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.

Hutson, Mary R. (Burge)

Mary R. (Burge) Hutson
May 6, 1848-December 8, 1913


Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 8, 1913, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DEAR OLD LADY DEAD
Mrs. Mary Hutson Passed Away Suddenly Yesterday
HAD MANY FRIENDS
Her Kind, Motherly Ways Won Her Many Friends--Came to Niles in 1860 With Her Parents--Funeral Wednesday Afternoon

    Mary R. Hutson, widow of Benjamin P. Hutson, died suddenly at 1 o'clock yesterday at her home, 1323 Oak street.  She had been ailing for two weeks with heart trouble but her death was very sudden and wholly unexpected.  She was born in Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio, May 6, 1848. At the age of 12 years she came to Michigan with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Burge and has since resided here.
    She was united in marriage in 1870 to Mr. Hutson who died seven years ago. To them were born three children, Mrs. Joseph Smith, 1407 Oak street, Niles; Mrs. John Rohl of St. Joseph and Charles Hutson of Michigan City.
    Deceased was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and a most noble, lovable woman. At the solicitation of working men at the National Printing and Engraving plant she started a boarding house, many taking their dinners there, it being convenient to the factory.  All entertained the highest respect for her, her quiet, motherly ways winning many steadfast friends.
    Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the house.  Rev. R. A. Wright of the Methodist church to officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, December 8, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. HUDSON'S[sic] DEATH SUDDEN
Well known lady stricken in night with heart disease. She had resided here 50 years.

    Mrs. Mary R. Hudson[sic], a highly esteemed resident of Niles for many years, and widow of Benjamin Hudson[sic], passed away about one o'clock this morning at her home 1323 Oak street.  While Mrs. Hudsen[sic] had been in ill-health for some time her death occurred after about half an henr's[sic] illness with heart disease.  Mrs. Hedson[sic] was born in Brighton, Lorraine County, Ohio, 65 years ago last May.  She came to Niles at the age of 12 years with her parents Mr. and Mrs. W. Burge.
    Three children survive Mrs. Hudson[sic], Mrs. Joseph Smith of Niles; Mrs. John Rohl of St. Joseph, and Charles M. Hudson[sic] of Michigan City.  Henry Burge of Niles who himself is very low, is a brother of Mrs. Hudson[sic].  Twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive.
    Mrs. Hubson[sic] was highly respected in the community and many mourn her death.
    The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence, Rev. R.A. Wright of the  Methodist church officiating .  Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery where lie the remains of Mr. Hudson[sic] who died seven years ago.

Note: Cemetery, death certificate and Niles Daily Star spell last name "Hutson".

Haynes, Ella Louise (Kirtdoll)

Ella Haynes, 67
Nov. 18, 1943 — Dec. 22, 2010

Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:34pm Monday, December 27, 2010
Ella Louise Haynes, 67, of South Bend, died at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Mishawaka of natural causes.
Ella Haynes, 67

She was born Nov. 18, 1943 in Catron, Mo. She lived in this area since she was 16.

Ella was a factory worker. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Niles, with Pastor Dennis Giden. She was loved by everyone; she never met a stranger and was a very giving person and hardworking; was very dedicated to her children, her family and church.

Ella is survived by her sons, Jonathan Haynes of South Bend and Otis Haynes of South Bend; daughter, LaToya Haynes-Whitaker of Chicago; stepdaughter, Sandra Davis of Indianapolis; brothers, Willie McKennis of Muskegon, Mich., Willie Kirtdoll of Detroit, Billy Kirtdoll of Dallas and Benny Kirtdoll of Grand Rapids; sisters, Frances Roland of Detroit, Betty Ward of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Josephine Kirtdoll of Niles, Mary Cross of Niles, Martha Kirtdoll of Detroit, Debra Flemming of Benton Harbor; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Acie and Eva Kirtdoll; a daughter, Leslie Haynes; a brother, Clarence McKennis; and two sisters, Jessie Ballard and Barbara Hamilton.

Services will be held at noon Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Niles with Pastor Bryant Bacon of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at the church.

Foote, Helen

Helen Foote
Died February 15, 1888



Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 22, 1888, page 5, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 16, 1888, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of Mrs. Amos Foot was attended yesterday by a large portion of the population of Howard township, and a large number from this city.  Mrs. F. was a great favorite with all in the circle of her aquaintance[sic].

Foot, Lydia M.

Lydia M. Foot
Abt. 1805-January 23, 1875


Niles Republican, Thursday, February 4, 1875, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

FOOTE--In Howard, Cass county, January 23d, of Pulmonary Consumption, Mrs. Lydia M., wife of Amos C. Foote, aged sixty-nine years.

St. Joseph Valley (Ind.) Register, Thursday, January 28, 1875, page 3, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

    Near Niles, Mich., on the 23d, Mrs. A C. Foote, aged 69 years.
    Many persons will remember Mr. Foote's family, as residents for a long time of Mishawaka and vicinity, and as amongst its best citizens, especially by their immediate friends and acquaintances.  C.H.

Ward, Mary Esther

Mary Esther Ward
November 27, 1841-February 10, 1846


Died
    In this village, on the 10 inst., Mary Esther, eldest daughter of Mr. S.S. Ward, aged four years, two months and two weeks.
    We sincerely sympathise with neighbor Ward on this, his second great loss but a few weeks since he followed his companion to her earthly home, and now he is forced to part with one of those little pledges left by her to his care  and keeping. This world is indeed one of grief and sorrow.

Niles Republican, Saturday, February 14, 1846, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Ward, Mary I. (Hager) Phelps

Mary I. (Hager) Phelps Ward
(Mrs. Moses W. Ward)
Died March 23, 1894

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 29, 1894, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. WARD

    The death of Mrs. M.W. Ward, which occurred last Friday night, saddened the hearts of many friends. She was born and reared in this city and won for herself an esteem that was but the natural result of a true womanly life.  To her husband the blow is a sad one, and the little ones she leaves behind will miss a fond mother's care. But in the sorrow that her death has caused there is the bright assurance that her beautiful Christian llife on earth will receive its reward in the home of the blest.

Hoffman, Marguerite (Ehlenfeldt)

Marguerite E. Hoffman
December 9, 1908-June 15, 1993


Marguerite E. Hoffman
1908-1993
Retired teacher, grew up in Niles

    Funeral services for Marguerite E. Hoffman, 84, of 4079 Oxford Drive, Leland, Mich., are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Houseman, of Temple Baptist Church in Ionia, Mich., officiating.
    Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Hoffman died at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday at Leelanau Memoral Hospital in Northport, Mich., following a brief illness.
    Born Dec. 9, 1908, in South Bend, she had lived in Leland since 1992, coming from Grand Rapids. She grew up in Niles and graduated from Niles High School.
    She was a retired teacher in the Wyandotte (Mich.) school district.  She was a graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan and held bachelor's and master's degrees. She was a member of the Alumni of University of Michigan and was a member of the Michigan and National Education Associations.  She was a member of Bertrand Bible Church.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mary K. McMillen of Portland, Mich.; a son, William A. Hoffman of Leland; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and a sister, Dorothy Wade of Galien.  A brother, Ervin Ehlenfeldt preceded her in death on May 9, 1993.
    Friends may call at Halbritter's Funeral Home one hour prior to Thursday's services.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Care Center at Leelanau Memorial Hospital.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 16, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library