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.

Bolding, Betty Lou (Gibbs)

editor Obituaries

Betty Lou Bolding, 79
Oct. 3, 1931 – Jan. 15, 2011

Betty Lou (Gibbs) Smith Bolding, 79, of State Line Road, Niles, died at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born Oct. 3, 1931 in Edwardsburg to Francis Earl Gibbs and Dessie Lorie Lumbert. She graduated from Edwardsburg High School and received her diploma in 1977.

She retired in 1990 from Michigan Skilled Center, Inc.

She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Niles. She enjoyed game shows on television, especially “Jeopardy.” She loved people, cooking and helping with Feed the Children.

She was first married on Aug. 31, 1949 to Eugene L. Smith in Osceola, Ind. He died Sept. 22, 1988.

She then married Charles H. Bolding on July 13, 1996. He died Oct. 4, 2000.

She was also preceded in death by her sons, Eugene L. Smith, Jr., on July 13, 2001, and Daniel F. Smith, on Aug. 4, 1979; and brothers, Glen. A., Marvin and Alvin Gibbs.

She was survived by her sons, Joseph A. and Randall W. Smith of Niles; daughters, Gwendolyn L. Smith of Battle Creek, Mich., JoAnn C. Smith of Battle Creek, Carolyn J. Smith of Hudson, Fla., Roberta D. Anderson of Battle Creek and Marjorie E. Smith of Berrien Springs; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Gibbs of Union City, Mich. and George and Russell Gibbs of Chicago; and sisters, Romona Myers of Plymouth, Ind., Ruth McNaughton of South Bend, Viola Hansen of Hillsdale, Mich. and Beverly Van Harlingen of Elkhart, Ind.

The family will gather privately at Halbritter Funeral Home with Pastor Brian G. Hedges of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no public visitation.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:41pm Monday, January 17, 2011

Kline, John

editor Obituaries

John Kline
April 10, 1862-July 15, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 15, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN KLINE, 82, TAKEN BY DEATH

John G. Kline, 82, died this morning at his home at 56 River street.

Kline was born in Niles, April, 1862, and was married in Niles to Agnes Cameron in 1884.  He lived in Niles all his life.

Surviving are the widow; seven children--Lourie, John, Delbert, Harry and Anderson Kline, Niles--and Mrs. Genevieve Douglas and Mrs. Ella Douglas; South Bend.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 17, 1944, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

KLINE RITES

Services for John G. Kline, 82, of 50 River street, were conducted this afternoon at 2:30 in th Pifer funeral home by the Rev. O.H. Gerstenkorn, pastor of the Baptist church. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Kline, who died Saturday morning is survived by the widow, Agnes; seven children, Lourie, John Delbert, Harry and Anderson Kline, all of Niles, and Mrs. Ella Douglas and Mrs. Genevieve Douglas, South Bend, and eight grandchildren.

 

*DOB from Death record.

Perkins, Frank W.

editor Obituaries
Frank W. Perkins
June 19, 1879-April 5, 1948

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 6, 1948, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS
Frank W. Perkins, 68

    Frank W. Perkins, 68, a former Niles resident, died yesterday afternoon in the Kalamazooo Bronson hospital where he had been patient 11 days.  Perkins had been ill two years.
    Although arrangements are incomplete, interment will be in the Niles Silverbrook cemetery.
    Perkins was born in Niles June 19, 1879, a son of John and Lydia Perkins.  For the past 37 years he has resided in Kalamazoo where he headed the order department of the Kalamazoo Stationery company.  He was a charter member of the Dowagiac Elk's lodge, and a member of St. Luke's Episcopal church in Kalamazoo.
    Surviving are his wife, Georgia; and a brother, Charles E. Perkins of Ashtabula, O. Also several nieces and nephews survive.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 7, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

PERKINS RITES SET
    
    Funeral services for Frank W. Perkins, former Niles resident who died Monday at Kalamazoo, will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal church, Kalamazoo, at 11 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.

Hinderer, Emma M.

editor Obituaries
Emma M. Hinderer
Jan. 23, 1876-May 17, 1948

    Miss Emma M. Hinderer, 72, of 221 Bond street, died at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Osteopathic hospital in Chicago.  She had been ill for two years.
    Miss Hinderer was born Jan. 23, 1876, in Niles and maintained her residence here although she resided in Chicago for a number of years.    
    A teacher by profession, she taught in the Niles public schools for several years and later in the Chicago schools. She retired in 1941 after 47 years of teaching in Chicago.  She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's club in Niles, as well as the Eastern Star and the Presbyterian church.
    Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. George Earl and Miss Bertha Hinderer, both of Niles, and a niece, Mrs. Ray Bruder, of East St. Louis, Ill.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home Wednesday evening.  Services will be conducted here at 2 p.m. Thursday by Dr. G.W. Simon, pastor emeritus of the First Presbyterian church. The body will be cremated and buried in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 18, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Wyant, Anna Mary (Sommers)

editor Obituaries
Anna Mary Wyant
June 22, 1890-May 18, 1948

    Mrs. Anna Mary Wyant, 57, Berrien Center, died at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating hospital.  Mrs. Wyant, who lived near Smith lake, had been seriously ill for the past month.
    Last rites will be at 2 p.m Friday in the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. G.A. Steeby officiating.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Wyant was born in Berrien county June 22, 1890, and spent her entire lifetime in this vicinity. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethern church. Her husband, Clarence, died Jan. 21, 1947.
    Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Floyd Hinkle, Hartford; Mrs. Robert Versaw, Sodus; Oscar Wyant, San Mateo, Cal.; Harry Wyant, Niles; and Victor at home.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Bertha Kull, Battle Creek; three brothers, August Sommers, Niles; Carl Sommers, Berrien Center; and John Sommers, Decatur.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 19, 1948, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Whalen, Paul James

editor Obituaries
Paul James Whalen
Jan. 30, 1948-May 16, 1948

RITES FOR INFANT

    Paul James Whalen, three-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Whalen, died at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the residence after a brief illness.
    Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger funeral home where friends may call.  The Rev. H.L. Nicholson will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    The infant was born Jan. 30, 1948 in Pawating hospital.
    Surviving besides the parents are the grandparents. Mrs. E.L. Webber, Niles, Forrest Whalen, Flint, and Mr.and Mrs. Arthur Pearce, Sutton Coldfield, England.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 17, 1948, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

Tusing, Anna K.

editor Obituaries
Mrs. Anna K. Tusing
Dec. 5, 1856-May 16, 1948

    Mrs. Anna K. Tusing, 82, 201 Canal street, died at 2:15 a.m.  Sunday in the Berrien Springs Wall Nursing home. She had been ill several years.
    Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday in S.[sic] Mary's Catholic church with the Rev. Leo Zavatsky officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home.
    Mrs. Tusing was born Dec. 5, 1856 in Niles and spent her lifetime here. She was a member of St. Mary's church.
    Surviving are her husband, Samuel; a daughter, Mrs. Jeanette Murphy, Niles; and a sister, Mrs. Carrie Wittner, South Bend.
    Nephews will act as pallbearers.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 17, 1948, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

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