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.

Wright, Bertha E.

Bertha E. Wright
Aug. 25, 1877-June 30, 1954


    Mrs. Bertha E. Wright, 902 North Third street, died at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Pawating Hospital. She had been ill for one year.
    Her husband, Walter, died in 1951. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Carl Schmidt, of Niles; one grandchild; one brother, Herman Volkhardt, of Niles, and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Squires, Ypsilanti.
    Mrs. Wright was born on Aug.25, 1877, in Nebraska City, Neb., and came here from Nebraska City in 1879.  She was a member of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church and of the E.L. Hamilton Auxiliary.
    Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with  Rev. H.A. Meussling, pastor, officiating in St. John's Church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery

Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 1, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Cook, Frank D.

Frank D. Cook
July 31, 1847-Dec. 17, 1919


F.D. COOK DIED IN NEW YORK

    Frank D. Cook, brother of F.W. Cook of this city, died in Fordham hospital, New York city, yesterday afternoon.
    Mr. Cook was born in Niles July 31, 1847, and was 72 years of age.  When a young man he went to New York, which has been his home for the past 53 years.  He was engaged in the wholesale tea and coffee business until his retirement a few years ago.
    The body will arrive at 12:30 o'clock noon Saturday, accompanied by his nephew, Harry Cook. Burial will take place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

Source: Niles Daily Star-Sun, Thursday, December 18, 1919, page 6, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Wurz, Herman

Herman Wurz
Oct. 15, 1877*-Dec. 22, 1919


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1919, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS HERMAN WURZ
Was Well Known Niles Young Man--Funeral Occurs Friday

    The death of Hermann[sic] Wurz, which occurred last evening at 9 o'clock at his home, 1402 north Fifth street, brought sadness in a large circle of friends who had hoped that he might yet be successful in his brave fight for health. Mr. Wurz had been in ill health for about two years but was able to be about.  In October, Mr. and Mrs. Wurz left for Arizona, but not receiving the expected benefit to his health they returned to Niles three weeks later, and he had since steadily declined until the end came.
    Mr. Wurz was born in Niles 39 years ago.  He grew to young manhood here, attending the Niles public schols[sic].  At an early age he entered the employe of the Michigan Central railway company and for several years prior to his death he was employed as a switchman for the company.  He was a member of the Switchman's Union.
    Mr. Wurz is survived by his wife, who was formerly Louise Shipperly of NIles, by one son, Ray Wurz and by the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Fred Bachman, Mrs. Rudolph Guideman, Mrs. Charles Meyers, Harry Wurz and Henry Korman.
    Mr. Wurz was highly esteemed and his death has plunged many friends in sorrow.
    The funeral arrangements have not been completed but the services will probably be held on Friday. Rev. P. G. Saffran will officiate.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Friday, Dec. 26, 1919, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Services Today


    Funeral services for Herman Wurz were held this afternoon from the residence on north Fifth street.  Rev. P.G. Saffran conducted the services.  Burial occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

*Note re date of birth: Cemetery records and death record give date of birth as Oct. 15, 1877; however, death record also gives age as 39 y 2m 7d--consistent with date in obituary-- which would result in date of birth as Oct. 15, 1880.

Shipperley, James H.

James H. Shipperley
July 25, 1902-May 8, 1981


James H. Shipperly, 78, of 528 Phillips Rd., Niles, died at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.
He was a retired employee of Penn Central Railroad and a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church.
He was born July 25, 1902 in Bay City and had lived here since 1917.
He was married on Feb 2, 1921 in Bay City to Dorothy L. Clevenger, who survives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  The Rev. Mark D. Graham of the Wesley United methodist Church will officiate.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 9, 1981, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Baumann, Eleanora C.

Miss Eleanora Baumann
Oct. 18, 1893-May 7, 1981


    Miss Eleanora C. Baumann, 87, of 21 South St. Joseph St., Niles, died at 10:30 pm. Thursday in the Dowagiac Nursing Home following an extended illness.
    She was born Oct.18,1893 in Logansport, Ind. and had lived here since 1900.
    She is survived by a brother, Carl J. Baumann of Denver, Colo., and two sisters, Miss Katherine C. Baumann and Mrs. Mamie E. Kern, both of Niles.
    Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Officiating will be the Rev. Robert L. Livingston of St. John's United Church of Christ, of which she was a member.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 pm. Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 9, 1981, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Muntz, Hannah

Hannah Muntz
Jan. 31, 1855-Oct. 31, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 31, 1936, page 1 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Mrs. Hannah Muntz, 81, Resident of Niles 50 Years, Stricken

 

Mrs. Hannah Muntz, 81, of 527 South Third street, died suddenly at her home shortly before noon today apparently of a heart attack. Alone at the time of her death her body was found by her son, Gus, at 11:45 o'clock.

Born in Baden, German, Jan. 31, 1855, Mrs. Muntz moved to Niles approximately 50 years ago. She was the wife of August Muntz, who died in 1928.

She is survived by three sons, Gus, Frank, and William, all of Niles, and one daughter, Mrs. Charles Mochour, Niles, also 13 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Price and Kiger chapel by the Rev. Theo Eisen of St. John's Evangelical church, of which Mrs. Muntz was a member. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 2, 1936, page 2 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: MUNTZ RITES TUESDAY

Funeral Services for Mrs. Hannah Muntz, 81[sic*], who died suddenly at her home, 527 South Third street, Saturday morning, will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Price and Kiger chapel by the Rev. Theo Eisen. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. William Fedore, August Mutz[sic], Charles Mochour, and Mrs. Muntz;s three sons, August, Frank and William, will serve as pallbearers.

 

 

Low, Christine

Christine Low
May 4, 1913-January 30, 1984


    Christine Low, 70, of 2452 Stratton, Benton Harbor, died Monday evening at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor from an apparent heart attack.
    She was born May 4, 1913 in Maysville, Ky., and married Calvin Low, who survives.
    Also surviving are:  two stepbrothers, Russell and Clyde Gilvin, both of Mishawaka; three sisters, Mrs. Noka Dunaway of Loveland, Lohio, Mrs. Evelyne Wiggins of Maysville, Ky. and Mrs. Mary Smith of Lakeville, Ind.
    Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Fairplain Chapel of the Florin Funeral Services, Benton Harbor, Rev. Raymond Rueb of the First Assembly of God, Benton Harbor will officiate.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Fairplain Chapel, 1053 E. Napier, Benton Harbor, beginning at 7 p.m. today.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 1, 1984, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)