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.
Alford Girl
Aug. 1, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 1, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
A daughter was stillborn at 3 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Billy Alford, 2704 Detroit Road.
Surviving in addition to the parents are a brother, Allan Wayne, and one sister, Peggy Lill Alford.
Committal services will be held this afternoon in Silverbrook cemetery.
Caroline Louise King
Aug. 29, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 30, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
INFANT DIES
Caroline Louise King, daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. William King, 214 Cass Street, at 12:54 p.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital died at 7:17 p.m.
Survivors beside the parents are the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William King Sr. of Rivervale, Ark., and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Redman of Caraway. Ark.
Committal services will to be held at 4 p.m. today at Silverbrook Cemetery with the Rev. Ray McCoy, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating.
Ralph D. King
Oct. 20, 1878-Aug. 6, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 8, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Ralph D. King, 76, of 1218 Grant Street, retired Niles merchant, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Pawating Hospital after a three-month illness.
He resided in Niles 60 years and operated a men's clothing store on Main Street for several years. He was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge.
King was born Oct. 20, 1878 at Chicago and came to Niles when he was 16.
Survivors are his widow, Sarah W. King; a daughter, Mrs. Laura K. Smith, Niles; three grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Gayl Platt, Niles.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Kiger Funeral Home with the Rev. William O'Leary, pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Dowagiac, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. The casket will remain closed. The family has requested that flowers be omitted.
John E. Myler
Oct. 13, 1878-Aug. 10, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 11, 1955, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
John E. Myler, 514 North 13th Street, died Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. in his home following a lengthy illness.
He is survived by his wife, Ella, a son, Dorsey, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Martha Peters, Battle Creek.
He was born in Neoga, Ill., on Oct. 13, 1878, and came here from Mattoon, Ill., 25 years ago. He retired from the milk business after many years due to ill health.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. Ray McCoy, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Myler was a member of the Modern Woodman.
Russell J. Fisk
Dec. 12, 1896-Aug. 11, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 12, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Russell J. Fisk, 58, of 2547 Lake Shore Drive, died Thursday at 4:20 p.m. in his home following an illness of six months.
He is survived by his wife, Emma; a son, James of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Charles J. Adams, also of Niles; two grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Grove C. Workman of Prescott, Ariz., and Mrs. John Meany, South Bend.
Born in Lakeville, Ind., on Dec. 12, 1896, he came here from South Bend 30 years ago. He was a retired guard conductor for the New York Central railroad and was a veteran of World War I.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home starting Saturday . . .[illegible] . . .Monday at 2 p.m. Dr. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Edward C. Wesselhoft
May 8, 1883-Aug. 14, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 15, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Edward Charles Wesselhoft, 553 West Main Street, died Sunday at 10:55 a.m. at his home following an illness of five years.
He was preceded in death by this wife, Anna, in 1938. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Loren E. Scamehorn, and one sister, Mrs. Gertrude Robertson, both of Niles.
Born in Niles May 8, 1883, he lived all his life in the fourth ward of Niles. He was a retired worker in the car department of the New York Central railroad.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday by Dr. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
He was a former member of the Safety board for 15 years and chairman of the board for five years. He was also a member of the Masonic lodge, Elks lodge, First Presbyterian Church, Brotherhood of Railroad Car Men and was alderman of the fourth ward for a number of years. He served also on the first hospital board.
Sophia A. Parks
July 26, 1883-Aug. 23, 1955
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 23, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Sophia A. Parks, 72, o f115 Market Street, died at 0:50 a.m. today in her home following an illness of six months.
Mrs. Parks, a lifelong resident of this city, was born July 26, 1883, in Niles. Surviving are: a son, Harry L. Parks, of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Joseph F. Barry, of Huston[sic], Tex.; two grandchildren, and three brothers, Charles, William and Clarence Meyers, all of Niles.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger Funeral Home with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.