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.

Hobart, M. Belle (Tatro)

editor Obituaries

M. Belle Hobart
July 6, 1888-March 24, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 25, 1947, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

 

NILES WOMAN VICTIM OF FIRE
Electrical Storm Hits Orchards, Downing Power Lines

 

Mrs. Hobart, 58
Dies as Flames
Level Greenhouse

Suffocated by Smoke in
Fire at Height of
Sleet, Electrical Storm

A 58-year-old Niles Township woman suffocated or burned to death shortly before midnight last night as flames destroyed a greenhouse and apartment at the southeast edge of the city.

Victim of the fire which occurred at the height of a sleet and electrical storm was Mrs. M. Belle Hobart, wife of Grover Hobart, proprietor of the greenhouse and long prominent in Berrien Democratic political circles.

Origin Not Ascertained

Investigating Niles firemen and state police today expressed belief that Mrs. Hobart suffocated while sleeping as flames, of unknown origin, swept through the upper portion of the two-story building.

Charred remains of her body, said by firement to be unidentifiable, were removed from the smouldering destruction at 10 a.m. today.

Alone at TIme of Fire

Mrs. Hobart was home alone at the time of the fire. Grover, her husband, was attending a meeting in Elkhart, Ind.

The fire alarm was turned in at 11:55 p.m., Monday by a telephone operator, who had been informed of the fire by area residents.

Flames had enveloped the upper frame living quarter of the building when Niles firemen arrived and several attempts by firemen to gain entrance into the building were blocked by falling debris.

Adjacent Home Saved

Firemen credited a strong west wind with saving the Hobart home, which is located approximately 100 feet toward the northwest of the greenhouse. The home is unoccupied.

State Police Fire Marshal Purlette Hinckley, of Paw Paw, arrived early today to conduct the investigation into the origination of the fire.

It was reported that kerosene stove in the living quarters might have flared up igniting nearby furnishings.  No estimate, other than total loss, was made by authorities.

Mrs. Hobart was born July 6, 1888, at Sawyer, and came to Niles in 1918.

Funeral Set Thursday

She is survived by her husband, two brothers, Peter Tatro, Three Oaks, and Frank, of Sawyer, and by a sister, Mrs. Arthur Gutschenritter, 29 North Lincoln avenue, Niles.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, 2 p.m. in the Pifer funeral home with Captain Herbert Jensen, of the Salvation Army, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon Thursday.

 

 

 

Hobart, Emma (Hahn)

editor Obituaries

Emma Hobart
Sept. 13, 1863-Feb. 3, 1947

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 3, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

HOBART'S MOTHER DIES

Mrs. Emma Hobart, mother of Grover Hobart, South Fifteenth street, Niles, died today a tthe home of a daughter, Mrs. Huldah Brady, in Mishawaka. She was 83 years old. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 4, 1947, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HOBART SERVICES WEDNESDAY

Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. (CST) in the Methodist church at Mishawaka for Mrs. Emma Hobart, who died Monday noon at her home in Mishawaka after an illness of three days.

A son, Grover, of Nilies; a daughter, Mrs. Huldah Brady, Mishawaka, with whom she lived; three grandchildren; one great grandchild; and a brother, Walter Hahn, State Line, survive. Her husband, Walter, is deceased.

Born in Marshall county Sept. 13, 1863, she moved to Mishawaka in 1919. There she was a member of the Northside WSCS, the Methodist church, the Reading Circle, and the Helping Hand Bible class and was active in the Red Cross.

The body will be taken to the residence, where friends may call. The Rev. Harold Neel will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

 

Hobart, Walter

editor Obituaries

Walter Hobart
Feb. 27, 1866-April 23, 1910

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, April 23, 1910, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

DEATH WAS SUDDEN
Walter Hobart Expired this Morning

 

Walter Hobart passed away almost without warning about 5 o'clock this morning at his home, 206 Market street.

Mr. Hobart has been in ill-health from heart disease for several months but was able to be down town until about a week ago.  Since then he has been unable to lie in bed and rested a chair.  This morning he arose from the chair about the hour stated, remarked that he was feeling somewhat better, walked into an adjoining room and fell dead upon the floor.

Mr. Hobart was born in Buchanan 43 years ago. About 14 years ago., Mr. Hobart and family moved to Niles where for a number of years he followed the barber's trade with John Hamilton.

Besides the widow, who was prior to her marriage, Miss Emma Hahn, Mr. Hobert is survived by three children, Grover, Eva and Hulda Hobart, all at home.

Mr. Hobart was a man of sterling qualities and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

The deceased carried an insurance in the Metropolitan Life Insurance company.

The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late residence. Rev. R. A. Wright of the Methodist church of which the deceased was a faithful attendant will officiate.

Clark, Agnes Allen

editor Obituaries

Agnes Allen Clark

Dec. 11, 1851-Sept. 5, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 5, 1933, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT DIES

Mrs. Agnes Allen Clark, 81, widow of Herman Clark, formerly of this city, died at 2:30 o'clock this morning at the residence in South Bend. Death was caused by the infirmities of age and heart disease.

Mrs. Clark was born in Ontario, Canada, Dec. 11, 1851 and came to Niles with her husband about 40 years ago.  Mr. Clark was in charge of the old water power grist mill on the St. Joseph river. After Mr. Clark's death in 1913, she went to South Bend to make her home with her two daughters, Agnes and Mae.  She is also survived by a son, John Clark, Niles.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at the South Bend residence with burial in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.

Phelps, Alice A.

editor Obituaries

Miss Alice A. Phelps

abt. 1850-February 7, 1872

Niles Republican, Thursday, February 8, 1872, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The death of Miss ALICE PHELPS, at one o'clock yesterday, excited more than common attention in this community, where she was so well and favorably known.  She was educated in our public schools, in which she afterwards became a teacher, remaining such until near the close of last year.  At the early age of twelve she united with the Presbyterian Church, of which she has been a faithful member. Her life was pure and useful, and her death was peace.  Her funeral will be attended at the Presbyterian Church to-morrow (Friday) afternoon, at 2 o'clock.

 

Niles Republican, Thursday, February 8, 1872, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

PHELPS--In this city, on the 7th instant, of consumption, Miss ALICE A. PHELPS, aged 22 years.

 

Niles Democrat, Saturday, February 10, 1872, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In this city, February 7th, Miss ALICE A. PHELPS, aged twenty-two years.

Wednesday afternoon the death of Miss Phelps took place.  It had been expected, but when it came it seemed sudden. She had grown up in this community, and up to the close of the last term had been for some time a faithful and efficient teacher. Her many amiable qualities attracted to her a large circle of friends.  At an early age she became a member of the Presbyterian church, and adorned her life with consistency and faithfulness.  It was sad to follow her body to the grave, and many went with sorrow, but the sweet hope of eternal life and its coming reunions caused the thought to arise, "for her to die is gain."

Hinton, George L.

editor Obituaries

George L. Hinton

abt. 1838-Feb. 5, 1872

Niles Republican, Thursday, February 8, 1872, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

HINTON--In this City, at the residence of his father-in--law, M.A. Davison, on the 5th inst., of consumption, George L. Hinton, aged 33 years.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, February 10, 1872, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In this city, on Monday evening, the 5th of February, after several weeks illness, Mr. George L. Hinton, aged 33 years. He was a native of South Carolina, but removed at an early age to Tennessee. Mr. H. leaves a wife in Niles to mourn his death.

Coffinger, Arthur W.

editor Obituaries

Arthur W. Coffinger

July 1, 1853-Oct. 18, 1913

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 20, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

 

A.W. COFFINGER DIED AT GRAND RAPIDS SUNDAY

 

Arthur W. Coffinger died at Grand Rapids yesterday, aged about 64 years. He was born in Niles and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Coffinger, a stage coach driver. Mr. Coffinger was former American Express agent and chief of the volunteer fire department, this city.  He leaves a wife and one daughter and one son.  Mrs. Thos Hawkins of this city is a sister; also Mrs. Belle Bailey. The body will be brought to Niles for burial, arriving here on the Wolverine at 10:43 o'clock Wednesday morning and will be taken direct to Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. Yonker will conduct committal services.

 

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