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.

Wiars, George Franklin

George F. Wiars
Dec. 2, 1871-June 26, 1946


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 26, 1946, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

George F. Wiars Dies Today After Illness of Year

 

George Franklin Wiars, 74, died at 8 a.m. today in his residence, 1535 Maple street, following a year's illness.

He was born Dec. 2, 1871, in Wood county O., and came to Niles in 1919 from Covert, Mich. He had been a carpenter. His wife, Mary Wiars, died in 1928.

Five Sons Survive

Survivors include five sons, Myrtis Wiars, 646 South St. Joseph avenue; Howard Miars[sic], 1209 Sycamore street, Tracy Wiars, Buchanan; Jerry Wiars, 318 North Twelfth street; and Allen Wiars, Niles; one daughter, Miss Georgia Wiars, at home; two sisters, Mrs. J.J. Wilkinson, Scottsburg, Ind.; Mrs. Ollie Barthleman, Lincoln, Neb., and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be conducted Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Kiger funeral home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Griffin, Melvina

Mrs. Elijah (Melvina) Griffin
June 27, 1874-Feb. 20, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1933, page 3, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ELIJAH GRIFFIN DIES AT M-40 HOME

Is Stricken Early Today After Illness of Several Days


Mrs. Alvinia[sic] Griffin, 58, widow of Elijah Griffin, died this morning at 4:45 in her home on M-40 north of Niles after three weeks of illness with heart disease. Her husband died in December  1931. Mrs. Griffin had spent her entire life in this vicinity. She was born on June 27, 1864[sic].  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Bradford, of Niles,and Mrs. Henry Cocker, of Detroit, and by one son, Herman Griffin, at home. One brother, John Boone of South Bend, survives also.  She was an active member of the A.M.E. church in Niles.  Plans for the funeral were not completed today awaiting word from the daughter who resides in Detroit.

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

The funeral services for Mrs. Elijah Griffin will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the A.M.E. church. The Rev. W. J. Nelson, pastor of that church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbroook cemetery.

Note:  There are some questions with this obituary.  Obituary of husband, gravemarker, and death records of children give name as Melvina (Boone).  Also date of birth does not match age or that on gravemarker.

Griffin, Elijah W.

Elijah W. Griffin
July 9, 1865-Dec. 3, 1931


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 3, 1931, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF ELIJAH GRIFFIN

 

Elijah W. Griffin, 67, died suddenly this morning at 8 o'clock of heart trouble in his home, two and one half miles north of Niles, M-40. He was born on July 9, 1864 in Terre Haute, Ind. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1866 and had since resided with in two miles of the place where his parents located.  He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Melvina Griffin, a son, Herman Griffin at home, two daughters, Mrs. Harold Coker, of Detroit and Mrs. Andrew Bradfod, of Niles, nine grand children and four brothers. The brothers are Henry, Albert and Noah, of Dowagiac, and Alex Griffin of Chelsea. The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 

 

Griffin, Charles W.

Charles W. Griffin
Died Oct. 17, 1891


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 17, 1891, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Chas. W. Griffin, of Milton township, died this morning after a lingering illness. He was one of the most honorable and highly esteemed citizens of Cass county.

Moore, Henry Addison

Henry Addison Moore
April 22, 1862-Feb. 20, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1933, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

HENRY A. MOORE, 68, IS STRICKEN AT HOME TODAY

Passes Away At Oak Street Residence After Long Illness

 

Henry Addison Moore, 68, 715 Oak street, died at 6 o'clock this morning in his home. He had been confined to his bed since he was stricken with apoplexy three years ago.

Mr. Moore was born in Manchester, Iowa, on April 22, 1864. He was brought to Niles by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Moore, when he was a child and had since resided here. He was employed by the B.F. Earl Lumber company for many years and eventually purchased the business and went into partnership with C.E. Smith, deceased and continuing in that business until . . .[illegible] . . .grocery store at Main and Third . . .illegible]. . . years later. He then entered the employ of the Dry Kold refrigerator company where he worked until he was stricken with illness three years ago.

Mr. Moore had served as alderman of the third ward.

The wedding of Mr. Moore and Ada Scotten, who survives him, took place in Niles in 1885.  Besides the widow, Mr. Moore. .[illegible] Mrs. J.W. Maier of Cleveland, Ohio, and by three grandchildren, Miss Ada Sortore of Niels and Misses Katherine and Elizabeth Maier of Cleveland. Two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Skalla of Niles and Mrs. Richard Howard of Grand Rapids survive also.

. .[Illegible]. . afternoon at 2:30 in the Price & Kiger funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends will be received at the family home until noon on Friday.


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

Friends will be received at the Henry Moore home, 715 Oak street, until noon tomorrow when his body will be taken to the Price and Kiger Funeral Home for the funeral services which will be held at 2:30. The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate.



Weaver, Myrtia

Myrtia Weaver
Aug. 12, 1876-Jan. 1, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 3, 1933, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Service for Miss Myrtia Weaver to Be Held Wednesday

 

Funeral services for Miss Myrtia Weaver, who died on Sunday morning at 7 o'clock in her home in south Niles, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel.  The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Miss Weaver's death followed a few days of illness with pneumonia. Until her illness she continued to engage in her work as a canvasser for a manufacturer of toilet articles as she had for several years . Miss Weaver was born in Dark county, Ohio, on August 12, 1876, one of 12 children of Mr. and Mrs. George Weaver. When she was a little girl her parents moved to Michigan and lived first in Bertrand and then in Niles.  Miss Weaver is survived by seven brothers and sisters, Mrs. Henry Steinbauer, Mrs. James Webster and Jesse Weaver of Niles, Mrs. Ed Jones, Isaac, Henry and Charley Weaver of Berrien Springs. Another sister, Mrs. Jacob Shaffer of Niles died more than a year ago.

 

 

Fein, Ralph H.

RALPH H. FEIN
Jan. 25, 1915-June 7, 1977

NILES – Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home for Ralph H. Fein, 62, who died at 3:05 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Mr. Fein, who lived at 1820 Howard St., was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church and was an employee of the National Standard Co. He was born on Jan. 25, 1915, in Chicago, and lived in this area since 1929. On Dec. 2, 1939, he married Iona I. Peterson in Niles, and she survives.

Other survivors include a son, Thomas E. Fein of Niles; five brothers, Louis of Saginaw, Edward of Fairfield, Calif., Harold of Galien, Robert and Jack, both of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Wood and Mrs. Edna Coon of Niles; and four grandchildren.

The Rev. Julius L. Hengesbach of St. Mark's will officiate at the services. Burial will follow in Silverb rook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Thursday.

 

From microfilm at the Niles District Library, Niles, Berrien, Michigan. Niles Daily Star, Niles, Berrien, Michigan. Tuesday, June 07, 1977; page 02; col. 1 & 2