Mrs. Mary A. Deam
Feb. 24, 1841-Nov. 27, 1885
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, December 2, 1885, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Mary A Deam, wife of John N. Deam, died at her residence on Fourth Street on Firday afternoon last, of neuralgia of the heart, after an illness of but a few hours duration. She had been in poor health for several years past but for a few weeks prior to her death had improved so rapidly that her nearly complete restoration was looked forward to. During the past season, Mr. Deam erected a new residence. Mrs. Deam but a short time ago moved out of the old house into the new, and is now called to dwell in "a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens." Mrs. Deam leaves behind to mourn her loss an affectionate husband, two sons and a daughter, and a host of friends. She was an exemplary member of Trinity Episcopal church. Mrs. Deam was born in Germany, Feb. 24, 1841, and came to this country 44 years ago. She was married to the husband who now mourns her loss on Oct. 29th, 1865. At the time of her death she was aged 44 years, 9 months and 2 days. The funeral services were conducted at Trinity church on Sunday afternoon, and the remains of the deceased were followed to their last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery by a large concourse of people.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 5, 1885, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. John Deam, died at the residence of her husband, upon Fourth street in this city, Friday afternoon, Nov. 27th, 1885, after an illness of but a few hours from neuralgia of the heart. Mary A. Opfel, was born in Germany, February 24th, 1841, and came when an infant of seven months with her parents to America, and for thirty-eight years has been a resident of this immediate vicinity. John Deam and Mary A. Opfel, were wedded October 29th, 1865, and here they resided and reared their family of three children, all of whom survive her. Mrs. Deam had not been in good health for years, but her sudden death was none the less unexpected to her immediate family and friends. Gentle and unobtrusive in all her ways, she acquired the respect of all with whom she came in contact, but it was those who knew her most intimately who loved her most dearly. An affectionate mother and devoted wife she will be most sadly missed about the family hearthstone, but in the community at large, wherever known, she will be remembered as a kind neighbor and a constant friend but above all as a good woman in all that the words imply. Her funeral was attended Sunday afternoon from Trinity Episcopal church, of which church she was a devout and consistent communicant and the large attendance was but the deserved tribute to the memory of a Christian woman.
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.
Lansing G. Hart
1853-Aug. 28, 1893
Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 38, 1893, page 4, microfilm Niles District Library
The Death of Lansing G. Hart
Lansing G. Hart, one of our choicest and best known young married men, died at 5 o'clock this morning at the home of Mrs. Hart's mother, Mrs. Wm. G. Ferson. His illness has been long and trying but through it all, he has been patient and cheerful, and while he realized that death was very near, he faced the inevitable with unflinching christian courage and at the last with undimmed faith he closed his eyes in death as serenely as though dropping off to sleep. Mr. Hart was born in this city 39 years ago and this has been his home ever since.
He married Miss Nettie Ferson, who was also a native of Niles and his life has been a most happy and contented one. During the last year Mrs. Hart and their only surviving child Mabel, accompanied him on his business trips. His employers ever mindful of his health, gave him the southern field enabling him to spend the autumn and winter in Florida and the Gulf states. He continued to travel until increasing weakness admonished him that his work ended, when he returned to Niles to die as he said, among his friends. The funeral will take place at Mrs. Ferson's, at 3 p.m., Wednesday 30th inst.
Robert N. Owens
Feb. 28, 1926-Jan. 4, 1982
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 5, 1982, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Robert N. Owens, 55, of 217 Bond St., Niles was pronounced dead on arrival at 12:05 a.m Monday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.
An employee of Refiners' Truck Transport, he was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Mr. Owens was born on Feb. 28, 1926 in Peru, Ind. and had lived here since 1961. He married Mary Wainscott in San Francisco on August 21, 1945. His wife survives.
Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Crystal Feist of Niles; two sons, Robert J. and John R., both of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Judy Gleason and Mrs. Douglas (Ruth) Lindsley, both of Niles; a brother, Richard, of El Paso, Texas; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The Rev. David Henderson of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.
Roy A. Owen
Oct. 15, 1886-Dec. 27, 1958
Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 29, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Roy A. Owen, 72, of 1363 Broadway, died at 8:05 p.m. Saturday in Osteopathic Hospital, South Bend, following an illness of a few days.
Mr. Owen was born Oct. 15, 1886, in McPherson, Kan., and came to this community three months ago from Bakersfield, Calif. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Englewood, Colo., the Denver, Colo., Post No. 1 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Niles American Legion Post.
Surviving are: two brothers, Ray Owen, of Niles, and Carroll Owen, of Grand Valley, Colo., and three sisters, Mrs. Vesta Ronald, of Englewood, Colo., Mrs. Reva Morrow, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Mrs. Bertha Morgan, also of Englewood.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl J. Wickstrom, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with military rites at the graveside. He was a veteran of World War I. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Orpha Owen
Aug. 26, 1884-March 28, 1964
Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 30, 1964, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Mrs. Orpha Owen, 79, 511 French St., will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the First Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Rev. Gordon Everett, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
She died at 7:55 p.m. Saturday in Pawating Hospital, where she had been a patient a day.
Mrs. Owen was born Aug. 26, 1884, near Fort Wayne, Ind. She had been a Niles resident most of her life. Her husband, Harry T., died in 1946.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Floyd Huss, Niles, and two grandchildren.
She was a member of First Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Friends will be received at the Pifer Funeral Home until noon Tuesday, when the body will be removed to the church, where she will lie in state until time of services.
Bertha Jorden
Feb. 1, 1893-Jan. 2, 1982
Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 4, 1982, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Bertha Jorden, 88, 602 N. Thirtheenth St., died Saturday afternoon in Memorial Hospital in South Bend after an extended illness.
A native of Mississippi, she was married to John Jorden who died in 1963. She was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist church and the Mothers Board of that church.
Services for Bertha Jorden will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Calvary Baptist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday to attend wake services at the funeral home.
J.W. Powell
1852-Aug. 8, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 8, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
J.W. POWELL PASSES AWAY AS HE SLEEPS
Death Comes Suddenly to Hickory Street Resident This Morning
Death suddenly brought to a close the long illness of J.W. Powell, 977 Hickory street, this morning about 2:30, Mr. Powell passing away in his sleep. He was 78 years of age.
Although a resident of Niles for but eight years, Mr. Powell and his family are well known in this city and through business and social relations have made many friends. For a time after coming to Niles Mr. Powell engaged in the real estate business but ill health caused him to retire and care of specialists in hospitals had failed to effect an improvement in his health.
Mr. Powell is survived by a widow and by two children, Chester Powell, of Niles, who is now employed in Kalamazoo, and Mrs. J.A. Hamilton, of New York City, who has been in Niles since June. Mr. Hamilton is expected tomorrow.
The deceased was a member of both Calanthe lodge, Knights of Pythias and of the Pythian Sisters. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church.
The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Troost & Augustine chapel. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.