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.

Eckler, George Washington

 

George Washington Eckler
January 24, 1898- October 29, 1947

GEORGE W. ECKLER, Niles, MI Oct. 30, 1947, Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kiger funeral home for George Washington Eckler, 48, who died at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday in his home at 621 French street, Niles, after an illness of 10 months. The Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the Evangelical and Reformed church will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Mr. Eckler was born in Berrien county north of Buchanan, November 24, 1898, and had spent most of his life in Niles. He was employed for 25 years by the National Standard Company. On August 31, 1915, he married Hazel Bowerman in South Bend. He leaves his wife, Hazel Eckler, a daughter, (Alice May) Mrs. Raymond G. Pressnall of Niles; a grandson, Raymond C. Pressnall, a brother, Fred Eckler of Barron lake; and two half-brothers, Raymond Rupert of Niles and Frank Rupert of Villa Grove, Ill.

Herald Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI Thursday, Oct. 30, 1947. Submitted by 2nd Cousin - Anita (Eckler) Frucci Rodgers

 

Goodsell-Loane, Lydia (Swartz)

Lydia Goodsell-Loane
March 10, 1864-Aug. 27, 1931


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 27, 1931, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GOODSELL-LOANE IS STRICKEN AT HER HOME

Passes Away After Months of Illness and intense Suffering

 

Mrs. Lydia Goodsell-Loane, 67, died at 10:50 this monring in her home at 24 N. St. Joseph Avenue, where for 18 months she had been bed-ridden and her death released her from many months of intense suffering.

Mrs. Loane was born in Niles, on March 10, 1864, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Swartz, pioneer residents of Portage Prairie, having gone there from Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Loane spent most of her life in Niles. She was married here to George Loane.[sic] He died in 1897 while they were living in Crawfordsville, Ind.  After his death his widow returned to Niles and had since lived here continously. The four children born to Mr.and Mrs. Goodsell survive their mother. They are Louis and Floyd Goodsell of Niles, Mrs. Sadie Goodsell Sweet, wife of John L. Sweet of Chicago, and Howard Goodsell, of Dowagiac. Mrs. Goodsell was married to George W. Loane in 1905. He died in 1909. Besides her children Mrs. Loane is survived by one sister, Mrs. George W. Clark, of Chicago, who is expected for the funeral services and by three brothers, Jacob Swartz of Edwardsburg, Frank Swartz of South Bend and Milton Swartz of Niles.

Mrs. Loane was a member of the Presbyterian church for many years.

Funeral services have been arranged for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 28, 1931, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL MRS. G.W. LOANE


Funeral services for Mrs. Ludia[sic] Loane will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 in her home, 24 N. St. Joseph Ave.  The Rev. Fox of Dowagiac will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 31, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday afternoon for Mrs. Lydia Goodsell Loane, 24 N. St. Jsoeph avenue by the Rev. Joseph Fox, of Dowagiac. The following served as pallbearers: W.C. Rice, Fred Cook, Hardy Langston, Charles Roskay, Clarence Webber, of Kalamazoo,and U.P. Leader of Dowagiac. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Loane was born in Niles, on March 10, 1864. She was marred here to George Goodsell. He died in 1897, while they were living in Crawfordsville, Ind. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goodwell survive their mother, they are Louis and Floyd Goodsell of Niles, Mrs. John Sweet of Chicago,and Howard Goodsell, of Dowagiac. Mrs. Goodsell was married to George W. Loane in 1905. He died in 1909.  Besides her children Mrs. Loane is survived by one sister, Mrs. George W. Clark of Chicago and by three brothers, Jacob Swartz of Edwardsburg, Frank Swartz of South Bend and Milton Swartz of Niles. Those from out of the city who attended the funeral services were, Mrs. W.J. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Sweet, Mrs. Harry Lord, Mrs. Marie Linder, Mrs. Chas. Kaekway, all of Chicago; Frank Swartz, Wm. Curl, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. David Heintzleman and Mrs. Clara Fox, of South Bend, Mr.a nd Mrs. . . [Illegible]. .Phillips, U. P. Leader, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edward, Mr.and Mrs. Howard Goodsell and daughter, of Dowagiac, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Webber, Kalamazoo

Goodsell, Floyd M.

Floyd M. Goodsell
November 20, 1889-November 16, 1944


FORMER RESIDENT DIES AT DOWAGIAC


Floyd M. Goodsell, 54, of Dowagiac, until seven years ago a resident of Niles, died Thursday night at 9:15 in the Lee Memorial hospital from a heart ailment.

He was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., Nov. 20, 1889, a son of George and Lydia Goodsell.  He moved to Niles with his parents while a small boy, and spent most of his life here.

In partnership with his brother, Howard Goodsell, with whom he also lived, he operated an electric shop in Dowagiac. He was a member fo the Elks lodge of Dowagiac, and a prominent fisherman.

Survivers[sic] are a sister, Mrs. Sadie Sweet, Chicago; a brother, Howard Goodsell, Dowagiac; three nephews, George and Henry Goodsell, Niles, and Pvt, Robert Goodsell, in Persia, and a niece, Pvt. Barbara Goodsell, Washington, D.C.

After Saturday night, friends may call at the McLaughlin funeral home where services will be conducted at 2:30 Monday.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.


(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 17, 1944, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Goodsell Burial Made at Silverbrook

Christian Science services were held today for Floyd M. Goodsell, 54, of Dowagiac, formerly of Niles, who died Thursday.  Rites were conducted at the McLauchlin funeral home with Mrs. Betty Patch as reader. Interment was made in the Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.  His niece, Pfc. Barbara Goodsell of Washington, D.C. was expected to arrive in time for the services today.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 20, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Crews, Mary L.

Mary L. Crews
1897-May 29, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 29, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary Crews Dies Today

 

Mary L. Crews, 49, died at 5:30 a.m. today in Pawating hospital where she had been a patient but a few hours. She was a resident of Howard street.

. . .[illegible]. ..died Dec. 19, 1942. She is survived by two sisters who live in Chicago.

Funeral arrangements are pending arrival of the sisters. The body is at the Pifer funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 31, 1947, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


Service Today

 

Funeral services were held this afternoon at Silverbrook cemetery for Mrs. Mary L. Crews, 810 Howard street, who died Thursday at Pawating hospital.

The Rev. L. George Beacock, of the First Methodist church, officiated. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Virgil Wright, and Miss Nellie Long, both of Chicago, and one brother, Harry Long, Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Davidson, John

John Davidson
1851-March 1, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 1, 1933, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


Death of John Davison

 

Word was received last evening by Harry Mansfield of the death of John Davison, 82, a former resident of Niles, in the home of his niece, Mrs. Deana Collins Bates, in Minneapolis, Minn.  The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow on the Michigan Central train due from Chicago at 11:10 and will be taken to the Rutherford Funeral Home where a funeral service will be conducted at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery. Mr. Davison was born in Niles. His father erected the building now occupied by the Babcock tea room and the Tynan Hat shop  at Third and Main street. The father was a pioneer resident of Niles. The son, born in the house his father had erected, engaged in the marble cutting business in partnership with Mrs. Bates' father. Mr. Davison had several sisters, all of whom are deceased but whose names are well remembered in Niles as Mrs. Fanny Scott, Mrs. Laura Hinton, Mrs. Joseph Brochaw and Miss Hattie Davison, the latter having been killed in an accident. Mrs. Hinton's body was brought to Niles for burial two years ago. Members of . .[illegible] . .will act as pallbearers at the service for Mr. Davison.

 

Note: In Silverbrook burial listing as "Davidson", obit and Minnesota Death record say Davison

 

Doane, Katherine E.

Katherine Doane
Aug. 15, 1863-April 16, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 16, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


Mrs. Katherine E. Doane, 83, mother of Mrs. Eugene Huntley, rural route one, Niles, and Harold H. Doane, Cassopolis, died at 4 a.m. today in Ann Arbor where she was visiting a daughter, Mrs. Walter Drury. She was ill since early January.

Last rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Mrs. Doane spent most of her life in Cass county and the Niles community with exception of a few winters in Ann Arbor visiting her daughter.

She was born in Howard township, Cass county, Aug. 15, 1863.  Mrs. Doane was a member of the Methodist church.

Surviving besides the three children are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Her husband, Herbert, died in 1921.

 

Etzcorn, George J.

George J. Etzcorn
April 15, 1891-Jan. 23, 1978


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 24, 1978, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--George J. Etzcorn, 86, 1646 Hickory St., died at 12:21 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

A retired employee of the New York Central Railroad, he was a member of the Veterans of World War I, having served with the U.S. Marine Corps, the American Legion Post 26 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Born April 15, 1891 in Niles, he was a lifetime resident of the area. He married Helen M. Wallace on March 8, 1925, in Dowagiac. She died Feb. 3, 1975.

He is survived by his sons Robert G. and Lyle P. Etzcorn, both of Niles, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.