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.

Whetstone, Edward

Edward Whetstone
Died Dec. 10, 1876


Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 13, 1876, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

--Mr. E. Whetstone, long a resident of this city, died at his residence on Sunday last, aged about 80 years. Mr. W. was from Germany.  He was a soldier under Napolean and was in his army during the Russian campaign.  His history would be interesting.

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 14, 1876, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

--Edward Whetstone, one of our oldest German citizens, died last Sunday night. He had resided in this city twenty-two years, and was seventy-two years of age.  His funeral took place Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended.

Mack, Clara

Miss Clara Mack
April 2, 1866-May 6, 1920


MISS CLARA MACK PASSES BEYOND
Sadness Brought to Many Hearts by Death of Beloved Lady

    The announcement of the passing away of Miss Clara Mack, will bring sorrow and sadness to many hearts, for she was universally beloved by old and young alike. So full of kindness and thoughtfulness--her life has been a beautiful lesson of unselfish devotion and loyalty to others and she will be sadly missed in all the organizations to which she belonged, as well as by all who were touched by her sweet life.
    Practically her whole life has been spent in Niles--a loyal member of St. John's church--and of the Charity society and in all of her associations, club life and neighborhood relationships, she has always conscientiously and faithfully done her part, for the betterment of mankind.
    We feel that lives like hers are needed here on earth--would that there were more like her--but God in His infinite wisdom knows best and has called her into a wider sphere which she is fully prepared to fill.
    Her illness was only of a few days' duration.  Last Friday afternoon she was taken suddenly ill while out with her friends and had gradually grown weaker, in spite of all the medical aid and loving care given her, until she passed peacefully away at 3:30 this morning at her home, 406 North Fourth street. She is survived by her mother and sister--Mrs. Frank Porter of Lansing--who, with her husband, were with her when the final summons came.
    She will be laid away in Silver Brook cemetery on Saturday.  Burial service will be private.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Thursday, May 6, 1920, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Greenfield, Bertha M.

Bertha M. Greenfield
February 27, 1887-December 25, 1948


DIES ON CHRISTMAS

    Bertha M. Greenfield, of Chicago, mother of Frank and James Bruce of Niles, died at 8:10 p.m. Christmas day in the South Shore Hospital, Chicago. She had been ill since November.
    Also surviving are four grandchildren and one great-grandson.  Mrs. Greenfield was born in Toronto, Canada, February 27, 1887, and moved to Chicago from Toronto 46 years ago. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Chicago.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 27, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.

Riley, Reverend A.Z.

A.Z. Riley
Feb. 11, 1911-May 5, 1998


    Funeral services for the Rev. A.Z. Riley, 87, 2575 N. Drake, Kalamazoo and formerly of Niles, are Friday at 1 p.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral  home in Niles.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
    Rev. Riley died early Tuesday evening at Kalamazoo Living Center, Kalamazoo, of natural causes.
    He was born Feb. 11, 1911 in Indianola, Miss.
    Rev. Riley was a retired farmer and minister.
    Survivors include two daughters, Precious Sanders of Toledo, Ohio and Louise Riley of Park Forest, Ill.; two sons, Willie Riley of Chicago and Donald Riley of Marion, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
    Friends may call Friday one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 7, 1998, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Stickrod, Clyde L.

Clyde L. Stickrod
Oct. 2, 1897-July  1, 1966


    Clyde L. Stickrod, 68, 2912 S. 3rd St., died at 3 a.m. Friday in Memorial Hospital, Little Rock, Ark., after being ill for two weeks.
    His widow Minnie survives. Also surviving are their children: Mrs. Vivian Koutvios, Santa Ana, Calif.; Mrs. Hazel Augustine, Niles; Mrs. Bernice Peterson, Davenport, Iowa; Mrs. Betty Beck, Davenport; and nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
    Also surviving are his brothers and sisters: Ray, Moline, Ill.; Hartcel, Cecil, Lyle, Mrs. Galdys Haverman, all of Rock Island, Ill.; and Mrs. Avis Young, Benton, Ark.
    Mr. Stickrod, was born Oct. 2, 1897, in Rock Island, Ill. He came to Niles in 1936.
    Mr. Stickrod retired from Simplicity Pattern co., 3 1/2 years ago.
    Funeral services will be conducted by Mr. Aleck Dickson, Church of Christ, Tuesday at 2 p.m., in the Pifer Funeral Home.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 pm.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 2, 1966, page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library.

Kwast, Henry Fred

Henry Fred Kwast
March 29, 1883-December 30, 1948


HENRY QUAST DIES
    
    Henry Fred Quast, 65, rural route five, died 9:30 a.m. today in Pawating hospital after being a patient there five days.
    Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pifer funeral home with Elder William Ortner, South Bend, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.
    Kwast was born March 29, 1883 in Russia and came to Niles 20 years ago from Benton Harbor.  He was an employe of the Sollitt Construction company, South Bend, and was a member of the South Bend carpenters' union.
    Surviving are his wife and the following children:  Mrs. Ralph Syson, Mrs. Albert Kanarr, Mrs. Frank Taylor, Eugene Kwast, all of South Bend; Charles Kwast, Carlton, Tex.; Mrs. Clayton Goff, Marcellus; Pfc. Edwin Kwast, . . .[illegible]. .. all at home.  Eleven grandchildren also survive.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 30, 1948, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library.

Riley, Pvt. Robert Dale

Pvt. Robert Dale Riley
Nov. 4, 1921-July 7, 1944


The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.), Wednesday, August 16 1944, page 3, col 3

Two Niles Men Are Reported Killed In France And Pacific

    Niles, Aug. 16--Two more Niles men have been reported killed in action, raising Niles' war-time death toll to 22 today.
    Pvt. Robert D. Riley, 22, with the U.S. Marine Corps, was reported killed in the Pacific area. Wounded twice previously, Pvt. Riley had been overseas since November, 1942, and had fought in the Solomon and in other major battle areas. He was born November 4, 1921 in Buchanan and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Riley of 24 Parkway, Niles.
    . . .

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 12, 1948, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Body of Pvt. Riley to Arrive From Saipan in U.S. Soon; Burial Here

    The body of Pvt. Robert Dale Riley, of the marine corps, who was killed at Saipan on July 7, 1944, is enroute to the United States, according to notice received by his parents today.
    A military funeral will be conducted upon arrival of the body at the Pifer funeral home.  No date has been set for arrival.
    Private Riley was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Riley, 24 Parkway, who survive.  Other survivors are three brothers, Harold, Mishawaka; Donald, rural route three; and John, at home; three sisters, Mrs. June Frazier, rural route four; Norma Jean and Beverly Ann, both at home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 14, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

RILEY RITES WEDNESDAY

    Last rites for Pvt. Robert Dale Riley, 22, late son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Riley, 24 Parkway, will be held at 2 p.m. , Wednesday at the First Methodist church, the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home Tuesday night, where the body will be held until the services on Wednesday.
    Pvt. Riley's body will arrive here Tuesday after having been shipped from over-seas, where he was killed in action as a member of the marine corps on July 7, 1944, at Saipan.
    Announcement has been made that members of the Navy Mothers are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday in front of the postoffice before attending rites for Riley.
    Members of Mothers of World War II are requested to meet at 1:45 p.m., in front of the First Methodist church to attend services for Pvt. Riley.
    Daughters of America members are requested also to  meet at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday at the Methodist church to attend the Riley services.