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.

Armstrong, Mary Jane

editor Obituaries

Mary Jane Armstrong
Aug. 10, 1838-Aug. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1935, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES PASSES

Mrs. Mary Jane Armstrong, 97, Dies at Daughter's Home in South Bend

 

Mrs. Mary Jane Armstrong, 97, a former resident of Niles, died early Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hatfield, of South Bend.

Mrs. Armstrong was born in Rockport, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1838. She was the widow of Frank Armstrong who died about 15 years ago. The family left Niles some time ago but will be recalled by many of the older residents. Their home was near Ninth and Hickory streets.

Surviving are Mrs. Hatfield, of South Bend, a son, Frank Armstrong, Niles and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Armstrong, Chicago. Five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive.

Services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Price and Kiger funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 27, 1935, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

RITES HELD TODAY FOR AGED PIONEER

Mrs. Mary Armstrong, 97, Resident of County 60 years;

Buried This Afternoon

 

Mrs. Mary Armstrong, 97, whose funeral services were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home, was one of Berrien county's old pioneers.  As a bride she crossed what was then a wilderness in Indiana and Ohio to Missouri, driving in a covered wagon across the frontier.

Left alone in wilderness with the death of her husband, she drove the wagon and team back to the east and settled in Berrien county 60 years ago. She was a member of the Bassett family widely known among the pioneer settlers of this section, and was married to  Frank Armstrong when she was 24 years old.

She had resided in Niles, Berrien Springs, South Bend and Benton Harbor for more than 60 years. Her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hatfield, Benton Harbor, with whom she had lived for the last 24 years.

She left one son, Frank Armstrong, Niles, and two daughters, Mrs. Hatfield, and Miss Lillian Armstrong, Chicago.



Redding, Ezekiel

editor Obituaries

Ezekiel Redding
Abt. 1807-Aug. 11, 1881

Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 13, 1881, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Ezekiel Redding, an old and highly esteemed citizen, died Thursday morning, August 11th, in his 73rd year.  Thus one by one the links which bind us to the past are broken.  Mr. Redding was one of a large family, most of whom settled in this county, nearly fifty years ago.  He was in active business in Niles until within the past few years, when his health became feeble and he was compelled to surrender the business into younger and more vigorous hands.  He was ever a man of his word, honest and straight forward in all his dealing, kind and obliging in his intercourse with others, and after the many years spent in this community, we may confidently affirm that he leaves none but friends behind him. He suffered much during his declining years, but all with Christian fortitude and patiently awaited the hour of release.

Simmons, Walter

editor Obituaries

Walter Simmons
Jan. 5, 1892*-Aug. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1935, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Veteran Succumbs After Long Illness

 

Walter Simmons, 44, a veteran of the World war who servied in the United States navy, died Sunday in the Hines veterans' hospital in Chicago. His body will be brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home late this afternoon.

Mr. Simmons had been in the hospital for the last four months. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Simpson . .[illegible].

Funeral services will be held Wednesday . .at the Price and Kiger funeral home, the Rev. Theo Laesch officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 28, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: SIMMONS FUNERAL TODAY

Services for Walter Simmons, 44, World war veteran, who died Sunday in the Hines' veterans' hospital in Chicago, were held at 3 o'clock this afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. Theo Laesch officiated, and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

*DOB from Illinois Death records @FamilySearch.org

 

Fowler, Mary E.

editor Obituaries

Mary E. Fowler
Oct. 4, 1852-Feb. 19, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1933, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GEORGE FOWLER DIES AT AGE OF 80 YEARS

Passes Away At Hickory Street Residence After Two Weeks Illness

 

Mrs. Mary E. Fowler, widow of George Fowler, aged 80, died at her home at 746 Hickory street at 7:30 Sunday morning, after an illness of two weeks.  She was born in Milford, Delaward, Oct. 4th, 1852. She came to Michigan with her father, George Fowler, in 1860, who settled on a farm north of Niles, which was afterwards owned by the late M.E. Harger.

Mrs. Fowler is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Ida Howard, Mrs. Lena Morris, Mrs. G. Fowler and Miss Florence Fowler, of Niles, by two brothers, Archie Fowler and [illegible] of Niles, by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held in the home on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 21, 1933, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Fowler, 80, widow of George Fowler who died in her home 746 Hickory street on Sunday morning after an illness of two weeks were held this afternoon in her home. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the services. Walter Miller, George Earl, Ben H. Smith, Charles Champion, Earl Fowler and G.A. Reum were pallbearers. The committal was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Mrs. Fowler was born in Milford, Delaware, Oct. 4th, 1852.  She came to Michigan with her father, Geo. Fowler, in 1860, who settled on a farm north of Niles, which was afterwards owned by the late M.E. Harger.  Mrs. Fowler is survived by four children, Mrs. Ida Howard, Mrs. Lena Morris, George Fowler and Miss Florence Fowler, of Niles, by two brothers, Archie Fowler and Revel Fowler, of Niles, by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

 

Williams, Celestia (Scarlett)

editor Obituaries

Celestia Williams
Feb. 7, 1893-June 7, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 8, 1946, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Celestia Williams Dies From Stroke Near Long Lake

 

Mrs. Celestia Williams, 53, of 124 Huron street, died Friday at 5 p.m. at Long Lake, near Bitely. Death resulted from a stroke.

She was born Celestia Scarlett, Feb. 7, 1893, in New Paris, Ind., and moved to Niles from New Paris 34 years ago. She was married Oct. 26, 1916, in South Bend, to Arthur Williams, her only survivor.

Services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Vandygriff, Effie (Martin)

editor Obituaries

Effie Vandygriff
June 8, 1916-June 18, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 18, 1946, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Woman Dies Early Today in Oshtemo Hospital

 

Mrs. Effie Vandyfriff, 28, of rural route three, died today at . ..[illegible]. .. sanitarium, Oshtemo, after an illness of three months.

Born June 8, 1916, in Savannah, Tenn., she came to Niles from Tyronza, Ark., in 1935.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Vandygriff; three children, Edith Helen, James and Larry, all at home; her father, William F. Martin, 124 1/2 East Main street; four sisters: Mrs. Olive Newbank, 1301 North Twelfth street; Miss Peggy Martin, 124 1/2 East Main street; Mrs. Clara Hubbard, and Mrs. Edith McNess, both or Tyronza, Ark.

Services will take place Thursday at 2 p.m., from the Pifer funeral home, with Capt. Herbert Jensen of the Salvation Army officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home.

 

McLaughlin, Edwin

editor Obituaries

Edwin McLaughlin
Sept. 16, 1876-June 19, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 20, 1946, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Edwin McLaughlin, Kawneer Employe, Dies in Hospital

 

Edwin McLaughlin, 69, of 223 South Fourth street, died Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in Pawating hospital. He had been in ill health for two years.

He was born in Orleans, Neb., Sept. 16, 1876, and came to Niles from Orleans when 12 years old. He was married to Miss Ellen Terrell, in Marion, Ind., in 1901.

Since 1915 he had been an employe of the Kawneer company and was a member of the Kawneer 25-year club.

Belonged to Elks

He was a member of the Niles Elks lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ellen McLaughlin; one son, Wilfred P. McLaughlin, Grand Rapids,; one daughter, Mrs. L.E. Edwards, Upper Darby, Pa.; one sister, Mrs. Eva James, Gregory; and six grandchildren.

Services Saturday

The funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock, of the First Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Members of the Elks lodge will conduct committal services at the grave. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

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