Forler, Great Lakes, Ill.

Mrs. Charles Porter, Lake Geneva, Ill.; Alex Crawforrd, Belvidere, Ill.; Ray, Roy, and Melburn Crawford, Genoa, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Spansail and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Spansail, Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Lillian Ambos, South Bend; and Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Blackmond, Dowagiac.

 

Fowler, Benton H.

Benton H. Fowler
abt. 1865-May 22, 1921

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 23, 1921, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

B.H. FOWLER, FORMER WELL KNOWN NILES RESIDENT, DIES SUNDAY

Body Will be Brought to Niles From Michigan City for Burial Tomorrow

 

Benton H. Fowler, 56 years, a former resident of Niles, and a brother of Mrs. Frank Bair and Mrs. George Selfridge, died on Sunday morning at 9 o'clock at his home in Michigan City, his death following a prolonged illness from heart disease. He had been confined to his bed since last Dec. 21.

The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow and will be taken to the Methodist church where funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock by Rev. J. R. T. Lathrop. Burial will occur in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Fowler had been a faithful member of the Methodist church since his youth.

Mr. Fowler was born in Wilmington Del. When a boy of 7 years he came to Niles with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Forler[sic], and had resided in Niles since that time until nine years ago, when he went to Michigan City.  He is survived by his wife, who was formerly Miss Myrtle Bogue of Cassopolis; one daughter, Mrs. Ferne Chew, of Petoskey; by one brother, J. Wesley Fowler, of Dowagiac, and by two sisters, Mrs. Bair and Mrs. Selfridge. Two brothers, Walter and William Fowler, and two sisters, Laura and Mary, preceded Mr. Fowler in death.

Fraternally Mr. Fowler was identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.

 

Gallagher, Frank H.

Frank H. Gallagher
Sept. 11, 1870-Dec. 19, 1953


Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 21, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Frank H. Gallagher, 83, of Third street, died at 12:10 p.m.  Saturday at Pawating Hospital. He had been in poor health since March.

Surviving are his wife, Clara; four daughters, Mrs. Arthur Marquette, of Santa Barbara, Calif., Mrs. William Bramhall and Mrs. Robert Williams, of Evanston, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Franzen, of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Gallagher was born on Sept. 11, 1870, at Fort Smith, Arks., and came here from Chicago eight years ago.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector, of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Goff, Charles Nelson

Charles Nelson Goff
Sept. 18, 1889-Nov. 28, 1953


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 30, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles Nelson Goff, 620 Vann avenue, died at 11:23 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Hospital, South Bend. He had been in poor health for some time.

Surviving are his wife, Lillian, a son, Walter, of Barron Lake; two grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Ollie Burns, of Mishawaka, Ind. He was born on Sept. 18, 1889 in Miami County, Ind., and came here from Gary, Ind., about 25 years ago. He was a pressman for The Niles Daily Star.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m Wednesday with the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Grasenack, Gustave

Gustave Grasenack
Oct. 14, 1892-June 16, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 17, 1947, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Deaths
Gustave Grasenack Dies

Gustave H. Grasenack, 54, died yesterday at 4  p.m. at his rural route two residence where he had been ill three and a half years.

Services will be held Thursday in Coulter's chapel with the Rev.A.J. Martin officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral home, where the body will remain until 11 a.m. Thursday.

Surviving are his wife, Josephine Pietales Grasenack, whom he married Dec. 16, 1926, in San Francisco., Cal., and a daughter, Allegra, at home. His parents also survive in Germany.

Grasenack was born Oct. 14, 1892, in Wittenburg, Germany. He came to Niles from Chicago in 1932. Grasenack was a machinist and a member of Studebaker union Local 5.

 

Hamilton, Mildred H.

Mildred H. Hamilton
June 15, 1903-Jan. 21, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 23, 1978, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--Mildred H. Hamilton, 74, of 412 S. 11th St., died at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Pawating Hospital, following an extended illness.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Lady Elks and the War Mothers of World War II. Mrs. Hamiltpn was born June 15, 1903 in Dayton, Ohio, and had lived here since 1927, coming from Dayton.

On June 26, 1923 in Dayton, she married Leland L. Hamilton, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Leland Jr. of Niles and Robert J. of Buchanan; a daughter, Mrs. David (Carol) Knoll of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Ralph Gitzinger of Dayton; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey, pastor of St. Mary's officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

 

Hampel, Carl

Carl Hampel
Sept. 4, 1890-June 8, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 10, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


Services will be conducted on Wednesday for Carl Hampel, 56 year -old Niles resident, who was killed Sunday evening in a Gary, Ind. highway accident.

The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe will conduct the funeral at 2:30 p.m. in the Reiser-Krieger chapel, where friends may call preceding the service. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Born in Germany Sept. 4, 1890, Hampel came to Niles five years ago. He was a pattern maker by trade and was employed by the Studebaker corporation in South Bend. He lived here at 1603 Taft street.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and two sons, George, who is attending City college in Chicago, and Floyd, who is attending Chicago academy. Three sisters and two brothers live in Germany.