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.

Shaffer, Sarah Emma File (Stewart)

Sarah Emma File Shaffer
Abt. 1859-Oct. 20, 1935


Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 21, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Sarah Shaffer, Ex-Niles Woman, Dies

 

Mrs. Sarah Emma File Shaffer, 76, died early Sunday morning at the home of her niece, Mrs. Edward Ley, 1014 Hill street, South Bend, after an illness of several years.

Mrs. Shaffer leaves her husband, Conrad Shaffer, South Bend; a brother, Amos Stewart, and a nephew, Claude Stewart, of Niles, and the niece at whose home she died.

Mrs. Shaffer lived in Niles until about 15 years ago when she moved to South Bend. She was better known here as Mrs. Sarah Emma File, her second marriage having occurred after she left Niles.

The body was brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call until the hour of the services.  The funeral will be held at Price and Kiger's Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock the Rev. T.O. Lee of the Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SHAFFER RITES TODAY


Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Emma File Shaffer, 76, who died Sunday at the home of her niece in South Bend, were held this afternoon in the Price and Kiger chapel.  The Rev. T.O.Lee, of the Methodist church, officiated. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Bordner, Nellie Bly (Dick)

Nellie Bordner
March 24, 1902-May 22, 1919


Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, May 22, 1919, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS YOUNG WOMAN

Mrs. William Bordner, Aged 17, a Victim of Peritonitis.

 

Mrs. William Bordner, aged 17 years, died this morning at 7:10 o'clock at her home, 711 Brown avenue, after a few days' illness with peritonitis.

Mrs. Bordner was formerly Miss Nellie Dick, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dick, who reside about five miles north of Niles. She was born in March 1902. On Christmas eve, 1918, she was married to William Bordner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bordner, who reside also on Brown avenue, on what was formerly the Gimlin property.  Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Bordner is survived by three sisters and one brother who are: Mrs. John Huss, Dailey; Mrs. Crystal Killinger, Minerva, O.; Mrs. Crystal Killinger, Minerva, O.;[sic] Earl Dick, who resides with his parents.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 22, 1919, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKE MRS. WM. BORDNER

 

Mrs. William Bordner, aged 17, died this morning at 7 o'clock at her home, 711 Bond street, following a few days illness of peritonitis.

Deceased was born in Hicksville, Ohio, March 24, 1902. She was married December 1918 to William Bordner of this city.

Besides the huseband[sic] she is survived by her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Edward Dick; three sisters, Mrs. John Tillinger, Minerva, Ohio; Mrs. John Huss, Daily; and Miss Ora Dick of Berrien Springs and one brother, Earl Dick of Niles.

The young woman was highly esteemed and her death comes as a great shock to all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating. Burial will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Stephens, Terry Lee

Terry Lee Stephens
Dec. 27, 1943-Nov. 7, 1944


Stephens Infant Dies in Hospital

 

Terry Lee Stephens, 10 month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Stephens, Route 4, died at noon Tuesday in Pawating hospital following a month's illness.

The infant was born Dec. 27, 1943.

Surviving are the parents; the grandparents, Mrs. Martha Lambert and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nichols, Niles; three brothers, Larry, Wilbert and Jerry Stephens, and a sister, Peggy Joan Stephens.

Services will be conducted in the Pifer funeral home Thursday at 10 a.m. by the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 8, 1944, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Sernstrom, John R.

John R. Sernstrom
Nov. 12, 1842-June 27, 1921


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, June 27, 1921, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS OF BROTHER AND SISTER OCCUR WITHIN FEW DAYS


The death of John R. Sernstrom, a brother of Miss Sophia Sernstrom, who died at the home of Mrs. Ollie Otteson, 808 Ferry Street, Friday evening, followed that of his sister by a short time.  Mr. Sernstrom dying this morning at 11:30 o'clock at Mrs. Otteson's home.  The body of Miss Sernstrom was taken to the Newell undertaking rooms where it was planned to hold the funeral services today. However, on account of her brother's death, this service was postponed until arrangements could be completed for a double funeral services.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 28, 1921, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


A DOUBLE FUNERAL service for Miss Sophia Sernstrom and her brother, John R. Sernstrom, were conducted this afternoon by Rev. Alfred Trenerry, pastor of the First Baptist church, at the O.L. Newell funeral home. Burial occurred at Silver Brook Cemetery.  The deaths of the brother and sister occurred within less than three days of each other.

Sernstrom, Sophia

Sophia Sernstrom
abt.1847-June 24, 1921


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, June 25, 1921, page 6, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS SOPHIA SERNSTROM, 74 years old, died last evening at 6:45 o'clock at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ollie Otteson, 808 Ferry street, where she had been for eight months, coming to Niles from Tuscin, Mich. The body was removed to the Newell undertaking rooms, where the funeral services will be held, probably on Monday, although the complete arrangements have not been made.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 28, 1921, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

A DOUBLE FUNERAL service for Miss Sophia Sernstrom and her brother, John R. Sernstrom, were conducted this afternoon by Rev. Alfred Trenerry, pastor of the First Baptist church, at the O.L. Newell funeral home. Burial occurred at Silver Brook Cemetery.  The deaths of the brother and sister occurred within less than three days of each other.

Toney, Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin Toney
April 9, 1837-June 27, 1921


B.F. TONEY, FORMER RESIDENT OF NILES, DIES SUDDENLY MONDAY

Body Will be Brought to Niles From Mishawaka Tomorrow for Burial in Silver Brook Cemetery

 

Benjamin Franklin Toney, a former resident of Niles, died at the home of his grandson, J.C. Locke, 1101 Lincoln way W., in Mishawaka Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after a day's illness of organic heart trouble.

Mr. Toney was born on what is known as the Harter farm northeast of Niles, April 9, 1837, being 84 years of age. He was for many years while a resident of Niles a Michigan Central railway engineer with a run between Chicago and Niles.  He recently moved to Mishawaka from South Bend.  Mr. Toney was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Beall, a sister of the late Mrs. E.J. Bonine and the late Mrs. Evan Harter.  Both wives are now deceased.  Of the family of seven children, of whom Frank Toney of Niles now deceased was one, but two survive their father.  They are Edward Toney of Kalamazoo and Mrs. Mary Locke of Mishawaka. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was a Christian and life long member of the Methodist church.

The funeral services will be held at the J.C. Locke residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery, tomorrow afternoon.

Mrs. Frank Toney, Mrs. John Keller, Mr. and Mrs. George Kneeshow and Edward Toney went to Mishawaka today on account of Mr. Toney's death.


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 28, 1921, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library



Hipshear, William

William Hipshear
Jan. 19, 1899-Sept. 7, 1945


Funeral Monday for William Hipshire, Aged 46

Mr. William Hipshire, 606 North Twelfth street, died today at Pawating hospital after an illness of one year.

Hipshire was born in Benton Harbor, Jan. 19, 1899 and came to Niles from Keeler 30 years ago. He was employed by New York Central as a car repairman. He married the former Frances Siebert, March 26, 1924.

Besides his wife, Mr. Hipshire is survived by three children, Col. Harold, now in Germany, Pfc. Wallace, who is home on leave and Joan, who lives at home, four brothers, Cleve and Rosco of Niles, Charles of Grand Rapids and Lon of Benton Harbor; and two sisters, Mrs. Mae Stattler of Berrien Springs and Mrs. Irene Coon of Benton Harbor.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon Monday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the St. Johns Evangelical church of which Mr. Hipshire was a member.  Rev. Theo Eisen will conduct the services and burial will in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 7, 1945, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NB: Although name is spelled "Hipshire" in obituary, other cemetery records and grave marker use spelling of "Hipshear".