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.

Warren, Bessie (Dodge) 1861-1930

editor Obituaries

Bessie Dodge Warren
Jan. 26, 1861-Nov. 27, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 28, 1930, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GEORGE L. WARREN IS STRICKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away at N. Fourth Street Home After Illness of a Year

A resident of Niles for nearly 70 years. Mrs. Bessie Dodge Warren, wife of George L. Warren, died last evening at 8:15 in the house in which she was born and in which she had spent her entire life. The home is located at 318 N. Fourth street. While Mrs. Warren had been in ill health for a year, her last illness was not of long duration. Her death is attributed to a complication of diseases.

Mrs. Warren's maiden name was Bessie Dodge, a daughter of Samuel and Lelilah Dodge, prominent pioneer residents of Niles. She was Born on Jan. 26, 1861. She was married in Niles on April 15, 1897 to George L. Warren who survives as does the one son born of this union, LeRoy Warren, who resides at home. Mrs. Warren was a talented musician and was formerly a member of the Niles Musical club. She was a member of the Presbyterian church.

The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 in the Presbyterian church. The pastor the Rev. G.W. Simon, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, November 29, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. WARREN

The body of Mrs. George Warren will lie in state in the Rutherford Funeral home until noon tomorrow. The funeral services will be held at 1:30 in the Presbyterian church. The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate. Burial wlll be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Gorton, Fred 1876-1930

editor Obituaries

Fred Gorton
June 17 1876-Nov. 27, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 28, 1930, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FRED GORTON, FOREMAN
IN PAPER MILL, DIES
AFTER SHORT ILLNESS

Fred Gorton, 54, 1222 Broadway, died on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock after about a week of illness from a complication of diseases. Mr. Gorton's illness was not considered alarming until a few hours before his death and his death came as a shock to his friends.

Mr. Gorton had been a resident of Niles or vicinity for 50 years. He was born at Wayne, Mich., on June 17, 1876. When a child of four years he was brought by his parents to a farm near Niles and had since lived in this vicinity. For the last 28 years he had been employed as a foreman at the French paper mills.

Surviving Mr. Gorton is the widow who was formerly Mary E. Breece to whom he was married in Cassopolis, and the following children: Mrs. Charlotte Powry of Mishawaka, Ind., Mrs. Edward Fritz, of Los Angeles, Calif., Howard and Miss Beulah Gorton of Detroit; Mrs. K.D. Curtis of Rantone, Ill., and Mrs. La Verne Olmstead of Toledo, Ohio. Besides the widow and children he is survived by the following brothers and sistesrs: Mrs. Emma S. White of San Diego, Calif., Mrs. H.E. Price, Mrs. Hattie Leich,and Silas Gorton all of Niles and Frank Gorton of Detroit.

The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at one o'clock in the Methodist church. The pastor, the Rev. W.W. Slee, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

The deceased was a member of the Niles Camp of Modern Woodmen of America.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, November 29, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL FRED GORTON

Friends who desire to view the body of Fred Gorton may call at the home, 122[sic] Broadway, until noon on Monday. The services will be held at 1 o'clock in the Methodist church with the Rev. W.W. Slee in charge. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Gorton who reside in widely separated cities, including . . . [illegible] . . on account of the visit Mrs. Ed Fritz of Los Angeles was making with her parents and which was made an occasion for a family reunion. Mr. Gorton died on Thursday morning.

Dickeson, Dora (Exner) 1865-1930

editor Obituaries

Dora Dickeson
March 1, 1865-Dec. 12, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, December 13, 1930, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. DORA DICKESON IS TAKEN BY DEATH

Passes Away at Home on Howard Street After Long Illness

Mrs. Dora Dickeson, 65, wife of William Dickeson, 622 Howard street, died in their home last night about 11 o'clock after seven months of illness during which time she was on several occasions a patient in hospital.

Mrs. Dickeson as a native of Niles. She was born on March 1865. Her maiden name was Dora Exner. She had spent her entire life here. Of the 12 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickeson, eight survive their mother. They are Frank Siebert, John, William, and Lawrence Dickeson, Mrs. Albert Coffinger, Mrs. Kenneth Hawkins, Mrs. Herman Klopfenstein and Mrs, Harold Lewis, all of Niles. One sister, Mrs. Fred Knauff and five brothers, August, Fred Louis, Charles and George Exner, all of Niles except the latter who is a resident of Buchanan, also survive. Her grandchildren number 37.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at a[sic] o'clock in the home. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church of which she was a member, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, December 15, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. WM. DICKESON

Funeral services for Mrs. Dickeson, who died on Friday evening were held this afternoon in the home, 622 Howard street. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church of which she was a member for many years, officiated. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The name of one brother, John Exner of Niles, was omitted fro the list of the surviving brothers as published on Saturday. The immediate surviving relatives are the husband, and the following children, Mrs. Frank Siebert, John William and Lawrence Dickeson, Mrs. Albert Coffinger, Mrs. Kenneth Hawkins, Mrs. Herman Klopfenstein and Mrs. Harold Lewis, all of Niles, One sister, Mrs. Fred Knauff and six brothers, John, August, Fred Louis and Charles, all of Niles and George, of Buchanan.

 

Deam, Effie B. 1872-1830

editor Obituaries

Effie B. Deam
Aug. 26. 1872*-Dec. 25, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, December 26, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH MISS EFFIE DEAM

Word was received in Niles today from Seeley G. Deam of the death of his sister, Miss Effie Deam, a teacher in the public schools in Detroit. Miss . . [illegible] . . pneumonia. Mr. and Mrs. Deam left on Tuesday for Williamville, N.Y., to spend 10 days with their daughter and word of his sister's death reached them there. A telegram from Mr. Deam from Detroit today announces that the body will be brought to Niles and that the funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The body may be viewed at Trinity church between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, December 27, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MISS DEAM SUNDAY

S.G. Deam is expected in Niles this afternoon at 5:10 from Detroit with the body of his sister Miss Effie Deam, who died of pneumonia there on Christmas day. Friends may view the body at Trinity Episcopal church on Sunday afternoon between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock. At 2 o'clock the funeral services will be conducted. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, December 29, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MISS EFFIE DEAM

Funeral services for Miss Effie Deam, a teacher in the public schools in Detroit, and a sister of S.G. Deam of Niles, were held in Niles and in Detroit. On Saturday morning a service was held in St. Paul's cathedral in Detroit and conducted by Dean O'Farrell. On Saturday evening Mr. Deam brought the body to Niles and on Sunday afternoon a service was conducted in the presence of Niles, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo friends in the Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. Edward M. Duff priest in charge of Trinity church, officiating. The following served as pallbearers: George E. Flower, Harry Barman, F.R. Eaglesfield, W.S. Baron, George E. Corell and Herman Bath. Burial was made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. Miss Deam died on Christmas day in Detroit after four days' illness with pneumonia. Mr. and Mrs. Deam had gone to Williamville, N.Y., to spend the holidays with their daughter, and they received the message of Miss Deam's death there. Mr. Deam went to Detroit at once, and Mrs. Deam reached Niles from Williamville on Saturday evening.

 

 

Murphy, John William 1935-2021

editor Obituaries

John William Murphy, of Niles
July 21, 1935-Dec. 1, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:44 pm Wednesday, December 8, 2021

July 21, 1935 — Dec. 1, 2021

John William Murphy (lovingly known as J.W.), 86, of Niles, passed away suddenly of natural causes on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.

He was born on July 21, 1935, in Joiner, Arkansas to the late John William Murphy Sr. and Mattie (Rixter) Baker.

John proudly served his country with honor as a private first class in the United States Army (Japan).

John was a hardworking man and spent the majority of his career with Clark Equipment and AT&T. He was well known in his community and enjoyed spending time with family and friends playing card games, watching Westerns, and sharing words of wisdom with young men. John also loved music and was proud of his time spent with Jr. Walker and the All Stars.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John William Murphy Sr. and Mattie (Rixter) Baker; his brother, James Neely, his sister, Mary (Neely) Palmer, his granddaughter, Shanda Murphy and his great-granddaughter, Dayonna Brown.

John leaves to cherish his memory his children, Wanda Thompson, Marilyn Baker, Samuel Murphy, Deborah Murphy, Donna (Murphy) Lemons, and Ralph Murphy, all of Niles, Brandon (Jana) Murphy, of South Bend, Calon Murphy, of Niles, Cassandra Burch, of South Bend, and Chelsea Adams, of Carmel, Indiana; his step-children, Delores (Smith) Love, of South Bend, Bruce Smith, Enners Smith, Jeanette Smith, all of Ypsilanti; his sister, Lucille (Burrow) Webster, of South Bend; his cousin Peter Rixter Jr. of Chicago who was like a brother to him, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless other lives he touched.

Funeral services to celebrate John’s life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home at 521 East Main St. in Niles with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery with full military honors rendered. A repast will be held at Mt Calvary Baptist Church at 601 Ferry St. in Niles directly following the interment.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice for the comfort and care they provided John in his final days.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and memories of John may be shared with his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Carr, Yetive (Hansen) 1926-2021

editor Obituaries

Yetive Carr, of Niles
March 25, 1926-Dec. 5, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:53 pm Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Yetive Carr, 95, of Niles, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, of Niles.

Published online on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Yetive Ialanda “Puzzle” Carr, age 95 years formerly of Niles, Michigan, mother, sister, and family matriarch died peacefully at 5:36 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at her home in Cassopolis, Michigan following a brief illness.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by her three nieces, Jennifer, Kathy, and Marcia during the last few months of her life.

She was born on March 25, 1926 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Christ F. and Anna (Penner) Hansen who gave each of their twelve children interesting nicknames, including Puzzle – because they had a sense of expecting a boy.  Her childhood was spent with her family following her father’s vocational career across the United States, with a final move to Niles in 1943 when Yetive began her career at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.  She supervised the pattern patter preparation department which she laid-out the pattern pieces and added the type prior to printing.  She retired in 1994, completing fifty-one years at Simplicity.  Her husband, Joe retired from Simplicity’s color plate room in 1994, having completed fifty years; so their combined service to Simplicity Pattern was one-hundred-and-one years.

Yetive was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles.  She greatly enjoyed golfing, usually at Plym Park Golf Course in Niles, and played in many of the “industrial” leagues which represented Niles’ major manufacturers.  She also enjoyed hosting workplace celebrations both in the office and at home.

Her greatest interest was her family, and keeping them together through celebrations and reunions which required much organization as she had ten siblings.  The family home for many years was on Almaugus Drive in Niles.  Upon retirement, she and Joe built a new family home, well-designed for entertaining, and on the shore of Diamond Lake.  Wherever she called home was the site of many family gatherings throughout the years.  She was pleased to host the most recent family reunion in 2019.

On March 24, 1951 in Niles she married Joseph D. Carr, Jr. with whom she celebrated the remarkable Fiftieth Anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on November 9, 2001.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Gladys Ray, Joy Nichols, Vicki Bliss, Sharon Hansen, Christ Hansen, Jr., Jerry Hansen, Sr., Gene Hansen, and Harry Hansen who died in infancy.

Surviving family includes her son, Randy J. (& Jody) Carr of Trinidad, Texas; Yetives’s siblings, Lonnie (& Sharon) Hansen of Cyprus, California, Jan (& Barb) Hansen of Short Pump, Virginia, and Don (& Bonnie) Hansen of Seaford, Delaware; brother-in-law Norman “Bud” Nichols; and many, many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Yetive Carr will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Joseph Liss of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  The service will be available livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Contributions in memory of Mrs. Carr may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120, https://www.stpaulsniles.org/.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Yetive was blessed with a long and healthy life, but more importantly, she used that blessing well, caring for her co-workers, fellow golfers, and family in wonderful ways; and fulfilling the mission to love God and love people.

Pitts, Pearl Lena (Duncan) 1949-2021

editor Obituaries

Pearl Lena Pitts
Feb. 23, 1949-Dec. 1, 2021

Published online at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Pearl Lena Pitts

Pearl L. Pitts, 72, of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her own home on December 1, 2021. She was born to the late James Duncan and Julia (Brown) Duncan on February 23, 1949. Pearl was one of a kind. One of the most giving, selfless, nurturing people one could meet. She wasn’t just a caregiver to her family members, she cared for anyone in her community who needed help, a bite to eat, or a meaningful conversation. Pearl wasn’t afraid to have a tough conversation, she didn’t mind handing out whoopins, and she was always somebody you could count on to give you the truth, no matter how hard the truth was to hear. One could expect a hug, some comfort food, or just a comforting smile after the tough talks and that is what made Pearl a great mother, grandmother, and caregiver to all those she sewed herself into. Those who were lucky enough to taste her homemade jelly cake, pound cake, or her delicious coconut cake could tell anyone that the special ingredient Pearl put in all of her dishes was love. She was always looking forward to having people visit and was considered an excellent host. Aside from her family, what Pearl loved the most were her ducks and chickens. Although she had an excellent chicken n’ dumplings recipe, the chickens Pearl had on her property were pets and were to be treated with love and kindness, even if they chased you around the yard. Pearl moved from Grady, Arkansas when she was sixteen years old. Traditional values, the love of God, and good food were three things that she held close to her heart for the entirety of her life. She spent a good portion of her life living on the south side of Chicago where she was known as Mom to just about everybody. After she moved to the Michiana area she continued to connect and love everyone around her. In her spare time, she could have been found putting puzzles together, quilting, knitting, or making clothes for her family. She also did a little bit of traveling in her later years. She enjoyed going on cruises to Aruba, an occasional trip back to Chicago, and absolutely loved the special memories she made on her Disney World trips. If Pearl is to be remembered for anything it is to be remembered as somebody who always treated people fair, and gave them the time of day regardless of their background. She was always full of life and her caring heart will be missed by many family members, friends, and her community. Preceding Pearl in passing is her father, James Duncan; three of her children, Renee Duncan, Jerald Pitts, and Jawan Pitts; her grandmother Mary Patterson; and three of her siblings, Cleophus Brown, Molly Ash, and Sophie Brooks. She is survived by her mother, Julia May Brown, her loving husband, Jimmie Pitts; six children, Kendra Duncan-McDade, Steven Duncan, Stephanie Duncan, Bert Duncan, Jeannie (Neicey) Pitts-Wilson and an adopted child Troy Wilson. In order of birth.; eighteen grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; her siblings, Charlene Hughes, Louise (Joe) Jenkins, Ivory (Nurma) Brown, Betty Jackson, Sue Brown, Sherri Cole, Angela Coleman, and Wanda Edwards; her half-siblings, Tammy, Shirley, William, James Jr & Donald Duncan.; as well as many other family members and friends. Those wishing to make a memorial donation may donate directly to the Pitts Family. Services to celebrate Pearl’s life will be held at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. and services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pearl will be laid to rest at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan following the service.

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