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.

Skalla, Eugene Paul

editor Obituaries

Eugene Skalla
Aug. 15, 1889*-July 2, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 2, 1926, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

EUGENE SKALLA LOSES IN LONG HEALTH BATTLE

 

Paul Skalla received the sad message this afternoon of the death in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of his son, Eugene.  The body will be shipped to Niles for burial, although it is not known just when it will arrive.

Eugene was born in Niles in August, 1889. He was educated in the Niles public schools. About 13 years ago his health began to fail and he went to Albuquerque, and had since made his home there, being unable to stand the rigorous climate of the north during the winter. He made visits home frequently but on account of his health was able to remain for but a brief time. He had returned to Albuquerque on May 28 after one of these visits.

He is survived by his father and by one brother, Lawrence, of Niles. His mother died seven years ago. He had many friends in Niles and whose sympathy is extended to the bereaved father and brother.

 

*dob from Michigan Births @FamilySearch.org

 

Hirt, Marie M.

editor Obituaries

Marie M. Hirt
March 5, 1914-Oct. 30, 1992

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 2, 1992, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Marie M. Hirt
1914-1992
Retired from
Simplicity Pattern Co.

Graveside funeral services for Marie M. Hirt, 78, 21 Carriage Lane, Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. David M. Mitchell of Faith Victory Fellowship, in Buchanan, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Hirt died at 10:24 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Born March 5, 1914, in Mishawaka, Ind., she lived in the area all of her life.

She worked at Simplicity Pattern and retired in 1974 after 31 years there. She was a member of the Bookbinders Union, Local 158.

She is survived by two daughters, Pat East of Niles and Shirley Prenkert of Niles; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

Arrangements were handled by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

 

Bates, Clarinda

editor Obituaries

Mrs. Clarinda Bates
Abt. 1829-Nov. 2, 1902

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 4, 1902, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. C. BATES

Death of Former Well-Known Niles Lady

 

News has been received here of the sudden death on last Saturday night of Mrs. C. Bates, a former well-known resident of this place. Mrs. Bates' sudden demise is ascribed to heart trouble. She passed away at her home in Marcellus,Ill. Deceased is survived by one son, Harley Bates, of Springfield, Mo. She was a sister of Mr. U.H. Stebbins, of near this place.

The remains will arrive here tomorrow over the Michigan Central, at 5:30 o'clock. Interment will take place at Silverbrook.


Niles Republican, Thursday, November 6, 1902, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED SUDDENLY

Remains of Mrs. John Bates Will be Brought Here


Monday's Sun

The remains of Mrs. Clarinda Bates, a sister of U.H. Stebbins, will arrive here from Marseilles, Ill., tomorrow evening at 5:37 o'clock and be taken to Silver Brook cemetery, where, after a brief funeral service, they will be laid to rest by the side of her husband, the late John Bates.

The death of Mrs. Bates occurred Saturday at Marseilles and was caused by heart failure, her demise being very sudden,

The deceased was for many years a resident of this vicinity, having for a long time resided with her husband on the Eisner place on Yankee street, and for some time lived south of Niles. She leaves one son, Harley Bates.

 

Brydon, May (Engser)

editor Obituaries

May Brydon
May 3, 1876-May 26, 1949

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 26, 1949, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. May Brydon, 1332 Broadway, died at 2:15 a.m. today at Pawating hospital. She had been in Por health for the past two months.

Her husband, George, died in 1932, and she leaves no children, brothers or sisters. Bron in Chatswoorth, Ill., May 3, 1876, she came here from Kansas 23 years ago. Mrs. Brydon was a member of the Women's Benefit association. . .

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 28, 1949, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

SURVIVOR NAMED

Among survivors of Mrs. May Brydon, not reported previously are a number of nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Gladys Bosler, 1332 Broadway, with whom Mrs. Brydon had made her home before her death on Thursday.

File, William Emory

editor Obituaries

William Emory File
Sept. 3, 1860-Jan. 24, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 26, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

William Emory File, 87, rural route three, pioneer Niles resident and retired farmer, died Saturday at Pawating hospital after an illness of four days.

Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger funeral home. The Rev. Clarence Graham, pastor of the First Baptist church, will be in charge. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. File had been a member of the East Union church. He was born in Berrien township Sept. 3, 1860.

Surviving are his widow, Mary Elizabeth; three sons, Russell C. and Joseph, both of Niles; Alva R., Berrien Center; a daughter, Mrs. Tina Patterson, South Bend; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 

Friday, Cora E. (Kennedy) Crossman

editor Obituaries

Cora E. (Kennedy) Crossman Friday
Abt. 1865*-Jan. 29, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 30, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Services for Mrs. Cora E. Friday will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, First Presbyterian pastor officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday.

Mrs. Friday died Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., after a four-day illness. Her husband, Phillip B. Friday, who died several years ago, was a prominent Niles real estate man.

Surviving are two sons, Ward O. Crossman, Niles; and L. Earl Crossman, Olivet; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Maude Woodley, Benton Harbor.

Mrs. Friday, born and reared in Benton Harbor, made her home alternately between Niles and St. Petersburg during recent years.


*Berrien County Marriages, Philip B. Friday m. Cora E. Kennedy Crossman, Nov. 26, 1902, age 37 years, maiden name Kennedy

Hand, Ella (Green)

editor Obituaries

Ella Hand
Sept. 27, 1856-Jan. 24, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 26, 1948, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ELLA HAND, 91

Mrs. Ella Hand, 1401 Regent street, lifelong resident of Niles, passed away Saturday at the Carson Convalescent home, Benton Harbor. She had been ill for one year.

Services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Kiger funeral home. The rev.L.George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Hand was born Sept. 27, 1856 in Berrien township. She had been a member of the Methodist church.

Her husband, Joe, preceded her in death in 1944.

Surviving are a son, Merl Hand, Berrien Springs; a daughter, Mrs. Carl Dick, Niles; a niece, Mrs. Robert Davis, Berrien Springs; four grandsons, Joseph A. Hand, Lakewood, O., Robert M. Hand, McDonald, Pa., LeRoy Hand, Berrien Center, and Carl Dick,Jr., Niles; two great-grandchildren.

 

*Michigan Marriages, Ella Green m. Jo Hand, Dec. 14, 1881.

 

Bottom Menu 1

Bottom Menu 2

Bottom Menu 4